Written Answers Nos. 149-168
149. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 576 of 24 June 2025, if consideration was given to the application of the new jobseeker’s pay-related benefit to claimants with open existing jobseeker's benefit claims; if not, the reason this was not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36264/25]
View answerThe Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme is available to those whose unemployment begins on or after 31 March as provided for in the Commencement Order and section 68KB(1)(d) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended.
People who became fully unemployed before 31 March will remain on Jobseeker's Benefit until they return to employment, or their benefit runs out, whichever is the earlier, subject to the normal rules of that scheme.
Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit represents a fundamental reform in social welfare policy. The qualifying conditions and payment structure, which results in an individualised rate based on recent earnings and PRSI contributions which is tapered at three monthly intervals, differ significantly from the structure of the existing Jobseeker's Benefit scheme. Qualification for Jobseeker's Benefit is based on the Governing Contribution Year which is two year's prior the year of the person's claim and payment is made at a consistent flat rate throughout the period of the claim.
In addition, specific categories of atypical workers are not eligible to Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit and continue to be supported under the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme. This includes those working on a part-time, casual, short-time or seasonal basis and for people whose employment involves a recurring pattern of employment and unemployment reflecting the academic year. The conditions for receipt of the Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme are not designed to provide in-work support on a recurring and intermittent basis.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
150. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update any proposals that are being considered with respect to abolishing the means test for carers who save the State billions of euro every year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36275/25]
View answerThe Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role.
The Programme for Government has clearly set out a timeline which commits to significantly increasing the income disregards for Carer’s Allowance in each Budget with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the Government.
This is a major change to the Carer's Allowance and to the Irish social welfare system generally. It is important that we make progress in a way that is sustainable, and which does not unduly limit our scope to support other vulnerable groups in society. In line with the Programme for Government commitment and as part of Budget 2026 deliberations I will consider any further changes or improvements within this context.
This week, the weekly income disregard for Carer's Allowance will increase from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse/partner. This amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €292.50 and €585.00 respectively, or 88%, since June 2022. All of these improvements have meant that more carers can avail of the Carer's Allowance payment.
The latest increases will mean that a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €69,000 will still retain their full Carers payment and even with an income of €97,000 will retain a partial payment.
These will also mean that some 5,280 carers will receive an increase in their weekly payment. In fact some 99% of current Carer’s Allowance recipients are now entitled to the full payment rate.
Finally, it is also important to note that my department provides non-means-tested supports to carers including Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the annual Carer’s Support Grant of €2,000 which was recently paid to over 138,000 carers on 5 June.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
151. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who received successful HAS 2 award payments for Storm Bert and Storm Éowyn, in each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36284/25]
View answerThe Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my department, was activated in November 2024 to assist householders affected by Storm Bert and again in January 2025 to assist householders affected by Storm Éowyn.
The purpose of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is to provide financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair.
In the aftermath of Storm Bert, there were six Stage 2 Humanitarian Assistance Scheme payments made. Due to low numbers and the potential identification of individual applicants, on statistical disclosure grounds, my department is unable to provide a breakdown by county.
Again, due to the low numbers of Stage 2 payments in some counties relating to Storm Éowyn, and the potential identification of individual applicants, my department is unable to provide a full breakdown of the number of Stage 2 payments by county. However, Table 1 shows the number of Stage 2 payments made for those counties with five or more Storm Éowyn related payments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1- Stage 2 Humanitarian Assistance Scheme Payments made in relation to Storm Éowyn broken down by county.
|
County |
No of payments |
|
Galway |
14 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
5 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
|
Other |
26 |
|
Grand Total |
63 |
152. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employers claiming wage subsidy scheme funding under each of the three strands, for each year from 2020 to 2024; the number of participants for each strand for each year from 2020 to 2024; the total expenditure on wage subsidy scheme in each year from 2020 to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36317/25]
View answerThe Wage Subsidy Scheme is a key disability employment support. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to people with disabilities through a subsidy. The table shows expenditure in the period 2020-2024 and the number of employers and employees involved in the Scheme.
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Expenditure |
€18.6m |
€15.9m |
€20.4m |
€22.10m |
€23.4m |
|
Employers |
1,808 |
1,297 |
1,492 |
1,522 |
1,504 |
|
Employees |
2,942 |
2,263 |
2,482 |
2,451 |
2,466 |
The number of employers and employees in each strand does not change significantly from year to year.
In 2024, of the 2,466 employees on the scheme, 1,510 were employed under Strand 1 and 914 were employed under Strands 2 and 3 combined. A further 42 were employed under the former Employment Support Scheme.
In 2024, there were 1,322 Strand 1 employers, 147 Strands 2 and 3 employers combined, with an additional 35 Employment Support Scheme employers. The six Strand 3 employers got a subsidy towards the cost of 11 Employment Assistance Officers in total. As of 1 July 2025, a total of 307 employees are employed by Strand 3 employers.
153. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection if the back-to-school allowance will be payable to every child in care without being means tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36547/25]
View answerThis Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including foster carers, play and remains fully committed to supporting them. That is why I was really pleased to announce that Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility is being extended to include children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid.
The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
In order to qualify for Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an applicant must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions, one of which requires the applicant’s household income to be within the relevant income limits. The income limits for the scheme are increased annually as part of the budget process.
The Weekly Household Income Limits for 2025 are:
|
No. of Children |
Income Limit |
|
1 child |
€694.00 |
|
2 children |
€756.00 |
|
3 children |
€818.00 |
|
4 children* |
€880.00 |
* Limit is increased by €62 for each additional child.
The household income includes weekly social protection payments, gross income from employment, minus employees PRSI and a €20 travel allowance and any other income the household may have.
Any income from Working Family Payment, Child Benefit, Rent Supplement, Back to Work Family Dividend, Guardian’s Payments, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Blind Welfare Allowance, Foster Care Allowance, Higher Level Education grants is not assessable. Rehabilitative employment (up to €165 per week) is also not assessable.
It is expected some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and I encourage foster care families to apply for the allowance.
I have no plans amend the eligibility criteria or to remove the income test for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear scheme at this time.
154. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first-year and full-year cost of increasing community employment, Tús and rural social scheme payments by €1 per week, each year for three years. [36569/25]
View answerThe estimated annual cost of increasing the weekly rate of Community Employment, Tús and the Rural Social Scheme by €1 is €1.64 million.
It should be noted that this costing includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
This costing is based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2025, and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
155. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first-year and full-year cost of doubling the monthly child benefit payment for a year for all recipients of the one family payment and the working family payment. [36570/25]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. Currently, the payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their nineteenth birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability.
Child Benefit is currently in payment in respect of approximately 1.2 million children with an estimated expenditure of €2.2 billion for 2025.
My department currently has 83,241 children benefiting from One Parent Family Payment and 100,117 children benefiting from Working Family Parent.
However, there are an estimated 11,500 children where the claimant is in receipt of both One Parent Family Payment and Working Family Payment. Consequently, the number of individual children supported by One Parent Family Payment or Working Family Payment is calculated at 171,858.
Doubling the monthly Child Benefit payment for a year for each of these children would increase the overall expenditure on Child Benefit by approximately €288million per year.
These estimates are based on a full year basis and on the number of recipients in May 2025. It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated number of recipients.
156. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first-year and full-year cost of doubling the monthly child benefit payment for a year for all households with medical card holders. [36571/25]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. Currently, 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.
Child Benefit is currently in payment in respect of approximately 1.2 million children with an estimated expenditure of €2.2 billion for 2025.
Child Benefit is paid at €140 per month, with twins being paid at 150% per child and triplets being paid at 200% per child.
Medical cards come under the remit of the Department of Health and my Department has no access to data on the number of households that currently hold a medical card, therefore we would not be in a position to provide a full year cost of doubling the monthly child benefit payment.
157. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first-year and full-year cost of abolishing the means test applied to foster parents in receipt of the child benefit payment. [36572/25]
View answerThis Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including foster carers, play and remains fully committed to supporting them. That is why I was really pleased to announce that Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility is being extended to include children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid.
The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
In order to qualify for Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an applicant must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions, one of which requires the applicant’s household income to be within the relevant income limits. The income limits for the scheme are increased annually as part of the budget process.
The Weekly Household Income Limits for 2025 are:
|
No. of Children |
Income Limit |
|
1 child |
€694.00 |
|
2 children |
€756.00 |
|
3 children |
€818.00 |
|
4 children* |
€880.00 |
* Limit is increased by €62 for each additional child.
The household income includes weekly social protection payments, gross income from employment, minus employees PRSI and a €20 travel allowance and any other income the household may have.
Any income from Working Family Payment, Child Benefit, Rent Supplement, Back to Work Family Dividend, Guardian’s Payments, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Blind Welfare Allowance, Foster Care Allowance, Higher Level Education grants is not assessable. Rehabilitative employment (up to €165 per week) is also not assessable.
It is expected some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and I encourage foster care families to apply for the allowance. The first and full-year cost of removing the income test for Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance in respect of children for whom foster care allowance is being paid is estimated to be €1,046,000.
158. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first-year and full-year cost of increasing the State pension by €1 per week per person. [36573/25]
View answerThe estimated annual cost of increasing pension payments to all recipients aged 66 years or over by €1 is €40.6 million.
This includes the following schemes but only where payable to those people aged 66 and over:
• State Pension (Contributory)
• Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
• Deserted Wife's Benefit
• Death Benefit Pension
• State Pension (Non-Contributory)
• Carer's Allowance
• Half Rate Carer's Allowance
It should be noted that this costing includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
This costing is based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2025, and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
159. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first-year and full-year cost of increasing all working-age social welfare payments (recipients aged 18-65 inclusive) to bring them in line with the minimum essential standards of living. [36574/25]
View answerThe estimated annual cost of bringing all working-age social welfare weekly payments (at 2025 rates) in line with the recently published MESL 2025 rates is €1.51 billion.
It should be noted that this costing includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
This costing is based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2025, and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
160. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the additional first-year and full-year cost of increasing the age limit for the one-parent family payment to 12 years. [36575/25]
View answerThe cost of extending the One-Parent Family Payment by five years, until the youngest child reaches age 12, is difficult to accurately estimate as it is challenging to predict the future movement of customers into and between schemes and the subsequent cost implications relating to secondary benefits.
Some people whose youngest child is aged between 7 and 12 may be in receipt of Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment, others may be in receipt of the Back to Work Family Dividend or the Working Family Payment, while still others may not be in receipt of any social welfare payment at all. To respond to the question posed requires estimating how many of these customers would reasonably be expected to meet the criteria and avail of One-Parent Family Payment should it become available.
Given the above, I am advised that the cost of increasing the age limit for the one family payment until the youngest child reaches 12 is not possible to estimate in the time available. However, I have asked my officials to examine the matter further, and work is ongoing on costing this measure. My officials will revert to the Deputy directly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
161. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the additional first-year and full-year cost of increasing the living alone allowance. [36576/25]
View answerWhile the Deputy does not specify an amount by which to increase Living Alone Allowance, currently €22 per week, in order to provide an estimated annual cost to answer the question, we have set out the estimated full year cost of increasing the Living Alone Allowance by €1 per week from €22 to €23 per week, which is €13.1 million.
This costing is based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2025, and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
162. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the current cost of non-State pension social protection payments to people aged 65. [36577/25]
View answerMy Department's payment systems do not disaggregate expenditure by recipient age; therefore I regret that we cannot provide accurate information in the format that the Deputy has requested.
163. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children resident in IPAS accommodation who are eligible to receive the child benefit payment. [36578/25]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. Currently, 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.
To receive Child Benefit in Ireland, parents must be habitually resident in the State. Applicants for International Protection do not satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition and are therefore not eligible for Child Benefit.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
164. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first-year and full-year cost of providing a carer’s pension, at 2% contribution of the minimum annual living wage. [36586/25]
View answerThe State Pension (Contributory) (SPC) is funded from the Social Insurance Fund through the contributions paid by workers. The rate of payment reflects the number of social insurance contributions paid over a working life. Eligibility for SPC is based on a number of criteria:
• Being aged 66 or over.
• Having entered the Social Insurance system 10 years before you intend to drawdown your SPC.
• Having a minimum of 520 paid social insurance contributions (i.e., 10 years reckonable PRSI contributions).
This Government acknowledges the important role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Once a person has met the minimum requirement of 520 paid contributions, the State Pension system gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes extended periods outside of paid employment, often to raise families or in a full-time caring role including:
• PRSI credits (which include Credits for Carers Benefit and Carers Allowance).
• Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.
Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependants faced barriers in accessing the SPC. They may, for example, have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years paid contributions.
Based on a commitment in the previous Programme for Government, the Pensions Commission was asked to consider how people who have provided long-term care for incapacitated dependants can be accommodated within the State Pension system. The Commission engaged in a public consultation process and had the benefit of presentations from Family Carer’s Ireland and the National Women’s Council in forming its recommendations on the proposals and the period of care. The Commission recommended that long-term carers should be given access to SPC and defined long-term caring as caring for more than 20 years. Setting the criteria of more than 20 years is in recognition of the existing access to SPC for carers who may have up to 20 years of caring periods.
Since January 2024, long-term carer's contributions can be awarded to a person who has cared for an incapacitated person for a period of 20 years or more. These contributions are treated the same as paid contributions for State Pension (Contributory) entitlement only and can be used to fill any gaps in a person's contribution record, including satisfying the minimum 520 contributions required for eligibility.
The Department has not costed the introduction of a separate "long-term carer’s pension" as it isn't necessary, because the Long-Term Carers Contribution scheme already provides long-term carers with access to the SPC, including the possibility of a maximum rate.
It is not possible for my Department to provide the specific costing sought by the Deputy as it isn't clear who would make the contributions, the level of income using the minimum living wage on which the contributions would be based, and what would be done with the accumulated funds from such contributions. It's worth noting that the yield from a contribution at the level of 2% of the minimum living wage, even at full employment, would only facilitate an incredibly low-rate of pension payment compared to the existing SPC.
I hope that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
165. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the carer's benefit application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36649/25]
View answerCarer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
To qualify the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
As of 7 December 2005, the Carer's Benefit entitlement period increased to 104 weeks per care recipient, up from the previous maximum of 65 weeks.
The person concerned applied for Carer's Benefit on 27 March 2025. The claim was examined, and disallowed as the care recipient was deemed not to require full time care and attention. Additionally, the person concerned had previously availed of Carer's Benefit in respect of this care recipient from 03 January 2002 to 02 April 2003 for a period of 65 weeks.
A review request with further medical information was received on 20 June 2025. As part of the review, the requirement for full time care and attention has been deemed to be satisfied and the person concerned was also deemed to be entitled to their remaining Carer’s Leave entitlement of 39 weeks.
A request for further information issued to the person concerned on 30 June 2025. Once this information is received, the claim will be decided, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
166. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on the absence of a security clearance system for commercial entities in Ireland. [36395/25]
View answerMy Department administers the current system of personnel security clearance in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, who have statutory responsibility for providing security services in the State. At present this system is available for persons working in sensitive areas of the civil and public service or where appropriate legislative provisions exist.
As the Deputy will be aware, there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to bring the National Security Authority (NSA) under the remit of my Department. The current NSA, which is supported by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, operates on an administrative basis and does not provide for the full complement of security clearances required for commercial entities to access EU and other international classified information.
A project has been established to provide a new statutory NSA under the aegis of my Department. It is a large-scale multi-year complex project with implications for several Departments and bodies. The NSA will be capable of providing the full spectrum of security clearances including personnel and facilities clearances required by Government Departments, public bodies, and commercial entities.
However, I am acutely cognisant of the growing need for a security clearance system for commercial entities in Ireland and in principle I am supportive of an interim ad hoc solution to enable companies to apply for security clearance in certain circumstances pending the establishment of the National Security Authority. My Department has had ongoing engagement with the relevant departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in considering this proposal. This has also necessitated considerable engagement with the Office of the Attorney General on complex legal issues and a review of our applicable data protection obligations in this regard. This work is ongoing at present.
167. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will give detailed consideration to the issues raised in correspondence from a national association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36568/25]
View answerReform of the firearms licensing system has been under consideration for a number of years and extensive consultation has been undertaken. My Department holds meetings with individual firearms organisations on request and engages with various firearms stakeholders in other ways, while An Garda Síochána also meets with stakeholder organisations in respect of relevant matters.
Earlier this year, my Department organised a series of engagements with firearms stakeholders and in February, three national fora were held with the Registered Firearms Dealers in Wicklow, Limerick and Carrick-on-Shannon. A further two fora were held with Firearms Owners in Mullingar on 19 June 2025. My officials have also met with various firearms organisations, including the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC).
The objective of these fora and meetings is to provide a mechanism for ongoing engagement with firearms stakeholders and I can assure the Deputy that it is my intention, with Minister of State Collins, to further engage with relevant stakeholders in relation to any potential changes to policy or legislation in this area.
I am informed that the concerns raised in the referenced correspondence were acknowledged and discussed at the recent fora. My officials are working with the An Garda Síochána to address the issues raised.
168. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the channels that exist for a prisoner in the UK, with family connections in Ireland, to be transferred to the Irish prison system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36253/25]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that following the 1983 Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act 1995-2023 provides the current mechanism through which a person may seek a transfer of their prison sentence between Ireland and the UK.
Additionally, the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Act, 2023 significantly amended the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act, alongside transposing EU Framework Decision 2008/909, in respect of intra-EU prisoner transfers under the Convention.
The Irish Prison Service is the competent body for the administration of applications under the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Acts and manage the transfer function on behalf of the Department of Justice.
Applications from people imprisoned in the United Kingdom are processed regularly. Any prisoner that meets the eligibility criteria can submit an application, and information should be readily available from relevant local Prison Authorities.
Each application is examined on its own merits, taking into consideration a wide range of information, and the consent of all parties (the person, and both states) to the transfer. The Convention does not confer an automatic right to transfer, nor does it impose an obligation on either state to agree to a transfer request.
