Written Answers Nos. 151-162
151. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is considering the use of artificial intelligence to improve the processing of claims and payments by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21723/25]
View answerThe term A.I can have a number of meanings. For some it is limited to systems that are self-learning and/or can generate content autonomously (Gen A.I.). Others include systems that use programmed business or decision rules to automate some elements of decision making.The Department is examining the potential future use of Gen A.I. technologies. This involves active participation in several stakeholder groups, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's working group on the implementation of the EU AI Act.Currently there are no such Gen A.I. systems in place for processing claims and payments in the Department.Separately, the Department has for many years automated its processes as much as possible by programming scheme rules into its IT systems. This enables flow-through processing of claims including Pension, Back to School Clothing and Footwear and Child Benefit claims. It is important to note that no claim is disallowed using these automated systems. Any claim that is not awarded on a flow-through basis is referred to a Deciding Officer of the Department for human intervention.
152. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools in county Kildare that are now eligible to receive hot school meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21686/25]
View answerThe objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Following my announcement on the 11 April 2025, there are 2,850 primary schools now participating in the Hot School Meals Programme for the current academic school year. As announced in Budget 2025, Hot School Meals will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025 meaning that there will be 3,200 eligible schools in respect of 550,000 children from September 2025.
The total number of schools eligible for Hot School Meals in County Kildare is 85. I would encourage any primary schools in Kildare not currently part of the Hot School Meals programme to apply for the programme.
153. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has carried out any research or analysis on implementing a child poverty reduction Act, similar to the Act introduced in Scotland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21713/25]
View answerThe Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020–2025 is the national strategy for poverty reduction and improved social inclusion. It includes a goal of reducing child poverty in Ireland and ensuring that all families have the opportunity to participate fully in society.
The Roadmap commits to setting a new national child poverty target and this was reiterrated. The Mid-Term Review of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion published in June 2023 committed to undertaking a public consultation as part of this process.
A full public consultation was undertaken with 10 submissions received from a range of organisations and stakeholders.
As part of the development of the new target my officials have also reviewed available data and research and looked at how poverty targets are set and implemented internationally, including the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017.
In recent months the Department of the Taoiseach has convened meetings, which my officials have attended, with several stakeholders, including the ESRI and CSO, to discuss the Child Poverty Target and potential measures that can reduce child poverty.
I expect to be in a position to bring forward proposals on the setting of a new national child poverty target in the near future. While income supports are important, access to affordable and available services (housing, health, childcare, education etc.) plays an equally strong and potentially more sustainable role in addressing child poverty.
154. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will give an update on the pension auto-enrolment scheme; when it will be rolled out; the cause for recent delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21762/25]
View answerThe new Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment (AE) Retirement Savings System. The legislative basis for implementing the new system was enacted last July. The aim of introducing AE is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement savings.
The new system will be called 'My Future Fund'. It will automatically enroll all employees, aged between 23 and 60 years of age, who are earning €20,000 or above a year (across all employments), and who are not actively contributing to a supplementary pension scheme. Those who fall outside the age and earnings threshold – in other words, those aged between 18 and 22 or between 60 and 66, or who earn below €20,000, will be able to join the new retirement savings system by voluntarily opting in if they wish to do so.
Implementation of 'My Future Fund' is well underway with progress being made across several workstreams including the enactment of the legislation, the roll-out of a comprehensive communications strategy, and the contracting of TCS to administer the scheme. At an advanced stage is the ongoing procurement of investment managers and the recruitment of a senior management team and Board.
Earlier this week I announced that the collection of contributions for 'My Future Fund' has been rescheduled to the 1st January 2026 from the 30th September 2025. This decision was informed by a number of factors including:
• Additional lead-in time for employers, particularly small and micro businesses, to ensure they can be compliant with the legislation from the start;
• Alignment of the new system with the standard tax year; and
• Additional time for payroll providers, especially smaller providers, to ready their systems for the launch.
I believe that My Future Fund will transform how people save for their retirement. This is an important landmark policy, and all care must be taken to ensure that it is done in a way that best facilitates all stakeholders and recognises where legitimate concerns have been raised.
My Future Fund will help hundreds of thousands of hardworking people in Ireland put money aside for their life after work and I remain fully committed to its launch in January 2026.
It is important that we start on the right foot and bring all stakeholders along with us. Deferring the collection of contributions for a short period of three months is the right decision, acknowledging points raised through the extensive and ongoing consultation work as the operational and payroll systems are being built.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
155. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of the hardship endured by adults aged 18-24 who are denied access to the full rate of jobseeker’s allowance; if he is aware of the impact this has on poverty rates among youth jobseeker’s allowance recipients; if he will consider abolishing the reduced rate for people aged 18-24 in light of this impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21764/25]
View answerAge-related reduced rates apply to jobseekers aged 18 to 24 years in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance to prevent long-term welfare dependency. If a young jobseeker participates in education or training, they receive up to the maximum personal rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance of €244. If they participate on the Work Placement Experience Programme the weekly rate increases up to €359.
As of 30 March 2025, the number of jobseekers aged 18 to 24 years who are in receipt of the age related rate of jobseeker’s allowance of €153.70 per week is 9,047.
The Pathways to Work Strategy 2021-2025 is the national employment services strategy and overall framework for activation and employment supports, including young people. My Department is focused on giving young people the best possible chance to participate in the labour market. Supporting and improving the capacity of young people to take up employment, education and training opportunities can enhance their employment prospects over time, as well as their ability to earn an adequate income to support themselves and their families into the future.
In addition, the updated Employment and Youth Engagement Charter calls on employers to commit to using government employer incentives and supports, and to recruit priority customers, including young people. Over 230 employers signed up to the Charter as of March 2025 and it is expected that the target of 300 by the end of 2025 will be met.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
156. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people between the ages of eighteen and sixty six in casual or part-time work in receipt of social welfare payment in 2022, 2023, 2024, and to date in 2025, by payment type, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21433/25]
View answerCasual Jobseekers are people whose days of work have been reduced or they can only find part-time or casual work. They must be unemployed for at least 4 days out of 7 consecutive days. The statistics requested by the Deputy are provided in the table below. Figures relate to 31st of December each year unless otherwise stated.
|
Year |
Casual Jobseekers Allowance |
Casual Jobseekers Benefit |
|
2022 |
19,386 |
8,594 |
|
2023 |
19,580 |
6,951 |
|
2024 |
17,059 |
7,229 |
|
2025 (March) |
16,627 |
7,522 |
157. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline his plans for the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a new working age payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21724/25]
View answerUnder the Programme for Government, we will introduce a new Working Age Payment which will ensure that individuals always see an increase in income when they work or take on additional hours. The Working Age Payment will remove inconsistencies and anomalies in the current Jobseekers Allowance Scheme which discourage people from taking up employment.
We will publish draft proposals for full consultation with stakeholders in advance of Government agreeing the final design of the Working Age Payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
158. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Protection the means by which he will ensure that the social protection system is work-friendly; that welfare traps which inhibit people from taking up work are removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21640/25]
View answerMy Department provides a range of financial supports for people transitioning to employment and I will outline some of the key supports.
A person can work up to three days and continue to receive a partial jobseeker’s payment. Under Jobseeker's Allowance, the first €20 of earnings per day is disregarded up to a maximum of €60 for three days worked, with the balance assessed at 60%. The part-time job incentive scheme is an administrative scheme under Jobseeker's Allowance, which facilitates part-time employment for up to 24 hours per week.
In addition to jobseeker’s supports, my Department provides the Working Family Payment for employees with children on low incomes and the Back to Work Family Dividend for families who move from social welfare to employment. In the case of those parenting alone, the first €165 per week of gross earnings is disregarded in the means assessment under the One-Parent Family Payment and half the balance is assessed as means.
The current Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme is based on days of employment which can result in anomalies. The Programme for Government commits to introducing a new Working Age Payment to provide that individuals see an increase in income when they work or take on additional hours removing these anomalies. My Department is progressing this work, taking into account initial responses on the principle of the scheme received as part of the public consultations on Pay-Related Jobseeker’s Benefit and the Green Paper on Disability Reform. A proposed model would be based on a percentage of the difference between their income and a specified threshold for their family type. The model would utilise Revenue Commissioner real-time earnings data to adjust payment levels in line with a person’s weekly earnings.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
159. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that could be taken to increase the uptake of disability, equality and inclusion awareness training to help make the transition to employment for a person with a disability easier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21382/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to expand and build on successful programmes like WorkAbility, Employability and the new Work and Access programme to support people with disabilities into employment.
In July 2024,the new Work and Access scheme was launched, replacing the former Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme. Work and Access offers seven supports to help reduce or remove barriers in the workplace for people with a disability. The supports include funding for a workplace needs assessment, work coaches, personal readers, assistive equipment and communication supports. Funding is also available to employers for workplace adaptations and disability equality and inclusion training.
Work and Access is open to all non-public sector employers, including the self-employed and people working in the community and voluntary sector. My Department has allocated an additional €1 million a year to this scheme.
Disability Equality and Inclusion Training is a key support under the new scheme. It offers funding to an employer of up to 90% of the cost of providing training. Funding is available for up to €20,000 in a 12-month period. Training can be provided on the following topics:
1. General Disability Equality and Inclusion Training
2. Disability-specific training
3. Inclusive recruitment and management training for managers
My Department ran a publicity campaign on Work and Access following the launch of the scheme. It also contacted hundreds of disability organisations with a range of materials and requested that they publicise the scheme. Employer Engagement teams in Intreo centres nationwide promote the scheme to employers. Officials have presented on the scheme to both employer representative organisations and disability organisations. My Department will continue to actively promote this scheme and the supports available for disability, equality and inclusion training.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
160. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to examine how the social protection system can better support people fleeing domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21742/25]
View answerTackling the epidemic of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a major priority for the Government. The Programme for Government includes a number of commitments in this regard. Establishing a zero-tolerance approach to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence is vital for safeguarding individuals and promoting a safer society. We will ensure the implementation of the actions in the Zero Tolerance Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence and develop a successor strategy. While many of the Programme for Government commitments fall within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice and other Ministers, this is an issue that requires a whole of Government approach. For that reason, the Programme for Government also includes a commitment to “examine how the social protection system can better support people fleeing domestic violence.” My officials will progress work this commitment in the coming months and will report on this by the year.My Department already has provisions in places in the Rent Supplement Scheme to assist those fleeing domestic violence. Access to Rent Supplement is via a fast-track approval process to assist with short term accommodation needs. The standard Rent Supplement means test does not apply for an initial three-month period. After three months, a further three-month extension may be provided, subject to the usual rent supplement means assessment. The simplified means test ensures immediate access to this support. I trust this clarifies the position.
161. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on the number of people engaged in work and skills week 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21698/25]
View answerUnder the Pathways to Work Strategy, my Department committed to host two national Intreo Work and Skills campaigns annually, each of which comprises a series of recruitment and information events nationwide. The objective of Intreo Work and Skills is to provide opportunities for employment for jobseekers, coupled with education and training options to enhance employability.
The most recent Intreo Work and Skills campaign took place from 26 March to 11 April 2025. A total of 64 recruitment and information events took place. At these events 11,614 jobseekers met with 586 employers and 242 training or other service providers. To date, details of 91 job placements and 29 course enrolments have been confirmed.
162. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of island schools receiving the school meals programme; if he is satisfied with the way in which the programme is operating on island schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17120/25]
View answerThe objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Funding under the School Meals Programme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided.
The Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school. Funding under this programme is solely for food. There is no provision for transport costs as they are the responsibility of the supplier.
For the current 2024-2025 academic year there are a total of twelve island primary schools of which eight have applied. Four of the schools applied for and were awarded Hot School Meals and the other four schools applied for and were awarded the cold lunch option. There are are total of five island secondary schools of which one has applied and is awarded the breakfast and cold lunch.
If the school referred to by the Deputy has any questions in relation to this matter, they can contact officials in my department at school.meals@welfare.ie. They will advise them of the meal options available to them and assist with any queries they may have.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
