Written Answers Nos. 352-365
352. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review and increase the current €30 per week initial means disregard applied to the State pension (non-contributory), for those in receipt of part of an occupational pension, in light of rising living costs and the impact on low-income older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31555/26]
View answer353. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will undertake a review of the means assessment applied to recipients of the State pension (non-contributory) who also receive an occupational pension, with particular consideration of assessing 50% of that income to ensure a fairer and more proportionate system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31556/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together.
State Pension (Non-Contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a State Pension (Contributory), or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
For the purposes of the means-test for this payment, from application stage through the lifetime of a claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investment(s) held, including any changes that occur.
My Department is conducting a review of means testing within the social protection system. The aim is to examine various means-tested schemes and identify any issues related to their respective means tests. With over 140 schemes and services, many of which are means-tested, this is a complex and detailed task.
It is my intention that the review's findings will guide decisions regarding potential changes to means testing in future Budgets. Any prospective changes to means testing arrangements will need to be evaluated and considered within the broader context of overall policy and budgetary considerations.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
354. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the length of time a person can avail of carer's benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31567/26]
View answerCarer's Benefit is a non-means tested payment made to insured people who may be required to leave the workforce, or reduce their working hours, to care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. There are currently over 4,600 people receiving Carer’s Benefit and the projected expenditure on this scheme in 2026 is estimated at €76.2 million.
Carer’s Benefit is payable for a period of 2 years (104 weeks) for each person they care for. This can be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 2 years (104 weeks).
A person may qualify for Carer’s Benefit if they meet the PRSI and other conditions of the scheme and have been engaged in full-time employment for at least eight weeks in the previous 26 weeks.
Full-time employment in this context is defined as engaged insurable employment for at least 16 hours per week or 32 hours per fortnight. This condition does not need to be satisfied on a second or subsequent claim where a person was in receipt of Carer's Benefit within the previous 26 weeks.
Where care is provided beyond the period of entitlement to Carer’s Benefit, the means tested Carer’s Allowance is available for those who are in need of income support. It should be noted that significant improvements have been made to the means test for Carer’s Allowance which will result in more carers qualifying for Carer’s Allowance.
As part of Budget 2026 I announced that from next July, the weekly income disregards will be increased from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers with a spouse, partner or co-habitant.
These improvements mean that, for example, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €110,000 will still retain their full Carers payment and even with an income of €138,000 will retain a partial payment.
These are the largest ever increases in the Carer’s Allowance income disregard and will mean that even people with what are relatively high incomes will qualify for a carer’s payment for the first time.
While Carer’s Benefit is not a means-tested payment, it is subject to an earnings limit. The earnings limit for Carer's Benefit will also be increased in line with the changes to the Carer's Allowance income disregards outlined above.
In addition, the Carer's Support Grant is available to full-time family carers whether or not they are in receipt of another carer payment from my department. It is neither means tested nor based on a person's social insurance contribution record. The grant is paid annually in June. It currently stands at €2,000 in respect of each care recipient.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
355. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if savings are taken into account in the means test for disability allowance; if so, the amount allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31568/26]
View answerSocial welfare legislation provides that for means-tested social assistance schemes, including Disability Allowance, all income and assets belonging to the claimant, and his or her spouse or partner where applicable, are assessable for means-testing purposes. A person's home is not included in the means assessment.
Applying a means-test ensures that the recipient has an income need and that scarce resources are targeted to those with the greatest need. This approach supports an economically sustainable and socially equitable allocation of scarce resources. It is important to note that there are disregards in place in relation to certain income and assets.
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 is compared to €20,000 for most social welfare payments.
People in receipt of Disability Allowance can take up employment or self-employment and continue to receive all or part of their payment, depending on their income. The earnings disregard has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently. This means that a person can earn up to €165 a week and keep their full rate payment. Earnings between €165 and €375 are assessed at 50%, and any earnings over €375 are fully assessed as means. As a result, 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.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
356. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available to persons who are self-employed and become ill and unable to work but do not have the required stamps for illness benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31569/26]
View answerIllness Benefit is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for Illness Benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. The person must have made the required number of contributions under class A, E, H or P to qualify. In general, self-employed people make PRSI contributions at class S which does not provide entitlement to Illness Benefit.
Self-employed contributors pay class S PRSI at a rate of 4.2%. This is 11.25 percentage points lower than the combined employer and employee contribution of 15.45% made in respect of employed contributors. However, self-employed contributors do have access to over 90% of benefits available to employed contributors.
The only benefits that class S PRSI does not provide access to are Health and Safety Benefit, Illness Benefit and Occupational Injuries Benefits. Self-employed contributors who are ill may qualify for Invalidity Pension.
In circumstances where people are ill but do not qualify for Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension, my Department provides means tested supports under the Disability Allowance scheme and the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. An Additional Needs Payment may also be available to people who have expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income.
The Programme for Government includes an action to explore the option of giving self-employed workers access to Illness Benefit by means of making a higher PRSI contribution. My Department has commenced work in this regard and this proposal will be progressed over the lifetime of the Government.
Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
357. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if he plans to commission research to address the evidence gap on the costs of disability incurred by people over 65 years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31648/26]
View answerSupporting disabled people is a key priority for this Government. That is why the Programme for Government includes a number of commitments to improve the position of disabled people including a commitment to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment.
Under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from Disability groups and advocates, it was agreed to establish a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability. While it is led by my Department, it includes other Government departments in this cross-government endeavour, as well as disabled people and their advocates.
Officials in my Department have held meetings with a number of organisations, including Disabled Persons Organisations, to discuss the possible structure and content of the Strategic Focus Network Summit as well as the possible form of a cost of disability payment.
A public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered was launched on Friday, February 20th and ran for just over six weeks, until Tuesday 7 April.
A full range of accessible formats was available to support public participation in the process. I am very pleased that there was an exceptional response with over 1,000 submissions received. 87 submissions were from groups and organisations, with 12 from Disabled Persons’ Organisations and Disabled Persons’ Representative Organisations. Accessible ways to partake were widely used, with almost 60 submissions made over the phone, while 20 were received by post. Seven video submissions were also received. I want to thank all the contributors for taking the time to make a submission and for sharing their valuable insights with us.
The submissions have helped inform the agenda for the Summit which I will be hosting in the Aviva Stadium on the 13th May 2026. It is an in-person event with online access also available.
The Strategic Focus Network Summit and the submissions made through the consultation process will help inform the approach to be taken in delivering on the Programme for Government commitment. This whole of government approach is important as addressing these costs is not simply a matter of income supports alone. Improvements in the delivery of, and access to key services is also needed.
Following the Summit, a briefing paper will be produced outlining the key learnings and any tangible outcomes which will support how the whole of Government delivers in this area going forward and inform the future Action Plans under the strategy. The paper will also feed into the Budget 2027 process.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
358. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total spending arising from social welfare schemes administered by his Department in 2012, when unemployment was over 15%, and 2025 when unemployment was approximately 4%; to account for the dramatic increase in spending by his Department despite the huge fall in unemployment; if his Department has carried out any projections or risk assessments on the likely increases in social welfare spending which would be needed in the event of an economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31703/26]
View answerMy Department provides a diverse range of services and income supports including contributory and non-contributory pensions, payments to carers and people with disabilities, payments to jobseekers, as well as the universal Child Benefit payment which is paid to some 675,000 families.
Currently, the largest area of expenditure is pensions, which accounts for 42% of my Department's overall budget allocation in 2026. The number of pensioners has been increasing year-on-year for some time, and is expected to continue to increase for the foreseeable future due to Ireland's ageing population.
Overall total Social Protection expenditure last year was €27.4 billion (Provisional Outturn), compared to €20.7 billion in 2012, an increase of some €6.7 billion.
At a high level, the broad factors behind this increase in expenditure include:
• Increases in weekly social protection rates. For example, the rate of State Pension (Contributory) has increased by €59 per week between 2012 and 2025 (with a further €10 increase provided this year as part of Budget 2026).
• An increase in the number of pensioners. In 2025, there was an additional quarter of a million people in receipt of a state pension payment compared to 2012.
• An increase in the range of schemes and services delivered by my Department. For example, over the period in question my Department has introduced new schemes such as Parent's and Paternity Benefit, School Meals, and Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit.
The costs associated with the factors above have significantly exceeded the offsetting savings realised as a result of a lower rate of unemployment.
In terms of future projections, the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 requires that I undertake an Actuarial Review of the position of the Social Insurance Fund at 5-year intervals. The most recent review, published in March 2023, was the fifth review of the Fund, reflecting the position of the Fund as at 31 December 2020. The purpose of the Actuarial Review is to inform policy developments in relation to the social insurance system. The Review projects the income and expenditure of the Fund over a 55-year period, taking into account policy, economic and demographic changes since the previous review was undertaken.
My Department also feeds into central Government economic projections prepared by the Department of Finance, when required.
359. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of public service cards which were issued or renewed to adult applicants in each year from 2017 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31704/26]
View answerThe number of PSC cards which were issued or renewed to adult applicants aged 18 and over in each year from 2017 to date are shown in the below table.
|
Calendar Year |
Number of public service cards issued to customers aged 18 and over |
|
2017 |
642,010 |
|
2018 |
546,126 |
|
2019 |
481,572 |
|
2020 |
307,588 |
|
2021 |
415,967 |
|
2022 |
664,431 |
|
2023 |
784,983 |
|
2024 |
842,885 |
|
2025* |
1,220,961 |
|
2026 to week ending 26 March |
241,366 |
*The large increase in Public Service Cards issued in 2025 was due to the introduction of the Free Travel Companion (FT+C) Public Services Card in September 2025 for all Free Travel recipients aged 70 or over. This allows Free Travel recipients to bring a companion aged 16 or over with them for free when travelling. This resulted in a large number of PSC card renewals in 2025.
360. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of current recipients of the State pension (Contributory) and State pension (Non-Contributory); the number of these recipients who do not have a currently valid public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31705/26]
View answerThe number of recipients of the State Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Non-Contributory) end March 2026 with and without a valid public services card are shown in the below table.
|
Scheme |
Total number of recipients end March 2026 |
With a valid PSC card* |
Without a valid PSC card |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
565,789 |
453,130 |
112,659 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
100,965 |
79,666 |
21,299 |
* Existing cards which are cancelled, for example because they are lost or stolen, or to add free travel or companion travel are excluded.
361. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection if taking into account the on-going case of a person (details supplied) their weekly pension deduction and the overpayment decision will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31751/26]
View answerThe person concerned was recently awarded State pension contributory, at a weekly rate of €303.50 plus a living alone increase of €22.00, following the award of long term carers contributions. The award was backdated to 1/1/24, the date from which long term carers contributions were introduced.
The claimant has an outstanding debt of over €186,000, arising from overpayments of State pension non-contributory, Carer's Allowance and the Carer's Support Grant (formerly Respite Care Grant), assessed due to the non-disclosure of means consisting of capital in the bank. Legislation provides for the deduction of 15% of a person's personal rate of payment and for the withholding of arrears, without the consent of the person concerned, for the recovery of debts.
Letters issued to the person concerned proposing a deduction of €45.50 from their weekly pension and the withholding of arrears due, to offset against the debt. The letters advised that they should contact the Department if there were any facts or circumstances they would like to be considered, before any deductions were made. The claimant responded, objecting to any deductions and submitting a number of invoices. A response issued to advise them that, while the contents of their correspondence had been noted, weekly deductions would commence on 17/4/26. A decision has not yet been made on the withholding of pension arrears.
The Department does everything it can to avoid overpayments arising but, where they do, every overpayment is a debt to the Exchequer and every effort must be made to recover the amount(s) outstanding. However, consideration is given to customers who contact us in relation to the recovery of overpayments, always with a view to coming to a mutually agreeable arrangement, both prior to any deductions being made from customers’ payments and at any stage thereafter if people make contact to say that they are experiencing difficulties in making repayments.
In this case, a further letter issued to the claimant requesting the submission of bank statements for the last six months, to assist in a decision being made regarding the withholding of their pension arrears or the release or partial release of the arrears due.
In relation to a review of the overpayments raised, an appeal of the non-contributory overpayment to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office was unsuccessful and subsequent applications for a non-contributory pension were disallowed. Following a review in 2022, the amount of the carers and respite overpayments were reduced.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
362. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; the further benefits and supports they are entitled to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31767/26]
View answerThe person concerned is currently in receipt of
• One Parent Family Payment (weekly)
• Half rate Carer's Allowance for one child (weekly)
• Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of two children (monthly)
• Carer’s Support Grant in respect of two children (annually)
Carer's Allowance is in payment in respect of the care of one child since 19 October 2023. It is open to a carer that is providing full time care more than one person to receive a higher weekly payment. The rate payable is increased by 50% of the standard personal rate for those who qualify. For a customer on half rate Carer's Allowance, this means an increase of 25% for a second care recipient. The quickest and easiest way to apply for Carer's Allowance is through MyWelfare. Alternatively, a paper application form has been forwarded by post to the address of the person concerned.
Additional supports or secondary benefits to which a Carer may be eligible are:
• Free Travel
• GP Visit Card (available from the HSE)
• Fuel Allowance (subject to meeting all of the qualifying criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme). The quickest and easiest way to apply is through MyWelfare.
• Household Benefits Package (subject to meeting all of the qualifying criteria of the Household Benefits Package). The quickest and easiest way to apply is through MyWelfare.
The person concerned may also visit their local Citizen's Information Centre, Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office to seek assistance with any queries or on any entitlements that may be due.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
363. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason employers must complete weekly INTREO forms for part-time employees despite the availability of RPN data; if he will review this duplication of reporting requirements with a view to reducing administrative burdens on employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31778/26]
View answerAll Atypical Workers, including Part-Time, Casual and Short-Time workers in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment from my department must declare their actual days worked, not worked, or any holiday entitlement days for which they receive payment. They may submit their declaration online through MyWelfare.ie or by submitting paper dockets. As part-time employment may vary considerably from week to week, a declaration of employment and unemployment is required each week to ensure that the person is receiving the correct payment.
Where a person declares their days of employment and unemployment online through MyWelfare.ie, the person self-declares their work pattern weekly and weekly confirmation of days is not required from their employer. Where a person declares their days of employment and unemployment on a paper docket, the employer declaration must be completed by the person’s employer.
As set out above, details of the actual days worked/not worked/remunerated is required by my Department for jobseeker's claim purposes as jobseekers claims are based on days of unemployment. Neither Revenue Payroll Notification (RPN) nor payslips provide detail or information in relation to the actual days worked by a person.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
364. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has consulted with disability rights groups on the call to raise the base rate of disability allowance to €350 per week; and if he supports the continued means testing of this allowance. [31788/26]
View answerDisability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme. Disability Allowance is a means-tested payment for people with a disability who are aged between 16 and 66. In order to be eligible, the disability must be expected to last for at least one year. The allowance is also subject to a means test, a medical assessment, and a habitual residency requirement.
In Budget 2026, I provided for a €10 increase in the weekly rates of payment, bringing the personal rates of payment to €254 per week from January 2026. As a result, there has been a €51 increase to weekly disability income support payments since Budget 2021. In addition, I provided for 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.
Social welfare legislation provides that, for means-tested social assistance schemes, all income and assets belonging to the claimant, and his or her spouse/partner where applicable, is assessable for means testing purposes. The purpose of the means test is to ensure that resources are directed to those with the greatest need for income supports by the State.
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 is compared to €20,000 for most social welfare payments. A person’s family home is not assessed as means.
The earnings disregard for Disability Allowance has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently. People on Disability Allowance can take up employment or self-employment and continue to receive all or part of their social welfare payment, depending on their income.
A person can earn up to €165 a week and keep their full rate of Disability Allowance. Earnings between €165 and €375 from employment are assessed at 50%, and any earnings over €375 are fully assessed as means. This means that a person can earn up to €527.60 a week and still keep their entitlement to the minimum rate of Disability Allowance and their secondary benefits.
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.
Officials in my Department are in regular consultation with Disability groups and advocates, through the Disability Consultative Forum and other fora.
Any further changes to payment rates or the means test can only be considered in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
365. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will provide the data relating to the number of applicants to the disability allowance whose applications were rejected on the basis of failing the means test component. [31789/26]
View answerDisability 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.
It is not possible to disaggregate the reasons for the claim not being awarded, and multiple reasons may apply to the one claim. Overall claim processing statistics relating to DA are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
|
2026 (Jan-Mar) |
7,034 |
4,378 |
4,129 |
|
2025 |
28,649 |
18,541 |
19,058 |
|
2024 |
29,177 |
18,657 |
20,343 |
