Energy Prices
1. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection to quantify the material impact of the withdrawal of energy credits and the decrease in the real value of the fuel allowance has had on the at risk of poverty after housing costs rate and on the material deprivation rate, specifically in households at highest risk of poverty; if he has given consideration to a cost of living package targeting energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2822/26]
In keeping with my form, the question is fairly straightforward. I am curious to know whether the Minister has quantified the material impact of the withdrawal of energy credits. In real terms, the value of the fuel allowance has decreased because of the increase in energy prices. That is simple maths; the Minister will know that. Has he quantified, for his own information, the actual impact and lived reality for people?
The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of financial supports, energy efficiency, awareness initiatives and investment in programmes to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock. The overall strategy to combat fuel poverty and energy poverty is under the remit of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. However, the supports provided by the Government are cross-departmental and, in this regard, my Department is represented on the energy poverty action group and the energy affordability task force.
In budget 2026, the Government committed €8.1 billion in additional spending, including over €1.15 billion in additional social welfare spending. As part of that budget, I was delighted, last October, to announce that from 1 January, the weekly rate of fuel allowance would increase by €5 per week to €38. That is a 15% increase, which will support over 460,000 households requiring Government support with energy costs. Importantly, from a child poverty perspective, I have also extended eligibility for fuel allowance to an additional 43,000 families in receipt of the working family payment. These increases are on top of a €10 per week increase in the core payment rates, which are 4.1% for most schemes.
Over 330,000 children will benefit from the largest ever increase in the child support payment of between 16% and 26% per week, which will be €8 per week for children under 12 and €16 per week for children aged 12 and over. Some 35,000 families will benefit from an extension of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance. In addition, almost 49,000 recipients and over 100,000 children will benefit from an increase to working family payment income thresholds of €60 per week.
Due to the measures taken by the Government in recent years, recent CSO data show a welcome reduction in enforced deprivation rates in 2025, including in relation to energy. We continue to monitor the cost-of-living situation carefully. However, given the additional supports provided by the Government as part of budget 2026, which are permanent, not temporary, supports, a cost-of-living package targeting energy poverty is not being considered at this particular time.
That is very regrettable. As the Minister very well knows, Social Justice Ireland described the Government's most recent budget as a recipe for austerity. It was made clear to the Government at that stage, not just by me and Social Justice Ireland but by others, that the value of the fuel allowance needed to increase in line with the cost of energy. We know that we pay, for reasons that are entirely of the Government's making, some of the highest energy costs in the European Union. We do not have some of the highest energy supports, however, in the European Union.
There are 300,000 households in arrears at the moment. The policy of no disconnection during winter is very welcome but it does not take account of people on prepay meters who experience a "micro-disconnection". I asked whether the Minister had quantified the material impact of the fact that children are going to bed hungry and people with disabilities, as they told us yesterday in the audiovisual room, have to make the choice between being able to heat their homes and power their mobility devices or being able to eat. Those are the questions I want to ask. Has the actual impact been quantified?
We are very focused on energy poverty. That is why the fuel allowance increase is 15%, which supports over 460,000 households that require most support with energy costs. This is the first year the fuel allowance has been expanded to working families. Those on the working family payment will get a back payment in March of their fuel allowance backdated to 1 January. That will bring an additional 50,000 people in.
As I said, we have also looked at other areas that directly impact on families, particularly children. That is why the record increases in child support payment are important. They give permanent increases in income to families on the lowest of incomes. This is the first time the fuel allowance has gone beyond a welfare payment to people who are on the working family payment. That is where I want to go. I want to make permanent increases that are not year to year or dependent on budgetary situations and have them as part of it. We work with our colleagues in the Department of the environment on other fuel poverty initiatives, including retrofitting and guidance, so we can reduce permanently the cost of energy bills as opposed to making temporary changes.
Any changes, temporary or otherwise, might be welcome, but the withdrawal of energy credits is causing real and genuine hardship for people. I see it in my clinics. I am sure the Minister does as well. He mentioned the energy affordability task force, but that is only a continuation of the other task force. It is a little bit "Father Ted" - is there anything to be said for another mass - that there is another task force or group. In truth, the number of people who are in energy poverty and in arrears with their energy bills is going up. It is going up simply because the supports that are there are not keeping pace.
We know that the energy credits made a real and material difference in people's lives and to the number of people who were in arrears. The withdrawal of those credits has pushed people into arrears. These are bills they will have to pay at some point. While those who are not on prepay meters might not be disconnected, they will still have to find the money to pay for those. It is very clear that the increased supports that were given are not adequate. They do not keep pace with inflation and they certainly do not keep pace with the rising cost of energy.
The increase in the fuel allowance is 15%. That is a permanent increase; it will not be from year to year. We expanded fuel allowance to the 50,000 families who are on the working family payment. Again, that is a permanent increase and a fundamental change to the fuel allowance payment.
We are absolutely focused on energy poverty. We are working with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to address the issues that cause energy poverty. We will continue to do that, but we have also addressed a lot of the areas causing family and child poverty by looking at the child support payment and giving record increases, particularly for those over the age of 12. The fuel allowance for 2026 is a €486 million investment in families across the country. It is a total of €1,064 a year for those who are on the fuel allowance. A sum of €486 million from my Department is a very significant measure. As I said, this is the first time it has been expanded. I will certainly have an eye to the fuel allowance, as my response from the Department to energy poverty.
Social Welfare Payments
2. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to introduce, as promised, a weekly cost-of-disability payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3197/26]
People with disabilities and their families incur considerably more expense to survive on a weekly basis, due to their disability. While the Government promised a weekly cost-of-disability payment, it reneged on that promise or, at least, it has not introduced that payment. When will that payment be introduced? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?
The Department of Social Protection provides a range of income support payments for disabled people. There are currently 231,000 recipients of disability income support payments, with an estimated expenditure of €3.24 billion in 2025.
The Government recognises the many additional costs that disabled people face in their daily lives; I agree with the Deputy on that issue. We are committed to improving outcomes by introducing permanent measures to help address those costs. That is why the programme for Government includes a range of commitments to support disabled people. These commitments have been further developed in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. The strategy adopts a whole-of-government approach, with individual Departments and agencies responsible for planning and delivering the commitments that come under their remit across five pillars. The commitment to introduce a permanent annual cost-of-disability support payment sits within this framework as a matter on which my Department is taking the lead. Subject to the overall budgetary context, I am determined to include that payment as part of budget 2027.
Importantly, the strategy requires that delivery of the various commitments be informed by and include the active input of disabled people and their advocates. My Department is leading a strategic focus network on the cost of disability with other relevant Departments and agencies. The work of this network, which includes disabled people and their advocates, will inform the approach to be taken in addressing the cost of disability. Officials have already held bilateral meetings with a number of organisations to discuss the structure and content of the strategic focus network. The matter was also discussed at my Department's disability consultative forum on 2 December. A meeting with the Disabled Persons Organisations Network is being organised. It is currently scheduled to take place next Friday, 23 January. I will make further announcements about consultations in relation to the payment.
People with disabilities are entitled to live with dignity, security and equal opportunity. Unfortunately, reports show that disabled individuals are four times more likely to live in poverty. In fact, one in five disabled people who are unable to work live in consistent poverty. Two in five experience enforced deprivation and are unable to afford essentials like heating, new clothes or social contact. These individuals and their families have substantial additional costs over other individuals and families, for instance, therapy, mobility, communications, medical supplies, specialised transport and heating costs. Research shows there is widespread acceptance of this and that these additional costs range from €488 per week to €555 per week. Many disabled people have to regularly make the choice between charging their wheelchair or heating their home. The Disability Federation of Ireland recommended a non-taxable weekly payment of €55 in its budget submission.
This is a very wealthy country and this is a group of people who are in a particularly difficult situation.
I urge the Minister to introduce this payment. I understand he is considering that for 2027, but some people need it urgently.
I agree about the complexity of the costs facing people with disabilities. We are anxious to capture all those to make this a permanent cost, and one that reflects what they want in it. We will engage with all of the organisations, including the Disability Federation of Ireland, about that. In budget 2026 we have already taken measures, including a €10 increase in the weekly rate of payment, which brings the personal rates of payment to €254; a €20 per month increase in the rate of domiciliary care allowance, which brings that rate to €380 per month from this month; and the highest ever increases in child support payment, at €16 for children aged 12 and over, which brings the rate to €78, and €8 for children under 12, which brings that rate to €58. In budget 2026, we also allocated €3.8 billion to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality for disability services. This is being invested in services to make sure the day-to-day experience of people is dealt with. I am determined to pursue a cost-of-disability payment and I look forward to engaging with the committee about what it should look like, who should get it and how it should be paid. There are different models and interpretations, and I want active and constructive discussion with every member of the committee and every party. We all want to do this, but it is how we do it. I want to make sure that we have the voices of people with disabilities and their advocates in the discussion.
This is an urgent situation. It cannot wait 12 or 18 months or whatever period the Department and Minister have in mind. It is urgent and needs to be dealt with now. This Government talks about targeted measures. This is surely the most targeted measure it could devise. It is a one that deals directly with the poverty being experienced by disabled people. If it is not the Minister's intention to introduce this payment immediately and urgently, surely he will consider announcing an immediate once-off payment for this group of people who are experiencing poverty. Many of them are in the 300,000 households in arrears with their electricity bills and the 170,000 people in arrears with their gas bills. They need assistance urgently. I ask that the Minister introduce a once-off payment of at least €400 immediately.
Deputy Hayes wishes to ask a supplementary question.
Supplementary questions may not be asked on a priority question.
I apologise.
That is fine.
I am learning something new every day.
Every day is a school day. We appreciate the pressures that every family is under. That is why we introduced permanent increases in budget 2026, which took effect from 1 January. The €10 increase in the weekly rate of payment brings to €51 the increase in the weekly disability income support payment since budget 2021. There are the highest ever increases in child support payment and a €20 per month increase in domiciliary care allowance. We have also made changes that allow those being paid disability allowance who take up work to retain the fuel allowance payment for five years. We have made changes to the wage subsidy scheme to encourage employers to give more employment. I am focused on making real and permanent changes. The one-off payments are not financially sustainable. I want to ensure we have in the system a permanent payment that most importantly reflects the views of those with disabilities in terms of how it is designed and paid.
Pension Provisions
3. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the roll-out of auto-enrolment; specifically for an update on his engagement with other Departments as regards the roll-out of auto-enrolment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2823/26]
This again is a straightforward question. I am interested in the numbers of people who have been signed up for auto-enrolment, and also any engagements the Department or Minister may have had with agencies. I submitted this question because I was contacted by senior managers in funded agencies who had a concern that their funding was not increased but their obligation had increased. One of them cheekily said I could ask that if they had to make a choice between services and pension, where the Minister would want them to make that cut.
As the Deputy knows, we introduced the automatic enrolment system from 1 January. The aim of introducing auto-enrolment is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with access to a quality-assured retirement savings scheme, thereby giving greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income. My Future Fund commenced on 1 January. More than 763,000 employees who were not actively contributing to a qualifying pension or PRSA through payroll were eligible. They have been automatically enrolled in My Future Fund. I will have an up-to-date figure for the Deputy shortly. As of my most recent check, on Monday, 92% of employers had registered. I will get the employee figure for the Deputy. It has been a very good response from employers and employees to date.
The collection of employer and employee contributions has now commenced and is operating in line with the design and build of the system. The contributions are being topped up by the State and transferred to investment management providers for investment. Portals are available to employers and will be available to employees in the coming fortnight to access a range of services and to check on their accounts. This positive start is reflective of the massive effort made by my Department and other stakeholders, including payroll providers and employers, in advance of the launch of My Future Fund.
My Department has worked across a range of Government Departments and agencies through the Cabinet committee structure and bilateral engagements. The Deputy has raised this issue with me on many occasions and I, in turn, have raised it across Departments, including the Department of Finance in relation to taxation and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and with the Revenue Commissioners and Attorney General. Officials in my Department have raised with officials in every other Department the responsibilities of agencies under auto-enrolment. We cannot dictate the budget allocations for other Departments, but I assure the Deputy I have been consistent in raising the matter with ministerial colleagues. It has been raised at Secretary General level with regard to the responsibilities of auto-enrolment and we will continue to engage with Departments on the funding responsibilities.
The Minister deftly avoided answering that question. If the choice for the chief executive is that he has to put money into the pension or cut back on services, what decision does the Minister want him to make? Between 70,000 and 80,000 people are currently not covered, but the 92% figure is certainly evidence that people have heard about auto-enrolment and are signing up. I still have a concern because I know this happened previously. I welcome that the Minister has had engagements across Departments, but I ask him to redouble his efforts to ensure that at accounting time at the end of year, there is not going to be an unfortunate cliff for people. There is genuine concern. To be clear, I do not often stand up for management in here but the senior people in funded organisations who came to me want their workers to be in a pension scheme. They also want to be able to provide the services, and a lot of them said they had difficulty with Departments. I welcome that the Minister is engaging. I ask him to have another round of engagements.
Obviously, I do not want any CEO to be in that position. We will continue to engage with the Departments. I have the up-to-date figures. As of 12 January, 94,062 employers were registered and 700,256 employees were registered. The total amount collected to date since 1 January is €14.47 million. The contact centre, which has been open since 1 December, has taken 4,620 calls and 3,748 online chats. Some 57% of those are from employers, 21% from participants and 15% from agents. The contact centre is continuing to engage, and I think that will continue. I will certainly be engaging with ministerial colleagues with regard to funded agencies. I will continue to pursue this issue and keep the Deputy up to speed on my work.
I record my concern with regard to Tata Consultancy Services.
I have put this on the record previously. I am not massively impressed with the Minister’s defence of the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund - that if it is good enough for Norway, it should be good enough for us. We should paddle our own canoe on this and the Minister should do his own research. I do not think the State should be doing business with companies that have a significant presence in the occupied territories, and I do not think the Minister does either.
The Minister said he will continue his engagement and I welcome that. I undertake to forward to him any concerns brought to my attention because I, like him, want to make sure people are catered for in their retirement. I would prefer that money to be managed by the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, and invested in other ways, but the decision was taken and we need to deal with the reality. I will keep in touch with the Minister as people get in touch with me.
We want to continue that engagement. In relation to Tata Consultancy Services, TCS, I have done more research since the Deputy and I last engaged on this. TCS is not included on any UN or EU database of companies that are involved in specific activities related to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Specifically, the UN, pursuant to Resolutions 31/36 and 53/25, produces a list of enterprises involved in specific activities related to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. TCS does not feature on this list, which, to my knowledge, was last updated in September 2025. I acknowledge that TCS Ireland, based in Letterkenny, employs more than 1,400 people and has been an extraordinarily strong partner in the roll-out of My Future Fund to date.
As I said to Deputy O’Reilly at the committee, inevitably in a project of this complexity there will be glitches. We want to address those as quickly as possible and if Deputies or Senators encounter any, they should raise them with us and we will seek to address them. Auto-enrolment is a complete change and it will be reflected in a massive change in the country's pension and post-retirement savings landscape.
Question No. 4 taken with Written Answers.
Disability Issues
5. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection his Department’s initiatives to assist persons with disabilities in accessing and sustaining employment, including any specific supports or schemes currently in place, plans for future measures to promote workforce participation, and the timeframe for implementation of these initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2946/26]
What initiatives and plans are in place to support people with disabilities to access and sustain employment? I wish to highlight what works in practice and what is at risk if we do not protect those pathways. This is a social protection issue. In my constituency, Scoil Eoin, a school for children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, has a post-leaving certificate employment rate of 95%. This compares to the national average employment rate of young adults with intellectual disabilities of 30%. What is happening in Scoil Eoin works. Unfortunately, the school's designation is under threat. This means it will not be allowed to focus on children with mild to moderate learning disabilities. I am concerned this change in designation will impact the Department of Social Protection’s pipeline, the people attending its services, the future viability of employment services and the success of disability services.
I thank Deputy Ardagh for the question. I will address the general issue first. My Department is committed to supporting disabled people into employment and offers a range of employment supports to achieve this. My Department's Intreo service is a single point of contact for all employment supports in the State. Disabled people can make an appointment to meet with a designated disability employment personal adviser to discuss employment and training options, including schemes such as community employment, Tús and referral to the employability service.
Work and access is a scheme that offers seven supports that address barriers to the workplace for disabled people and make it more accessible. Funding is available for communication supports and workplace adaptations, as well as disability, equality and inclusion training. The wage subsidy scheme supports employers to hire disabled people in meaningful and sustained employment through a subsidy. Budget 2026 has provided for a further expansion in eligibility and an increase in the subsidy rates.
In December 2023, my Department established the WorkAbility programme. WorkAbility is co-financed with the EU employment, inclusion, skills and training programme. This programme aims to support 13,000 disabled people progress their training and employment ambitions through 57 local, regional and national projects over its five-year lifetime. Recipients of disability allowance and blind pension can take up employment and may continue to receive their income support. They can currently earn up to €165 per week and keep their payment in full, or earn up to €527.60 and keep a portion of their payment while keeping their secondary benefits.
Budget 2026 provided for people who move from disability allowance or blind pension into employment to be able to retain their fuel allowance payment for up to five years. In addition, people with dependent children who move off either of these payments and into employment will now be eligible for the back to work family dividend.
The programme for Government commits to expanding successful programmes like WorkAbility and work and access. This commitment is echoed in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, for which my Department, alongside the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, leads the employment pillar. We will advance those commitments over the lifetime of the Government.
I will liaise with the Deputy in relation to Scoil Eoin. The figures cited seem very impressive and I am anxious that this continue. Schools generally do not come under the Department of Social Protection but I will engage with the Deputy on the matter.
While I understand this is an education issue, when dealing with employment for people with disabilities we have to take a whole-of-government approach. I thank the Minister for his detailed and constructive reply and acknowledge the significant work led by his Department. The range of supports he outlined and the work and access, wage subsidy and WorkAbility schemes demonstrate his continued commitment to supporting people with disabilities in employment. I welcome in particular the measures he announced in budget 2026, especially the practical supports which allow people to take up work while retaining key secondary benefits. This kind of flexibility is what helps people sustain employment.
I will pivot back to Scoil Eoin because while it is in the education area, it relates to the pipeline of the Department of Social Protection. When these people stay in employment there is less reliance on the Department. A whole-of-government approach is, therefore, needed. I ask that the Minister ask the Minister for education not to redesignate Scoil Eoin as a special school and to keep it as a school for mild to moderate disabilities. Parents and children like choice and this school works as regards people with intellectual disabilities staying in employment.
I will engage with the Minister, Deputy Naughton, in relation to Scoil Eoin and its designation. We want to continue to raise the profile of people with intellectual disabilities in employment throughout 2026. During the course of the year, we will have a specific range of training and work events for employers, offering opportunities for those with disabilities. I say again to all employers that they are missing out on serious talent and skills if they do not recruit people with disabilities. I commend all of the employers who avail of the wage subsidy scheme and encourage and offer opportunities to people with disabilities. We will continue to work with various groups on the wage subsidy scheme, employability services and the WorkAbility scheme, which are on-the-ground responses, working in specific areas with specific responses. I am happy to continue working with these schemes and to continue funding them to enhance their approach.
We continue to support the upskilling of staff in the Department on how we treat people with disabilities, in particular, through the just-a-minute, or JAM, initiative being rolled out across the Department.
I commend the Minister on his leadership on this. I also commend the Oireachtas work and learning programme, OWL, developed in partnership with WALK, an organisation based in Walkinstown in my constituency, which does outstanding work supporting people with intellectual disabilities to access meaningful employment. The programme shows how supported employment works in practice when organisations lead by example. As the Minister said, we already see many large employers, including in the retail sector, and small and medium-sized businesses quietly providing inclusive and supportive workplaces. There is real merit, as the Minister said, in acknowledging these employers, large and small, which support people with disabilities and also the benefit they get themselves when they hire people with disabilities. I thank the Minister for his response. I would be grateful if he could raise the issue of Scoil Eoin in Crumlin with the Minister, Deputy Naughton.
I will do that. In relation to the wage subsidy scheme, as of the end of November 2025, we had 1,550 employers and 2,615 employees availing of the scheme. On the work and access scheme, we had paid 221 grants to the end of November 2025. On WorkAbility, we have supported 4,585 people since 2024. I join the Deputy in paying tribute to the Oireachtas, in particular to former Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who led on the OWL initiative. It shows we can all offer that opportunity and avail of that skill and talent.
I think it has been a very successful programme. Under employability, through 2025 to the end of November, we had 3,076 referrals and 9,500 early engagements. For those in the early stages of disability payment there was a meeting with them to point out the available employment supports.
Public Transport
95. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for the delay to certain critical public transport infrastructure projects, despite having all the necessary planning permissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2819/26]
There is huge demand for proper and reliable public transport. Homes are being built in my area without adequate parking. The idea is for the residents to use public transport but it is simply not there or it is not reliable. I am one of the commuters in my area who would love to get the bus and public transport in here every day but I cannot rely on it. Will the Minister give me the reasons for the delay in certain critical public transport infrastructure despite having all of the necessary planning permission in place?
I thank Deputy Ward. I assure him there are no delays. We published the review of the national development plan and we set out very clearly what projects we are going to deliver. I will go through some of the specifics. I thank Deputy Ward for the question and I thank him for acknowledging the number of homes being built in his constituency. His constituency colleague sometimes does not recognise it but it is good that he does.
Deputy Ward has asked a good and valid question. The commitment we have on public transport was evidenced by the national development plan in which we allocated €24.3 billion in Exchequer funding to transport, and this is just from this year to 2030. This means €1 in every €4 in the national development plan review is going into transport. This is an unprecedented level of investment in transport. It is an almost 87% increase when compared to the five-year period under the previous national development plan. It is also a fact that in any funding envelope, no matter how big, decisions are required on sequencing and prioritisation. These are the decisions that come with the responsibility of being in government but we will deliver and we want to deliver these projects.
There has been much commentary since the publication of the national development plan about certain projects, and I will use one or two as an example. There has been commentary that they have been allegedly delayed, and I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight. One project referred to in particular is the Luas to Finglas. Let me be very clear that under the last national development plan, and in the greater Dublin area transport strategy, delivery of this project was scheduled to start after 2030. The funding I have secured under the new national development plan will bring the delivery forward into this five-year period. That is one example. It is a major project. The extension of the Luas into that area will serve 56,000 additional homes.
Similarly, funding secured under the new national development plan will see construction start before 2030 on the DART+ programme, beginning with DART+ West, which is a crucial enabler for the rest of the programme and particularly DART+ South West, which has also been the subject of some commentary. I will come back with more details in my supplementary reply.
There are another couple of issues that I would like to raise. Major transport projects are at risk of being delayed due to the huge demand already placed on the energy grid, and we have seen reports this week in the newspapers. The Government's support for building more data centres will put more pressure on the energy grid. As we stand, 25% of all electricity in Ireland is consumed by data centres and this could increase to a minimum of 31% under the Government's plan.
Putting data centres before the national interest is pure folly. Let us get all the other infrastructure in place first. The Minister mentioned the MetroLink expansion, the expansion of the DART, the Luas services and Luas to Finglas. There was also meant to be a Lucan Luas since 2000 and it has not been delivered yet. Dublin Bus, for example, has nine depots across Dublin and only two of these have the capacity to charge electric buses. A lack of electricity in the grid is going to seriously delay this much-needed transport. I would like to know how the Minister is going to address these, in particular some of the things he mentioned earlier, especially the extension of the DART and the Luas.
To complement the national development plan, NDP, which we have published and in which we have detailed the projects, we have also published the capital investment plan for our grid, known as PR 6 or price review 6. That is up to €18.9 billion of investment in our grid between now and 2030. That takes into account all the major projects we are delivering. It also takes into account the new 300,000 homes we need to deliver and the need to further expand energy generation and distribution to enable further investment in things like data. About 185,000 jobs are supported in the tech sector and we need to continue to be at the cutting edge of new technologies like AI and others and data centres are critical to that. We will be able to manage that.
That grid investment is critical. For example, the North-South interconnector project needs to start. It needs to get going. It is the most critical part of energy infrastructure that we need on this island - on an all-Ireland basis. I intend to get that project started this year. It has to happen. Further engagement will be happening in the next couple of weeks on that. I ask politicians of various parties in some of those areas to get on board with this. This piece of infrastructure is critical to deliver the things that Deputy Ward wants and I want.
Speaking of things we want in Dublin Mid-West, I would like to touch on DART+ South West. There was some commentary on that this week. That DART service will bring passengers through Clondalkin, Adamstown and Lucan. It was first granted permission in 2024. Construction was expected to take place this year but has been pushed out to 2030 at the earliest. This project would enable 20,000 passengers to travel each way every hour. That will be absolutely fabulous for the people of Dublin Mid-West if it is delivered.
We are in dire need of public transport as the Minister mentioned. I mentioned the 9,000 homes that are being built in the Clonburris strategic development zone, SDZ. This is a project the Minister's colleagues on South Dublin County Council did not support at the time. There was a further 4,000 homes in the Adamstown SDZ being built and this train line was part of that. I do not know if the Minister is in breach of the SDZ at this stage in relation to that.
In Dublin Mid-West we are not surprised to see these things delayed. The Lucan Luas was delayed in 2000. The date for this was 2015. This was pushed back and we still have no date for the start. On DART+, the service is going to bring passengers to Clondalkin, Lucan and Adamstown. Will the Minister reverse his decision and bring the necessary funding forward?
We are. DART+ West and DART+ South West are interlinked and are both critical. I want to use this opportunity to set the record straight on this. Deputy Shane Moynihan, a constituency colleague of Deputy Mark Ward's, has been at the forefront in ensuring this project moves forward. DART+ South West must be advanced as it will provide the depot capacity for the new fleet on the south-west line as well. It also provides capacity in the city centre to allow for the DART+ South West services to proceed. On DART+ South West, we are commencing the compulsory purchase order, CPO, processes on that project this year. Aspects of the procurement framework put in place on DART+ West will also be used for DART+ South West. I can assure the Deputy there is no delay on it. That has to be done in advance of the main construction. CPOs and procurement will be done this year and I hope to accelerate that further through NDP funding, which will be made available from 2028 onwards.
I agree with Deputy Ward that it is a critical service. We are committed to doing both DART+ West and DART+ South West. They are interlinked and complement each other. There are aspects of both projects that need to be delivered, some of which in DART+ West need to be delivered first to enable DART+ South West, particularly the docklands station and clearing up the bottlenecks in Connolly Station. It is a project we are absolutely committed to and will do.
Road Safety
96. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of a survey commissioned by the RAC in the UK into the safety of LED headlights in modern vehicles, which found that four in five drivers were concerned about dazzling headlights; if he, his Department or the Road Safety Authority has considered the independent research study published by TRL in October 2025 titled ‘Glare from road vehicle lighting on UK roads’ that was commissioned by the UK government; if he or the RSA will now commission a similar study in Ireland to review the safety of LED headlights in modern vehicles and present the findings to the European Commission and the UNECE Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3293/26]
I am glad to hear the Minister's comments on DART+ South West. We will keep pressure on him there.
This question relates to road safety. The brightness and intensity of the new style LED car headlights is a cause of concern for a lot of people. Is the Minister aware of a survey commissioned by the RAC in the UK into the safety of LED headlights in modern vehicles? It found four in five drivers were concerned about dazzling headlights. Has the Minister, his Department or the RSA considered the independent research study published by TRL, Transport Research Laboratory, in October 2025 titled Glare from Road Vehicles?
I thank Deputy Ahern for raising this question. Ministers of State, Deputies Canney and Buttimer, and I had good discussions on this with officials yesterday in preparation for questions here. This issue of the new LED lights and high intensity discharge, HID, headlights are known to provide greater brightness, improved colour rendering, increase efficiency and, in the case of LED in particular, longer performance life. That is fine and that is good. However, I am aware of the concerns and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I have discussed the concern expressed in some quarters in relation to glare particularly with LED and HID headlights. The Deputy might note that the use of these headlights in the EU is regulated by the European type-approval system. This system establishes the technical and safety standards required for a vehicle or component of a vehicle to be placed on the European market and to place a vehicle or a vehicle component on the market and used within any member state. Type-approval requires the vehicle or component to meet specific safety requirements. Accordingly,if a headlight has been approved and entered into service, it is considered safe to use within the EU. During roadworthiness testing, the lighting system in a vehicle is tested to ensure it is in full working order and, importantly, correctly aligned for the safe performance of the vehicle. Factors which can contribute headlamp glare include misaligned aim and various other things. I understand that the UNECE Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling is going to establish a task force to investigate this issue and I can assure Deputy Ahern that I, Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and my Department will be guided by that work.
On a personal level, I have experienced this as well. I do think this is a matter which needs to be looked at. It is a European competence in relation to the specifications. However, the survey clearly shows that four in five motorists have experienced this. All of us have at this stage. It does merit further investigation. That working group will be important and we will be guided by its recommendations.
Many constituents, friends and family of mine who perhaps were travelling a little bit more on country roads over the Christmas period have come to me saying this is not a comfort issue and that it is a serious road safety issue. Depending on the direction or the angle of these lights coming at the driver, which is often from new higher cars and higher positions, they can temporarily blind the driver. Unfortunately, I am raising this in the context of a record of 190 people dying on our roads last year which is the highest since 2014. I raise this with a the view to try to probe any and all solutions to improve our road safety record. It is all well and good having the Minister and I discuss our anecdotal experience. I would push the Minister to carry out some research into this and not necessarily rely on the UK research but doing our own to try to push this issue forward to determine the cause and effect.
The Deputy is right but we do have a way of doing this now. As I mentioned, the UNECE Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling is going to establish that task force. That had to be done looking at European standards as opposed to British standards. As I said, I have discussed this with the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and he will be putting this on the agenda for work to be done at a European level because anecdotally and from my experience, I think it is an issue. I am not a lighting specialist. I do not set the standards either as they are set at an EU level but it does merits further investigation. The question the Deputy put down is not only very timely but is very apt too and is an important one.
The Deputy mentioned road safety. Road safety for us is an absolutely critical priority. Last year was a terrible year for road fatalities and road injuries. All of us want to improve that. Every life lost on our roads is an absolute tragedy for families and communities across the country. We all must work together to do whatever we can to reverse that trend we have seen in the past couple of years of increasing road fatalities. Any measures, such as this one, which I am not saying is the reason for any of those fatalities, merits further investigation and work to be done in a structured way.
It would be interesting to get the statistics on collisions and fatalities in order to understand what the contributing factors are. I appreciate this is a European competency but I want to ensure we are feeding into the European agenda and, to the extent we have any data, providing it in support of any changes needed.
Acknowledging the European competency, there are some things from an enforcement perspective we could focus on as part of the NCT. I understand the illegal retrofit of certain LED lights is an issue. Maybe that is something we could clamp down on to ensure it does not happen and bring it more to the attention of the RSA and the Garda when it comes to enforcing the existing standards in our cars.
I will make a suggestion. It would be helpful to all of us working on this if the transport committee looked at it. Through the UNECE working group, it will be, and is, on the agenda. I do not have any data at this stage to support claims the changes in standards have led to road accidents, though I am not saying that has not happened either. The transport committee's input would be useful. It could get lighting experts, Department officials and the RSA in to discuss this.
The next question, which the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, will take, relates to road safety. We all need to work together on that. We have responsibility and are acutely aware of that. We take it really seriously. Every party and individual has an input into doing everything possible to improve road safety. Core to that in many instances is driver behaviour. We have to address that. The State can only do so much. We need further resourcing - as the Minister of State will go through in more detail - and further measures in relation to speeding, which we are doing. We have to get extremely serious about this issue over the course of this year. I look forward to working with colleagues on it.
97. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to reduce road deaths and improve road safety on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2818/26]
I agree with the Minister that last year was an absolutely terrible year for road deaths in our country. The number of road deaths has been steadily increasing. What steps is the Minister of State taking to reduce road deaths and improve road safety?
I thank the Deputy. I extend my condolences and those of the Government to those who lost a loved one on our roads in 2025. With 190 lives lost, it was the worst year on our roads since 2014 and a sobering call to action for all of us to do more to make our roads safer.
Reducing deaths and serious injuries is an all-of-society challenge. It is a priority for me, as Minister of State, and for this Government. This priority is made clear by our investment. Budget 2026 provides a record €1.7 billion for investment in our roads, helping to deliver safer roads infrastructure. In addition, €360 million has been allocated for investment in active travel, helping to make walking and cycling safer modes of travel. The Road Safety Authority has again been directed to ring-fence a budget of €18 million for investment in public awareness, communications and education campaigns.
Last July, I published the phase 2 action plan of the road safety strategy. It includes 12 primary and 77 supporting actions aimed at delivering transformative change. Concrete recent actions include the introduction of a safer default speed limit of 60 km/h on rural roads, which affects 80% of our national road network. That was brought in last February. In October, local authorities were instructed to review speed limits in their urban areas and, where appropriate, introduce a 30 km/h limit. They have been directed to complete this work and implement the new limits by 31 March 2027.
Long-standing issues are being addressed, such as individuals repeatedly renewing a learner permit without sitting a driver test. Regulations are now in place to end this practice, with the changes coming into effect in November.
Legislative changes are progressing. The Government has approved the general scheme of the national vehicle and driver file Bill, which is targeted for enactment in the first half of this year. Among other measures, the Bill will restore direct collision data-sharing with local authorities. My officials are developing the next road traffic Bill to fulfil key programme for Government commitments, including in relation to graduated speeding penalties and camera-based enforcement of mobile phone and seatbelt offences.
I join the Minister of State in extending thoughts and deepest sympathies to the 190 families whose loved ones lost their lives on Irish roads last year and the three people who have died so far this year. These are not just statistics and numbers; they are real families who had real lives and it has a big impact on entire communities. There is a crisis level of fatalities and collisions at the moment. I commend the Garda roads policing unit on its work on detection and enforcement but it needs proper resourcing. It is as simple as that.
There are issues with driver behaviour and drivers making conscious bad decisions about what they do and how they get behind the wheel. Drug driving is becoming a real problem. The substances and drugs people take before they get behind the wheel are ever changing. As drugs and people's behaviour are always changing, does the Minister of State have any plans to amend the Road Traffic Act to include other substances for roadside testing?
The Deputy makes a very important point. The four major causes of collisions on our roads are speeding; driving under the influence of alcohol or drug substances; not wearing a seatbelt; and distraction through the use of a mobile phone or all the technology in a car, which is more like an office than a vehicle to get from A to B. There are many issues we have to deal with but the Road Traffic Act is looking at all of these to consolidate what we can into more relevant legislation to deal with the challenges we have.
I commend the Garda. We do not have enough gardaí doing roads policing but the numbers are increasing. I thank the Deputy for his acknowledgement of the work they do. It is very effective and they will continue to do that. I have had discussions with the Garda Commissioner and deputy commissioner on this. As numbers increase in the force, we will see more visibility on the ground as well.
I will return to drug driving. A number of people have contacted me about people driving cars while inhaling nitrous oxide through balloons. This behaviour is idiotic and dangerous. The people doing that need to cop on. Nitrous oxide is commonly known as laughing gas. It cuts oxygen to the brain and is an extremely dangerous substance generally; behind the wheel, it is absolutely lethal. I was on a debate on "Prime Time" with a colleague of the Minister of State recently and we heard of the death of a young man by a hit-and-run driver. The driver was suspected of being under the influence of nitrous oxide. There have been a number of deaths across Europe associated with driving under the influence of nitrous oxide.
I wrote to the Minister of State last week and got the answer this week. I asked him to amend the Road Traffic Act to include nitrous oxide on the list of intoxicants for roadside testing. His response was he has no plans to do this. Will he reconsider this position?
Absolutely. It is being considered. I did not see that reply going out. We have a huge amount of work to do to update our legislation on road safety. However, going back to the point the Deputy made, personal behaviour is vital. We will provide the legislation and enforcement. At the end of the day, if somebody makes a conscious decision to sit in a car and do the wrong thing, it is very difficult to deal with that. The public must know there are consequences - not just a collision happening, the outcome of which could be death. Last year, there were 190 cases of that. We never talk about the people injured to a life-changing extent and who continue to live with that.
I thank the Deputy for his question. This is not a political issue. It is an issue we need to continue to address together in this House and to be forceful with.
Bus Services
98. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the start date of the Glendalough-Bray Local Link; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1710/26]
I am looking for an update on the Glendalough to Bray Local Link service. This is a hugely important route. In May 2025, the NTA said it was a priority and the funding had been allocated.
The contract has been awarded to a bus company and a driver is ready to go. The bus company is ready to go with this but we still have no detail on the actual start date. If the Minister of State could provide an update on that, I would be very appreciative.
I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising issues of local transport in County Wicklow. As Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for rural transport, I clearly reaffirm Government's commitment to strong and ongoing enhancement of our Local Link services right across rural Ireland, particularly in County Wicklow.
Under the Programme for Government: Securing Ireland's Future, we are delivering on our promise to strengthen rural connectivity, ensuring villages, towns and cities are better linked, more accessible and more resilient. Crucially, this commitment is being backed by real and sustained investment. Funding for the rural transport programme has increased from €16 million in 2022 to over €25 million last year. This step change is already transforming services on the ground, particularly in County Wicklow. As a direct result, passenger numbers on Local Link's regular bus services have surged from 1.8 million to 4.7 million in just two years.
Through the National Transport Authority and the 15 transport co-ordination units, the Local Link network now delivers a comprehensive mix of scheduled rural routes and flexible door-to-door services designed around the real everyday needs of local communities and real people. The impact is evident across a number of counties, particularly in Wicklow. In that two-year period, we saw a 46% increase in funding and a 61% rise in passenger numbers. A strong example of this progress is the launch of the new Carnew to Baltinglass service last year, which includes evening services, improves access to key destinations and significantly enhances regional connectivity.
Looking ahead, the Department's allocation for this year is firmly focused on advancing existing programmes and honouring commitments already made, including our commitment to the route the Deputy has referenced. We continue to work closely with the National Transport Authority as it finalises its 2026 service plan, ensuring that our commitments are met but also that decisions are strategic, evidence-based and responsive to the needs of communities nationwide. As I have said, we are awaiting a response from the NTA on the service plan for this year. When we get that, we will publish it. We will have the answer to the Deputy's question and a definitive start date when we get that service plan from the NTA.
I was hoping that, when I came in today, the Minister of State would give me a start date for this service. It was meant to start in September of last year. As I have said, the NTA told me in May that this was a priority route and that funding had been allocated. Everyone is ready to go with this. Along with other public representatives, I have been trying to get information about this route and to find out exactly when it is going to start. There are many communities - the people in Glendalough, Laragh, Roundwood and Kilmacanogue - waiting for this bus route so that they can have direct access to shops, doctors and schools in Bray and to the DART. The fact that we have now been waiting for nearly a year for a tangible response as to a start date for this is incredible. I really was hoping the Minister of State could give me a start date because we are not getting the information from the NTA.
I know Deputy Whitmore and Deputy Timmins have raised this before. We are engaging with the NTA. We are awaiting the service plan. As the Deputy will know, we do not announce routes in part. It is part of the whole national service plan. The Department has made a commitment. The NTA has advised us that the procurement process for Transport for Ireland route 199, Glendalough to Bray, is complete. We are awaiting the service plan. From our end, the Department has fully committed to the development of the route. The Deputy is right; it is about looking after the travelling public and commuters. We have seen that in a whole range of services in her own county. We have seen investment and increased passenger numbers. People are voting with their feet in using these services. It is about connectivity, a deliberate response from Government and a Government policy to have more people use public transport. Local Link services and the connectivity they provide have been a success story for the Department of Transport. We are working with the NTA on its service plan. When that is complete, we will announce the routes as a block. We are committed to the development of the service. We will have the date in due course.
When will that service plan be complete? We need to give people some idea. This is obviously about connectivity and it is really important that these services are put in place but we are really starting to see a lack of trust in the Government's ability to provide public transport. The NTA said nearly a year ago that the funding was available, that the route had been awarded and that it was a priority but we still do not have a start date. This is not only impacting people lives because they cannot get a bus, but it is also undermining people's trust in the bus service, in the NTA and in the Government's ability to deliver. This is not a large infrastructure project. It is not the metro. We are talking about a Local Link bus from Glendalough to Bray. It really should not be that hard. It certainly should not take that long to put in place. I ask the Minister of State to talk to the NTA because it is not a good look for the Government that the NTA is not giving it those dates.
The real facts are that the plan is imminent. To put this in context, the budget was in December. The Department gave the NTA its allocation. To be fair to it, it is working through the process. This is the first week of January. The Deputy used the word "trust". Look at the Government's commitment in terms of its investment in rural transport. Some €84 million has been invested and there has been a 36% increase in the budget for this area this year. As a Government, we are committed to rural transport and want to see enhanced connectivity for people. The Local Link service has seen a 43% increase since 2025. Some €658.4 million has been invested. The Deputy speaks about trust. Trust the Government to invest in Local Link services and rural transport. We are doing that. I understand the frustration and annoyance of people. As a Government, we are working to enhance and improve the offering to people. That is what we have been doing for the past five years. It is a success story. The results can be seen in the increase in the number of people using these services and the demand for them. We will work with the NTA to ensure these services are provided. As I said a second ago, the work is complete. The NTA is going through the budgetary process, which is deliberate. The NTA is before the Committee of Public Accounts today. The service plan is imminent and we will publish it in due course.
99. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the reason the commencement date for the roll out of the N8 orbital bus route linking Blanchardstown with Dublin Airport has been delayed further to 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3199/26]
Blanchardstown is about 14 km away from Dublin Airport and yet we have not had a direct bus route linking the two since 2010. We have heard a number of commitments that this route, the N8 under BusConnects, would be delivered. However, we are now told that the route has been pushed back until 2027. Is it because of a lack of funding that the N8 orbital route from Blanchardstown to Dublin Airport is not being delivered in 2026, as had been committed to?
I thank the Deputy for his question. He will be aware that BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in our bus network and system that will provide much better services across our cities, covering Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway. It is the largest investment in our bus system in the history of the State and is managed by the NTA. The city programmes cover the construction of new bus corridors, new network services, bus electrification and the development of enhanced ticketing in an integrated manner to help maximise the benefits to the public, the customers.
The network redesign as part of BusConnects Dublin will improve the existing bus network by providing high frequency spines and new local, orbital and radial routes. Orbital routes are a really important part of the new design as they offer an efficient way for passengers to travel without needing to pass through the city centre. New bus services in Dublin are already being delivered as part of BusConnects. Since 2021, we have rolled out the first seven phases of the network redesign in Dublin. This has included the northern orbital routes connecting Blanchardstown to the Point Village in 2022 and the western orbital routes connecting Blanchardstown to Tallaght in 2023.
This new N8 route is really important. The Deputy raised it just before Christmas. It will connect Blanchardstown with Dublin Airport. It is still planned to have the service in place late this year, in 2026. We have just mentioned the NTA's service plan. We have to get that back. The Deputy will be aware of how this works. We will announce all the routes in the round. That has to be stepped through. We also need the human resources to do it. Blanchardstown and the Dublin 15 area is a major growth area. The Deputy and I represent different parts of Fingal. We will continue to improve the public transport offering there. We are seeing people's response to this in the record number of public transport journeys. The Dublin Bus figures for 2025 show a further increase.
With Transdev and the Luas, we have an increase of a million journeys there alone. Overall, BusConnects will transform bus services in our cities. The N8 is a very important route and we intend to get that in later this year.
I will give the Minister a bit of a history of the delays with the N8. I wrote to the NTA in August of 2024 and was told the N8 would be launched in 2025. In April 2025, when I enquired with the NTA about where it was at, I was told it would start in quarter 2 of 2026. In September of last year the Minister said in this Chamber that it could potentially be introduced "within the next year. To be clear, next year, that is, by the end of 2026". That is what the Minister said in September. I wrote to the NTA over Christmas and got a reply on 5 January this year which says that it currently anticipates implementation of phase 9 and specifically the N8 to be in 2027, subject to funding and operational readiness. The Minister has said 2026; that is not what the NTA is telling me. It has obviously assessed a longer timeframe. It is not fair to the commuters who want to get to the airport, or the workers in Dublin 15 who work there. The constant chopping and changing of this deadline is not fair either.
My answer today is consistent with the answer I gave the Deputy in September. I plan to get the N8 up and running in 2026. We have done other things with BusConnects as well. We have started the first two quality bus corridors. Liffey Valley corridor is under construction now. I have signed the contracts. There is major investment in that scheme, about €200 million. We have signed the contracts now for Ballymun-Finglas as well and that will start construction this year. Not only are the services going in but the infrastructure is going in, coupled with and complemented by active travel schemes along those routes. I want to get the service in place in 2026. As the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, outlined in response to a previous question, we need the NTA service plan. I expect that imminently. Three Ministers will go through that plan, taking into account the expert view with regard to the National Transport Authority. We will then assess that plan. We made a very significant step forward with regard to increases in the PSO of about 46% in this budget. That means not being dependent on constant supplementary budgets, which was the case over the previous five years. Myself and the Ministers of State, Deputies Buttimer and Canney, want to ensure that is not the way we move forward. I reiterate that the answer is 2026.
The Minister's answers are consistent but unfortunately they are not consistent with what the NTA told me last week. The Minister is saying the NTA service plan for the year is coming to him. That is great. Is the Minister going to go through that? Can he commit to us here that he is going to say to the NTA that 2027 is not acceptable and that he wants the N8 delivered in 2026? It is clearly flagging what is coming in on its service plan to the Minister. It is going say 2027, a further delay for Dublin 15 commuters. Is the Minister able to commit that he will say to the NTA that is not acceptable and the N8 orbital link has to be delivered in 2026?
Those in the NTA are very good colleagues. We have a new chief executive in place now. They are very competent at what they do. I want this service in place 2026 and I will be saying that to them. I have said that to them. I do not control every letter that goes out from the NTA. It does a very good job and it has more resources now than it has ever had. Thankfully, because of the hard work of our people and the good economic management of the last Government and this one, we have moneys to invest and continue to invest in public transport. Our bus network is just one element of it. What needs to be understood, and is understood in the NTA, and I and the Ministers of State, Deputies Buttimer and Canney, will be reinforcing it, is that Dublin 15 and the Fingal area is a major growth area in our country. That is not just because I represent part of it. We can look at south Dublin as well. There are areas that have seen significant growth where we need to further improve the public transport offering.
To answer the Deputy directly, will I be saying to the NTA that I want this service in place in 2026? Yes. I am saying it here on the floor of the House. My answer is consistent with what I said to the Deputy in September. I thank him for raising the matter. I know the importance of getting this route up and running. It will be very successful and heavily used, I have no doubt about it.
Dublin Airport Authority
100. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport the reason a health research report of April 2025, the health costs report on aircraft noise from Dublin Airport, compiled by a person (details supplied), submitted by Fingal and Meath residents, is being ignored and corrective action avoided, in view of the recent report by the European Environment Agency of 9 January 2026 in the European Heart Journal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3290/26]
My question relates to the health costs report on aircraft noise from Dublin Airport, which was submitted in April 2025, and estimated costs per annum of €800 million. They are significant health costs. How and why is that being ignored in light of the European Environment Agency report in the European Heart Journal of 9 January this year?
I fully acknowledge the impact of aircraft noise. I live beside the airport myself and have lived there my whole life. I represent a community and a constituency that sees the benefits of the airport but also communities that are impacted by it. It is really important that residents' and communities' views are taken into account and that the airport operates a good neighbour policy. I have met with the Deputy and with residents' groups on that and continue to engage with them.
It is my understanding that the health costs report on aircraft noise from Dublin Airport that the Deputy is referring to was prepared by PMCA Economic Consulting on behalf of the St Margaret's and The Ward residents' group, and that the report attempts to quantify the health impacts of aircraft noise and the opinions therein. The second report and recently published journal article referenced by the Deputy have not been submitted to my Department. I would like to thank the Deputy for bringing them to my attention. I have asked my officials to consider the contents of the documents and communicate them to the relevant competent authority, the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority, ANCA.
The Deputy will be aware the ANCA monitors the aircraft noise climate around Dublin Airport and publishes noise contours that show the geographical impact of aircraft noise on communities around the airport. These contours represent aircraft noise that is averaged over a full year for different periods of the day in a standardised European format. The noise level of individual aircraft events is also available publicly from an extensive network of DAA noise monitors around the airport. Every year, ANCA carries out an assessment of the effectiveness of the noise management measures at the airport and publishes a report on its findings. This is in addition to publishing annual reports by the airport authority on the compliance by airport users with the noise management measures. If regular review or an assessment of the potential impact of development at the airport indicates that new or amended measures are required to manage aircraft noise at the airport, ANCA will facilitate a period of public consultation on draft proposals to address any noise problem or potential noise problem.
I acknowledge the opportunities to meet the Minister. The findings of this European report are stark, estimating 16 premature deaths per 100,000. The information in that report of April 2025 is vitally important. As a matter of correction, in April 2024, ANCA sought noise data information from DAA. It was declined, citing judicial review proceedings, which is wholly inaccurate. That information is vitally important relative to the April report and the more recent report.
As the Minister and I both know, there actually is a solution which was put forward by the north runway technical group, namely adherence to the 2007 An Bord Pleanála planning permission for flights departing off the north runway to fly five nautical miles straight out. The reality is that the flights departing from the north runway are turning after 400 m. Simple adherence to the planning permission and the current legislation would solve this problem for 30,000 of the Minister's and my constituents.
I should say that ANCA is currently carrying out an assessment of the noise situation at Dublin Airport and the potential noise impact of planning applications that seek permission for infrastructure and increases to the permitted passenger capacity at the airport. The airport is a critical piece of national infrastructure, we know that. It underpins tens of thousands of jobs. I have always supported airport growth, but that being done in a sustainable manner. The airport has to operate a good neighbour policy and it has not always doe so. I have written to DAA on a number of occasions, including just before Christmas, asking it to further expand noise mitigation measures and looking at further insulation schemes.
The Deputy has a very specific matter in her area, as there are communities being overflown now that were not expecting to be overflown. I have been on the public record as saying that airlines and the airport should operate under the granted planning permissions. They are subject of further retention applications now. We want the airport to develop and grow. I will be removing the cap on Dublin Airport. That is important. It must be done in a sustainable way. Communities need to be listened to. On the new report, I have not got it yet but I will make sure it goes to ANCA through the good offices of the Deputy.
Go raibh maith agat arís for the reply. This is a matter of absolute importance. There is no denying the economic benefit and employment opportunities for an island nation in connecting people, goods and places. The good neighbour policy and the mission statement of the DAA board is being completely ignored when there is a viable solution. The capacity for flight path resolution is probably not within AirNav, but Bratislava is well capable and is amply employed by other jurisdictions in constructing flight paths. Again, it probably should not even have to go to Bratislava, if the conditions of the 2007 planning permission are met. I can even show the Minister graphically here, and he probably has the information already, what is happening versus what was planned. There is a so-called environmental corridor, which is a term that was created by the DAA, but it was never approved. There are multiple issues here but we have solutions that were offered almost a year ago. I appreciate the Minister's input.
All of us, including the Government, want the airport to continue to grow in a sustainable way. I want the false inhibitors to that growth, such as the airport cap brought in in 2007-08, to be removed. I will bring forward legislation to Cabinet very shortly. We want to get that through the Dáil as quickly as we can. That does not override concerns of residents. I grew up beside the airport and I see its benefits. People understand there will be a level of noise that people do get used to, but for those in close proximity, particularly to the western part, the opening of the new parallel runway has been a major change for them and other communities.
I have asked for noise insulation to be further expanded, which it will be. As one example, we spent €23 million last year on buying homes and insulating homes and schools to date. A total of 227 homes were eligible of which 204 have been completed. That is not a bad outturn. The expedited noise insulation grant increased by 50% to €30,000, which will now be available to over 1,000 homes. I continue to engage with the DAA directly on that. We will bring in mitigation measures for those who are impacted. There will be some properties close to the airport for which the voluntary purchase scheme needs to be improved. I have asked for that too.
I will continue to work with the Deputy. I thank her for her constructive approach on this important matter.