Malcolm Byrne
Question:715. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures in place to reduce food waste under the hot school meals programme. [14735/26]
View answerSchool Meals Programme
Questions (715)
Written 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.
My Department provides the funding for food to schools. 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.
In terms of packaging and waste, under tender documentation, and as stipulated by the Department of Education and Youth's 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.
Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to 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.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (716)
Barry Heneghan
Question:716. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he will review the eligibility criteria for the working family payment in respect of workers insured under PRSI Class S, including directors of small family run businesses who meet the income thresholds but are excluded due to the current treatment of working hours; whether he will examine extending eligibility in such cases in light of rising living costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14743/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Working Family Payment is a tax-free in-work support which is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid employees with child dependents, and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment. There are over 50,000 families with some 105,000 children currently in receipt of the Working Family Payment.
To qualify for the Working Family Payment a person must be engaged as an employee, in paid employment which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight.
An applicant may combine their hours of employment with those of their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant to meet the hours requirement.
The applicant must also have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them or is part of a family supported by them. In addition, the person's income must be below the relevant threshold for their family size.
It is possible for the household of a self-employed person to receive Working Family Payment where the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the self-employed person is an employee who meets the qualifying criteria.
My Department has several schemes available to self-employed individuals including:
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme which encourages people in receipt of certain social welfare payments to become self-employed. If a person takes part in the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme they can keep a percentage of their social welfare payment for up to 2 years.
The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance gives support to people who have lost their job and want to start their own business.
The Back to Work Family Dividend helps families to move from social welfare into employment or self-employment, by retaining a percentage (100% in year one and 50% in year two) of their child support payment(s) for two years.
Any changes to eligibility criteria of the Working Family Payment scheme would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (717)
Niamh Smyth
Question:717. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14775/26]
View answerWritten answers
My Department received an application for Illness Benefit from the applicant, on the 25th January 2026. Unfortunately, the applicant did not qualify for payment of Illness Benefit as they are in receipt of Disability Allowance.
A letter issued to the person on the 25th January 2026 provided them with the full details of this decision.
Disability Allowance is payable in addition to Disablement Benefit, Working Family Payment, Child Benefit and Death Benefit. No other benefit is payable with Disability Allowance to or in respect of the same person, in respect of the same period.
An applicant for Illness Benefit to whom Disability Allowance is payable (but at a reduced rate of payment) may opt to forgo the Disability Allowance to receive Illness Benefit providing they satisfy all qualifying conditions. The person must close their Disability Allowance claim in the first instance if they wishes to apply for Illness Benefit.
Should the applicant wish to claim Disability Allowance at a later date they will need to reapply when the Illness Benefit claim ceases.
In relation to the person's appeal, I can confirm that this is being dealt with. The appeal was received into my Department on the 18th February 2026. The Deciding Officer will be in contact with the applicant when all the information is reviewed.
If the person is in urgent need of financial assistance, it is open for them to contact the Community Welfare Officer in their local Intreo office to enquire about assistance under the means-tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (718)
Niamh Smyth
Question:718. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review correspondence (details supplied); the status of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14803/26]
View answerWritten answers
Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly payment for people aged 16 to 66 with a disability expected to last at least one year. Eligibility is subject to medical assessment, means test and habitual residence conditions.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 09 December 2025. Based on the evidence supplied their application for DA was disallowed as the medical qualifying criteria for the scheme was not satisfied.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 23 January 2026 and was advised of their right to request a review and/or appeal of this decision.
To date, no request for a review or appeal has been received. If the person concerned has additional information that may support her application she can send it to the Department and request a review.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (719)
Michael Cahill
Question:719. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to urgently examine a carer’s review for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14804/26]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 01 December 2025.
The claim was disallowed as the Deciding Officer decided that the information supplied showed that the person concerned was in employment for more than the maximum hours of 18.5 hours per week.
A review was initiated on foot of correspondence received on 12 January 2026.
Following this review, the person concerned was awarded CA from 08 January 2026 as it was established that the person concerned was now working less than 18.5 hours per week.
The first payment issued to the nominated bank account of the person concerned on 12 February 2026. Arrears for the period 08 January 2026 to 11 February 2026 also issued on this date.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 05 February 2026.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (720)
James Geoghegan
Question:720. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Social Protection to review a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14929/26]
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, a means test and the habitual residency conditions.
I can confirm that the person concerned is currently in receipt of DA at the maximum weekly rate of €254.00 along with a weekly Living Alone Allowance of €22.00.
Following a notification received that the person concerned had been incarcerated, their DA was reviewed and it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to DA for one week from 29 June 2022 and 05 July 2022. The Person concerned was overpaid €232.50 and was notified in writing of the decision on 18 April 2023 and15 May 2023.
The person concerned appealed the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) . They were notified directly by the SWAO regarding their appeal on 19 February 2024, that the original decision was upheld and the appeal was disallowed. An Appeals Officer’s decision is final and conclusive in absence of any fresh facts or evidence.
The person concerned requested a review by an Appeals Officer under Section 317 and Section 318 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. The person concerned was notified on 11 July 2024 and 09 October 2025 that the original decision was upheld.
The person concerned was notified on 19 February 2026, of the Department's intent to start deductions of €20.00 weekly from their DA. These deductions will commence on 01 April 2026. They can contact the Department to request a review of the repayment of this debt or to advise the Department of any facts or circumstances which they consider relevant to the rate of repayment.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (721)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:721. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a carers allowance application (details supplied). [14978/26]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on the grounds that they failed to provide all requested and relevant information, and that the totality of the evidence provided is not sufficient to indicate that the care recipient requires continual supervision and frequent assistance to the level provided for in the legislation.
The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pensions
Questions (722)
John McGuinness
Question:722. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the decision made in the case of a claim for a bereaved partners contributory pension can be re-examined in light of the exceptional circumstances of the person’s case (details supplied). [15002/26]
View answerWritten answers
To qualify for Bereaved Partner’s Contributory Pension, a person must be a bereaved partner, that is a widow, widower, surviving civil partner, or since 21st July 2025, a surviving qualified cohabitant, subject to other qualifying conditions. A qualified cohabitant is one of 2 adults who lived together as a couple, in an intimate and committed relationship, for a continuous period of two years or more, where there are children of the relationship, or five years in any other case.
In determining whether a person is a qualified cohabitant, the deciding officer will take into account any evidence presented including information available from department records. Our records indicate that the deceased was in receipt of a payment from this Department which included an increase for living alone, at a different address to the person concerned during the period concerned. In addition the person concerned was in receipt of One Parent Family Payment and stated on her application form that she cohabited with the deceased from December 2015 to August 2016.
It was decided that the person concerned is not entitled to the Bereaved Partner's Pension as there is insufficient proof that she is a qualified cohabitant, that is they lived together for a continuous period of 2 years or more.
As requested a review of the decision was carried out and the person concerned was interviewed by an outdoor inspector in my Department. The review is now complete, however the outcome remains the same. The person concerned has been notified of outcome of review and has been advised they have the right to appeal this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (723)
Aidan Farrelly
Question:723. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications received, awarded and approved for supplementary welfare allowance grants in relation to fuel poverty and assistance with payment of outstanding energy bills over the past five years, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15010/26]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Table 1 below shows the number of Additional Needs Payments applications registered and awarded in respect of assistance towards heating and household bills.
The reporting of the scheme was revised in 2022 to extract more complete information, including the number of claims registered. Statistics on the number of Additional Needs Payments applications registered are not available for 2021.
My Department also publishes statistics on Additional Needs Payments in the Quarterly Statistics report, which is available on gov.ie.
The figures provided in Table 1 do not reflect the number of claims that have been disallowed, withdrawn, cancelled or are awaiting further information. Applications are assessed on the basis of identified need, income, available resources and essential expenditure. Applications continue to be submitted from individuals who may not qualify when assessed against this criterion, impacting the number of claims not paid.
In respect of 2022, it should be noted that the increase in payments reflected the increase in energy prices following the war in Ukraine, which escalated the number of Additional Needs Payment applications and subsequent payments made.
From 2023, other supports were made available, including energy credits, additional Fuel Allowance measures, a number of lump sum payments and double Child Benefit payments, reducing the need for Additional Needs Payments.
In addition to single Additional Needs Payments, my Department may also provide an ongoing Heating Supplement where a person has need for additional heating due to ill health or infirmity. At the end of January 2026, just over 680 heating supplements were in payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 Number of Additional Needs Payments registered and awarded in respect of assistance towards Heating and Household Bills
|
- |
2021 |
2022 |
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2024 |
2024 |
2025 |
2025 |
|
COUNTY |
Awarded |
Registered |
Awarded |
Registered |
Awarded |
Registered |
Awarded |
Registered |
Awarded |
|
CARLOW |
31 |
228 |
90 |
189 |
109 |
119 |
59 |
147 |
38 |
|
CAVAN |
38 |
345 |
222 |
192 |
106 |
147 |
69 |
166 |
59 |
|
CLARE |
44 |
274 |
154 |
252 |
151 |
161 |
70 |
192 |
67 |
|
CORK |
353 |
1,007 |
613 |
1,125 |
648 |
756 |
419 |
952 |
430 |
|
DONEGAL |
147 |
840 |
509 |
517 |
305 |
348 |
142 |
350 |
131 |
|
DUBLIN |
207 |
1,062 |
555 |
1,642 |
751 |
1,123 |
548 |
1,377 |
372 |
|
GALWAY |
78 |
501 |
188 |
402 |
204 |
319 |
123 |
383 |
85 |
|
KERRY |
144 |
522 |
242 |
440 |
263 |
289 |
152 |
326 |
127 |
|
KILDARE |
57 |
288 |
114 |
364 |
144 |
254 |
88 |
244 |
35 |
|
KILKENNY |
80 |
357 |
207 |
268 |
142 |
146 |
58 |
158 |
28 |
|
LAOIS |
37 |
195 |
103 |
231 |
124 |
107 |
38 |
133 |
39 |
|
LEITRIM |
79 |
239 |
180 |
198 |
134 |
118 |
57 |
130 |
61 |
|
LIMERICK |
90 |
341 |
163 |
388 |
179 |
245 |
100 |
292 |
80 |
|
LONGFORD |
82 |
814 |
690 |
649 |
438 |
311 |
205 |
310 |
130 |
|
LOUTH |
67 |
267 |
138 |
264 |
117 |
188 |
80 |
303 |
88 |
|
MAYO |
65 |
518 |
230 |
360 |
205 |
291 |
117 |
352 |
138 |
|
MEATH |
106 |
625 |
507 |
689 |
543 |
416 |
247 |
453 |
193 |
|
MONAGHAN |
9 |
84 |
58 |
79 |
35 |
88 |
51 |
111 |
43 |
|
OFFALY |
33 |
317 |
248 |
273 |
158 |
163 |
44 |
157 |
30 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
42 |
259 |
119 |
210 |
111 |
139 |
61 |
151 |
56 |
|
SLIGO |
91 |
305 |
172 |
235 |
148 |
134 |
60 |
170 |
68 |
|
TIPPERARY |
257 |
679 |
413 |
481 |
217 |
312 |
113 |
344 |
89 |
|
WATERFORD |
38 |
209 |
101 |
252 |
124 |
189 |
67 |
236 |
45 |
|
WESTMEATH |
63 |
207 |
134 |
258 |
129 |
146 |
65 |
172 |
35 |
|
WEXFORD |
69 |
506 |
233 |
497 |
258 |
302 |
123 |
354 |
96 |
|
WICKLOW |
50 |
199 |
87 |
210 |
88 |
148 |
64 |
216 |
66 |
|
UNSPECIFIED |
0 |
8 |
2 |
8 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
2 |
|
TOTAL |
2,357 |
11,196 |
6,472 |
10,673 |
5,832 |
6,965 |
3,221 |
8,186 |
2,631 |
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (724)
Aidan Farrelly
Question:724. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the household benefits package, by county, over the past five years. [15011/26]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is provided below in tabular format.
Social Welfare Rates
Questions (725)
Ivana Bacik
Question:725. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the research his Department has carried out in respect of assessing the adequacy of social protection payments; the comparative research that has been carried out; the differential calculations used to determine that €325 if the minimum required for artists to survive on the basic income, as against claimants in receipt of the disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15132/26]
View answerWritten answers
The adequacy of core social protection payments is kept under ongoing review by my Department and is assessed through a structured, evidence-based process that informs Government decisions at Budget time.
In examining payment adequacy, my Department draws on a range of data sources and research, including:
Consumer Price Index (CPI) data published by the Central Statistics Office;
Analysis of income and poverty trends using the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC);
Distributional impact modelling undertaken as part of each Budget;
International comparisons of minimum income supports through OECD and EU reporting mechanisms
Adequacy is therefore not determined by reference to a single benchmark figure, but by considering price trends, income distribution data, poverty indicators and fiscal sustainability.
The Department's "Smoothed Earnings" calculation references both inflation and wage growth. It was developed in relation to State Pension payments and addresses this challenge as it links the recommended pension rate to 34% of average earnings, and allows for variation in periods where inflation exceeds earnings growth. This approach to calculating an indexed rate for State Pension payments has been an input to the annual budget process for the past three Budgets since it was first calculated in September 2023.
The Department also monitors comparative international research on minimum income standards and social assistance replacement rates. This work assists in contextualising Ireland's social protection rates within broader European and OECD frameworks. However, each jurisdiction determines its own rates having regard to its particular economic conditions.
The Basic Income for the Arts scheme is operated by the Department of Culture, Communictions and Sport. It was developed as a time-bound, pilot initiative led by Government to support artistic practice and evaluate the impact of a guaranteed income in that sector.
The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. Government recently agreed to an extension of six months to the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot to allow for further evaluation of the data, and the pilot scheme will now conclude in February 2026. This will also give sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation and to evaluate the data which will provide the evidence base for Government to make decisions on the next steps.
The rate for Disability Allowance is determined annually as part of the Budget process and reflects broader considerations of adequacy, poverty reduction and fiscal capacity across the social protection system as a whole.
My Department's approach to adequacy is systematic and grounded in economic and social data. Any changes to statutory payment rates are considered in the context of the overall social protection system, competing expenditure priorities and the need to maintain sustainable public finances.
State Pensions
Questions (726)
Brian Brennan
Question:726. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are changes to be introduced to the State pension contributory to allow persons on a reduced rate due to average calculation to seek a higher rate of pension (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15154/26]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) in January 2023 and was awarded a pension from 30 March 2023, on reaching the pension age of 66 years.
The current weekly rate of payment of €254.80 is 85% of the maximum rate of the contributory pension, based on a yearly average of 25 social insurance contributions. The award is based on the qualifying conditions for pension applying at the time the person reached pension age and is the best rate for which they qualified at that time. Any prospective changes to the qualifying conditions of State pension (contributory) would have to be considered in both an overall policy and budgetary context.
The person concerned may wish to apply for the means tested State pension (non-contributory) for which the current maximum weekly rate of payment is €288.00 or for the fuel allowance with their current pension. They may also wish to apply for the Household Benefits Package which they may be entitled to if it is not being claimed by anyone else in the household. The application forms for these schemes have been sent to them, or they can apply online on mywelfare.ie.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (727)
William Aird
Question:727. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare payment appeals being processed by his Department for the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15170/26]
View answerWritten answers
The number of appeals processed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026 (up to end of January) is outlined in the below table;
|
- |
Registered |
Finalised |
|
2024 |
40,684 |
28,702 |
|
2025* |
39,642 |
51,685 |
|
2026 (up to 31/01/26) |
2,970 |
4,242 |
*Statistics for 2025 are provisional pending finalisation of the 2025 Social Welfare Appeals Office Annual Report
An Appeals Modernisation Project to develop and implement new business processes was completed in Q1 2025. The purpose of the project was to streamline and enhance the end-to-end appeals process for the customer. The new system provides online capabilities to provide a more efficient and streamlined service for people availing of services and functionality on MyWelfare for making appeals.
New Social Welfare Appeals Regulations (S.I. No. 744 of 2024) came into effect from Monday, 28 April 2025. The purpose of these regulations is to modernise and streamline the social welfare appeals process, providing greater clarity, improved consistency, and more defined timeframes. This along with measures put in place by the Chief Appeals Officer has led to an increase in the number of appeals processed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office and subsequently a reduction of the number of appeals on hand.
A full breakdown of appeals processed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office for 2024 and prior years are available in the Social Welfare Appeals Office Annual Reports at the following website: www.gov.ie/en/social-welfare-appeals-office/collections/news-and-publications-from-the-social-welfare-appeals-office/
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (728)
William Aird
Question:728. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for a decision on a social welfare payment appeal; the measures being made by his Department to streamline and improve the appeal process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15171/26]
View answerWritten answers
As of end of January 2026 the average processing time for Social Welfare Appeals is 12.7 weeks.
An Appeals Modernisation Project to develop and implement new business processes was completed in Q1 2025. The purpose of the project was to streamline and enhance the end-to-end appeals process for the customer. The new system provides online capabilities on MyWelfare which provide a more efficient and streamlined service for people making appeals.
This change supports the end-to-end electronic processing of appeals and provides a secure, comprehensive, online appeals service for customers. It is improving the customer experience by offering an additional online channel, facilitating 24/7 access to view their current appeal status which has helped improve communications with appellants during the appeals process.
New Social Welfare Appeals Regulations (S.I. No. 744 of 2024) came into effect from Monday, 28 April 2025. The purpose of these regulations is to modernise and streamline the social welfare appeals process, providing greater clarity, improved consistency, and more defined timeframes. This along with measures put in place by the Chief Appeals Officer has led to a reduction of the number of appeals on hand and the length of time it takes for appeals to be processed and decided.
The Chief Appeals Officer continues to monitor processing times and every effort is made to reduce the time taken to process an appeal. However, the drive for efficiency must be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and made in accordance with the provisions set out in primary legislation and regulations.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (729)
William Aird
Question:729. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15172/26]
View answerWritten answers
The State Pension (Non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for persons who don't qualify for a contributory pension based on their social insurance (PRSI) contribution record or where they only qualify for a reduced rate of State Pension Contributory.
According to Department records, the person concerned applied for a non-contributory State Pension on 08/04/2025. The claim for the person concerned was disallowed on the basis that they did not satisfy the Habitual Residency Conditions as he has not provided substantive evidence that he has been and is resident in the State. A letter advising the person concerned of this outcome and how to review and/or appeal this decision, issued to them on 18/07/2025.
On 11/09/2025, the person concerned sought a review of the decision on their non-contributory State Pension. On 17/09/2025, the Deciding Officer upheld their original decision on the same basis initially provided.
The person concerned has since submitted an appeal in relation to their non-contributory State Pension. The outcome of the appeal will issue in due course.
The person concerned applied for basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA)on the 29/01/2026 while pending the outcome of their non-contributory State Pension and subsequent appeal. Basic SWA 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. As part of the application process, a person must provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need. Furthermore, the person must also satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition.
In order to fully establish the circumstances of the person concerned, a meeting was held between a Community Welfare Officers and the person concerned on 17/02/2026. The person concerned has been asked to provide documentary evidence in support of their claim, including evidence that they are habitually resident. The person concerned has been provided with two weeks from the date of the meeting above to provide evidence of same. Once this information/documentation has been received, the claim will be processed swiftly. I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (730)
William Aird
Question:730. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available to returning emigrants who do not meet the criteria for habitual residence condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15173/26]
View answerWritten answers
Emigrants who are returning to reside in Ireland have the same entitlement to access social welfare payments as Irish people who already reside in the country. If the returning emigrant does not have an entitlement to a social insurance contribution-based payment, they may have an entitlement to a means tested social assistance payment, subject to meeting all other scheme conditionality, including the habitual residency condition (HRC).
The term habitually resident is not defined in Irish law. In practice it means that the person has a proven close link to Ireland. Factors that can be considered in establishing whether a person satisfies HRC include:
The purpose of the emigrant’s return;
Is Ireland the returning emigrant’s main centre of interest;
The length and continuity of the returning emigrant’s previous residence in the State;
The returning emigrant’s record of employment or self-employment in the State and another State.
It should be noted that this is not an exhaustive list of factors.
If the returning emigrant does not satisfy HRC, they may have access to the Additional Needs Payment scheme available under Supplementary Welfare Allowance. However, this payment is means tested and is a once off non-recurring payment.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, he can bring it to the attention of my Department by emailing: ims@welfare.ie
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (731)
Niamh Smyth
Question:731. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15190/26]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered
all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way
of a summary decision on the grounds that their means exceeds the statutory means limit. The
person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.