Mr. Niall Egan:

I thank the Deputy. On the first issue of when we will look at the sunset clause of the existing regulations, I would like to flag that originally it was for one year and we extended it for two years. We initially extended it for a year and at the last extension we extended it for two years in consultation with our colleagues from the Department of public expenditure. I would envisage that we would be looking at the sunset clause again in early 2025 to give a timely decision for people. Obviously we have extended it twice already.

In respect of the second issue raised by the Deputy, a couple of things strike me. One relates to the fair deal assessment and the responsibility for that is with the Department of Health so I cannot comment here on how they are going to assess income for participation in that scheme. We are consulting with our colleagues in the Department of Health on the medical card assessment and aligning it with the recent changes that it has made in recognition of the similar disregard for rent-a-room. The cathaoirleach has written to the Minister this week asking for us to extend our provisions of the rent-a-room regulations to align with their assessment, which is up to the end of the academic year, 2026. The regulations we have here that the two Ministers have signed, will allow someone who is availing of rent-a-room relief an exemption of up to €269 per week while maintaining their social welfare payment, whether that be a State pension, non-contributory or otherwise. That is essentially the position of the Department of Social Protection.