Scheme aiding social welfare receivers to rent out spare rooms extended to 2027

The scheme was initially brought in May 2022 in an effort to encourage more people to make rooms available to renters and has been availed of by almost 750 people to date

Cabinet also heard that the majority of the Planning and Development Act will be operational by the end of 2025. Minister for housing James Browne said the first phase will see An Coimisiún Pleanála replace An Bord Pleanála within the next few months. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

A scheme that allows a person to rent a room in their home without impacting their social welfare has been extended to 2027.

The amendment to social protection regulations allows someone in receipt of a means-tested social welfare payment to have the rental income disregarded up to a maximum of €14,000.

It was initially brought in May 2022 in an effort to encourage more people to make rooms available to renters and has been availed of by almost 750 people to date. Cabinet has approved its extension for a further two years to 2027.

Cabinet also heard that the majority of the Planning and Development Act, one of the largest pieces of legislation in the history of the State, will be operational by the end of 2025.

Minister for housing James Browne said the first phase will see An Coimisiún Pleanála replace An Bord Pleanála within the next few months.

Mr Browne said the implementation of the planning act will contribute to creating the right conditions for the private sector to ramp up delivery.

Meanwhile, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has come into force today after justice minister Jim O'Callaghan signed the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 into effect.

The authority, chaired by Paul Quinn, will have powers to regulate in-person and online gambling and gaming but not be responsible for regulating the National Lottery.

Mr O'Callaghan said it marks a new era for gambling regulation and a step towards replacing Ireland's "outdated gambling laws".

At this week's Cabinet meeting, minister for energy Darragh O'Brien got approval to develop a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve.

It will see a large ship, known as a floating storage unit, used to store, transport, and regasify liquified natural gas in the event of disruption to the country's gas supplies. Ireland is currently one of just five European countries without domestic gas storage.

Final costs for the floating storage unit have not yet been established and will be brought back to the Government for final approval.

A new chief of staff of the Defence Forces was appointed after the nomination of Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy was approved. He replaces Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, who is set to take up the role of chair of the European Union military committee later this year.

The government intends to oppose a Sinn Féin motion seeking the right of students to receive their education through Irish with a countermotion to be put forward instead.