Written Answers Nos. 534-556
534. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to increase the number of properties to rent in Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73801/25]
View answerGovernment is focused on increasing the national housing stock and ensuring a suitable range of housing, across tenure types, is available to all. The new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities builds on the foundations laid under Housing for All to enable delivery of a minimum of 300,000 new homes, including record levels of new social homes, an ambitious nationwide Starter Homes Programme and the provision of additional delivery in the areas of Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and vacant and derelict properties brought back into use, as set out in the Programme for Government.
Government remain focused on continuing to bring forward measures that will continue to increase the supply of new homes across all tenures to make sure that everyone has a range of housing options available to them, whether they want to buy a house, rent one, or are in need social housing.
In order to ensure we continue to have a sufficient pipeline of residential development, focus will continue in the short to medium-term on addressing viability issues in relation to apartment developments and measures to activate those planning permissions already in the system.
Budget 2026 included a suite of taxation measures aimed at stimulating the supply of new apartments including a reduced VAT rate on the sale of new apartments and an enhanced Corporation Tax deduction for apartment construction costs.
The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025 is essential legislation to deal with expiring planning permissions and to encourage activation of housing.
A fourth call for expressions of interest under the Croí Cónaithe Cities scheme was issued earlier this year with submitted schemes now currently being assessed– the scheme will help activate the thousands of planning permissions for apartments in our cities.
Government also agreed to amend the rent pressure zone framework, which among other things will help stimulate increased development of apartments over the longer-term, while including extended protections for renters including the extension of rent controls nationwide and restrictions on ‘no fault evictions.
I am focused on continuing to bring forward measures such as these, that will bring about a very significant scale up in the delivery of housing over the coming years, address the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities, make buying and renting homes more affordable and support the development of villages, towns and cities across the country.
535. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can detail, in relation to the affordable housing fund, cost rental equity loan scheme and secure tenancy affordable rental investment scheme, the names of each respective delivery partner currently awarded funding under one of those schemes or seeking funding under those schemes; the number of cost rental homes for which funding pursuant to each respective delivery partner funding application is sought under one of those schemes; the address of the developments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74161/25]
View answerThe Government’s new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, sets out a broad range of measures that will accelerate new homes delivery and provide affordable housing supports, thereby assisting first time buyers and renters all over the country. The new plan prioritises deliverability, removing structural barriers to homebuilding by unlocking land, reforming planning, delivering infrastructure and creating conditions for investment.
A key component of this plan, the new Starter Homes Programme, will deliver an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030, while at the same time having a keen focus on vacancy and dereliction.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to all local authorities to assist towards the cost of developing affordable housing at locations where significant affordability needs have been identified. My Department, the Housing Agency and Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Association continue to be available to assist local authorities in relation to ongoing development of their affordable housing delivery programmes. Overall, local authorities have received funding approval of almost €597m from the Affordable Housing Fund to support the delivery of more than 6,600 affordable purchase and cost rental homes across 23 local authorities.
Since 2021, Government has introduced several schemes to help first time home seekers to buy or rent homes, with close to 16,900 affordable housing supports having been provided via these measures, nationwide.
Cost Rental is a key element of the Government's strategy to improve affordability in the rental sector and to provide secure, long-term homes for moderate-income households above the income limits for social housing. The core principle is that rents cover the development, management, and maintenance costs of the homes, so that their long-term future is secure, without rents being subject to the pressures of the open market.
My Department is supporting the delivery of homes at a range of cost and rent levels, depending on factors like location and the size or type of home, and affordability is always a key consideration. By providing significant capital funding, Government helps to drive down the rents that must be paid by tenants. This funding comes as low-cost loans, capital grants, and State investment. All supported Cost Rental projects must achieve starting rents that are at least 25% (and often significantly more) below comparable local market levels.
Approved housing bodies are supported to deliver cost rental homes with low-cost loans and capital grants via the Cost Rental Equity Loan scheme. Circle, Clúid, Oaklee, Respond and Tuath have been funded and/or approved for funding to date. Requests for details of the developments awarded funding to date should be addressed to the Approved Housing Bodies directly.
The Land Development Agency and private operators are supported to deliver cost rental homes with capital grants via the Secure Tenancies Affordable Rental (STAR) scheme. To date only the Land Development Agency has been successful in being awarded funding under the scheme. Requests for details of the developments awarded funding to date should be addressed to the Land Development Agency directly.
Statistical data on affordable housing delivery by tenure and by local authority area from 2022 up to and including the second quarter of 2025 is published on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery
Information on the availability of cost rental tenancies is also published in advertisements on local authority, Approved housing bodies and the Land Development Agency websites. Schemes being advertised are now also available in a single location on the Affordable Homes website, www.affordablehomes.ie.
536. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection when the criteria for partial capacity benefit were last evaluated; if there are any plans for a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73300/25]
View answerMy Department is committed to improving employment outcomes and removing barriers to employment for disabled people. The income and employment supports provided by the Department of Social Protection have been designed to enable people with disabilities to achieve their employment ambitions by focusing on the individual’s ability and capacity.
The Partial Capacity Benefit was launched on 13th February 2012. The scheme is designed to facilitate greater levels of participation by disabled people in the open labour market.
Partial Capacity Benefit provides an opportunity for people who are in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit for more than 6 months to avail of employment opportunities while continuing to receive an income support payment from the Department, in addition to their earnings from employment.
The personal rate of payment of Partial Capacity Benefit is based on a medical assessment of a person’s restriction regarding their capacity for work, whether the person was in receipt of Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension and their current rate of payment. After the medical assessment, if a person's disability is rated as moderate, severe or profound their previous payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% respectively.
There is no limit to what people can earn or the number of hours worked on the payment. A person who participates on the Partial Capacity Benefit scheme may return to an Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension payment if, for example, the employment ceases or if the person cannot continue to work.
A person on Partial Capacity Benefit with an underlying entitlement to Invalidity Pension, can retain their Free Travel Pass for a period of five years.
A formal review of the Partial Capacity Benefit scheme was undertaken in 2015. However, I continue to keep the Department’s employment support schemes for disabled people, including the Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme, under review to ensure that they continue to meet their policy objectives.
As a result of Budget 2026, recipients of Partial Capacity Benefit received a Christmas bonus double week payment this month. In addition, I provided for a €10 increase in the maximum personal weekly rates of working age payments and recipients of Partial Capacity Benefit will see an associated increase in their payments increase from January. Those with children will also receive increased rates of Child Support Payment from January. Budget 2026 included the largest increases in the weekly Child Support Payment in the history of the State. There is a weekly increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 and over and, a weekly increase of €8 to €58 for children under 12.
In addition, the Wage Subsidy Scheme a scheme that offers financial incentive to employers to hire disabled people has been expanded recently to ensure it better supports those in receipt of Partial Capacity Benefit.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is now available to those who acquire a disability or health condition in the last 12 months and return to work on Partial Capacity Benefit. In Budget 2026 I provided for a further expansion of the scheme so that in January 2026, those who have been on Invalidity Pension for any duration and transfer to Partial Capacity Benefit will be eligible for the subsidy.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
537. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person’s (details supplied) working family payment claim will be reviewed, given that they are working in excess of 38 weeks per fortnight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73325/25]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP), formerly Family Income Supplement, is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least 1 qualified child who normally resides with them.
A review has been raised on the WFP application for the person concerned and the Deciding Officer has contacted them directly for additional information. Once this has been received the Deciding Officer can make a decision on the claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
538. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Social Protection for assistance in relation to a rent supplement case (details supplied). [73344/25]
View answerThe Rent Supplement scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Supports from this Department are not intended to cover circumstances where another Government Department or Agency has the primary responsibility. The responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with a long-term housing need has transferred from the Department of Social Protection to the local authorities. Persons with a long-term housing need should contact their local authority where information is available regarding suitable housing supports including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, provides for a range of changes to the framework of social housing support, including the introduction of housing assistance payments. This was introduced to bring together all long-term social housing supports provided by the State under the local authority system. Among the implications of these provisions was the discontinuation of the payment of Rent Supplement, in the case of persons with long-term housing needs, who have been determined to be qualified for social housing support under a social housing assessment as carried out by a housing authority.
Existing recipients of Rent Supplement who have been in receipt of the Supplement for a minimum period that is prescribed are required to apply for a social housing assessment (including suitability for the housing assistance payment) and provide confirmation of such application. This is provided for under Section 198(3G)(a)(iii) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as inserted by Section 54(3) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. Where such confirmation is not received within a reasonable period, Rent Supplement will be discontinued.
According to Departmental records, the person concerned has been in receipt of Rent Supplement since 2012. As the responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with a long-term housing need has transferred from the Department to the Local Authorities, the person concerned was contacted by my department on the 17/06/2025 and advised that they must now apply for a Housing Needs Assessment through their Local Authority, which is the more appropriate payment for their housing needs.
The person concerned was advised that if they failed to submit proof of application for a Housing Needs Assessment by end of July 2025, their rent would be suspended and that no payment for rent would issue for August 2025. This was followed up with contact on 17/06/2025, reiterating the requirements.
A further letter issued to the person concerned on 18/08/2025. In this letter they were advised again that their rent claim would close if the documentation required was not returned. Regretfully, as the information requested was not returned, the Rent Supplement claim for the person concerned was subsequently closed due to the failure to provide the information requested.
If the person concerned submits proof that they have made an application for a Housing Needs Assessment, their claim can be reviewed and reopened again. The person concerned does not need to have a the Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) completed at this time, but they must submit proof of a completed HNA application to the Local Authority (LA) and continue to engage with LA on their assessment.
If the person concerned is at risk of homelessness, it is recommended that they contact the homeless HAP section in their local council in the first instance who will be able to offer advice in relation to their supports.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
539. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures in place to ensure that it remains more financially rewarding for someone to take up full time employment rather than to remain on jobseeker’s allowance, with all the additional benefits (such as medical card, entitlement to HAP, and so on); how that is monitored within his Department and Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73351/25]
View answerRecent ESRI research found that Ireland had among the third lowest share of in-work poor in the EU. Moreover, it found that, in Ireland, owing to the progressive tax-benefit system, there are comparatively a very low proportion of individuals at-risk of poverty, who remained at-risk of poverty after increasing their working hours. This suggests that in Ireland, more than in other countries, increasing work hours does help reduce in work poverty, owing to the alignment of work incentives and supports.
Arrangements are in place to incentivise and encourage people in receipt of the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme to take up work or to engage in training and development programmes to prepare for work. There is a statutory requirement to engage in activation supports in order to retain the payment. A Jobseeker can use the benefit of work estimator on MyWelfare.ie to assess the benefits of taking up employment. Some of the key supports are set out in the following paragraphs.
A person can work up to three days per week 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%. This ensures that these part-time workers benefit from an increase in their weekly income.
Under the Back to Work Family Dividend scheme, long term jobseekers taking up full-time employment retain the Child Support element of their social welfare payment for two-years. This supports families transition from social welfare into employment. The first year is paid at the full rate and the second year is paid at 50%.
The Working Family Payment is a weekly, tax-free payment available to employees with children. It gives extra financial support to families with children with rates of payment depending on their incomes and family size.
Officials in my Department are currently exploring a range of potential models for a new Working Age Payment and it is intended to publish a proposal for consultation in the coming months. The Programme for Government commits that any new Working Age Payment will ensure that individuals will always see an increase in income when they work or take on additional hours.
In addition, I have been advised that a person who has been on a jobseeker's payment for 12 consecutive months or longer and returns to employment may retain their Medical Card for up to three years.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
540. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the carer's allowance payment and arrears will be issued to a person (details supplied) following successful appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73399/25]
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.
I can confirm that the Social Welfare Appeals Office decision in relation to the applications for CA by the person concerned were made on 21 November 2025 and were referred back to the Department for implementation. During the implementation process, the Deciding Officer noted that the person concerned had notified the Department of a change in their circumstances. On foot of this notification, an information request issued to the person on 15th December 2025. Once this information is received, the matter will be dealt with immediately and the person will be notified directly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
541. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the way a particular welfare payment (details supplied) was calculated as regards furnishing social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73433/25]
View answerUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to assist people with essential expenditure, which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income, and household or personal resources. SWA payments are administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS), considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
All ANP applications are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the need presenting. When assessing an application for assistance, an officer will take into account the householder’s income, savings, available resources, as well as essential expenditure and the individual circumstances of the case. These circumstances may include transfers from other social housing, private rented accommodation, tenant in-situ allocations or customers exiting emergency hostels or homeless hub accommodation.
In determining the essential items required to furnish a new allocation, the CWO will consider what items the applicant already has and what is required for occupation of the new property. Guidance on the recommended levels of payment in respect of specific household appliances are available to assist CWS staff and are based on a price comparison analysis at which the appliances can be obtained on a nationwide basis. The payments to the person concerned in this instance for the items supported are in line with the guidance in place.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
542. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has given any consideration to a cost-of-disability payment.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73434/25]
View answerThe Government recognises the significant additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing permanent measures.
That is why the Programme for Government includes a range of commitments to support disabled people. Our Programme for Government commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.
The Programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment. In addition, under the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 my Department will lead a Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability. The network will take a whole of government approach to address this issue with the involvement of all relevant Departments and Agencies.
The work of this network, which will include disabled people and their advocates, will inform the approach to be taken in delivering on the Programme for Government commitment. I have asked my officials to expedite this work with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of next year.
My officials have held meetings with a number of organisations to discuss the possible structure and content of the Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability. Most recently, my officials met with a number of organisations on 2nd December at my Department's Disability Consultative Forum, at which the Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network was the main Agenda item. Officials from across government were also in attendance given that this is a whole of Government issue.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
543. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the one-payment-per-household rule for the fuel allowance scheme whereby adult children on low incomes are living in the family home due to the housing crisis and are refused support based on parental income alone, despite individually qualifying for the scheme; and the plans to allow eligibility to be assessed on an individual basis in such circumstances. [73435/25]
View answerThe criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to the Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a household must satisfy all the qualifying criteria, this ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
A change in the qualifying criteria such as assessing Fuel Allowance on an individual rather than a household basis would have to be considered in the context of scheme policy and budgetary negotiations.
I understand however that there will always be exceptional cases and it is for this reason that my department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
544. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that workers are protected from redundancy only once maternity leave has officially begun; if he is aware that this means that even if a pregnant woman has only a few days left before her leave starts, she can still be made redundant; if he is aware of the difficulties for someone who is two months away from giving birth to find a new job in this situation; if he is aware of the material difference between jobseeker’s benefit and continuing stable employment while preparing for childbirth and caring for a newborn; if he has considered that this uncertainty alone brings enormous stress to an expectant mother; if he will consider examining the UK and the rest-of-EU approach, where there are stronger protections for pregnant employees facing redundancy, when looking into this matter; if will consider strengthening protections in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73437/25]
View answerThe Maternity Protection Acts 1994–2004 provide legal protection for those who are pregnant including in matters of employment and unfair dismissal, and are a matter for my colleague; the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
My Department has responsibility for the payment of the associated Maternity Benefit income support.
I trust this clarifies my position for the Deputy.
545. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that domestic abuse rent supplement is available for three months without a means test; if he understands that a victim of domestic abuse in some circumstances is working and required to pay the mortgage on the property where the children live; if this payment is considered as part of the means test in the case where the person cannot live in the family home; if there are any circumstance in which this supplement can be accessed for more than three months without a means test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73440/25]
View answerAccess to Rent Supplement can be provided on referral by Cuan-funded service providers. This provides victims of domestic violence with a fast-track approval and screening process with a simplified means test to get immediate access to Rent Supplement so that they are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial concerns.
The standard Rent Supplement means test does not apply to these applicants for an initial three-month period. After three months, a further three-month extension may be provided subject to the standard Rent Supplement means assessment. There are no circumstances in which Rent Supplement can be accessed for more than three months without a means test. At this point the applicant’s income is assessed, and this may affect the amount of Rent Supplement they are awarded.
While PRSI deductions and reasonable travel expenses can be considered for the standard Rent Supplement means test, other outgoings/expenses, such as mortgage payments, are not taken into account.
I understand however that there will always be exceptional cases and it is for this reason that my Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Financial assistance may be provided to assist those who have essential expenses, such as rent deposits, rent in advance and household bills, that they cannot pay from their weekly income at this time.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
If the Deputy has concerns about a particular case, I would ask her to bring it to the attention of my Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
546. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered implementing a ‘saver clause’ similar to that used when someone transitions from disability allowance to the State pension (non-contributory) for those in receipt of carer’s allowance when they transition to the State pension (non-contributory); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73441/25]
View answerDisability Allowance is a means-tested, weekly allowance paid to those with a disability. It is available to those who are 16 or over and 65 and under. It is not available to those aged 66 or above. When a person who has been in receipt of the Disability Allowance reaches 66, they may apply for and receive the State Pension (Non-contributory), provided they satisfy the conditions of the payment. As the means tests for Disability Allowance (DA) and the State Pension (Non-Contributory) use different rules there is a clause in the regulations that prevents the rate of payment for the State Pension (Non-Contributory) being lower than the rate of payment the person received under the Disability Allowance scheme.
Carer's Allowance is a means-tested, weekly social welfare payment to people who care for someone who needs full-time care and attention because of their age, disability, or illness (including mental illness). There is no upper age limit for receipt of this payment, so there is no obligation for a person to transfer to the State Pension (Non-Contributory) scheme, should that rate of payment be lower. A person in receipt of the State Pension (Non-Contributory) may also receive a half-rate Carer's Allowance. This may be a more advantageous combination of payments for the person.
As either of these options would not see the person receive a lower rate of payments from the Department, there is no need for a “saver clause” to be legislated for.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
547. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in receipt of carer’s allowance who have had their payments reviewed in 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of people in receipt of carer’s allowance who have, on review, had their carer’s allowance revoked in 2024 and to date in 2025; and the number of these people who have appealed the decision, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73446/25]
View answerMy Department is committed to ensuring that we pay the right people, the right amount, through the right scheme or programme, at the right time. All schemes, including Carer’s Allowance, are subject to periodic control reviews and continuing eligibility checks to ensure that recipients continue to satisfy the conditions for the scheme.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to control reviews of Carer's Allowance in 2024 and Jan - Nov 2025 can be found in the table below.
The information requested in relation to appeals of terminated claims as a result of a control review is not collated and is therefore not available.
|
Carer's Allowance |
Count of Control Investigations |
Terminations |
|
2024 |
14,791 |
1,484 |
|
Jan to end Nov 2025 |
16,731 |
1,653 |
548. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in receipt of a carer’s support grant in 2024 and in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73447/25]
View answerThe Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers who receive Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance. It can also be paid to certain other carers providing full-time care, provided they meet age, residency and employment conditions, and are not in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit.
The table below details the number of recipients of CSG in 2024 and 2025.
|
Year |
Number of Recipients |
|
2024 |
135,586 |
|
2025 |
139,351 |
549. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection the key measures taken to tackle poverty during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73561/25]
View answerThe national poverty reduction strategy, the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2025-2030, aims to reduce consistent poverty to 2% or less and to make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive countries in the EU.
Recognising that poverty is multi-dimensional and requires a whole of Government approach beyond income supports, the Roadmap contains actions from across Government Departments focused on reducing poverty.
The current Roadmap contains 81 commitments across key areas - employment, older people, families and children, disabled people, communities and core essentials.
Progress on achieving the ambition of the Roadmap and its commitments have been reported in annual Progress Reports and Report Cards, which are available on gov.ie.
As of the end of September 2025, 64 Roadmap commitments were fully achieved; 3 commitments were in progress on schedule with ongoing delivery; and 14 commitments were in progress to be delivered.
My Department is currently developing a successor to the Roadmap, which is due to be published in the first half of 2026. To inform its development, a public consultation took place earlier this year, which received almost 500 responses. Consultation also took place during the Department's annual Social Inclusion Forum held in May 2025.
Specific measures by the Government in 2025 to tackle poverty include the significant supports and measures in Budget 2025, and those announced as part of Budget 2026.
Budget 2025 provided significant across the board increases in primary social protection weekly rates, in addition to a range of targeted increases to schemes. The total value of the social protection measures in Budget 2025 was €2.6 billion.
In 2026, the Government will invest €28.9 billion in social welfare, including again significant across the board increases in primary social protection weekly rates, over €1.15 billion of new measures targeted to assist households, including €320 million to reduce child poverty.
The combined effect of these measures will work to support people experiencing poverty, including families with children, older people, carers, people with disabilities and jobseekers in communities right across the country.
Independent research from the ESRI shows that, overall, the impact of the measures of Budgets 2025 and 2026 was broadly progressive, supporting households in the lower income deciles.
The decrease in the national rate of enforced deprivation for 2025, recently reported by the CSO, shows the effectiveness of measures taken under recent Budgets to offset increases in the cost of living.
In addition, based on commitments in the Programme for Government and in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion, in September 2025, the Government agreed a new child poverty target - to reduce the child consistent poverty rate to 3% or less by 2030.
The new target was informed by a public consultation process and by the need to have an ambitious target, to ensure as many children as possible are lifted out of poverty. The target represents a significant reduction from the current child consistent poverty rate of 8.5% and will guide cross-Government policies and ensure investment is targeted at families and children most in need.
The Government recognises that while overall trends show that poverty rates have reduced in recent years, work remains to be done to reduce poverty among specific groups of households and families. We are determined to continue to prioritise these households in 2026.
550. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection the key measures taken to support carers during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73562/25]
View answerThe Government is very aware of the key role that family carers play in Irish society and the challenges they face and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role.
The main income supports to carers provided by my Department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.9 billion this year and to exceed €2.2 billion in 2026.
There have been significant improvements made to the carer supports provided in recent years. Changes to carer’s payments and benefits, including the means tests, income thresholds and capital disregards are always kept under consideration, in consultation with carers and the organisations that represent them.
In this regard, I have taken a range of actions to improve outcomes for carers across all the carer payments under my remit.
As part of Budget 2026, I recently announced a range of measures to support family carers, which will take effect over the coming year:
• From January 2026 there will be a €10 increase in the maximum personal rate of Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit. There will be proportionate increases for people getting a reduced rate. This will be the fifth successive rise in weekly welfare rates which have increased by €51 over the last five years.
• Also in January, there will be a €20 increase to the monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance payment, bringing it to €380. This payment has increased by €70.50 per month since January 2023.
• From next July, there will be a further very significant increase in the Carer's Allowance income disregard to €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple. Since June 2022, this amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €667.50 and €1,335 respectively, or an increase of just over 200%.
• In line with Carer’s Allowance, the earnings limit for Carer’s Benefit will also increase again next year from €625 to €1,000, after tax.
• Where eligible, Carer’s Allowance recipients will benefit from the increase to the Fuel Allowance payment of €5 per week.
• For carers with children the weekly rates of the Child Support Payment will increase by €16 to €78 for children aged 12 and over, and by €8 to €58 for under 12s in January 2026. This is the largest Child Support Payment[] increase in the history of the State.
In addition, a Christmas Bonus or a double week payment has just been paid to over 1.47 million long term social welfare recipients, including carers.
These measures build on previous measures to improve supports for carers including Budget 2025 measures implemented this year:
• A €12 increase in the personal weekly maximum rate of Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit, from January.
• Domiciliary Care Allowance was increased by €20 from €340 to €360 per month, in January.
• Carer’s Allowance became a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance from January.
• Carer’s Benefit was extended to people who are self-employed from January.
• In June, the Carer’s Support Grant was increased by €150 from €1,850 to €2,000 – its highest ever rate.
• In July this year, the Carer's Allowance weekly income disregard increased to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple.
• The Carer's Benefit earnings limit was also increased from €450 to €625 per week at that time.
The changes to the means test have enabled many carers on reduced rates to move to higher payments and have brought new carers into the Carer’s Allowance system for the first time. There are now over 104,000 carers receiving this payment.
The Programme for Government contains a wide range of commitments to family carers. The improvements already delivered in 2025 and those planned for 2026 demonstrate the Government’s determination to continue delivering on these commitments. The Programme also commits to further increasing the Carer’s Support Grant, progressively increasing weekly carer payments and examining how best to support carers who provide full-time care to more than one person.
These commitments will continue to be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, taking account of available resources.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
551. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on correspondence arising from Budget 2026 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73589/25]
View answerThe Government recognises the significant additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed to improving outcomes for disabled people. That is why the Programme for Government includes a range of commitments to support disabled people.
Our Programme for Government commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context. We are at the start of a five-year programme for Government and not everything can be done in year one.
In the recent Budget I provided for a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures. This package includes a number of measures to support disabled people. Rates of payment for schemes such as Disability Allowance will be increased by €10 per week from January bringing the maximum personal weekly rate of payment to €254 per week. In addition, there is a Christmas bonus of a double week payment in December. There are also other important measures such as providing for the retention of Fuel Allowance for up to five years where a person moves off Disability Allowance and into employment.
People on Disability Allowance can take up employment or self-employment and continue to receive all or part of their income support, depending on their income. A person can earn up to €165 a week and keep their full rate payment. Earnings between €165 and €375 from employment are assessed at 50%, and any earnings over €375 are fully assessed as means. A person can earn up to €517.60 a week and still keep their entitlement to the minimum rate of payment and their secondary benefits.
The Programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment.
We know that addressing the cost of disability is not a question of income support alone. The delivery of and access to services are also key. We need all Departments and agencies of Government to work together to address the issue in a comprehensive way. That is why the Taoiseach set up a Cabinet Committee on Disability and a dedicated programme office within his own Department.
In addition, under the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, my Department will lead a Strategic Focus Network on the cost of disability. The network will take a whole of government approach to address this issue with the involvement of all relevant Departments and Agencies.
The work of this network, which will include disabled people and their advocates, will inform the approach to be taken in delivering on the commitment to introduce a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment. I have asked my officials to expedite this work with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of next year.
My officials have held meetings with a number of organisations to discuss the possible structure and content of the Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability. Most recently, my officials met with a number of organisations on 2nd December at my Department's Disability Consultative Forum, at which the Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network was the main Agenda item. Officials from across government were also in attendance given that this is a whole of Government issue.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
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. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case, including the need presented and available resources, in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. 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 Urgent Needs Payment, available under this scheme, can be paid to persons in full time education in exceptional circumstances.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications for Additional Needs Payments can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
552. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department is planning for a scenario where youth unemployment increases in certain sectors as a result of the roll-out of artificial intelligence; if his Department has identified any high-risk sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73802/25]
View answerThe Irish labour market has been performing well, despite substantial economic uncertainty. According to the most recent data made available by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate stands at 4.9 percent, as of November 2025, and has been between 4 and 5 percent, the rate conventionally considered full employment in Ireland, since January 2022, with one month’s exception, September 2025, when it reached 5.1 percent.
Recently, the youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) has risen. It stands at 13.4 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis, as of November 2025. Youth outcomes are substantially more volatile and tend to lag behind those of the general population.
The latest forecasts from the Central Bank show that employment is expected to continue to expand, growing by 1.9 percent in 2026, and unemployment is expected to moderate to 4.8 percent.
The Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment have published “Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe? An Analysis of How AI Could Impact Ireland’s Labour Market”. This research found that younger workers were slightly more exposed to AI compared to older workers, being both in “at risk” and “high gain” roles.
The Financial and Insurance; Information and Communication; and Professional, Scientific and Technical sectors were identified as more highly exposed with low complementarity to AI.
My Department is committed to continuing to monitor labour market trends and these insights will inform the successor strategy to Pathways to Work, which is currently being developed.
553. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is considering the introduction of supports for new graduates unable to obtain entry-level jobs in areas most affected by the adoption of artificial intelligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73803/25]
View answerThe Intreo Service provides a single point of contact for jobseekers to access employment and income supports nationwide. There are a range of jobseeker payments available to people who are unemployed or who work part time, to support them while looking for work.
Intreo Employment Services provides an individualised employment support service to all jobseekers with the aim of ensuring that they have the support and guidance they need to help them to find sustainable employment, including employment advice, job search support, such as CV preparation and interview training, as well as referrals to upskilling/reskilling education and training programmes, both of short and longer duration, and job matching to suitable vacancies. In this regard, my Department has a range of employment support schemes, services and initiatives for both jobseekers and employers.
It is noted that the most recent Labour Force Survey (Q3 2025) shows that overall employment grew by 1.1% since quarter 3 2024 to reach its highest ever level of 2.825m. In addition, the monthly unemployment rate and the number of people on the Live Register both fell in November. This would suggest that the extent of the impact that the introduction of AI may have on overall employment levels is not yet evident.
Intreo Employment Services continues to engage with and support both employers and individuals to effectively respond to changing labour market conditions, keeping all schemes and services under ongoing review.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
554. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline any engagement his Department has had with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment on the subject of new graduates being unable to obtain entry-level jobs in areas most affected by the adoption of artificial intelligence; his views on whether there will be a need to introduce specific retraining schemes for new graduates affected by this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73805/25]
View answerThe matter to which the Deputy refers falls within the remit of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. My Department will engage in any cross-government initiatives on this matter.
You may wish to note that the most recent Labour Force Survey (Q3 2025) shows that overall employment grew by 1.1% since quarter 3 2024 to reach its highest ever level of 2.825m, with graduate employment increasing by between 5 and 6. In addition the monthly unemployment rate and the number of people on the Live Register both fell in November. This suggests that, to the extent that the introduction of AI may have an employment impact it is not, as yet, evident in overall employment levels.
555. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline any engagement he has had with industry on the subject of new graduates being unable to obtain entry-level jobs in areas most affected by the adoption of artificial intelligence; if his Department has conducted any industry surveys to assess the existence of such a trend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73806/25]
View answerThe matter to which the Deputy refers falls within the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. My Department will engage in any cross-government initiatives on this matter.
You may wish to note that the most recent Labour Force Survey (Q3 2025) shows that overall employment grew by 1.1% since quarter 3 2024 to reach its highest ever level of 2.825m, with graduate employment increasing by between 5 and 6. In addition the monthly unemployment rate and the number of people on the Live Register both fell in November. This suggests that, to the extent that the introduction of AI may have an employment impact it is not, as yet, evident in overall employment levels.
556. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the proposed timeframe for abolishing the means test for carer's allowance applications. [73843/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government clearly sets out a timeframe 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.
Phasing out the means test 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.
This process is well underway. The latest change was in July this year when the amount of weekly earnings disregarded was increased to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple.
In October, as part of Budget 2026, I announced further improvements to the Carer’s Allowance means test that will be introduced next year. For carers who work outside the home, the weekly income disregard will increase by 60% from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of couple.
Since June 2022, this will bring cumulative increases to the disregards to €667.50 for a single carer and to €1,335 for a carer who is part of couple, or an increase of just over 200%.
The latest changes are evidence of the Government’s determination to deliver on its commitment to eliminate the means test over our term. We will continue to do so in a progressive manner, in light of the prevailing budgetary conditions.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
