Written Answers Nos. 521-538
521. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications per county for stage 1 of the humanitarian assistance scheme for Storm Éowyn that were submitted before the application deadline of 19 February 2025; and the number of these applications that were refused, in tabular form. [13961/25]
View answer522. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications received from each county, or social welfare district, for the humanitarian assistance scheme stage 1 in each week since 24 January 2025; the number in each county, or social welfare district, that have been refused payment; the number in each county, or social welfare district, for which payment has issued; and the average payment per county, or social welfare district, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14030/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 521 and 522 together.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my department through the local Community Welfare Service, was activated on the 23rd January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.
In the context of the particular circumstances of Storm Éowyn, and as an exceptional measure, additional flexibility has been applied to the timeframe for Stage 1 of the scheme.
Up to Saturday 22 March, the Community Welfare Service have registered almost 72,358 claims for Stage 1 of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, with just over 26,700 claims awarded totaling over €6.12 million being paid in respect of Storm Éowyn related claims.
While statistics are not collated on the number of applications registered each week, Table 1 provides details up to 22 March on the number of applications registered, number of payments made, expenditure, and the average payment amount by county since Storm Éowyn.
As all decisions positive and negative have a right of review, therefore, the total number of disallowed claims will not be known until all requests for review are completed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
Table 1 – Breakdown of Applications Registered and Payments Made under Stage 1 by County
|
County |
Number of Claims Registered |
Number of Claims Paid |
Total Cost of Claims |
Average Cost of Claims |
|
Carlow |
16 |
1 |
€200.00 |
€200.00 |
|
Cavan |
5,284 |
2,061 |
€468,958.42 |
€227.54 |
|
Clare |
2,929 |
820 |
€167,480.63 |
€204.24 |
|
Cork |
102 |
19 |
€4,259.00 |
€224.16 |
|
Donegal |
1,375 |
482 |
€89,780.81 |
€186.27 |
|
Dublin |
294 |
63 |
€12,860.02 |
€204.13 |
|
Galway |
23,727 |
9,101 |
€2,176,793.26 |
€239.18 |
|
Kerry |
96 |
16 |
€2,530.00 |
€158.13 |
|
Kildare |
243 |
60 |
€10,732.30 |
€178.87 |
|
Kilkenny |
14 |
2 |
€300.00 |
€150.00 |
|
Laois |
50 |
9 |
€1,558.01 |
€173.11 |
|
Leitrim |
3,553 |
1,617 |
€431,044.31 |
€266.57 |
|
Limerick |
287 |
52 |
€9,929.51 |
€190.95 |
|
Longford |
4,781 |
2,046 |
€422,601.42 |
€206.55 |
|
Louth |
235 |
66 |
€14,099.50 |
€213.63 |
|
Mayo |
13,821 |
5,242 |
€1,130,068.72 |
€215.58 |
|
Meath |
785 |
253 |
€64,762.02 |
€255.98 |
|
Monaghan |
2,667 |
778 |
€158,275.91 |
€203.44 |
|
Offaly |
541 |
192 |
€39,096.30 |
€203.63 |
|
Roscommon |
6,717 |
2,498 |
€616,257.08 |
€246.70 |
|
Sligo |
2,659 |
740 |
€168,412.44 |
€227.58 |
|
Tipperary |
175 |
21 |
€4,028.00 |
€191.81 |
|
Waterford |
11 |
1 |
€150.00 |
€150.00 |
|
Westmeath |
1,932 |
606 |
€127,282.85 |
€210.04 |
|
Wexford |
31 |
5 |
€793.00 |
€158.60 |
|
Wicklow |
23 |
3 |
€600.00 |
€200.00 |
|
Total |
72,348 |
26,754 |
6,122,853.51 |
228.86 |
523. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when an invalidity pension will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14034/25]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
524. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection when the decision to close HAS1 applications was made, and when this decision was notified to those accepting and processing applications; where and when this decision was notified to the public; where people can now send these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14043/25]
View answer539. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason his decision to close stage 1 of the HAS following storm Éowyn on 19 February 2025 was not announced or publicised, informing people of the deadline; and if applications that have been refused on this basis will be reviewed in light of this. [14228/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 539 together.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my department through the local Community Welfare Service, was activated on the 23rd January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme Stage 1 is available to address essential needs in respect of shelter and sustenance in the immediate aftermath of the storm, when people were without power and other utilities.
The majority of payments made to people to date as a result of Storm Éowyn have been to meet the additional cost of feeding their families in the immediate aftermath of the storm where people remained without power and/or water.
The department continues to process applications quickly. Additional staff have been assigned to deal with applications to ensure there are no undue delays. Recognising the particular circumstances of Storm Éowyn, and as an exceptional measure, I have arranged that my Department will continue to accept claims for a non-means tested payment in respect of reasonable costs for shelter, sustenance (food) and clothing incurred during and as a direct consequence of power and other utility outages resulting from Storm Éowyn. While the immediate period of urgency has passed, I have directed this approach be taken in recognition of the fact that, given the scale of the storm event and its aftermath, people may not have had the opportunity submit a claim in a timely manner.
As always, people who believe that their claim was wrongly disallowed can seek to have it reviewed and all reviews will be assessed on their merits.
A person seeking a review of a decision should write to: SWA Central Review Officer, PO box 700, Dublin 22. They should set out the reason why they believe they have an entitlement to a payment for example for accommodation, or additional food costs, while their power was out. They should include as much information as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
525. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of social media video accessible, such as providing the information or activities posted on each of his Department’s social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under its remit, including closed captioning and subtitling and Irish Sign Language translations, between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, inclusive. [14059/25]
View answerBetween 1 January and 31 December 2024 all videos posted to my Department's social media channels included closed captions. This includes the JobsIreland social media channels as well as those of the Department of Social Protection.
Three videos using Irish Sign Language (ISL) were developed in 2024, one promoting the Work and Access programme and two in relation to the ISL voucher scheme.
My Department continues to make every effort to improve the accessibility of all our communications.
Agencies under the remit of the department:
Citizen's Information Board (CIB):
All videos posted to CIB’s social media channels include closed captions as standard.
100% of videos published to CIB’s social media channels in 2024 included closed captions (note that not all videos included audio/voiceover). Of these, 1.4% had closed captions and Irish Sign Language (ISL) and 1.2% had subtitles (translating Irish voiceover).
100% of videos published by CIB on both MABS and Abhaile social media channels in 2024 included closed captions.
526. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is financial assistance available from his Department to an individual in receipt of a payment (details supplied) toward costs for an adapted vehicle in the case there is no other funding source available to the individual; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14075/25]
View answerSupports from this Department are not intended to cover circumstances where another Government Department or Agency has a primary responsibility.
The Revenue Commissioners operate a tax relief scheme for vehicles purchased for use by people with disabilities. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Further information can be found on www.revenue.ie.
If the inidvidual has exhausted all other options and can confirm that there is no financial assistance available from another source including a Government Department or Agency, supports may be available under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme to assist with necessary travel costs either on a once-off basis as an Exceptional Needs Payment or as a supplement where there is an ongoing need. There is no automatic entitlement to such payments. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
527. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to increase child benefit, even in a targeted way for those on lower incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14122/25]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 19th birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability. It is paid in respect of almost 1.3 million children. Expenditure on the scheme is estimated at over €2.2 billion in 2025.
It is important to note that, in addition to Child Benefit, families on low incomes may be able to avail of other social welfare payments:
• the Child Support Payment with primary social welfare payments;
• the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
• the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with children.
Addressing child poverty is a key priority for the Government. That is why the Programme for Government 2025, “Securing Ireland’s Future” includes a range of measures to support children and their families. One such commitment is to “explore a targeted Child Benefit Payment and examine the interaction this would have with existing targeted supports to reduce Child Poverty such as the Working Family Payment and Child Support Payment.” My Department will progress this work to meet this commitment.
Recent new supports for children with families include the extension of Child Benefit to 18 year-olds in full time education or who have a disability.
In addition, a Newborn Baby Grant of €280 is now available in respect of babies born on or after 1 December 2024. It provides additional financial support to a family to ensure adequate resources and that the material needs of a newborn are met. It is estimated that in 2025, the grant will be paid, alongside the first month’s Child Benefit payment of €140, in respect of some 54,000 children, at a cost of approximately €15 million.
Any further changes could only be considered in a Budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the position.
528. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any plans to increase maternity benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14123/25]
View answerMaternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed women who are on Maternity Leave and who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
Maternity rate has been increased in all four previous budgets, bringing Maternity benefit from €245 in 2021 to €289 in 2025, an increase of €54 in four years. Budget 2025 provided a €15 per week increase from 1 January 2025.
The estimated cost of Maternity Benefit for 2025 is €295.294 million.
Changes to payment rates of Maternity Benefit could only be considered in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
529. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount paid out by the State through community welfare officers to facilitate car repairs or maintenance to foreign-registered vehicles owned by beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection applicants; how long this scheme has been in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14146/25]
View answer530. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if a scheme is in place through the community welfare office to pay for the maintenance and repairs of privately owned-vehicle belonging to beneficiaries of temporary protection or international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14147/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 529 and 530 together.
There is no scheme in place to support beneficiaries of temporary protection, international protection applicants or indeed any persons solely for car repairs, however under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income, and which is deemed necessary. ANPs are administered by Designated Persons (DPs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS) considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances
All cases are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the need presenting. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. The assessment will also include any income that their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant has. As part of the application process, a person must provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need as considered necessary. An ANP may be provided to assist with car repairs, however it is not possible to extract information solely related to ANPs provided towards car repairs.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
532. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s allowance application will be expedited in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14155/25]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income (for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.)
Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement.
The person concerned is in receipt of CA since 21 April 2011 and the last means review for the person concerned was conducted on 8 February 2022.
On 31 January 2025, a CA review was initiated and an information request issued to the person concerned.
Following receipt of the requested information, the person concerned was informed that their current payment was under consideration owing to an increase in their means. The person concerned was notified of this in writing on 20 March 2025.
They have been offered the opportunity to furnish, within 10 days, any further information regarding the matter.
Upon receipt of the information requested and following the necessary investigations in relation to all aspects of the review, the person concerned will be notified directly in writing of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
533. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of instances that the additional needs payment was used to cover the costs of car repairs in each county or social welfare district for each month since January 2020, in tabular form; the total cost for each county or district for each month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14168/25]
View answer534. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims under the additional needs payment for car repairs that were made in each 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; the number therein that were awarded payment and the average payment made for this purpose in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14169/25]
View answer535. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if beneficiaries of temporary protection have had personal car repair works funded through any payment mechanism provided by his Department; if so, to provide details of costs and payment numbers from 2022 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 533 to 535, inclusive, together.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.
The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Entitlement only arises where a person can demonstrate that the expenditure is essential and that they have no means of funding the expenditure themselves.
An Additional Needs Payment may be provided to assist with car repairs. In considering such an application, the assessment of the requirement would include investigation of the necessities for the use of the vehicle and whether alternative sources of transport are available to the person and their household, such as another family vehicle or public transport.
It is not possible to extract data solely related to Additional Needs Payments provided towards car repairs as this information is not recorded or collated.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
537. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of first-time applicants disallowed for the domiciliary carers allowance; the number of appeals on this decision; the number of domiciliary carers allowance awarded on appeal, the number awarded on second application, in 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14211/25]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age. The level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the child's disability or diagnosis, but primarily on the impact of the disability/diagnosis in terms of the associated care and attention required by the relevant child compared to a child of the same age without their disability.
The following tables set out the information requested. gThe information includes new applications received, awarded and disallowed, the number of Appeals received, allowed, partially allowed and revised decisions by a Deciding Officer. The Department does not collate the data for the number of applications awarded on second application.
|
New Applications |
|||
|
Year |
Applications Received |
Applications Awarded |
Applications Disallowed |
|
2023 |
12,327 |
8,045 |
4,076 |
|
2024 |
13,270 |
8,961 |
4,554 |
|
2025** |
2,117 |
1,457 |
705 |
|
Appeals |
||||
|
Year |
Appeals Received |
Appeals Allowed |
Appeals Partially Allowed |
Revised decision by Deciding Officer |
|
2023 |
2,146 |
862 |
54 |
407 |
|
2024 |
3,609 |
792 |
25 |
832 |
|
2025** |
449 |
185 |
2 |
271 |
** Figures are up to end of February 2025
In some cases for new applications, more than one decision may be made where an applicant provides further information/ documentary evidence and/or seeks a review of a decision, i.e. an application can be disallowed initially and then subsequently allowed on review. Applicants are advised to provide as much detail as possible at application stage, including any additional information and/or documentary evidence that is relevant, to ensure that all information is available to my Department for the decision and assessment process.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
538. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered addressing the disparity in benefits eligibility between individuals who have paid PRSI contributions at Class ‘D’ for the majority of their careers and those who have paid Class ‘A’ contributions for a shorter period; if any review is being conducted to ensure fairness in access to dental and optical benefits for long-term contributors under Class ‘D’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14212/25]
View answerPrior to 6 April 1995, civil and public servants did not have access to the full range of social insurance benefits as their terms of employment protected them against the main contingencies of illness and old age, and the risk of unemployment was not considered a factor due to the nature of their employment. Civil and public sector employees recruited prior to 6 April 1995 pay social insurance contributions at modified rates under classes B, C and D. Amongst the class B contributors are permanent and pensionable civil servants and Gardaí; the class C contributors are commissioned army officers and members of the army nursing service; and the class D contributors include permanent and pensionable employees in the public service, other than those insured at classes B and C. Consequently, such contributors pay less in social insurance contributions in return for fewer social insurance benefits. For example, class D contributors currently pay a contribution at the rate of 1% on their weekly earnings up to €1,443 and 4.1% on weekly earnings over that amount; their employers pay a contribution of 2.45% on all employee earnings. Class D contributors are currently entitled to widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension, guardian's payment (contributory), occupational injuries benefits, parent's benefit and carer's benefit. Modified contributors are not entitled to dental and optical benefits under the treatment benefit scheme. In contrast, civil and public servants recruited from 6 April 1995 pay a higher social insurance contribution of 4.1% under PRSI class A on their weekly earnings; their employers pay a contribution of 8.9% where employees’ weekly earnings are €527 or less, and 11.15% where their employees’ weekly earnings exceed €527. Class A contributors have access to the full range of social insurance benefits.
To qualify for social insurance benefits, a person must meet the scheme's qualifying conditions, in particular, that they have paid a specific number of social insurance contributions at applicable PRSI classes within relevant tax years.
My Department keeps its schemes and supports under ongoing review. I have no plans at this time to change the current treatment benefit scheme rules to facilitate access by modified contributors. Any changes to the current position would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
