Frankie Feighan
Question:734. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for carer's allowance (details supplied) was refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38758/26]
View answerSocial Welfare Eligibility
Questions (734)
Written 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 23 February 2026.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding their claim.
Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a Deciding Officer (DO) on 09 March 2026.
As the person concerned failed to provide all the information that was required to determine if their means exceeded the statutory limit allowed for receipt of CA or whether they were employed or in education for more than 18.5 hours per week it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 27 April 2026. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
A copy of the previous information request reissued to the person concerned on 19 May 2026.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (735, 749)
Donna McGettigan
Question:735. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that some people are transferred to the invalidity pension against their will, precluding them from taking part-time employment; the way in which affected people can appeal to be transferred onto a support payment which will allow them to work part-time; if he will consider changing the name of the invalidity pension which some people find offensive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38759/26]
View answerDonna McGettigan
Question:749. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps her Department is taking to modernise the labelling of social welfare schemes; if there are plans to rename the invalidity pension to a term that reflects inclusive language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39329/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 749 together.
My Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.
Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and who are covered by Pay Related Social Insurance contributions. In order to qualify, a person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months or, be permanently incapable of work. The payment is payable up to age 66 where a person continues to satisfy the eligibility requirements. At 66, a person automatically transfers to the State Pension (Contributory) at the full rate.
Eligibility can only be established on receipt of a completed application form. Every application for Invalidity Pension is individually assessed, in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation. All decisions on entitlement to Invalidity Pension are notified in writing to the person concerned along with the reason(s) for it. People are also advised of their right to seek a review of this decision or appeal it directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
In 2009, persons who were at that time in receipt of Illness Benefit on a long-term basis were, as an exceptional measure, retained on Illness Benefit, subject to continued appropriate certification. Subsequently, individuals in this cohort who had a PRSI record such that they would satisfy that Invalidity Pension contribution requirement were contacted and invited to apply for Invalidity Pension, as they may have been financially better off on that payment. They were not moved to Invalidity Pension unless they made an application and were found to be eligible.
Recipients of Invalidity Pension can avail of the Free Travel pass. In addition, subject to a means test, recipients may also eligible for Fuel Allowance and the Household Benefits Package, subject to meeting the other eligibility criteria for those schemes.
The numbers of customers retained on Illness Benefit since 2009 has steadily decreased over the years and currently there are 4,493 people in that position out of an average number of weekly recipients of Illness Benefit of 53,107.
Since 2009, subject to the level of relevant PRSI contributions paid, Illness Benefit is now payable for a maximum period of two years. Where a person exhausts their entitlement to a payment of Illness Benefit and is expected to remain unfit to attend work for a further period of at least 12 months, they have the option of making an application for Invalidity Pension.
Partial Capacity Benefit, introduced in 2012, provides an opportunity for people who are in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit for more than 6 months to avail of employment opportunities while continuing to receive an income support payment from the Department, in addition to their earnings from employment. The scheme is designed to facilitate greater levels of participation by disabled people in the open labour market.
The personal rate of payment of Partial Capacity Benefit is based on a medical assessment of a person’s restriction regarding their capacity for work, whether the person was in receipt of Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension, and their current rate of payment. After the medical assessment, if a person's disability is rated as moderate, severe or profound their previous payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% respectively. There is no limit to the amount that people can earn or the number of hours a person can work and continue to receive Partial Capacity Benefit.
A person on Partial Capacity Benefit with an underlying entitlement to Invalidity Pension, can retain their Free Travel Pass for a period of five years.
I am very conscious of using appropriate terminology and that different people have different preferences in relation to the language around disability. The term "invalidity" is widely understood at EU level with “invalidity benefits” being one of the matters covered by the Regulations on the Coordination of Social Security Systems (EC Regulation No. 883/2004). Notwithstanding, I will take the Deputy's feedback on the language into consideration.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Rates
Questions (736)
Conor D. McGuinness
Question:736. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2027 if the living alone allowance increased to €28.50 per week. [38792/26]
View answerWritten answers
Primary weekly social welfare payments are intended to enable recipients to meet their basic day-to-day income needs. In addition to these primary payments, my Department also provides a range of other payments on a weekly, monthly, or less frequent basis. These payments are considered secondary in nature with each of them having their own individual qualifying criteria.
The Living Alone Increase (LAI) is one of those secondary payments. It is not a scheme or a stand-alone payment, but it is a supplement to a primary social protection payment of €22 per week made to people aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone.
For those aged 66 or over, payments eligible for the LAI include State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-contributory), Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, Bereaved Partner's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and Deserted Wife's Benefit. LAI is also paid to people aged under 66 who live alone and are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
At the end of April 2026 there were 258,561 recipients of the Living Alone Increase. Based on that number, an increase of €6.50 per week, bringing the rate of payment to €28.50, would cost an estimated additional €87.39 million for the year 2027.
These figures are based on the number of recipients at the end of April 2026 and do not include projected increases in the number of recipients in future years.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (737)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:737. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection his position regarding the carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38803/26]
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 30 March 2026.
As part of the decision process, the application was referred for the professional opinion of a Department Medical Assessor. The claim was disallowed as the Deciding Officer, having regard to the opinion of the Medical Assessor, decided that the information supplied did not show that the care recipient required full-time care.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 18 May 2026. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Programme for Government
Questions (738)
Malcolm Byrne
Question:738. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the mechanisms in place in his Department to ensure delivery on the commitments in the Programme for Government; the civil servant specifically responsible for overseeing such delivery; the measures that are used to assess progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38820/26]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has made significant progress on the Programme for Government commitments under its remit. Updates on these commitments are requested from the relevant business owners on a monthly basis, and as Minister, I then review and discuss the progress of each commitment in a meeting with my Department's Senior Management Board, who have responsibility for ensuring these commitments are implemented.
In this regard, the Programme for Government commitments are monitored on an ongoing basis, and necessary action is taken to ensure progress in line with the intended targets is being achieved.
Departmental Policies
Questions (739)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:739. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has concluded a review of means testing of social assistance schemes. [38861/26]
View answerWritten answers
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 inform decisions regarding potential changes to means testing in future Budgets.
The review is currently with senior management for review and I expect that it will be submitted to me shortly. Due to the complexity of the review, I will carefully and thoroughly evaluate it to determine the best way to utilise its findings and identify those that may warrant further consideration. However, any prospective changes to means testing arrangements will need to be evaluated and considered within the broader context of overall policy and budgetary considerations and over the lifetime of this Government.
School Meals Programme
Questions (740)
Donna McGettigan
Question:740. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of the inability of some schools in County Clare and elsewhere, including a school (details supplied) to access school meals due to their geographical location; the measures he will take to ensure all pupils can access much needed school meals regardless of their location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38930/26]
View answerWritten answers
Officials in my department have contacted the school to discuss the options available to them. They are going to commence procurement now for their school meals supplier. They are now aware that any registered Food business operator can submit a tender response, this includes local café, restaurants, local suppliers, and meals on wheels services.
The Schools Procurement Unit under the Department of Education and Youth also provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (741)
Pearse Doherty
Question:741. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if decisions in relation to the heating supplement are or have ever been subject to an appeals process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38942/26]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may award a supplement to assist with on going 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.
Determinations made by Designated Persons in relation to claims made under Section 198 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005 i.e. all Supplements, can be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office under Section 311 of that Act.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (742)
Carol Nolan
Question:742. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has conducted an assessment on the strain on the social welfare system from asylum-related arrivals from 2022 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38972/26]
View answerWritten answers
My Department plays a significant role in alleviating financial hardship through income supports, while its activation and employment services promote social inclusion and connectedness by supporting access to education, training, and employment. The importance of poverty proofing across the Department’s schemes in ensuring that supports are effectively targeted at those most at risk of disadvantage is also recognised.
Programmes and income supports are demand led and access to such supports is based on eligibility and need. The entitlements of people, including people applying for temporary or international protection under the International Protection Act, who seek supports are set out in legislation. Expenditure on these supports is provided for within the Department’s overall voted budget, and the Department continuously monitors all areas of expenditure as part of its standard budgetary management processes.
I trust this clarifies that matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (743)
Carol Nolan
Question:743. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total expenditure on rent supplements and housing assistance payments for non-Irish nationals in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38974/26]
View answerWritten answers
My Department administers the Rent Supplement scheme under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Scheme expenditure is recorded at the scheme level, not the individual payment level. It is not possible to accurately attribute expenditure according to payment level characteristics such as nationality.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the Housing Assistance Payment. Queries relating to Housing Assistance Payment expenditure should be referred to my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
School Meals Programme
Questions (744, 745, 746, 748)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:744. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether schools participating in the hot school meals scheme are required to retain written conflict-of-interest declarations from all persons involved in tender evaluation processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39264/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:745. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether unsuccessful suppliers under the hot school meals scheme have access to a formal procurement appeals or review mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39268/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:746. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the Office of Government Procurement was consulted in the design of the current hot school meals scheme procurement framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39269/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:748. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether schools participating in the hot school meals scheme are required to maintain records of all communications with suppliers during live procurement competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39271/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 744, 745, 746 and 748 together.
My Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each school board to administer the Scheme in their school including handling the procurement process. The Schools Procurement Unit under the Department of Education and Youth, provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Scheme.
The Office of Government Procurement templates were used to design the Hot School Meals procurement templates. The following are a list of agencies that the Department of Education and Youth consulted when drafting the Hot School Meals Template - Dept of Health, Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Health Service Executive, Chief State Solicitors Office Public Procurement Law and Chief State Solicitors Office State Leases Section, State Claims Agency, Health Safety Authority, Allianz, IPB Insurance, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Dept of Climate Energy and the Environment, Department of Education and Youth - (Planning and Building Unit, Child Protection, Shared Service Implementation Unit and Procurement, Data Protection Officer, Official Languages Liaison, Child Protection, School Procurement Unit), and Department of Social Protection.
The Hot School Meals scheme requires all participating schools to fully comply with their obligations to public procurement, including any requirement to maintain records of communications that might be required under EU Public Procurement Law, or National Rules/Guidelines. Calls for tenders that issue via the e-Tenders system, record and maintain records of all communications that take place within its messaging functionality. Conflict of Interest or "No Conflict Declarations", must be retained by the school as the contracting authority.
On the Department of Education and Youth’s School Procurement Unit website they have provided template letters for schools to issue to unsuccessful tenders which gives the option to the suppler to contact the signatory of the letter if they have any queries.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Question No. 745 answered with Question No. 744.
Question No. 746 answered with Question No. 744.
School Meals Programme
Questions (747)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:747. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any minimum weighting is applied to nutritional quality, freshness, meal presentation or food standards within hot school meals scheme tender evaluations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39270/26]
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.
Clear nutritional standards have been in place for the School Meals Programme since its inception. A specific standard was set for School Meals under the Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals. A technical Nutrition Subgroup comprised of Dietitians from the following organisations was involved in developing these standards:
* The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland,
* The HSE,
* Safefood, and
* The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
These standards are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available on gov.ie.
Taste assessment, or food sampling is not part of the marking of tender evaluations. Food preferences vary from person to person therefore schools follow the programme’s Nutritional Standards, developed by expert dietitians ensures consistency, quality, and appropriate nutritional balance.
My Department has seconded a CORU-registered dietician for the School Meals Programme who is under the clinical supervision of the Department of Health. One of the main tasks is an in-depth review of school meal supplier menus and their compliance with the nutritional standards. The review by a CORU-registered Dietitian is underway. As part of this review site visits to both schools and suppliers are being conducted in addition to analysis of supplier menus. It is expected that the full report will be finalised at the end of June 2026.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Question No. 748 answered with Question No. 744.
Question No. 749 answered with Question No. 735.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (750)
Donna McGettigan
Question:750. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of individuals currently transitioning from invalidity pension to the partial capacity benefit scheme; the average processing time for these applications; if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding financial security during the medical assessment phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39330/26]
View answerWritten answers
Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a social welfare scheme which allows a person to return to work or self-employment and continue to receive a payment from my Department. A person must be in receipt of Illness Benefit (IB) for a minimum of six months or Invalidity Pension (IP) before applying for PCB.
There is a two-stage application process involved. The applicant first notifies my Department of their intent to take up employment and applies for PCB. My Department will determine whether the applicant is eligible and (if so) at what level the PCB would be paid. Once that decision is made the applicant must then subsequently confirm that they wish to proceed on that basis and confirm the date that their employment is commencing. The PCB team will then put the relevant payment in place.
From the start of January to the end of April 2026, 215 PCB claims were awarded. Of these, 107 originated from IP.
From a processing perspective, once an application is received it is immediately referred for medical assessment. A desk assessment is conducted by a qualified Medical Assessor (MA). Medical assessments are currently taking approximately 3 weeks. The applicant will qualify for PCB if their capacity for work is assessed by the MA as moderate, severe, or profound. Once a medical opinion is recorded, the person concerned is notified of their potential entitlement. Applicants are also advised to notify my Department with their expected employment start date.
The second stage of the process can only occur once my Department receives notification that the applicant is proceeding with their employment and provides details of their expected employment start date. The applicant’s PCB claim remains open for 13 weeks from the date of receipt of their application to allow time to provide a return-to-work date. Once this is received, their PCB payment is processed immediately (which is generally within a week from receipt of this notification).
The IP or IB remains in payment throughout the PCB application process.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Funding
Questions (751)
Robert Troy
Question:751. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the upcoming funding opportunities available to a service (details supplied). [39430/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy's question is a matter for the Department of Health, as the organisation in question operates as a Section 39 organisation, and its funding arrangements therefore fall under the remit of the Department of Health.
Social Welfare Code
Questions (752)
Martin Daly
Question:752. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the savings or capital thresholds that apply to disability allowance and related supports for persons with lifelong disabilities; if parental savings for the future care of a disabled child can affect entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39493/26]
View answerWritten answers
Supporting disabled people is a key priority for this Government. Both the Programme for Government and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025 to 2030 include significant commitments in this regard.
Disability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme. It 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 purpose of a means test is to ensure that scarce exchequer resources are directed to those with the greatest need. Social welfare legislation provides that, for means-tested social assistance schemes, all income and assets belonging to the claimant, and their spouse or partner where applicable, is assessable. The means of the claimant's parents are not taken into account in determining the person's eligibility for Disability Allowance.
It is important to note that there are disregards in place in relation to certain income and assets for Disability Allowance.
Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by my Department. 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. A person can earn up to €165 a week and keep their full rate of Disability Allowance. In fact, a person can earn up to €527.60 a week and still retain a minimum rate of Disability Allowance and their secondary benefits.
The Government recognises the additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed to improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing permanent measures. That is why the Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability payment.
In addition, the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from disability groups and advocates, includes a commitment to a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability, emphasising the cross-government nature of the issue.
I recently ran a public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered. I am very pleased that there was an exceptional response with over 1,000 submissions received.
The submissions helped inform the agenda for the Summit which I hosted on the 13th of May 2026. It was an in-person and on-line event attended by many people with disabilities, Disability Person Organisations and other advocacy groups as well as representatives of many Government Departments and members of the Oireachtas together with senior Government Ministers including the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, the Minister of State for Disability and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport. This attendance highlights that while the work on the cost of disability has been led by my Department, the delivery of a solution will involve a range of Departments and agencies.
Following the Summit, a briefing paper will be produced outlining the key learnings. These will inform the approach that will be taken, including actions to be included in the next round of Action Plans under the Strategy, and the measures that may be taken as part of Budget 2027. While the issue cannot be resolved in one budget cycle I, and my Government colleagues intend, to the best of our ability, to use the resources available in Budget 2027 to make a meaningful difference.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
School Meals Programme
Questions (753)
Cathal Crowe
Question:753. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will intervene in the case of a school in County Clare (details supplied) which, owing to its peripheral location, is unable to procure a contractor to supply hot meals to their school under the school meals scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39510/26]
View answerWritten answers
Officials in my department have contacted the school to discuss the options available to them. They are going to commence procurement now for their school meals supplier. They are now aware that any registered Food business operator can submit a tender response, this includes local café, restaurants, local suppliers, and meals on wheels services.
The Schools Procurement Unit under the Department of Education and Youth also provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter.