Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
23. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has any plans to provide an online application process for further social welfare schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31105/26]
View answerMy Department is continuing to invest in the digitalisation of its schemes and services as it strives to meet the public service target of having 90% of applicable services online by 2030.
This investment has already seen the launch of online access via the MyGovID and MyWelfare.ie platforms the Department's main schemes and services. The full range of services can be found on www.MyWelfare.ie. Each month just under 500,000 users login in to MyWelfare to view contribution and payment statements, to book appointments and to make applications - about 340,000 applications are made online each month. These numbers reflect the very high levels of customer satisfaction with the Department's online services as reported in independent research - with satisfaction levels of in excess of 90%.
We also continue to expand the services offered including over the past two years online access to apply both for the State Pension Contributory and State Pension Non-Contributory schemes. In addition, online applications for Domiciliary Care Allowance, Carers Allowance, Carers Benefit, Jobseekers Pay Related Benefit, Invalidity Pension, the Accommodation Recognition Payment and Additional Needs Payments are now in place.
Other key milestones in the delivery of online services over this period include the provision of an online Birth Registration Service as well as an online Social Welfare Appeals service.
Currently work is progressing on the delivery of an online application service for Back to Education Allowance, for delivery in Q2 2026, and Disability Allowance in Q3 2026.
The digitalisation of my Department’s services is key to being able to provide choice to the public in how they engage with services, it is also important in supporting improved efficiency in service delivery. As has been outlined above, significant work has been done to ensure that a wide range of online services are available to the public.
It is my intention to continue to work on the expansion of online service delivery, increasing the variety of services online and thereby extend the choices available to the public.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
