Mark Wall
Question:48. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered the potential impact that a new working age payment may have on secondary benefits such as access to a GP medical card. [46171/26]
View answerThursday, 18 June 2026
Questions (48)
Written answers
The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to introduce a new Working Age Payment, which will ensure that individuals always see an increase in income when they work or take on additional hours and to remove inconsistencies and anomalies in the current Jobseeker's Allowance Scheme, which discourage people from taking up employment.
In line with this commitment, on May 5th my Department launched a public consultation on a high-level design on the Working Age Payment. The purpose of the public consultation was to gather feedback and input from stakeholders to inform a more detailed design of the Working Age Payment.
The public consultation concluded on June 12th. My officials will review and analyse all submissions. These are complex reforms, and it will take time to consider the input from the consultation process, and to progress a more detailed design. As part of the design process my Department will undertake a thorough examination of how any new payment would interact with secondary benefits that fall within my remit, such as the Fuel Allowance.
Responsibility for the policy and eligibility criteria relating to the Medical Card rests with the Minister for Health. Officials in my Department will engage with colleagues in the Department of Health as the design work on the Working Age Payment progresses. However, it is important to note that decisions regarding Medical Card eligibility are solely within the remit of the Minister for Health.