Mark Wall
Question:37. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide the current processing time for appeals of all social welfare payments in 2026. [46170/26]
View answerSocial Welfare Payments
Questions (37)
Written answers
The average processing time for appeals of all social welfare payments as of end of Q1 2026 is 12.8 weeks. In comparison, the average processing time as of end of 2025 was 21.2 weeks
The average processing time for appeals of all social welfare payments as of end of Q1 2026 are outlined in the below table:
|
|
Average Appeals Processing Times |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
13.8 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
8.5 |
|
Child Benefit |
24.3 |
|
Disability Allowance |
8.3 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
9.5 |
|
Farm Assist |
18.9 |
|
Illness Benefit |
6.1 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
9.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
15.2 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
12.7 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed |
10.2 |
|
Jobseekers Pay Related Benefit |
4.6 |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
27.2 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
8.2 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
15.5 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
16.9 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
9.1 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
34.6 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
31.8 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
11.2 |
|
Working Family Payment |
8.3 |
Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the differing eligibility criteria. Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested schemes can also require more detailed examination of financial information thereby lengthening the decision-making process.
My Department understands the many pressures faced by people and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently. However, the drive for efficiency must be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and made in accordance with the provisions set out in primary legislation and regulations.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
Family Support Services
Questions (38)
Mark Wall
Question:38. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider combining maternity benefit, paternity benefit, adoptive benefit, and parent’s leave into a single-family scheme providing up to 12 months following the birth or adoption of a child; and whether such a scheme could operate on pay-related basis similar to the pay-related jobseekers’ benefit payment. [46169/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department for Children, Disability and Equality has policy and legal responsibility for all family leaves, including matters relating to transferability of leave and its duration. The Department of Social Protection has responsibility for the associated benefit.
A range of family leaves and benefits are available in the first crucial period of a child’s life. Maternity Leave and Benefit is available for 26 weeks, Paternity Leave and Benefit for two weeks and both parents can avail of nine weeks of Parent’s Leave and Benefit in the first two years following the birth of a child. In total, these supports provide up to 46 weeks of paid leave for a two-parent family.
The Programme for Government commits to introducing Pay-Related Parent's Benefit and exploring other payments where a similar model could be applied. While the initial focus is on Parent’s Benefit, the development of this scheme will help to inform the considerations around extension of a pay-related approach for other family leave benefits. My Department will draw on the learnings and operational experience from the new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme to inform options for Parent's Benefit and other family leave schemes.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Disability Services
Questions (39)
Barry Heneghan
Question:39. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he will consider increasing the capital disregard for the blind pension as part of Budget 2027, having regard to the higher €50,000 disregard that applies to disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46274/26]
View answerWritten answers
Blind Pension is the primary social assistance scheme for people who are blind or visually impaired. Blind Pension is a means-tested payment payable to those aged between 18 and 66. Eligibility requires that a person’s vision is impaired to such an extent that they cannot perform any work for which eyesight is essential or cannot continue in their ordinary occupation. Blind Pension is the only income support payment designed to cater for people with a specific disability.
In line with many other means-tested social welfare schemes, the first €20,000 of capital is not assessed in the means test for Blind Pension. For amounts over €20,000 the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per €1,000, the following €10,000 is assessed at €2 per €1,000 with the remainder assessed at €4 per €1,000.
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 and, as a result of this disability, the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of their age, experience or qualifications.
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. In addition, unlike Blind Pension, Disability Allowance is not taxable.
Anyone who does not qualify for Blind Pension due to the capital assessment can apply for Disability Allowance. Blind Pension and Disability Allowance have the same personal rate of payment, rates for qualified adults, Child Support Payments, and personal earning disregards.
The number of Blind Pension recipients are decreasing year on year. Many blind and visually impaired now avail of Disability Allowance. As of the end of April 2026, there were 904 recipients of Blind Pension. Estimated expenditure on Blind Pension for 2026 is expected to be approximately €12 million.
Any changes to the Blind Pension scheme would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
Public Transport
Questions (40)
Louis O'Hara
Question:40. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has engaged with public transport operators in relation to these operators charging free travel pass holders booking fees for free travel journeys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44951/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme.
The Free Travel Scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those under the age of 66 on certain qualified payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State. The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and a range of transport services offered by private transport operators countrywide.
Under the Free Travel scheme, there is no requirement or impediment for transport operators to provide additional services such as a seat booking service. Some travel operators have introduced online booking services for customers who wish to guarantee their seat on a particular service. This is entirely a matter for the transport operator concerned.
Customers wishing to avail of Free Travel do not have to pre-book services with any operator participating in the Free Travel Scheme. They can continue to present on their preferred day of travel and avail of Free Travel using their Free Travel Public Services Card.
It is open to any Free Travel customer who wants to be guaranteed a seat on a particular service to book their seat in advance, where a pre-booking facility exists. My Department has no control over the fee a transport company may charge for their seat booking facility.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Television Licence Fee
Questions (41)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:41. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify, if a household benefits package is backdated; the way in which the TV licence aspect of it is paid to An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45429/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Household Benefits Package comprises of an electricity or gas allowance, and a Free Television Licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to people under the age of 66, who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments.
The majority of those who qualify for Household Benefits Package do so as a result of being awarded a primary qualifying payment. Notification of possible entitlement to the Household Benefits Package is included in the letter of award of the qualifying primary payment sent to the customer. It is up to the customer to then make their application by completing the application form available to download from gov.ie or at any post office, or by applying online at www.MyWelfare.ie.
Household Benefits Package applications can be backdated for up to 6 months where an entitlement existed, and further where there are extenuating circumstances.
Payment for the Free Television Licence is made by way of a fixed monthly payment paid directly to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and is based on the average number of Free Television Licence recipients per month in the previous year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Public Sector Pensions
Questions (42)
John McGuinness
Question:42. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider including retired public servants who did not pay the higher rate insurance contribution while they were employed for consideration in the fuel allowance scheme and any other pension linked benefits that they are currently excluded from. [46259/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Fuel Allowance Scheme is means tested and assists pensioners and other welfare dependent householders with meeting the cost of their heating needs during the winter season. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
A person aged 66 or over does not need to be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment to apply for Fuel Allowance. Therefore, retired public servants aged 66 or over can access the payment subject to satisfying the relevant qualifying conditions.
With regards to the Household Benefits Package all persons over the age of 70 can receive the Household Benefits Package, with one package provided per household. There is no requirement that a person must be in receipt of a pension from my department.
A public servant can qualify for the Household Benefits Package when aged between 66 and 69 subject to certain qualifying conditions and satisfying a means test. This ensures that those public servants who need the support the most do qualify for the Household Benefits Package.
The Living Alone Increase is a secondary payment. 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 Living Alone Increase 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. The Living Alone Increase 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.
Prior to 6 April 1995, civil and public servants did not have access to the full range of social insurance benefits as their terms of employment protected them against the main contingencies of illness and old age, and the risk of unemployment was not considered a factor due to the nature of their employment. Consequently, such contributors pay less in social insurance contributions in return for fewer social insurance benefits.
The State Pension (Non-contributory) is available to those who satisfy the means-test and who are ordinarily resident in the state, regardless of their social insurance contribution history. The State Pension (Non-contributory) is a qualifying payment for the Living Alone Increase, regardless of the rate of payment.
There are no circumstances where the Living Alone Increase can be paid to people who are not in receipt of a primary qualifying payment from my Department or who do not meet the living alone eligibility criteria. Any change to the qualifying criteria for these payments would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Care Services
Questions (43)
Thomas Gould
Question:43. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the process for notification of entitlements for carers following the death of the person they are caring for. [46298/26]
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.
Following the death of the person being cared for, the payment of CA continues for a period of twelve weeks. This is intended to allow the carer time to adjust to a sudden loss of income and to manage the transition to changed circumstances.
A sensitively worded letter issues from the CA section expressing condolences on the death of the person being cared for. The letter also advises the carer of further support and assistance available through the Department's Intreo office.
My Department is committed to delivering a quality customer service by continuously reviewing our processes and procedures. If there is a specific case that the Deputy would like examined, the Department would be glad to assist.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
School Meals Programme
Questions (44)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:44. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a pilot of the Hot School Meals Programme to be administered by Meals on Wheels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46282/26]
View answerWritten answers
All 3,200 primary schools and 550,000 children are eligible for hot school meals. Across all meal types there some 3,700 schools and 682,000 children are eligible for support. This equates to the distribution of up to 3.4 million school meals per week. The meals on wheels have 317 providers delivering 239,000 meals per month to 19,000 people. 11 Meals on Wheels providers are currently supporting 40 schools in the Hot School Meals scheme.
The Department of Education and Youth Schools Procurement Unit provide guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme. They have published mandatory call for tender procurement documentation and produced guidance documents.
There are over 300 school meal providers delivering school meals across the country, they consist of a diverse group of organisations from the large national supplier, regional suppliers, to local restaurants and food outlets as well as meals on wheels. The advice my Department has given to schools is that you can procure your school meals from any registered food business provider you wish as long as they meet the standards set in the procurement documentation. This includes local cafés, restaurants, caterers, meals on wheels services and community organisations registered as food business operators. There is no specific pilot in relation Meals on Wheels.
I would encourage local food businesses, meals on wheels services to engage with their local schools when they tender for a school meals provider.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Disability Issues
Questions (45)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:45. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that parents of children with additional needs may be unable to receive disability-related payments, such as the domiciliary care allowance if they take holidays exceeding two weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46324/26]
View answerWritten answers
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a non-means-tested payment to a parent or guardian in respect of a child under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention, substantially more than what is typically required by a child of the same age. More than 64,460 families are currently receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of approximately 73,580 children. The estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2026 is almost €359 million.
In general, most social welfare payments can only continue to be paid within the State, with specific provisions made to provide for a holiday. In the case of Domiciliary Care Allowance, legislation provides for the payment to continue for up to three weeks in respect of a holiday break outside the State per calendar year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Issues
Questions (46, 59, 60, 64)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:46. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is considering the introduction of a universal cost of disability payment that is not means-tested and not taxed, to help people with disabilities pay for additional costs associated with living with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46364/26]
View answer
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:59. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection following the Cost of Disability – Strategic Focus Network Summit; the way in which he plans to address the cost of disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46331/26]
View answer
Paul McAuliffe
Question:60. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection following the Cost of Disability – Strategic Focus Network Summit; the way in which he plans to address the cost of disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46358/26]
View answer
Paul Murphy
Question:64. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection when the cost of disability payment will be introduced; the approximate amount and frequency of payment at which it is likely to be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46271/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 59, 60 and 64 together.
Supporting disabled people is a key priority for the Government. We recognise the additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and we are committed 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.
Ahead of the Summit I ran a public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered, with over 1,100 submissions received, in a variety of formats.
The submissions also helped inform the agenda for the Summit which I hosted in the Aviva Stadium on the 13th of May 2026. It was an in-person and on-line event attended by over 300 people, including many people with disabilities, Disabled Persons' Organisations and other advocacy groups as well as representatives of many Government Departments.
The Summit was also attended by members of the Oireachtas together with senior Government Ministers including the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, and the Minister of State for Disability and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport. This attendance indicates 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. 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 are also needed.
The discussions at the Summit highlighted that the costs of disability are not uniform but vary significantly depending on the type and nature of a person's disability and his or her personal circumstances. Many costs relate to services that require measures across all sectors, including health, education, housing, energy, and transport.
A Report of the Summit will be published and presented to the Implementation and Monitoring Committee which is Chaired by An Taoiseach. It will set out the key lessons learned and inform the next round of Action Plans under the Strategy. It will also feed into the Budget 2027 process. No decisions have been made on the design or format of a payment. We are continuing to engage with stakeholders through their Pre-Budget submissions and at the Pre-Budget Forum which I will host on 1 July.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Care Services
Questions (47)
Brian Stanley
Question:47. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has considered recruiting more staff as medical assessors to speed up the process of appeals in invalidity, disability, and carers applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46150/26]
View answerWritten answers
Medical Review and Assessment Section of my Department has a proactive recruitment process over the years. The number of Medical Assessors has increased from 34 in 2024 to 37 at this juncture. Arising from the panel of successful candidates from the recruitment drive in Q4 2025, three have joined and have been trained in. Another new Medical Assessor will join the team in Q3 bringing the complement of Medical Assessor to 38.
Currently, 79% of medical opinions for appeal referrals are completed under three weeks.
I hope this clarifies for the Deputy.
Medical Cards
Questions (48)
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 answerWritten 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.
Care Services
Questions (49)
Grace Boland
Question:49. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider extending the eligibility for the domiciliary care allowance so that it continues until a child reaches the age of 18, in line with the transition to adulthood and continued care needs faced by families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46198/26]
View answerWritten answers
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a non means tested payment to a parent or guardian in respect of a child under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention, substantially more than what is typically required by a child of the same age.
More than 64,460 families are currently receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of approximately 73,580 children. The estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2026 is almost €359 million.
Domiciliary Care Allowance stops being paid when a child turns 16 years of age. If the young person continues to suffer from a disability that significantly impacts their daily living activities, they can then apply for a Disability Allowance payment in their own right of up to €254 per week. To avoid any gap in support, families can apply for Disability Allowance up to 3 months before the child’s 16th birthday.
Where the child's carer is also receiving Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit in addition to the Domiciliary Care Allowance payment, that payment will continue for as long as the qualifying conditions are met, even after Domiciliary Care Allowance stops. In addition, as long as the carer is continuing to provide full-time care and attention, they will continue to be eligible for the annual Carer's Support Grant. This year’s grant was paid to over 147,00 carers on 4th June and now stands at €2,000.
Any future reform of Domiciliary Care Allowance will be considered in the context of commitments set out in the Programme for Government and the overall budgetary context.
Home Care Packages
Questions (50)
Séamus McGrath
Question:50. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection to significantly increase the living alone allowance; and to review the qualifying criteria. [46326/26]
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 that are considered secondary in nature. The Living Alone Increase is one of those secondary payments. It is not a scheme or a stand-alone payment in itself, but rather it is a supplement to certain primary social protection payments for those who are in receipt of those payments and who are living alone.
The current rate of the Living Alone Increase is €22 a week. It has increased by over 144% since 2019 when it was just €9 per week. The most recent change to the rate was in Budget 2022 when it was increased by €3, from €19 per week to its current rate of €22 per week.
The rate of primary and secondary payments to pensioners, and their adequacy, are considered in the context of the annual budgetary process. In doing so, the Government considers evidence from a wide range of sources, including agencies such as the CSO, and also research submitted by advocacy groups such as the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, which uses a measure they call the “Minimum Essential Standard of Living," or MESL.
Any future changes to the Living Alone Increase, including the qualifying criteria and rate of payment, would have to be considered in the overall budgetary context, including possible increases to primary rates and other supports available.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (51)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:51. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider further changes to the community employment scheme as part of Budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45904/26]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Social Protection, I am fully committed to making the case for a fair budget that protects the people most in need in our society - particularly families on low incomes and those people, including pensioners and carers who are dependent on social welfare payments.
That is why the Programme for Government includes a range of commitments that will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.
In Budget 2026, I provided for a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures.
The objective of Community Employment (CE) scheme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their local communities on a temporary fixed term basis.
At the end of May 2026 there were 19,641 participants and 1,226 supervisors employed through CE across 805 sponsor organisations. The 2026 budget for CE is €415.00 million.
A number of changes have been introduced in recent times to support CE sponsors in their recruitment of participants, including:
• A provision to allow CE participants who reach 60 years of age to remain in CE until they reach state pension age.
• Some flexibility granted to CE sponsors to retain existing participants for extended periods in cases where a replacement can’t be recruited immediately.
• Changes to eligibility criteria extending CE eligibility to the adult dependents of those in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance.
• A pilot scheme to extend CE eligibility to those over 50 years of age in receipt of credits or a combination of credits & Jobseekers Benefit.
As part of the budgetary process, I will met with stakeholders at my Department's annual pre-budget forum. This will be a key input to the Budget 2027 formulation and the measures that I will bring forward for the consideration of Government.
Any further changes to CE would need to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
I recognise that employment, activation and income support programmes such as CE enable participants to make a significant contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for prospective future employment, as appropriate. I wish to re-iterate that the eligibility criteria, the duration timelines for participation and the referral process for CE continue to be kept under active review by my Department.
Pension Provisions
Questions (52)
Barry Ward
Question:52. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps being taken to ensure workers enrolled in the My Future Fund auto-enrolment pension scheme are provided with sufficient information to make informed decisions during the upcoming opt-out period starting in July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46167/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government contained a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System. The aim of introducing Automatic Enrolment is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income.
The new system - known as MyFutureFund - commenced on the 1st January 2026. To oversee the operation of MyFutureFund, a new State body - the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) - has been established.
All participants are made aware by NAERSA of the opt out window at enrolment stage. Adverts also ran in Q3 2025 and Q1 2026 on different elements of the scheme and to provide awareness that the website www.myfuturefund.ie has all the information necessary for participants and employees. There is also a contact centre which is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm for queries and outside of those hours the website is operational with a chatbot facility for non-personal queries.
NAERSA has responsibility for the running of communications campaigns regarding MyFutureFund since the commencement of enrolments. I have been advised by NAERSA that it recently launched a Summer campaign on social media, print, radio and TV highlighting the benefits of MyFutureFund for participants. Alongside this, my Department will continue to work closely with NAERSA to ensure that stakeholders are aware of the scheme, the easy administration for employers, and the benefits of saving for retirement for employees.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Child Poverty
Questions (53)
Cathy Bennett
Question:53. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline his targets regarding the eradication of child poverty; the steps he has taken in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46032/26]
View answerWritten answers
Reducing child poverty is a key priority for this Government, as set out in the Programme for Government. The Department of the Taoiseach's Child Poverty and Wellbeing Programme Office continues to lead and drive this important work across Government.
In September 2025, Government agreed a new child poverty target to reduce the child consistent poverty rate to 3 per cent or less by 2030. This ambitious target represents a reduction from the rate of 7.8 per cent. The target is guiding cross-Government action on child poverty and helps ensure resources are directed to families most in need.
In addition, the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office has also developed a Dashboard of Indicators to complement this target and measure child poverty in a more holistic way.
I was pleased to see a reduction in the Central Statistics Office Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) 2025 of national child consistent poverty, from 8.5% in 2024 to 7.8% in 2025, equivalent to an 8.5% reduction year-on-year, and reflecting the impact of Government measures to date.
It is important to note that as a developed economy, poverty in Ireland is measured on a relative rather than an absolute basis. In other words, poverty is assessed by comparing a person's income to the average income in society. As a relatively high income country, this means that many people assessed as experiencing poverty in Ireland might not be considered as poor in other EU countries.
Nevertheless, as we are committed to social cohesion it is important to retain this approach. Moreover the consistent poverty measure that we use is unique to Ireland and captures those children in families that are at both at risk of relative poverty and those who self-report material deprivation.
It is also important to remember that the SILC data from the Central Statistics Office has a time lag and is based on income from 2024 – the data therefore does not yet reflect the impact of very significant Budget 2026 measures.
Despite this, we fully recognise that much more needs to be done to reduce child poverty, and to deliver our target by the end of 2030.
Achieving this requires sustained investment and cross-Government commitment over many years.
Budget 2026 reflects this commitment, with €320 million alone allocated to my Department to address child poverty. Significant measures include record increases in the Child Support Payment, higher Working Family Payment thresholds, and broader access to Fuel Allowance and the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, and expansion of Hot School Meals. These build on important initiatives already underway such as free schoolbooks, free GP visit cards and early childhood supports.
Reflecting the need for a multi-dimensional approach, work continues across Government in other key areas such as housing, employment, childcare, education and health to address child poverty. The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2026-2030 published on 27 May, which contains a dedicated focus on child poverty, outlines many of these actions, with the aim of achieving our target by the end of 2030.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (54)
Brendan Smith
Question:54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to provide increased flexibility to local community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46238/26]
View answerWritten answers
The objective of Community Employment (CE) scheme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their local communities on a temporary fixed term basis.
In addition to providing eligible people with valuable occupational experience and training as a stepping-stone to employment in the open-labour market, schemes such as CE also support important and, in many cases essential, local community services.
The OECD in a published review of the CE and Tús schemes found a positive impact on the employment and earnings of participants, especially for older participants on CE and younger participants on Tús. The review also found that participants are less likely to rely on disability payments and are more likely to find employment after their participation.
At the end of May 2026 there were 19,641 participants and 1,226 supervisors employed through CE across 805 sponsor organisations. The 2026 budget for CE is €415.00 million.
A number of changes have been introduced in recent times to support CE sponsors in their recruitment of participants, including:
• A provision to allow CE participants who reach 60 years of age to remain in CE until they reach state pension age.
• Some flexibility granted to CE sponsors to retain existing participants for extended periods in cases where a replacement can’t be recruited immediately.
• Changes to eligibility criteria extending CE eligibility to the adult dependents of those in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance.
• A new pilot scheme to extend CE eligibility to those over 50 years of age in receipt of credits or a combination of credits & Pay Related Jobseeker's Benefit.
I recognise that employment, activation and income support programmes such as CE enable participants to make a significant contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for prospective future employment. I wish to re-iterate that the eligibility criteria, the duration timelines for participation and the referral process for CE continues to be kept under active review by my Department.
Child Maintenance Payments
Questions (55)
Mark Wall
Question:55. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the development of a second-tier child benefit payment; and whether the current plans to replace the child support payment with a new payment will reduce payments for current recipients. [46223/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to explore the introduction of a targeted child benefit payment. In line with this commitment my Department launched a public consultation on May 5th on a potential new targeted child payment (also referred to as a second-tier child benefit) and working age payment. The consultation process concluded on June 12th.
The new targeted child payment payment seeks to simplifying current payments options for families, providing similar support to families on similar incomes, without the need to be in receipt of a primary social welfare payment. This, in turn, aims to support the Government to meet its child poverty target of 3% of consistent poverty by the end of the decade.
In line with this policy objective, it is not anticipated that existing customers would see a reduction in payment. However, these are complex reforms, and it will take time to consider the input from the consultation process, and to progress more detailed design. It should be emphasised that no final determinations have been reached at this stage, and all options will be assessed and refined based on the feedback obtained during the consultation period.
It should be noted that the universal Child Benefit payment will not be affected by these proposed changes and will be retained in its current form.
I trust this clarify the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 56 answered with Question No. 26.