Written Answers Nos. 1542-1562
1542. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to automatically granting invalidity pension to those with a diagnosis of cancer for the duration of their treatment and the time they are unable to work as a result of their cancer, provided they meet the PRSI credits requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74709/25]
View answerMy Department provides a range of income support payments to support people who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. Eligibility for these supports is not dependent on the type or category of illness or disability. Rather, entitlement to these supports is contingent on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work as well as social insurance contribution conditions, a means test or other conditions.
Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who cannot work due to illness of any type and who satisfy the social insurance contributions requirement. It can be paid for up to two years where the person continues to satisfy the qualifying conditions. If a person is permanently incapable of work or will be incapable of work for at least a further 12 months, they maybe eligible for the long term scheme Invalidity Pension.
Invalidity Pension is a social insurance payment for people aged under 66 who cannot work due a long-term illness or disability. It is payable for people who have the required social insurance contributions, and it is not means tested. To qualify, the person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months or must be permanently incapable of work. A person must satisfy both medical and social insurance conditions.
All applications for the Department's income support schemes are individually assessed, in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1543. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to parliamentary question No. 179 of 11 June 2025, when the review of means testing in the social protection system will be completed; if he now intends to amend the current weekly means limit for the increase for qualified adult allowance for recipients of the State pension and to increasing the current means limit of €100 which has been in place since 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74718/25]
View answerMy Department provides State Pension payments through the State Pension (Contributory), which is a contributory based payment based on a person's social insurance record, and the State Pension (Non-Contributory), which is means-tested social assistance payment.
A State pension (contributory) recipient can claim an increase on their pension in respect of a qualified adult where the eligibility conditions for this means-tested payment are satisfied. An Increase for qualified adult (IQA) is payable at the maximum rate of payment where the means of the qualified adult are not more than €100 per week. Article 7 of SI 142 of 2007, the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations, as amended, sets out the income limit for the payment of an IQA across a range of schemes, not just the State Pension (Contributory).
Means tests are a central part of any social welfare system in ensuring that limited resources are targeted at those who are most in need. Means tests and income thresholds are kept under review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years. A number of changes to means testing which provide for higher income disregards have been introduced in recent Budgets. These disregards ensure that, where people are in receipt of a social assistance payment and are working, a certain level of income from that work is not assessed in the means test.
My Department is conducting a review of means testing within the social protection system. The aim is to examine various means-tested schemes and identify any issues related to their respective means tests. I expect that the review will be completed shortly and it is my intention that the review's findings will guide decisions regarding potential changes to means testing in future Budgets subject to the overall budgetary context.
1544. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the Karshan disclosure opportunity guidance; if his Department was consulted before the Revenue Commissioners launched this scheme; the way in which his Department will ensure workers’ PRSI records pre-2024 are corrected in line with Karshan; the reason his Department failed to prosecute employers under SS251–252 despite repeated confirmation of bogus self-employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74842/25]
View answerThe Supreme Court judgment in respect of the Karshan case issued on 20 October 2023. The Department is aware of the recent Karshan disclosure opportunity guidance issued by the Revenue Commissioners. The Department understands that Revenue is providing employers with an opportunity to correct any payroll tax issues in respect of 2024 and where relevant, 2025, arising from bona-fide classification errors following the Supreme Court judgement.
The guidance issued by Revenue clearly outlines that the settlement terms explicitly do not apply to any intervention which was open prior to 20 October 2023. Furthermore, they do not apply to any individual who, under the Code of Practice on Determining Employment Status in effect prior to October 2023, should have been classified as an employee. Likewise, they do not apply to any individual who should have been classified as an employee based on any published decision or determination of the Department of Social Protection, the Workplace Relations Commission, the Tax Appeals Commission or a court. As such, where Revenue is of the opinion that the misclassification has arisen from either careless or deliberate behaviour, the full liability to Income Tax, USC and PRSI and interest and penalties will be pursued as provided for under the terms of all relevant legislation.
It is open to any worker who has concerns in relation to their employment status to contact the Department’s Scope section. This section determines employment status and the correct class of pay-related social insurance (PRSI). Employment status decisions are based on the criteria set out in the Code of Practice on Determining Employment Status and by reference to decided case law. The Code was updated following the Karshan Supreme Court judgment.
It is important to point out that cases of misclassification of employment do not necessarily involve a deliberate or fraudulent misclassification of an employee as self-employed. Given how case law has evolved, and given the variety of employment arrangements, it may not always to be clear to an employer or a worker as to how the worker should be classified.
Sometimes it happens that employer and/or employee are genuinely mistaken in their approach and are happy to correct the position once the Department’s officials make a determination. The policy of the Department, in general, is not to prosecute where debts arising from misclassification of employment issues are discharged.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
1545. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the merits of eliminating the means test for the carer’s allowance; the research his Department has carried out into this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74849/25]
View answerThe Carer’s Allowance scheme is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers. Expenditure on the scheme in 2026 is estimated at over €1.4 billion.
The primary objective of the Carer’s Allowance payment is to provide an income support to people whose earning capacity is substantially reduced because they cannot work full-time due to their caring responsibilities.
The Programme for Government has set 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.
The process of phasing out the means test is well underway. The latest change occurred in July 2025 and saw the amount of weekly earnings disregarded increase 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 to be introduced this year. From July the weekly income disregard will increase 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 disregards for Carer’s Allowance are now by far the highest income disregards in the social welfare system, higher than those for any other weekly payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1546. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will issue a hard copy of the Med 1 cert-incapacity for work medical certificate to this Deputy. [74884/25]
View answerMy Department has been in touch with the Deputy and the form has been issued.
I hope this clarifies the position.
1547. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools in Donegal that have applied for the school meals scheme for the 2025-2026 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74887/25]
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.
In total, 188 applications have been received for the School Meals Programme in Donegal for the 2025/26 academic year to date.
It is important to note that the 2025/2026 academic school year started a few months ago and applications continue to be received and processed.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
1548. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of data breaches recorded by his Department in 2025; and the number that were reported to the Data Protection Commissioner. [74903/25]
View answer1549. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people on illness benefit for longer than two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74912/25]
View answerIllness Benefit claim may only be paid for longer than 2 years if the claim began before 5 January 2009.
For customers whose claim began after 5 January 2009, Illness Benefit can only be paid for a maximum of 624 paid days (i.e. 2 years total), with an exception for customers where their claim forms part of the same period of incapacity as a previous Illness Benefit claim which began before 5 January 2009.
As of 1 December 2025, there were 4,584 recipients of Illness Benefit who have been receiving the payment for two years or more.
1550. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated net loss of income faced by a single adult on disability allowance living alone in 2026 compared with 2025, arising from the discontinuation of once-off supports such as the €400 disability payment, €300 fuel lump sum, €300 living-alone lump sum, €200 electricity credits and double-week bonuses; the rationale for removing these supports without providing equivalent replacement measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75000/25]
View answer1551. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection to publish any disability-specific poverty or social exclusion modelling carried out by his Department in advance of Budget 2026, and to outline what modelling, if any, informed the decision to withdraw once-off supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75003/25]
View answer1552. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the fiscal rationale for removing once-off supports for disabled people, given the continuing cost-of-living pressures and the absence of the cost of disability payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75009/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1550, 1551 and 1552 together.
The 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.
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. In December, my officials met with a number of organisations 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.
Government has been very clear that there would be no once-off measures in Budget 2026. We are at the start of a five-year programme for Government and not everything can be done in year one.
In Budget 2026, I provided for a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures. This contained significant targeted measures to support disabled people, including:
• A €10 increase in the weekly rates of payment, bringing the personal rates of payment to €254 per week from this month.
• A Christmas bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment, paid in December 2025.
• The highest ever increases in the Child Support Payment – an increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 or over, and of €8 to €58 for children under 12 from this month.
• A €5 increase in the Fuel Allowance, bring it to €38 per week from this month.
• People moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up work will be able to retain their Fuel Allowance payment for five years.
• People getting Disability Allowance or Blind Pension who have children will be eligible for Back to Work Family Dividend when taking up employment and moving off those payments.
• Expansion of the Wage Subsidy Scheme to people who acquire a disability while in employment and to those who transfer from Invalidity Pension to Partial Capacity Benefit, and increasing the rates paid from April.
The Department of Social Protection package also contained measures aimed at supporting carers, and recipients of Domiciliary Care Allowance.
• Increase the Earnings Disregard for Carer’s Allowance by €375 to €1,000 for a single person and by €750 to €2,000 for a couple from July 2026.
• The income limit for Carer’s Benefit will increase by €375 to €1,000 per week from July 2026.
• €20 increase in the monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance payment bringing the payment to €380 per month from this month.
The Government also allocated €3.8 billion to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality for disability services in 2026, including funding for Community Based Specialist Disability Services to ensure people with disabilities receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. This represents a 20% increase year on year and represents an overall increase since 2020 of €1.8 billion.
These measures clearly demonstrate the Government’s commitment to support disabled people by introducing permanent changes rather than relying on once-off measures.
Not all of the one-off measures in previous Budgets fall within my Department's remit. The one-off electricity credits are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment.
The impact of Budget measures, whether one-off or permanent varies depending on people's circumstances. For example, whether or not they are in receipt of the Fuel Allowance and whether or not they have children.
As part of Budget 2026, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in conjunction with the Department of Finance undertook analysis of the distributional impact of the Budget 2026 tax and welfare measures. This analysis shows the impact of the Budget 2026 tax and welfare package to be broadly progressive, reflecting its targeted nature. Households in the lowest income deciles will see the greatest increases in weekly disposable income as a result.
In addition, the "Beyond GDP – Quality of Life Assessment Reports" prepared by the Department of Finance show that after accounting for the Budget 2026 measures, the at-risk-of-poverty rate for the whole population falls in both 2025 and 2026 with the largest reductions for older people and the population affected by disability.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
1553. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection to introduce an emergency winter payment for people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75043/25]
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 which 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 National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 my Department will lead a Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability.
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 the 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. In December, my officials met with a number of organisations 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.
Government has been very clear that there would be no once-off measures in Budget 2026. We are at the start of a five-year programme for Government and not everything can be done in year one.
My Department provides a range of income support payments for disabled people. There are currently almost 231,300 recipients of disability income support payments, with estimated expenditure of €3.24 billion in 2025.
In Budget 2026, I provided for a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures. This contained significant targeted measures to support disabled people, including:
• A €10 increase in the weekly rates of payment, bringing the personal rates of payment to €254 per week from January.
• A Christmas bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment, paid in December 2025.
• The highest ever increases in the Child Support Payment – an increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 or over, and of €8 to €58 for children under 12, from this month.
• A €5 increase in the Fuel Allowance, bring it to €38 per week from this month.
• People moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up work will be able to retain their Fuel Allowance payment for five years.
• People getting Disability Allowance or Blind Pension who have children will be eligible for Back to Work Family Dividend when taking up employment and moving off those payments.
• Expansion of the Wage Subsidy Scheme to people who acquire a disability while in employment and to those who transfer from Invalidity Pension to Partial Capacity Benefit, and increasing the rates paid from April.
The Department of Social Protection package also contained measures aimed at supporting carers, and recipients of Domiciliary Care Allowance.
• Increase the Earnings Disregard for Carer’s Allowance by €375 to €1,000 for a single person and by €750 to €2,000 for a couple from July 2026.
• The income limit for Carer’s Benefit will increase by €375 to €1,000 per week from July 2026.
• €20 increase in the monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance payment bringing the payment to €380 per month from January.
The Government also allocated €3.8 billion to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality for disability services in 2026, including funding for Community Based Specialist Disability Services to ensure people with disabilities receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. This represents a 20% increase year on year and represents an overall increase since 2020 of €1.8 billion.
These measures clearly demonstrate the Governments commitment to support disabled people by introducing permanent changes rather than relying on once-off measures.
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 and are available to anyone who needs then and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.
Furthermore, under the scheme, a Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people that have exceptional heating costs due to ill health, infirmity or a medical condition and are unable to meet those costs out of household income. Heating Supplement is not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the full year.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment or a Heating Supplement 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 issue for the Deputy.
1554. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of projects in his Department that were delayed in 2023 and 2024 due to the change of document from the Public Spending Code to the Infrastructure Guidelines, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75116/25]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection does not oversee any major infrastructure projects as per the guidelines.
1555. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the salary scale that applies to the Secretary General in his Department and to the head of each agency for which they are responsible; whether this scale has changed in the past two years or whether there are proposals to change this scale in the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75203/25]
View answerI have listed the pay scale for the Secretary General of my Department and the head of each agency under the aegis of my Department below. Each of the pay scales are agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. The only changes or adjustments are in line with Public Sector Pay Agreement 2024 to 2026 increases and there are no proposals to change these pay scales.
|
Department / Agency |
Role |
Salary scale |
|
Department of Social Protection |
Secretary General |
Secretary General level II |
|
Citizens Information Board |
CEO |
Principal Officer Higher plus Directors Allowance |
|
National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority |
CEO |
Deputy Secretary |
|
Pensions Authority |
Pensions Regulator /CEO |
Assistant Secretary |
1556. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount expended on advertising and promotion in his Department, and within each agency for which he is responsible, for 2022 to 2024, by year and budgeted for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75221/25]
View answerFor the purpose of this response, I have interpreted “the amount expended on advertising and promotion” as media buying costs incurred from public information campaigns, announcements and recruitment notices.
My Department administers more than 140 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. We are committed to ensuring that members of the public are aware of the welfare supports and services available, and that key changes are communicated to them. Paid public information campaigns play an important role in achieving this objective.
All campaigns are developed and targeted carefully in collaboration with our media buying agency, using the best mix of media formats to ensure that the Department's messages reach members of the public effectively, while ensuring value for money.
Please see below in tabular form the total expenditure incurred by my Department and bodies under the aegis of my Department on advertising and promotion in the years 2022-2024. The total cited per year represents the total expenditure invoiced and paid within each year – this may include work undertaken in the previous year but not invoiced until that year.
Please note that these figures include VAT, ASAI, and agency fees.
|
- |
Total Advertising Costs 2022 |
Total Advertising Costs 2023 |
Total Advertising Costs 2024 |
|
Department of Social Protection (DSP) |
€1,352,300.85 |
€1,462,679.07 |
€1,988,634.99 |
|
Pensions Council |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Pensions Authority |
€144,349 |
€103,001 |
€94,655 |
|
Citizens Information Board |
€351,520.69 |
€307,500.66 |
€311,206.36 |
The total budget allocated for communications activity by my Department in 2026 is €3.42 million (including VAT). This allocation covers a range of customer communications activity, including advertising, creative development, customer service events, market research, videography, accessible content development, and a range of other public information and outreach initiatives.
Projected advertising costs for the agencies under the aegis of my Department in 2026 are as follows:
• Pensions Council – Nil advertising costs are expected for 2026.
• Pensions Authority – Advertising costs for 2026 are estimated at €20,000 (including VAT).
• Citizens Information Board - The projected media spend for the Abhaile project in 2026 is approximately €320,000. Communications planning for 2026 has not yet been finalised, so any additional expenditure has yet to be confirmed.
1557. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of press, media or communications staff currently employed in his Department and within each agency for which he is responsible; the cost of these staff for 2025 and the expected cost for 2026; whether there are proposals to increase the number of such staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75239/25]
View answerThere are elements of communications to most roles in my Department, given the millions of individual interactions every year between the staff of the Department and the people they serve.
The Unit whose function relates to supporting corporate communications, press and media engagement in my Department is the Communications and Press Office. The focus of this unit is to ensure that people are aware of the broad range of entitlements and allowances across the social welfare system. This includes several cross-functional teams which are responsible for a broad range of responsibilities, including:
• press responses and media relations,
• communications planning and campaigns,
• graphic design,
• event organisation,
• social media,
• Plain English guidance for content across the Department,
• management of the department's web presence on gov.ie, and
• supporting internal communications for over 7,000 staff nationwide.
There are currently 21 staff working in this unit. The composition of staff in the unit is outlined in the table below. It includes a breakdown of the staff numbers serving in the unit in 2025 and the current numbers serving, as well as their grades.
|
Grade |
Number of staff in 2025* |
Staff serving as of 12 January 2026 |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
2 |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
7 |
6 |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
10 |
9 |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
3 |
|
Digital Marketing Apprentice |
1 |
0 |
|
Total |
25* |
21 |
* These figures represent the total number of positions in the unit, and the maximum number of staff employed in each role at any one time. Due to staff movement some roles will have been vacant at some point during 2025 and therefore total staff numbers varied.
An estimated annual salary spend for press, media and communications staff in my Department for 2025 would be €1,231,592. An estimated annual salary spend for 2026 based on all roles being filled would be €1,254,220.
The composition of press, media and communications staff across the agencies under the aegis of my Department is outlined below.
Citizens Information Board
The Citizens Information Board (CIB) currently has two staff members assigned to communications roles: one Higher Executive Officer and one Executive Officer. In addition, communications is a key function within the CIB Abhaile Project, which employs three staff in communications roles: one Assistant Principal Officer and two Executive Officers.
All positions are remunerated in line with the appropriate public service pay scales. The cost for these roles in 2025 was €314,313, and the expected cost for 2026 is €337,709.
Pensions Authority
Currently, press, media, and communications activities within the Pensions Authority are managed by staff at varying grades in the Operations Unit of the Pensions Authority, under the guidance of the Head of Operations.
Due to the diverse nature of these responsibilities, there is presently no dedicated resource assigned exclusively to dealing with press and media queries. The vast majority of Pensions Authority communication activity involves providing information and guidance that help those involved in managing pensions such as trustees, administrators, employers and advisors understand their obligations and how to meet them. The Authority provides a comprehensive range of free information and guidance material on their website for the public and those involved with pensions, which is updated and amended to reflect changes in pension legislation and regulations.
The estimated annual spend for the Pensions Authority in terms of staff time spent on press, media, and communications activities is provided in tabular form below.
|
Grade |
Standard scale |
% rate of time spent on communications activity (approx) |
Staff costs (approx) |
|
Principal Officer |
€106,021 |
20% |
€21,204.20 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
€81,475 |
20% |
€16,295.00 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
€58,847 |
10% |
€5,884.70 |
|
Executive Officer |
€37,919 |
10% |
€3,791.90 |
|
Total |
|
|
€47,175.80 |
In 2026, the Pensions Authority intends to recruit an experienced and strategic Communications Manager at Assistant Principal grade to lead its external communications, media, and stakeholder engagement initiatives within the Irish pensions sector. An estimated annual salary spend for this role would be €81,475 based on the first point of the Assistant Principal civil service salary scale, as of 1 August 2025. This reflects basic salary only.
National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority
In 2025, press, media, and communications activities in relation to automatic enrolment were managed by staff in the Department of Social Protection. This included staff in the Department's Communications and Press Office Unit, as well as members of the Auto-Enrolment Programme Management unit in my Department. Accordingly, the number of press, media or communications staff employed by the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) in 2025, and the associated cost, were both nil.
In 2026, NAERSA intends to recruit an experienced and strategic Communications Manager at Assistant Principal grade to lead its external communications, media, and stakeholder engagement initiatives. An estimated annual salary spend for this role would be €81,475 based on the first point of the Assistant Principal civil service salary scale, as of 1 August 2025. This reflects basic salary only.
Pensions Council
The number of press, media or communications staff employed by the Pensions Council in 2025, and the associated cost, are both nil. The number of such staff expected to be employed in 2026, and the associated cost, are also nil.
1558. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost to his Department and to each agency for which they are responsible arising from Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; the line items or events for which a cost is expected to arise and the estimated cost for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75257/25]
View answerIreland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of this year will be an important opportunity for Ireland to shape Europe’s policy direction, lead important aspects of the EU’s work, and showcase Ireland’s engagement, expertise and values at the heart of the European Union.
The Government committed in the Programme for Government to resourcing and delivering a successful EU Presidency. Major planning has taken place to date to ensure that costs are managed across all expenditure headings and prudent financial planning will continue throughout to ensure value for money for the Exchequer.
The breakdown of EU Presidency-specific allocations to Government Departments and State Agencies contained in Appendix 9 of the Revised Estimates for 2026 is published on gov.ie. My Department has been allocated €1.05 million for the EU Council Presidency. There is no separate budget allocation for State bodies under the aegis of my Department.
The funding being allocated for the Presidency is supporting additional temporary staffing needs in Brussels and in Ireland to deliver on the Council's legislative and policy agenda. It is also supporting delivery of the Presidency's extensive meeting programme in Ireland, and opportunities to showcase the best of Ireland to our partners from across Europe. This includes a number of meetings/events under the auspices of my Department, the details of which are currently being finalised with the co-operation of officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Office of Public Works and other relevant Departments. Information on anticipated costs in relation to these meetings/events is not available at this time.
1559. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the priorities of his Department and each agency for which they are responsible for, in respect of Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75275/25]
View answerWork is continuing in relation to finalising my Department's priorities for Ireland's Presidency of the European Council later this year. My Department co-ordinates Ireland's engagement with the EPSCO, the employment and social affairs council, working collaboratively with the Departments of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Children, Disability and Equality. Officials are engaging to develop a programme that highlights and seeks to progress the Government's social affairs and employment policy priorities which are also priorities across the EU. Consultation is also ongoing with stakeholders with a very useful workshop with civil society held at the Department's Pre-Budget forum last year. In addition, officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are currently collating the views submitted as part of the public consultation on the potential themes for the Presidency.
It is customary that priorities for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers are not announced until shortly before the Presidency commences.
1560. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he has taken to advertise the My Future Fund scheme; the steps specifically that have been taken to encourage people to maintain payments after the six month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1017/26]
View answer1578. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on whether the information campaigns carried out to date in relation to the auto enrolment pension scheme have been sufficient to ensure widespread knowledge of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1774/26]
View answer1579. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding any further campaigns to ensure that there is sufficient knowledge and awareness of the auto enrolment pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1775/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1560, 1578 and 1579 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment (AE) Retirement Savings System. The aim of introducing AE is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with access to a quality assured retirement savings scheme, thereby giving greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income. The new system - known as My Future Fund - commenced on the 1 January 2026. Over 763,000 employees that weren't actively contributing to a qualifying pension or PRSA through payroll have now been automatically enrolled in My Future Fund.
In advance of the launch of My Future Fund, a comprehensive three phase communications campaign was developed and rolled out to raise awareness for the new scheme. This public information campaign commenced in 2023 and represents the largest campaign that my Department has ever undertaken. To this end, the campaign involved a wide variety of media channels available, including TV, radio, social media, press, video on demand and out of home advertising such as billboards, buses, etc. In addition, many briefings were provided to media personnel and the Department took part in a very large number of webinars and in-person seminars for employers and representative groups.
The campaign was developed in consultation with a contracted media buying service and creative agency to target both employers and employees. The Department is confident that there has been a very good level of awareness of My Future Fund in advance of its launch. This is borne out in the high level of engagement from employers registering on the My Future Fund employer portal: by the 9 January 2026 the numbers of employers registered was 93,581 who employ 697,189 employees.
Campaign messaging highlighted the contributions from the employer, employee and the government as well as the benefits of saving for retirement. In addition, separate messaging was developed by employers to show them how easy it is to engage and how light the administrative work is. At each stage of the campaign messaging was informed by queries from stakeholders and adapted to ensure that frequently asked questions were addressed.
A dedicated auto-enrolment information hub was published on the gov.ie website in 2023 and content has been continually added and updated here, to help both employer and employees stay informed and prepare for the launch in January 2026. A suite of information videos on auto-enrolment was also created in English, Irish and Irish Sign Language. These are available on the Department’s YouTube channel.
As part of the communications strategy, market research among the public and employers took place, to help measure awareness and inform future messaging. Results from November research indicated a significant increase in awareness of auto-enrolment among both employers and employees. Some findings are as follows:
• Positively, 93% of employers were aware of the My Future Fund auto-enrolment system, a notable rise from 51% in March 2024.
• The majority of employers (88%) were aware of their company’s legal obligations regarding My Future Fund auto-enrolment.
• The majority of those eligible for My Future Fund auto-enrolment continue to believe it is a good initiative (88%).
To oversee the operation of My Future Fund, a new State body - the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) - has been established. Following the commencement of enrolments and contribution collection on 1 January 2026, NAERSA will be continuing to implement the communication strategy. The Department of Social Protection will work closely with NAERSA to ensure that stakeholders are aware of the scheme, the easy administration for employers, and the benefits of saving for retirement for employees.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputies.
1561. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if he plans to introduce a scheme similar to the My Future Fund scheme for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1018/26]
View answer1562. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if he plans to introduce a scheme similar to the My Future Fund scheme for the self-employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1019/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1561 and 1562 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment (AE) Retirement Savings System. The aim of introducing AE is to address the employee pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide employees with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income. The new system - to be known as My Future Fund - commenced on the 1 January 2026.
As the focus of My Future Fund is on providing employees with a retirement savings scheme, it is designed on the basis of an employer-employee relationship and the contributions are also defined in terms of that relationship. The automatic enrolment and re-enrolment processes of My Future Fund are designed around an employer's operation of a payroll system. Accordingly, it will not apply to the self-employed or farmers registered as self-employed. That is because there isn't an employer-employee relationship and so some different design around contributions would be required to facilitate their participation.
Payments to self-employed individuals do not usually follow normal payment cycles and do not usually occur through a payroll system, and so finding a mechanism for automatically enrolling such individuals would need to be developed. Additionally, payments to self-employed individuals can be very varied and can change dramatically over years - where people take little money in the early years of their business and so may not meet eligibility thresholds, and where they take considerable amounts in later years and seek to maximise their contributions, which may be in excess of the thresholds in My Future Fund. In the Department's analysis of auto-enrolment systems in other countries, it wasn't evident that the self-employed were successfully included in their designs because of these considerable differences. Accordingly, an entirely different type of system would be needed for self-employed individuals.
Self-employed people usually engage with financial matters more readily than employees, and quite often, pension planning is a part of the overall financial planning of their enterprise. In that context, it's worth noting that the self-employed already have access to supplementary pension coverage in the commercial market, e.g., through Personal Retirement Savings Accounts, and can avail of generous tax reliefs from the State when contributing to such personal pension products.
The current focus is on implementing and bedding in the system for the approximately 760,000 employees identified as prospective participants. In publishing the "Design Principles for Ireland’s Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System" in 2022, the Government set out how the system may evolve in the future, and as part of that, included consideration of broadening the system to include those outside the ‘employee’ cohort such as the self-employed and the non-working while noting that both may require different models of contributions. These matters will, in time, be considered by the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority, as part of its analysis and research role, and may form part of any recommendations it may make to the Minister accordingly.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
