Written Answers Nos. 787-799
791. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the total allocation of funding to each State agency under his Department’s remit, broken down by the allocation to each agency, for each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [30802/26]
View answerThe total allocation of funding to each State agency under the Department’s remit, for each of the past 15 years is as follows:
792. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the total spend on consultancy firms by each State agency under his Department's remit, broken down by the allocation to each named consultancy firm, for each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [30820/26]
View answerThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA), the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
Details which are readily available in relation to the spend on consultancy firms by the Citizens Information Board (from 2019 to 2025) and the Pensions Authority (from 2021 to 2025) are set out in tabular format below. Additional details for the full period in question are currently being collated. Once they have been collated, they will be sent to the Deputy for his information.
There has been no spend by NAERSA, the Pensions Council or the Social Welfare Tribunal on consultancy firms for the period in question.
|
Citizens Information Board |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
Name |
Amount |
|
Ann Clarke |
€ 24,969 |
|
KPMG |
€ 24,600 |
|
|
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Name |
Amount |
|
KPMG |
€ 61,500 |
|
Innovative Procurement Solutions |
€ 34,865 |
|
Ann Clarke |
€ 25,641 |
|
Byrne Actuaries |
€ 7,865 |
|
Carr Communications |
€ 1,600 |
|
Adare HRM |
€ 1,138 |
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
Name |
Amount |
|
Storm Technology |
€ 59,238 |
|
Castlebridge |
€ 26,568 |
|
Innovative Procurement Solutions |
€ 22,414 |
|
Ann Clarke |
€ 18,081 |
|
Byrne Actuaries |
€10,701 |
|
Weafer Associates |
€ 6,150 |
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
Name |
Amount |
|
Ann Clarke |
€ 23,247 |
|
Innovative Procurement Solutions |
€ 28,444 |
|
Weafer Associates |
€ 12,300 |
|
Bearingpoint |
€ 147,770 |
|
Carr Communications |
€ 11,108 |
|
KHSK |
€ 19,557 |
|
|
|
|
2023 |
Spend |
|
Name |
Amount |
|
Acrux Consulting Ltd |
€ 2,542 |
|
Bearingpoint |
€ 21,460 |
|
Carr Communications |
€ 7,085 |
|
Innovative Procurement Solutions |
€ 24,792 |
|
Joe McDermott |
€ 738 |
|
Lionheart Mgmt Consultants Ltd |
€ 22,140 |
|
Lisney |
€ 4,059 |
|
QRE |
€ 10,455 |
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
Name |
Amount |
|
Adare HRM |
€ 18,686 |
|
CA Compliance Limited |
€3,690 |
|
Cushman & Wakefield |
€ 9,225 |
|
Indecon |
€ 165,979 |
|
Innovative Procurement Solutions |
€ 18,143 |
|
Joe McDermott |
€ 12,792 |
|
Kevin Duffy |
€ 13,284 |
|
Morley Economic Consulting |
€ 23,247 |
|
Murray Consultants |
€ 52,623 |
|
QRE |
€ 18,450 |
|
Risk and Resilience Ltd |
€ 20,650 |
|
Symmetry Solutions Limited |
€ 6,150 |
|
The 4OC Limited |
€ 14,026 |
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
Name |
Amount |
|
Adare HRM |
€ 30,304 |
|
Indecon |
€ 68,741 |
|
Innovative Procurement Solutions |
€ 6,880 |
|
Kevin Duffy |
€ 3,137 |
|
Malachi Cullen Engineers Ltd |
€ 33,530 |
|
Morley Economic Consulting |
€ 3,321 |
|
Murray Consultants |
€ 76,371 |
|
Risk and Resilience Ltd |
€ 9,100 |
|
The 4OC Limited |
€ 101,348 |
|
Bearingpoint |
€ 15,942 |
|
PFH Technology Group |
€ 74,784 |
|
The Institute of Directors Ire Ltd |
€ 18,438 |
|
Alpha Healthcare Ltd |
€ 59,840
|
|
Pensions Authority |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
Name |
Amount |
|
D3P Global pensions consulting LTD Global pensions consulting LTD |
€ 89,451 |
|
Evershed |
€ 73,211 |
|
Mason, Hayes and Curran |
€ 29,777 |
|
Public Authority Pension Services |
€ 26,120 |
|
Conor Power |
€ 20,172 |
|
Byrne Wallace law firm |
€ 17,070 |
|
Lane Clark Peacock Ireland |
€ 13,305 |
|
McCann Fitzgerald solicitors |
€ 13,299 |
|
Remy Farrell |
€ 7,933 |
|
Fieldfisher LLP |
€ 7,386 |
|
Francis Kiernan |
€ 1,107 |
|
2024 |
|
|
A&L Goodbody |
€ 181,640 |
|
Evershed |
€ 134,826 |
|
D3P Global pensions consulting LTD |
€ 105,237 |
|
Mason, Hayes and Curran |
€ 86,146 |
|
Raise a concern Philip Brennan |
€ 48,203 |
|
Public Authority Pension Services |
€ 38,468 |
|
Matheson |
€ 21,537 |
|
Conor Power |
€ 20,172 |
|
Michael Delaney |
€16,421 |
|
Lane Clark Peacock Ireland |
€ 14,594 |
|
Fieldfisher LLP |
€ 13,433 |
|
Byrne Wallace law firm |
€ 7,449 |
|
PWC |
€ 6,089 |
|
McCann Fitzgerald solicitors |
€ 3,075 |
|
Sile O’Donnell (HR consultant) |
€ 1,805 |
|
2023 |
|
|
A&L Goodbody |
€114,897 |
|
Eversheds Sutherland |
€ 102,011 |
|
D3P Global pensions consulting LTD |
€ 64,889 |
|
Raise a concern Philip Brennan |
€ 36,307 |
|
Frank Kiernan |
€ 34,809 |
|
Michael Delaney |
€ 34,778 |
|
Public Authority Pension Services |
€ 29,413 |
|
Lyndon JW MacCann |
€ 23,186 |
|
Lane Clark Peacock Ireland |
€ 11,476 |
|
Anthony Gilhawley |
€ 10,125 |
|
Mason, Hayes and Curran |
€ 9,840 |
|
Fieldfisher LLP |
€ 7,423 |
|
Anthony Gilhawley |
€ 6,458 |
|
QR02 |
€ 6,150 |
|
McCann Fitzgerald solicitors |
€ 4,920 |
|
Byrne Wallace law firm |
€ 3,569 |
|
Sile O’Donnell (HR consultant) |
€ 1,473 |
|
GA02 |
€ 609 |
|
2022 |
|
|
Eversheds Sutherland |
€ 173,369 |
|
A&L Goodbody |
€ 72,835 |
|
D3P Global pensions consulting LTD |
€ 59,747 |
|
Anthony Gilhawley |
€ 50,533 |
|
William Fry |
€ 31,536 |
|
Michael Delaney |
€ 25,953 |
|
Public Authority Pension Services |
€ 20,787 |
|
Fieldfisher LLP |
€ 13,464 |
|
Frank Kiernan |
€ 11,993 |
|
Lane Clark Peacock Ireland |
€ 8,303 |
|
Sile O’Donnell (HR consultant) |
€ 2,328 |
|
Byrne Wallace law firm |
€ 1,303 |
|
2021 |
|
|
Eversheds Sutherland |
€ 131,644 |
|
D3P Global pensions consulting LTD |
€ 82,147 |
|
Anthony Gilhawley |
€ 52,993 |
|
Milliman Limited |
€ 36,900 |
|
William Fry |
€ 26,229 |
|
Public Authority Pension Services |
€ 19,676 |
|
Niall Buckley |
€ 14,867 |
|
Lane Clark Peacock Ireland |
€ 9,840 |
|
Ciaran Long |
€ 9,740 |
|
Fieldfisher LLP |
€ 7,951 |
|
Bearing Point Ireland Limited |
€ 6,921 |
|
Michael Delaney |
€ 5,483 |
|
Media relations and reputation management ltd |
€ 4,920 |
|
Mason, Hayes and Curran |
€ 4,732 |
|
Deloitte Ireland LLP |
€ 3,605 |
|
Francis Kiernan |
€ 3,505 |
|
Byrne Wallace law firm |
€ 2,181 |
|
Tab taxation services Ltd |
€ 1,845 |
|
Prandelli consulting |
€ 1,107 |
|
Graphite HRM lTD |
€ 609 |
794. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider extending the back-to-work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) to include individuals who are signing on for PRSI credits but are excluded from payments due to means testing; or alternatively, if he will consider introducing a parallel pathway for people in such a position to access the BTWEA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30856/26]
View answerThe Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to re-entering the labour market. The scheme supports people in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment to develop a business while allowing them to retain a reducing proportion of their payment over two years.
There are no plans to extend the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme to persons who do not have an underlying entitlement to a social welfare scheme.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment provide a range of tailored supports for enterprise in Ireland. Supports include access to finance, management development, mentoring supports, business development programmes, market supports and trade promotion.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
795. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance appeal (details supplied) submitted in November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30911/26]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision.
The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.
796. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people currently in receipt of a heating supplement payment; if he can provide a breakdown of this payment, per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30927/26]
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.
Under the scheme, my department may award a supplement to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. This can include a Heating Supplement where a person has need for additional heating due to ill health or infirmity. Heating supplement is not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the year.
Heating Supplements are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme. All the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into account in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
There are currently 680 people in receipt of Heating Supplement with a breakdown by county provided at Table 1 below.
More generally, my department also provides discretionary Additional Needs Payments, where appropriate, to people who face difficulties in meeting heating bills. In 2026, to the end of March, over 800 Additional Needs Payments totalling almost €400,000 were made to assist with household bills and heating costs.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to a Heating Supplement is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1: Heating supplement recipients by county
|
County |
Heating Supplement Recipients |
|
Carlow |
4 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
|
Clare |
18 |
|
Cork |
38 |
|
Donegal |
37 |
|
Dublin |
74 |
|
Galway |
18 |
|
Kerry |
14 |
|
Kildare |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
10 |
|
Laois |
25 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
Limerick |
196 |
|
Longford |
16 |
|
Louth |
7 |
|
Meath |
5 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
Offaly |
21 |
|
Roscommon |
7 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
88 |
|
Waterford |
11 |
|
Westmeath |
44 |
|
Wexford |
19 |
|
Wicklow |
14 |
|
Total |
680 |
797. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on the application of a person (details supplied) for the treatment benefit scheme will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30958/26]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical, aural and hair replacement products and services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependent spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
To qualify a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based.
If a person does not have enough social insurance contributions to qualify for Treatment Benefit, they may qualify on the social insurance record of their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant. To avail of this option, the person must be dependent on their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant. The person concerned has previously qualified as a dependent spouse.
Contact has been made with the person concerned and the relevant forms have issued by post. Once returned their eligibility can be assessed. They will then be advised in writing of their entitlement and how to proceed with their treatment If applicable.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
798. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review an application (details supplied) and escalate this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30984/26]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them and be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 30 March 2026.
The Deciding Officer has requested additional information from the person concerned. The WFP claim will be processed when all required information is received.
799. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he is aware that the taxation of near-neighbour community payments arising from onshore wind farm developments affects eligibility for non-contributory pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31560/26]
View answerMy Department has over 140 schemes and services, with eligibility for a significant number of these being determined by a means test, including the State Pension (Non-Contributory).
Social welfare legislation provides that means tests take account of the income and assets of the person (and their spouse or partner, if applicable) applying for the relevant scheme. Means assessments generally include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions and maintenance payments. They also include assessment of property owned other than the family home and capital such as cash, savings, shares, and other investments.
Means tests and income thresholds are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years, including as part of the Budget 2026 announcements.
Changes to the means tests have been implemented through amendments to the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 and the Social Welfare (Consolidated Supplementary Welfare Allowance) Regulations 2007. Articles 8, 155 and 174 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007, and Article 36 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Supplementary Welfare Allowance) Regulations 2007 provide for the disregard of certain specified income when assessing the means of a person.
The disregard of payments from the Community Benefit Fund, under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), is not currently provided for in social welfare regulations. Disregarding income arising from payments from the Community Benefit Fund would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
