Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who received the newborn baby grant in County Cork in 2025, and so far in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2684/26]
View answerChild Benefit becomes payable in respect of newborn babies in the month after their birth, subject to the qualifying conditions.
As part of Budget 2025, a new-born baby grant of €280 was introduced. This is paid to families of babies born, or children with a date of placement, on or after 1 December 2024 in addition to their regular first month’s Child Benefit payment of €140.
Since implementation to 06/01/2026, the grant has been paid to 50,102 to customers in respect of 50,951 children.
The new-born baby grant has been paid to 5,480 parents in Cork in 2025 and 211 parents in 2026.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
42. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average processing times for disability related payments for applicants in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1242/26]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly payment for people aged 16 to 66 with a disability expected to last at least one year, subject to medical, means, and habitual residence conditions.
My Department is committed to providing an efficient and fair service to all customers and to processing applications as quickly as possible. Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the scheme, particularly where medical evidence and means assessments are required.
In respect of DA, evidence must be provided in respect of the person’s medical condition, the extent to which it restricts them from taking up employment, their means and their habitual residency.
The average number of weeks to award a Disability Allowance claim is currently 6 week, exceeding the processing target for DA to award 80% of applications within 10 weeks. Processing times are not reported on a County by County level.
My Department understands the many pressures faced by people and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed efficiently. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, the details can be provided to the Department for examination.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
43. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of newborn baby grants made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2592/26]
View answerChild Benefit becomes payable in respect of newborn babies in the month after their birth, subject to the qualifying conditions.
As part of Budget 2025, a new-born baby grant of €280 was introduced. This is paid to families of babies born, or children with a date of placement, on or after 1 December 2024 in addition to their regular first month’s Child Benefit payment of €140.
Since implementation to 06/01/2026, the grant has been paid to 50,102 customers in respect of 50,951 children.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
44. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the changes he plans to make to the means assessment carried out by his Department in order to remove anomalies in relation to the disability allowance identified in the Programme for Government; if he will provide details of the anomalies currently being observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2744/26]
View answerDisability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme. The payment is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement. The means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property – other than the family home – and capital.
Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by the Department of Social Protection. A recipient can have up to €50,000 in savings and still receive the full rate of payment. This compares with €20,000 for most social welfare payments.
Over the last five budgets the Government has progressively improved payment rates and income disregards for disabled people. The weekly payment rates for Disability Allowance have increased by €51 in that time. The earnings disregard has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently.
This enables those in receipt of Disability Allowance to earn more without having a negative impact on their means tested payment. This means that people can earn up to €165 per week and keep their payment in full and can earn up to €527.60 per week and keep a portion of their payment.
The Programme for Government commits to reform the Disability Allowance Payment and remove anomalies in the current means test.
My Department is currently reviewing means testing across all its social assistance schemes. The outcome of this review will be used to inform decisions regarding any further changes to means testing. All prospective changes to means testing arrangements will have to be considered in both an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
46. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has plans or intends to establish a social welfare office in Athenry, County Galway, in light of the town’s rapidly growing population and projected future development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1784/26]
View answerThe people of Athenry and its surrounds are currently served by the Intreo Centres in Galway, Loughrea, and the Department of Social Protection office, and Branch Office, in Tuam. These offices are a single point of contact for employment services, identity services (Public Service Cards) and income supports, including the Community Welfare Service. Customers can avail of a walk-in or appointment service, as appropriate to the office. Appointments for processing Personal Public Service (PPS) number applications are provided at our Galway office.
While local face-to-face engagement with people continues to be a cornerstone of social welfare services, it is important to mention that a person does not need to attend in person to make an application for a scheme or payment, or avail of the Community Welfare Services. The MyWelfare online service facilitates customers in applying for a number of schemes, managing their claims and submitting information and documentation directly to their local office for review. The majority of applications for Jobseekers payments are made online. People may also submit a paper application for a scheme, and any person who needs to access the Community Welfare Service can call the National Community Welfare Service freephone number. A person from any location can speak with a Community Welfare Officer over the phone if they do not wish to travel to an office to meet with an officer in person.
In addition, all scheme areas in the department are contactable by phone. Telephone queries relating to Intreo services are dealt with by the National Intreo Contact Centre, which is available to support customers with their queries on 0818 405060 from 8.15am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Customers will find information and contact details, including phone numbers and emails, for all DSP schemes and services on the department's www.Gov.ie site.
The Department will continue to keep access to services under review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
47. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in County Carlow and in County Kilkenny who received the newborn baby grant in 2025, and so far in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2682/26]
View answerChild Benefit becomes payable in respect of newborn babies in the month after their birth, subject to the qualifying conditions.
As part of Budget 2025, a new-born baby grant of €280 was introduced. This is paid to families of babies born, or children with a date of placement, on or after 1 December 2024 in addition to their regular first month’s Child Benefit payment of €140.
Since implementation to 06/01/2026, the grant has been paid to 50,102 customers in respect of 50,951 children.
A breakdown for Counties Carlow and Kilkenny is outlined below:
|
County |
Grants paid 2025 |
Grants paid 2026 |
Total |
|
Carlow |
646 |
9 |
655 |
|
Kilkenny |
847 |
17 |
864 |
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
48. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that customers on pre-pay energy arrangements are finding their energy cut-off abruptly for days at a time while applying to the community welfare officer for emergency supplementary payments; if he is aware of the material deprivation these customers are being subjected to; if he has any plans to implement a system that will provide more timely help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2839/26]
View answerUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet expenses that an eligible person cannot pay from their weekly income, personal and/or household resources.
ANPs 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 applications are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the need presenting. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. The assessment will also include any income that their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant has.
The CWS is committed to providing a quality service, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
Pre-Pay energy users have the facility to track power usage and to keep a close eye on day to day spending, which assists with early engagement with support services including the Community Welfare Service. Energy providers ensure that running out of credit doesn’t automatically mean running out of power and customers do not lose supply over weekends, or bank holidays.
There are currently no delays in the processing of ANP claims and all claims received are made ready for decision as quickly as possible and returned to the local based CWO within a short time for decision. Completed ANP applications are usually finalised within 10 days and there is less than 10 days’ work on hand currently.
Where the required claim application forms and documentation are supplied, claims are sent to local CWOs on the same day. Any claims outside the normal administration time are generally due to additional information or documentation being requested from the person to support their claim.
Where a person has an urgent or immediate need, they can present to their local office in-person to discuss their claim directly with a CWO. Where a person has applied through alternative methods, every effort is made to identify urgent claims during administrative processing and regardless of whether they have provided all the required documentation, these claims are referred immediately to a CWO, and every effort is made to ensure that the claim is processed on the same day.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
49. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people his Department predicts will be signed onto the auto-enrolment pension scheme by the end of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2881/26]
View answer51. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected Exchequer cost of State contribution matching under auto-enrolment for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2790/26]
View answer70. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people that were signed onto the auto-enrolment pension scheme as of 5 January 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2880/26]
View answer76. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on the rollout of auto-enrolment pension scheme. [2892/26]
View answer79. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the auto-enrolment pension scheme and the issues that have arisen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2859/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 51, 70, 76 and 79 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 were eligible and were automatically enrolled in My Future Fund. Once a person is enrolled in the scheme, they remain enrolled for life. However, they may not be actively contributing at all times either because, for a period, they have opted-out or suspended contributions or joined an exempt occupational or private pension arrangement or are not in the workforce.
It is very difficult to predict with any accuracy the numbers who will be enrolled in My Future Fund by the end of 2026. It cannot be less than the number enrolled now and will be increased by any new entrants to the labour market that are not provided with a pension arrangement that facilitates exemption from My Future Fund.
It is also very difficult to predict with any accuracy the numbers who will be actively contributing to My Future Fund by the end of 2026. The introduction of My Future Fund has significantly increased awareness of and discourse about pension provision with the result that many more employees are now actively considering their options for retirement. As a consequence, more people are joining occupational pension schemes that may be available to them or taking out private pension arrangements. Both of these developments coupled with the possibility that some employees may avail of the opt-out or suspension facilities after six months participation in the scheme may result in a reduction of between 5% and 10% actively contributing. However, the overall number of people contributing to all pension schemes should be increased by over 3/4 million people.
The collection of employer and employee contributions has now commenced and this is operating in line with the design and build of the system. The contributions are being topped up by the State and are being transferred to the investment management providers for investment. This positive outcome is reflective of the huge effort made by my Department and other stakeholders, including payroll providers and employers, in advance of the launch of My Future Fund.
With regard to the projected Exchequer cost of the State top-up contribution, Budget 2026 provided for an estimate of €154 million in this regard.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputies.
52. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for the supplementary welfare allowance per month, for the past three years, specifying the original qualifying welfare payment and the reasons for each application by percentage, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2840/26]
View answerThe 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. Supports provided under the scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as Additional Needs Payments.
The Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. This assistance is subject to the person having the right to reside and satisfying the Habitual Residence Condition.
Monthly statistics are not maintained on the number of applications on the Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowances scheme by reason. However, they are available on recipient numbers, by claim category at year end.
Table 1 below shows the number and percentage of recipients by claim category at end of 2023, 2024 and 2025.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1: Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance – Recipients by claim category at year end 2023-2025
|
Claim category |
End of 2023 |
% of Total |
End of 2024 |
% of Total |
End of 2025 |
% of Total |
|
Sick No Benefit |
3,959 |
29.20% |
3,609 |
30.70% |
3,294 |
33.60% |
|
Pending Disability Allowance |
3,858 |
28.50% |
3,631 |
30.90% |
2,836 |
28.90% |
|
Pending Jobseeker's Allowance |
1,206 |
8.90% |
978 |
8.30% |
944 |
9.60% |
|
Pending Illness Benefit |
640 |
4.70% |
482 |
4.10% |
353 |
3.60% |
|
Pending Carer's Allowance |
415 |
3.10% |
466 |
4.00% |
463 |
4.70% |
|
Pending One-Parent Family Payment |
355 |
2.60% |
321 |
2.70% |
264 |
2.70% |
|
Pending State Pension |
213 |
1.60% |
184 |
1.60% |
137 |
1.40% |
|
Pending Jobseeker's Benefit |
126 |
0.90% |
83 |
0.70% |
49 |
0.50% |
|
Pending Other Social Welfare Payments |
2,779 |
20.45% |
2,007 |
17.06% |
1,478 |
15.05% |
|
Grand Total |
13,551 |
100% |
11,761 |
100% |
9,818 |
100% |
53. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection his targets regarding the eradication of child poverty; his efforts to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2893/26]
View answerReducing child poverty is a key priority for this Government, as set out in the Programme for Government.
In September 2025, the Government agreed a new Child Poverty Target: to reduce the consistent child poverty rate to 3% or less by the end of 2030.
In setting this target, would focus cross-Government investment to tackle child poverty over the lifetime of this Government.
This is an ambitious target, representing a reduction of 5.5 percentage points - nearly 60% - from the current rate of child consistent poverty of 8.5%.
In addition, the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach is collating a Dashboard of Indicators, which will complement this target and allow for a more holistic measurement of child poverty.
Recent CSO data shows a welcome reduction in child deprivation rates from 2024 to 2025, reflecting the impact of Government measures to date. However, we also fully recognise that this rate is still too high and much more work is needed to lift as many children as possible out of poverty and deprivation.
The Budget 2026 social welfare package reflects this determination, with a specific allocation of €320 million to tackle child poverty. Targeted measures include the largest increases in Child Support Payments in the State’s history; higher income thresholds for the Working Family Payment; and expanded eligibility for the Fuel Allowance and the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
These measures build on other important initiatives already underway that also work to reduce child poverty, such as the rollout of free school meals, free schoolbooks, the free GP visit card, the National Childcare Scheme and the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme.
We know that income supports alone are not enough, given the multi-dimensional nature of child poverty. Therefore the Government is also focused on action in other key areas such as housing, employment, childcare and public services, many of which were also announced as part of Budget 2026.
Cross-Government actions to reduce child poverty for the next five years will be outlined in the successor to the cross-Government Roadmap for Social Inclusion, which my Department is currently developing with the support of other Departments and will be published in the first half of 2026.
54. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the key measures to be taken to tackle poverty in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2888/26]
View answerReducing poverty levels is a priority for the Government. For Budget 2026, the Government prioritised targeted permanent measures to those who need it the most in order to lift as many people as possible out of poverty and deprivation. The Programme for Government reflects this recognition that we must target resources where they are needed most.
This year, the Government will invest €28.9 billion in social protection measures across the country. This includes more than €1.15 billion in new measures, including an investment of €320 million in social protection increases dedicated to alleviating child poverty.
Our investment this year includes a significant €10 increase in the rate of weekly payments provided. This is coupled with targeted measures which are proven to apply resources where they are most needed - for example extended eligibility and increases in Fuel Allowance, and the largest ever increases in Child Support Payments.
I firmly believe that the combined effect of these measures will work alleviate poverty levels and support people across the country.
We also know however that income supports alone are not enough. Given the multi-dimensional nature of poverty, the Government is also focused on continued and renewed action in other key areas, such as housing, employment, childcare and public services, and my Ministerial colleagues announced several such measures in Budget 2026.
Cross-Government actions to reduce poverty for the next five years will be outlined in the successor to the national poverty strategy, the Roadmap for Social Inclusion, which my Department is currently developing with the support of other Departments and will be published in the first half of 2026.
55. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which eligibility for occupational injuries recognition and related supports for healthcare workers with long Covid differs from eligibility for healthcare workers who have sustained other occupational injuries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2582/26]
View answerInjury benefit is an income support scheme provided by my Department under the occupational injuries benefit scheme and is funded by the Social Insurance Fund, through the payment of Pay Related Social Insurance contributions.
It is a weekly payment made to an insured person if they are unfit for work either due to an accident arising out of and in the course of employment (at work or an accident while travelling, on a continuous journey, to or from work), or due to the contraction of a prescribed disease, due to the type of work they do and in the course of insurable employment.
There were 2,176 claims awarded for injury benefit in 2025, with an estimated expenditure in 2025 of €7.4 million. Claims for injury benefit are made by persons in a variety of employments and for a range of reasons, including injuries from falls, car accidents and the contraction of a prescribed disease.
In November 2023, my Department published a report on the inclusion of long COVID in the Occupational Injuries Benefit Regulations. The report concluded that COVID-19 does not satisfy the statutory criteria for recognition as an occupational illness or accident at work. Specifically, it found that presumptions about workplace transmission would not be sustainable as it is not possible to establish with confidence that the disease has been contracted through a person’s occupation and not through community transmission. This is because data shows that community transmission was the primary means of transmission.
It is important to note that, even if Ireland did recognise COVID-19 as an occupational disease, this would not encompass long COVID and would only apply to new claims for new cases of COVID-19. As such, it would not benefit those who contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic.
My Department's range of income supports, including illness benefit and invalidity pension, at the same or higher rates of payment as occupational injuries benefit, are available to people who cannot work due to the effects of long COVID.
It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is generally not dependent on the nature of the illness or disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a working age person’s capacity to work.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
57. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average processing times for disability allowance and invalidity pension applications and appeals; the number of applicants currently waiting longer than six months for an initial decision; whether he accepts that prolonged delays are pushing people with disabilities into poverty and dependency on family members; if he will review the existing means testing rules, including the treatment of a spouse or partner’s income; and the steps which are being taken to ensure timely access to income supports for people with disabilities [2342/26]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection is committed to providing an efficient and fair service to all customers and to processing applications as quickly as possible. Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the scheme, particularly where medical evidence and means assessments are required.
Operational processes, procedures, and the organisation of work are kept under ongoing review to maximise processing capacity and ensure resources are deployed where most needed.
Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly payment for people aged 16 to 66 with a disability expected to last at least one year, subject to medical, means, and habitual residence conditions.
The average number of weeks to award a DA application is currently 6 Weeks. I can confirm, there were 7 DA claims waiting in excess of 6 months since the initial claim application for a decision on their claim at end of November 2025.
Invalidity Pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the contribution conditions.
The average processing time for Invalidity Pension is currently 7 weeks, with 4 claims awaiting over six months for a decision.
Where applicants experience financial hardship while awaiting a decision, they may seek interim supports through the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme via my Department's Community Welfare Service.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of my Department, which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. The average processing time for DA Appeals in 2025 is 19.1 weeks and there are 17 DA appeals currently waiting 6 months or more for an appeal decision. The average processing time for IP Appeals in 2025 is 25.4 weeks, while there are 5 IP appeals currently waiting 6 months or more for an appeal decision.
The Programme for Government and the forthcoming National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030 include commitments to examine means tests and address any anomalies. My Department is currently reviewing means testing across all social assistance schemes, and the findings will inform future policy decisions.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
58. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a stipulation within the hot school meals programme requiring that only Irish-produced meat, poultry and dairy products be used in the provision of hot meals in Irish schools; if not, whether he will consider introducing such a requirement in order to support Irish farmers, ensure high food standards and promote sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2674/26]
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.
All schools who wish to avail of funding are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenders responsibilities and obligations. The primary relationship is between school and supplier.
There is no stipulation that food should originate from Ireland only. It should be noted that that under EU laws, and as reflected in public procurement rules, it cannot be specified that food must originate from a particular country. That would be in breach of EU single market rules.
In terms of packaging and waste, under tender documentation, and as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, the school meal supplier is responsible for operating policies which progressively address environmental considerations such as waste and packaging. Depending on the school size and school meal requirements, the school will decide on the method and logistics that best meets their needs in line with environmental standards.
In addition, under tender documentation requirements, the school is committed to the principles of environmental management in its activities, and it encourages the implementation of sustainability principles in its procurement practices. The supplier should make all reasonable efforts to minimise adverse environmental impact in the methods of services delivery and in materials used. My department does not collect collect data on food waste as the primary relationship is between school and supplier.
Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to expand and improve the Free Hot School Meals programme and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, the reduction of food waste and the use of recyclable packaging.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
59. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employees in Cavan and Monaghan which have been auto enrolled for My Future Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2824/26]
View answer93. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employees in County Carlow and in County Kilkenny that have been registered under My Future Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2681/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 93 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 become eligible for My Future Fund. The following table sets out the data requested by the Deputies.
|
County |
Number of employees registered |
|
Cavan |
12,059 |
|
Monaghan |
10,458 |
|
Carlow |
10,777 |
|
Kilkenny |
13,184 |
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputies.
60. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps being taken to ensure that disability supports and payments adequately meet the needs of people with disabilities, income adequacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2677/26]
View answerMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. These include non-contributory payments, based on a means test, such as Disability Allowance and contributory payments, based on PRSI contributions, such as Invalidity Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit. The purpose of these payments is to provide income support for people experiencing specific contingencies that limit their ability to earn an income.
Disability Allowance is a long-term social assistance scheme for people who are aged between 16 and 66. In order to qualify, the person must satisfy a habitual residency condition, a means test and meet the medical requirement. The medical requirement for disability allowance is that the person's disability must be expected to last for at least one year, and the disability must substantially restrict their ability to work.
Invalidity pension is a long-term social insurance scheme, based on PRSI contributions and medical condition. In order 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.
Over the last five budgets the Government has progressively improved payment rates and income disregards for disabled people. The weekly payment rates for Disability Allowance have increased by €51 in that time. The earnings disregard has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently. This enables those in receipt of Disability Allowance to earn more without having a negative impact on their means tested payment. This means that people can earn up to €165 per week and keep their payment in full and can earn up to €527.60 per week and keep a portion of their payment.
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.
Independent research from the ESRI shows that, overall, the impact of Budgets 2026 was broadly progressive, supporting households in the lower income deciles.
Both the Programme for Government and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 include a range of commitments to improve both the income and employment supports available for disabled people from my Department. We have already made progress and we will continue to advance these commitments over the lifetime of the Government and in the light of prevailing budgetary conditions.
Access to disability services and assessment timelines are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
