“Since the formation of this government in 2020, 183 bills have been published of which 173 have been enacted to date. During this coming Spring Dáil session we will build on this work through the priority publication of 22 pieces of legislation and a further 24 bills for drafting.

“The Spring Legislation Programme marks out a roadmap for an incredibly busy Dáil term for Ministers and departments with changes afoot to healthcare, access to housing, stronger safer communities and road safety, amongst many other bills.

“Some key measures to ensure continued supply and access to housing will also be progressed. Notably, the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will provide for an exemption of Rent a Room income from the medical card assessment process. The Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill will allow tenants in rental properties a first right of refusal to purchase a property when it is put forward for sale. I have also secured government approval for the priority drafting of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill which provides for new regulatory controls requiring short-term and holiday lets to register with Fáilte Ireland with a view to ensuring that houses are used to best effect in areas of housing need.

“A key government priority is ensuring that all members of society are safe on the streets and in their communities. Organised crime often preys on the most vulnerable with the Irish crime market valued at €1.7 billion per annum. This term, Government will prioritise the drafting of the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2024. The Bill, in its current form currently ensures that proceeds of crime be invested in disadvantaged communities to help alleviate the impact of crime and help prevent the reoccurrence of criminal behaviour. The 2024 bill will provide for a reduction in time before disposal orders may be made, appointment of receivers and other enhancements to the confiscation regime.”

“Tragically, we have seen ten lives lost already in 2024. The Road Traffic Measures Bill will be published shortly with a view to reducing the death toll on our roads through the introduction of a number of measures including mandatory roadside drug testing, the reduction of speed limits and reforms to our penalty points system.”

“It is important that those with a strong employment record, and who therefore have contributed to the system via their PRSI, are protected from potential cliff edges to their income should they become unemployed. During this Dáil session Government will draft the Social Welfare (Pay-Related Social Insurance and Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit Provisions) Bill which will provide for a Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit scheme.

“Separately, following the Retail Banking Review, the Minister for Finance will draft the Access to Cash Bill with the aim to preserve access to cash. The Bill will also look at the resilience of the cash system and the manner in which cash travels around the system in Ireland. This involves two main elements – the regulation of ATM operators and the regulation of Cash in Transit (CIT) companies.”

“It will certainly be a busy period ahead for all Ministers and government departments. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Government and indeed on the opposition benches to build on this progress between now and the end of the year.”