Emer Currie
Question:836. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has considered a proposal relating to childcare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12563/26]
View answerSocial Insurance
Questions (836)
Written answers
It is understood from clarification received from the Deputy that the question relates to the introduction of an employer PRSI exemption for persons who employ childminders.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is the primary department responsible for policy matters relating to the childcare sector.
My Department administers the Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) system which is, with very few exceptions, compulsory for all employees and self-employed individuals aged 16 or over.
Under section 986(6) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, certain qualifying employers known as ‘domestic employers’ are removed from the obligation to register as an employer. Families who employ childminders would fall under the category of ‘domestic employers’. To qualify as ‘domestic employers’ the employer needs to be an individual, have only one domestic employee, and pay less than €40 per week to that employee.
Although a domestic employer is not required to register as an employer, they are liable to pay employer PRSI on the employment. For domestic employees who earn less than €40 per week, the appropriate PRSI class is J and the employer PRSI rate applicable is 0.5%. This PRSI class entitles the employee to Occupational Injuries Benefit only. PRSI is payable by the employer in a single sum at the end of the tax year to the PRSI Special Collection Section of my Department.
However, if the employer pays over €40 per week or has more than one domestic employee concurrently they will need to pay income tax, PRSI and USC in the normal way under Revenue's PAYE return method. With regards to employer PRSI for employees earning over €40 per week, the applicable PRSI class is class A and the employer rate is 9% for those with employees earning up to €552 per week while earnings over €552 per week are charged at 11.25%.
For these class A contributions, the employee is entitled to the full range of benefits available under the Social Insurance Fund which will cover them in the event of certain contingencies arising during their working life such as unemployment, illness, maternity and, thereafter, upon retirement from the work force.
I am satisfied with the current rules that apply in this matter and I have no plans to introduce an employer PRSI exemption for families who employ childminders. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
School Meals Programme
Questions (837)
Paul Donnelly
Question:837. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection when the rates payable under the school meals programme were last increased. [11599/26]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
The rates of payment were last increased in 2023. The budget for the School Meals Programme for 2026 is €286m.
Any additional measures to increase the rates would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (838)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:838. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered expanding the domiciliary care allowance payment to children up to the age of 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11628/26]
View answerWritten answers
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly non-means tested payment to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability. The child must require care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age. Eligibility is not based on the disability or diagnosis, but rather on the impact of the disability in terms of the level of care and attention required by the child.
There are currently almost 62,500 families in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of just over 71,000 children. As part of Budget 2026, I increased the monthly rate of the payment by €20, bringing it to its current rate of €380 and the estimated spend on this payment in 2026 is almost €359 million.
Eligibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance stops when a child reaches 16 years of age. This aligns with the age of eligibility for Disability Allowance. If the young person continues to have a disability that significantly impacts their daily life, they can then apply for a Disability Allowance payment in their own right.
Disability Allowance is a weekly means-tested income support payment for people aged 16 or over whose illness or disability means that they are substantially restricted from doing work that would be suitable for a person of their age, experience and qualifications.
Domiciliary Care Allowance can now be applied for online, and improvements have been made to the application process to make it easier for families. Applications for Disability Allowance can be made within 3 months before the child’s 16th birthday to ensure continuity of support. If their parent or guardian continues to provide full-time care they can then retain, or apply for, a carer's payment such as Carer’s Allowance.
My department published the Green Paper on Disability Reform in September 2023 in which one of the key proposals was to extend the upper age limit for Domiciliary Care Allowance and the lower age limit for Disability Allowance to 18 years of age. The Green Paper was a consultation document and was withdrawn following feedback from disability stakeholders.
Any future reforms to disability or carer supports, including Domiciliary Care Allowance, will be considered in the context of commitments in the Programme for Government and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (839)
Michael Cahill
Question:839. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full disability allowance payment can be urgently reinstated for a person living in poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11631/26]
View answerWritten answers
Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
Based on the information provided by the person concerned to my Department, the maximum personal rate of DA has been applied to their payment with effect from 5 November 2025. The first payment of the new rate will be made by her chosen payment method on 18 February 2026. Any arrears due will also issue on that date or shortly afterwards.
The person concerned was notified of the decision in writing on 10 February 2026.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (840)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:840. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications received under the work and access scheme in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of applications approved in each of these years to date; the amount expended on the scheme in the same respective time periods, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11667/26]
View answerWritten answers
The number of applications and expenditure under the Work And Access scheme for years 2024, 2025 and to the end of January 2026 are set out in the table below.
|
- |
2024* |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Applications |
157 |
415 |
15 |
|
Expenditure |
€16,154 |
€427,576 |
€79,985 |
*The Work and Access scheme was introduced in the middle of the Budget Year 2024, and as a result it was not fully operational, therefore payments continued to be made under the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and Disability Awareness Support Scheme. From July 2024, an additional total of €76,835 was paid between a combination of the Work and Access Scheme and Reasonable Accommodation Fund and Disability Awareness Support Scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (841)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:841. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications made for each of the respective seven supports under the work and access scheme to date; the number of these applications approved; the number declined; the number pending a decision; the amount expended under each support to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11668/26]
View answerWritten answers
The breakdown of Work and Access supports for 2024, 2025 and to the end January 2026 are set out in the table below for each of the seven supports.
|
W&A Support |
Applications 2024 |
Declined 2024 |
Spend 2024 |
Applications 2025 |
Declined 2025 |
Spend 2025 |
Applications 2026 |
Declined 2026 |
Spend 2026 |
Pending |
|
Workplace Needs Assessment |
35 |
0 |
€0 |
106 |
2 |
€59,612 |
2 |
0 |
€19,280 |
4 |
|
Communication Support |
4 |
0 |
€0 |
32 |
2 |
€8,647 |
0 |
0 |
€731 |
0 |
|
In Work Supports |
0 |
0 |
€0 |
27 |
1 |
€6,868 |
0 |
0 |
€3,630 |
2 |
|
Personal Reader |
2 |
0 |
€6,255 |
4 |
0 |
€46,641 |
1 |
0 |
€4,320 |
1 |
|
Workplace Equipment |
31 |
3 |
€7,559 |
88 |
8 |
€147,880 |
4 |
0 |
€21,663 |
10 |
|
Workplace Adaptation |
14 |
3 |
€0 |
28 |
4 |
€32,149 |
2 |
0 |
€19,291 |
2 |
|
WAA Disability Equality |
71 |
6 |
€2,340 |
130 |
14 |
€125,779 |
6 |
0 |
€11,070 |
8 |
I trust this clarifies the issue.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (842)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:842. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of employees and employers currently utilising and benefiting from the wage subsidy scheme; the number of employers availing of strand 2 and strand 3 of the scheme; if an increase in the overall number utilising the scheme has occurred since the minimum weekly hours threshold was reduced in April 2024; and if so, the details of any such increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11669/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is a key disability employment support provided by my Department. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to disabled people through a subsidy.
In January 2026, 1,514 employers were availing of the scheme and 2,575 employees were supported through the scheme. There were 145 employers availing of strand 2 and 6 employers availing of strand 3 of the Wage Subsidy Scheme.
In April 2024, when the minimum hours were reduced from 21 to 15 hours per week, there were 1,477 employers with 2,398 employees availing of the Wage Subsidy Scheme. This shows there has been an increase of 37 employers and 177 employees on the scheme.
There are currently 377 employees working fewer than 21 hours on the scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (843)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:843. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown, by employer size, (micro, small, medium and large) accessing, respectively, the work and access and wage subsidy schemes administered by his Department; the details of the supports provided to each employer category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11670/26]
View answerWritten answers
Work and Access is a suite of supports to help people with a disability get a job or stay in work. The supports aim to remove or reduce barriers in the workplace for people with a disability.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is a key disability employment support provided by my Department. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to disabled people through a subsidy.
My Department does not retain information on the size of the companies availing of Work and Access or the Wage Subsidy Scheme and therefore cannot provide the breakdown requested.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (844)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:844. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection if numbers and details of use of the wage subsidy scheme and the work and access scheme, and the associated supports are monitored by his Department; if such statistics are or will be published on a routine basis; if so, to give details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11671/26]
View answerWritten answers
Work and Access Scheme
The Work and Access Scheme provides set of supports to help people with a disability get a job or stay in work. The supports aim to remove or reduce barriers in the workplace for people with a disability.
To date, a total of 587 applications have been received. Applications are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance with the terms of the Work and Access scheme.
Wage Subsidy Scheme
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is a key disability employment support provided by my Department. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to disabled people through a subsidy.
In January 2026, 1,514 employers were availing of the scheme and 2,575 employees were supported through the scheme.
My Department monitors its schemes and supports on an ongoing basis. In the case of the Wage Subsidy Scheme, an annual review is carried out by an Employment Services Officer. Officials may conduct additional monitoring visits without notice to the employer’s premises, when and where required and can request relevant records.
My Department publishes statistics in respect of the Wage Subsidy Scheme every year in the Annual Statistics Report. Work and Access statistics are not published on a routine basis but are available upon request.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (845)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:845. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he can examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11695/26]
View answerWritten answers
Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and habitual residency conditions.
According to the Department’s records, the person concerned was absent from the State for numerous periods between 2019 and 2025. It was decided that there was no entitlement to DA for these periods of absence from the State, having exhausted her holiday entitlements and an overpayment was assessed against this individual for these periods.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision and of their right to request a review and/or to appeal on 19 November 2025.
They have been repaying this debt through weekly deductions from their DA payment. A letter dated 16 December 2025 was issued to the person concerned inviting her to comment on the repayment of her debt or to advise the Department of any facts or circumstances which they consider relevant to the repayment. Upon receipt of a response to this letter, an officer will take into consideration their circumstances and make a decision on a new acceptable recovery amount.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Departmental Funding
Questions (846, 847, 848)
Barry Ward
Question:846. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent by his Department on funding NGOs, by organisation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11805/26]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:847. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent on funding NGOs by his Department, in each of the years since 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11823/26]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:848. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the assessments that are carried out to determine the level of Exchequer funding that any NGO receives from his Department on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11841/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 846 to 848, inclusive, together.
My Department provides funding to a number of voluntary / non-governmental organisations, who provide information and wider social research on social welfare services and social policy in Ireland.
The current recipients of funding are outlined below.
Community Law and Mediation (CLM)
The CLM funding is used as core funding for staff salaries to support CLM’s provision of legal information and advice, as well as education and mediation services, in disadvantaged communities in Dublin. More information on their work can be found on their website: www.communitylawandmediation.ie/
The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU)
The INOU funding is used as core funding for staff salaries to support INOU's work with, and on behalf of, unemployed people, including development of the annual ‘Working for Work’ publication, and training and research on unemployed people’s experiences. More information on their work can be found on their website: www.inou.ie/information/
Vincentian MESL Research Centre (MESL)
My Department provides funds to the Vincentian MESL Research Centre, wholly and exclusively in support of the MESL research workplan. The MESL research plan provides for the maintenance and dissemination of ‘Minimum Essential Standard of Living’ social policy research, which is an important evidence-base which informs social policy development in Ireland. More information on their work can be found on their website: www.budgeting.ie
Citizens Information Board (CIB)
My Department also funds the Citizens Information Board, the statutory body with responsibility for the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy on a range of public services.
Whilst not an non-governmental organisation itself, CIB does in turn fund 22 independent companies to provide services on its behalf and these companies limited by guarantee (CLGs). The funding provided to these companies is outlined in CIB’s Annual Reports, available to view on its website at: www.citizensinformationboard.ie/en/about/annual_report/
The funding allocations as per the Revised Estimates since 2022 for each of these organisations are outlined in the table below:
|
- |
2022 €000 |
2023 €000 |
2024 €000 |
2025 €000 |
2026 €000 |
|
Grants to the CIB |
60,258 |
60,858 |
61,495 |
66,543 |
69,432 |
|
Total Grants - Information and Welfare Rights |
740 |
780 |
770 |
795 |
881 |
|
Made Up as Follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLM |
350 |
350 |
350 |
355 |
390 |
|
INOU |
260 |
260 |
260 |
260 |
313 |
|
Vincentian MESL Research Centre |
130 |
170 |
170 |
180 |
178 |
The funding allocations for each organisation are agreed between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation each year as part of the annual Budgetary process.
Question No. 847 answered with Question No. 846.
Question No. 848 answered with Question No. 846.
Departmental Funding
Questions (849)
Barry Ward
Question:849. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding any direct lobbying he has received from any NGO in relation to his Department's annual funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11867/26]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, Ministers are Designated Public Officials.
The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, provides that people who are lobbying must register with the Standards in Public Office Commission and provide information about their lobbying activities. This information is then published on: www.lobbying.ie
The Department of Social Protection hosts an annual pre-Budget Forum where some 60 NGOs, and other representative organisations are invited.
This forum offers a unique opportunity for NGOs, trade union and business representatives to submit make pre-Budget submissions, discuss policy issues and present their priorities for the upcoming Budget.
Similarly the Department hosts an annual Carers Forum and an annual Social Inclusion Forum, usually in the May to June period each year, where people who rely on social protection supports, together with their representative organisations, have an opportunity to present evidence from their lived experience and propose changes that they would wish to see implemented in the range of Government supports on which they depend.
Details in respect of each of these fora are available on gov.ie.
In addition, the Department meets regularly with advocacy groups as part of its day to day service provision and regularly has public consultations on policy matters, which may include submissions from NGOS in relation to public funding.
I trust the clarifies the matter.
Domestic Violence
Questions (850)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:850. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 545 of 18 December 2025, if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11913/26]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to your Parliamentary Question in relation to an application received for Rent Supplement under the Domestic Violence Protocol and a subsequent application for an Additional Needs Payment.
The Domestic Violence Protocol between my Department and Cuan has been established to enhance the services provided to victims of domestic violence, and to assist with their potential long term housing needs.
The primary objective of this protocol is to ensure a dedicated intervention is in place to assist victims of domestic violence to access accommodation in the private rental sector. It provides victims of domestic violence with a fast-track approval and screening process, with a simplified means test to access Rent Supplement for an initial three-month period. This allows the person time to apply for a Housing Needs Assessment with the Local Authority. Once they have completed a Housing Needs Assessment, they can apply for HAP for their long-term housing needs.
This protocol also provides for a further three-month extension subject to meeting eligibility conditions including a means test.
At the end of the six-month period, if Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) has not yet been awarded, Rent Supplement can be assessed under the normal Rent Supplement rules and means assessment.
According to the records of this Department, the person concerned submitted an application for Rent Supplement under the Domestic Violence Protocol on 14/07/2025. This application was awarded for an initial three-month period and a letter advising the person of this outcome issued to them on 22/07/2025.
On reviewing the person’s claim for the additional three-month stage of the Domestic Violence Rent Supplement, they were disallowed on the basis that they were working full-time, and did not meet the means eligibility conditions. While a person's means are not assessed for the first three months, they are for the second three months, as was outlined in the response to the previous Parliamentary Question 545. The person was informed of this outcome in writing on 22/08/2025 and afforded the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, if they so wish. To date, no request for an appeal has been received.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income or household and personal resources. This support is intended to assist with once-off or exceptional expenses that a person is unable to meet from their normal weekly income. 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.
Departmental records show that the person concerned applied for an ANP on 16/01/2026 for assistance with the cost of rent arrears. A request for further information in support of the person’s application issued to them on 20/01/2026, 26/01/2026 and 03/02/2026. I have arranged for an official to follow up with the person concerned on the outstanding documentation, in order to progress the application.
I trust this clarifies the matter.