Pa Daly
Ceist:620. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider paying travel expenses to assist with sourcing a lunch supplier for a school (details supplied). [43913/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (620)
Freagraí scríofa
There are some 2,200 primary schools currently eligible for hot school meals for the 2024-2025 school year. As announced in Budget 2025, Hot School Meals will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025 meaning that there will be 3,200 eligible schools in respect of 550,000 children.
All schools who wish to avail of funding are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules and the primary relationship is between school and supplier.
Funding under the programme is solely for food and is made available on the basis of a set price per meal per child per day. The subject of travel expenses for teachers is a matter for the Minister for Education.
My Department has engaged with other such schools who have been unable to secure a hot meals supplier due their location, facilities or space, and have advised them to reach out to local caterers or supermarkets or to try to source a local supplier that could instead provide a lunch with drink as an alternative to a hot meal. In such circumstances, many of these schools have been able to provide school meals to their pupils.
If the school referred to by the Deputy has any questions in relation to this matter they can contact officials of my Department at school.meals@welfare.ie and they will clarify any queries that the school may have and advise them of the options available to them.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (621)
Robert Troy
Ceist:621. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will urgently investigate a serious anomaly in an application for invalidity pension (details supplied). [43927/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Invalidity Pension (IP) is payable to an insured person who satisfies certain Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions and who is permanently incapable of work due to an illness or incapacity and for no other reason.
An application for IP was received from the person concerned on 24 September 2024. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. Notification issued to the person referred to on 27 September 2024 informing her of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal. The notification was re-issued to the individual concerned on 16 October 2024 following a call to my Department from her stating she had not received the original notification.
Following the submission of further medical evidence on 24 October 2024, a Deciding Officer reviewed her entitlement to IP. They have been deemed to satisfy the medical conditions for IP following this review.
The person concerned has been awarded IP effective from 26 September 2024 and will receive first payment to her nominated bank account on 14 November 2024. Any arrears due from 26 September 2024 to 13 November 2024 will issue shortly after first payment date.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance has remained in payment to the person concerned and will continue to do so until she receives her first IP payment.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Ceisteanna (622)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:622. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for partial capacity benefit in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43952/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (623)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:623. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of international protection applicants since 2019 who have been issued PPS numbers and who subsequently applied to have a parent, spouse or child added as 'qualified adult' or 'qualified child' for the purposes of social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43955/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Social Protection does not record if a person is a International Protection Applicant, neither at PPSN allocation nor at any stage during claim processing.
The Daily Expense Allowance is payable to all applicants for International Protection who live in or are on a waiting list to move into accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The current rate of the allowance is €38.80 per week for an adult and €29.80 per week for a child. An increased rate of €113.80 per week for an adult applies where a person is unaccommodated and is on a waiting list for IPAS accommodation.
The number of recipients of Daily Expense Allowance, the number on an adult rate, and the number on a child rate at the end of each calendar year 2019-2023 is shown in the below Table.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Recipients |
4,258 |
3,534 |
3,378 |
8,601 |
14,660 |
|
Number on Adult personal rate |
532 |
413 |
385 |
467 |
936 |
|
Number on Child rate |
1,025 |
904 |
1,551 |
1,959 |
3,614 |
|
Total Beneficiaries |
5,815 |
4,851 |
5,314 |
11,027 |
19,210 |
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (624)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:624. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of a situation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43957/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Disability Allowance (DA) is a means tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. The applicant must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect, which has lasted for one year or is expected to last for one year and as a result of which they are substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person’s age, experience and qualifications.
I can confirm that the Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 09 September 2024. The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information the person provides in support of their claim.
The application was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 13 September 2024 for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted their report to the DA section, a decision will be made on the DA application and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
In the meantime, the person concerned can apply to the Community Welfare Officer for the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) if they are in need of financial assistance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Ceisteanna (625)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:625. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal of a decision for admittance into the register of solemnisers (details supplied); when the appeal process will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43958/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm the appeal has been concluded in this matter and that a response has been prepared and is expected to issue to the society from the Appeals Officer in the coming days.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (626)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:626. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 17 October 2024, of the 15,947 people who are currently in receipt of a half-rate carer's allowance payment and the State pension, the number of these that are caring for two or more people; the cost of paying the State pension and the current full-rate carer’s allowance of €286 for those aged 66 years and over and caring for one person and also the cost of the increased rate of €429 for those aged 66 years and over caring for two or more people; the full-year total cost of such changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43994/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At the outset, it is important to clarify that where a carer is providing care to more than one person, the personal rate of Carer's Allowance payable is increased by a maximum of 50% of the standard personal rate. This 50% increase is not a Half-Rate Carer’s Allowance payment, but an exceptional increase in the standard personal rate.
The Half-Rate Carer’s Allowance payment differs in that it is available to those in receipt of particular social welfare payments who are also providing full-time care and attention. In these cases, a carer may retain their main, non-care related payment, and receive another payment, depending on their means, the maximum of which is equivalent to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance.
Further to Parliamentary Question No. 233, the most recent updated figure now available of those in receipt of a state pension and a half-rate of Carer’s Allowance is 17,245. Of that cohort, there are 16,707 caring for 1 person and 538 who are caring for 2 or more people.
• The estimated annual cost of providing a state pension along with the current full-rate Carer’s Allowance to the 16,707 carers currently receiving a pension and a half rate Carer’s Allowance is €489.3 million, of which €124 million is additional cost.
• The estimated annual cost of providing a state pension along with the current full-rate Carer’s Allowance to the 538 carers currently receiving a pension and a Carer’s Allowance enhanced rate for caring for 2 or more people is €19.7 million, of which €6 million is additional cost.
These costings are based on the current rate of Carer’s Allowance of €286 for those aged 66 and over caring for 1 person, €429 for those aged 66 and over caring for 2 or more people, and the current maximum State Pension (Contributory) rate of €277.30.
It is important to note that these costings are estimates based on current administrative data. They take no account of year-on-year increases in terms of recipients or increases in rates of payment.
Any changes, such as those suggested by the Deputy, while clearly having implications for overall spending, would also likely lead to implications for the rates of other weekly social welfare payments and as such could only be considered in an overall policy and Budgetary context.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (627)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:627. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of lone parents in receipt of the fuel allowance; the full-year cost of paying fuel allowance to lone parents who are €100 above the means test and also €75 above the means test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43995/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The main schemes in my department that provide support to lone parents and are qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance are the One Parent Family Payment and the Jobseekers Transition Payment.
One Parent Family Payment and Jobseekers Transition Payment are both non-contributory means tested schemes, therefore those in receipt of these payments are deemed to have satisfied the Fuel Allowance means test.
There are 25,885 recipients of One Parent Family Payment and 13,016 recipients of the Jobseekers Transition Payment are in receipt of Fuel Allowance.
Increasing the allowable means for Fuel Allowance purposes as outlined by the Deputy would therefore not benefit this cohort of lone parents.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (628)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:628. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the full-year cost of extending fuel allowance to those in receipt of the working family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43996/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
Based on 40,354 additional recipients of the working family payment qualifying for the fuel allowance, the estimated cost of extending the fuel allowance payment to all those in receipt of Working Family Payment is as follows:
|
Weekly Rate of Fuel Allowance |
Number of weeks payable |
Number of additional Claims |
Estimated Additional Yearly Cost |
|
€33 |
28 |
40,354 |
€37.3m |
Any further widening of the qualifying criteria for accessing the fuel allowance scheme can only be considered while taking account of the overall policy and budgetary situation.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (629)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:629. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the full-year cost of increasing the domiciliary care allowance by €10, €15, €20, €25 and €30, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43997/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The estimated full year cost of increasing domiciliary care allowance is outlined below.
|
Increase to monthly rate |
Cost €m |
|
€10.00 |
€8.02 |
|
€15.00 |
€12.03 |
|
€20.00 |
€16.04 |
|
€25.00 |
€20.05 |
|
€30.00 |
€24.06 |
The costs shown above are on a full year basis and are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2025. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2025.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (630)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:630. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44000/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 12th June 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
These papers were received on 1st October 2024 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 22nd October 2024, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Code
Ceisteanna (631, 660)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:631. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection when she will introduce the legislation for cohabiting couples to gain access to the widow’s, widower’s and surviving civil partner’s contributory pension following the Supreme Court decision on 22 January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44020/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:660. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any plans regarding legislation to change the criteria for the widow’s pension following the O’Meara judgement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44323/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 631 and 660 together.
Under the law as currently enacted, entitlement to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory pension is only available to a surviving partner who was party to a marriage or civil partnership.
As the Deputy is aware, on 22nd January, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the entitlement of an unmarried cohabitant to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory pension. The Supreme Court judgment overruled a previous High Court decision and found in favour of the claimant and his children.
In simple terms, the Court found that section 124 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) is inconsistent with the Constitution insofar as it excluded the claimant from the category of persons entitled to benefit from it. The Court reached that conclusion on the basis of the equality guarantee contained in Article 40.1 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court judgment notes that in order to resolve the issue raised by the judgment, a legislative amendment is required.
In June, I obtained Government approval for the priority drafting of the legislative changes required to respond to the Supreme Court decision. The General Scheme of a Bill was referred to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for priority drafting and to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny. The Committee issued its report on the 26th July.
My officials are continuing to work closely with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to finalise this legislation and I intend to introduce it to the Oireachtas as soon as possible once that is done.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (632)
Niall Collins
Ceist:632. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a carer’s allowance application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44022/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer's Allowance 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.
I can confirm that two applications for Carer's Allowance were received from the person concerned on 22 October 2024.
The person concerned was awarded Carer's Allowance in respect of two carees from 24 October 2024.
The first payment will issue to the nominated bank account of the person concerned on 31 October 2024.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 24 October 2024.
I hope this clarifies the position for the deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (633)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:633. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the supports that are in place for recently retired people who were Civil Service and public sector employees recruited prior to 6 April 1995; if she is considering changing the rules to allow this cohort apply for the living alone allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44023/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Matters relating to civil and public sector pension schemes are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. However, it should be noted that public service agreements relating to pay entitles civil and public sector pensioners covered by those agreements to pension increases.
In general, public servants recruited prior to 1995 paid a modified or reduced rate of PRSI Class (i.e., not the full Class A rate). Consequently, such contributors pay less in social insurance contributions in return for fewer social insurance benefits.
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 and cannot be made available to those who are not in receipt of a primary payment.
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. A person eligible for the LAI will receive the full €22 supplement even if they are not in receipt of the maximum rate of their primary payment.
For those aged 66 or over, payments eligible for the LAI include State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-contributory), Widow’s, Widower’s, or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil 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.
There are no circumstances where the LAI 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.
The Free Travel pass is available to everyone aged 66 or over who lives in Ireland, irrespective of whether they are in receipt of a social welfare payment or not.
The Household Benefits Package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The Household Benefits Package is available to all those aged 70 or over, subject to one package per household. Furthermore, the package is available to those aged 66-69 who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment, subject to satisfying a means test.
In 2023 I enhanced the Fuel Allowance qualifying conditions for those aged 70 or over. The enhanced qualifying conditions included that a person aged over 70 no longer has to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, thus allowing those in receipt of only a public service pension to qualify for the payment for the first time, where they satisfy the means test and other qualifying conditions. As part of Budget 2025, I announced that from January 2025, the enhanced Fuel Allowance qualifying conditions will now be available to those aged 66 and over, which will allow more retired public servants to qualify for the payment.
Finally, my Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an essential need which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers and can include payments towards essential heating or repair costs.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Ceisteanna (634, 635)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:634. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection further to correspondence received (details supplied), whether her Department exerts control over the salaries and the job descriptions of community employment supervisors, or the terms of the contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44067/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMairéad Farrell
Ceist:635. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection further to correspondence received (details supplied), if it can be confirmed that on 26 June 2024, her Department was asked to provide an outline offer by 19 July, but that did not happen, and the matter has now been escalated to the Workplace Relations Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44068/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 634 and 635 together.
Community Employment (CE) schemes play a vital role in the training and development of those who are long-term unemployed and who are furthest removed from the labour market.
CE scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding. The terms and conditions of employment for these employees, including remuneration, are primarily a matter for individual employers and employees as part of the employment relationship.
An increase of 3% from 1st April 2023 and 2% from 1st November 2023 was awarded as part of the 2023 pay increase to CE Supervisors which was funded by my Department as the programme funder.
Officials from my Department, as the programme funder, employers and union representatives continue to engage in discussions in respect of a range of issues including supervisor remuneration. In the context of funding for supervisors and assistant supervisors pay, I have written to my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform seeking his approval to ensure that a review can be successfully concluded as soon as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 635 answered with Question No. 634.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (636)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:636. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a pension certificate can be issued to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44069/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned has been in receipt of State Pension (contributory) since 26 May 2014.
I have arranged for annual tax statements for 2020 to 2023 plus a year-to-date statement for 2024 to issue to the person concerned which outlines the total taxable payments issued by my Department.
State pensions are not taxed at source by my Department. The person concerned can contact the Revenue Commissioners to determine his tax liability in Ireland, if any, and to request a tax clearance certificate if so required.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (637)
John Lahart
Ceist:637. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection how the procedures for means testing for disability allowance are carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44089/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Disability allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. The applicant must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect which has lasted for one year or is expected to last for one year and, as a result of which, they are substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person’s age, experience and qualifications. The person must also satisfy a means test and be habitually resident in the State.
Legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse, civil partner or cohabitant) applying to the scheme. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.
Recognising that all work is rehabilitative, DA is structured to encourage recipients to avail of opportunities to engage in either insurable employment or self-employment. When an individual engages in work, they can avail of an income disregard of 100% of the first €165 earned per week. 50% of their earnings between €165 and €375 are then disregarded for the purpose of the means test. Any amounts over €375 are assessed in full. This disregard is available to all DA recipients who engage in employment and there are no restrictions on the hours worked each week.
In June 2024, the introduction of new legislation meant that child maintenance payments are now excluded from all social welfare means tests.
Capital is assessed as means and includes savings and investments and the value of property owned, but not personally used. The table below sets out how capital is assessed.
|
Formula |
Weekly Means |
|
First €50,000 |
Nil |
|
Next €10,000 |
€1 per €1,000 |
|
Next €10,000 |
€2 per €1,000 |
|
Excess of €70,000 |
€4 per €1,000 |
Once the means assessed on a person’s claim are below their statutory limit (for a single person, this is usually the maximum personal rate of €232.00), they will be entitled to retain a weekly payment.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, you might provide the relevant details so that my officials can examine the specific case.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (638)
John Lahart
Ceist:638. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection how the procedures for means testing for carer’s allowance are carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44090/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse, civil partner or cohabitant) applying to the scheme. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.
If a carer is single, the first €450 of their gross weekly income is disregarded. If a carer is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, the first €900 of their combined gross weekly income is disregarded. For a couple, their combined gross weekly income (less any disregards) is then halved to give the carer's weekly means. PRSI, union dues, superannuation and travel expenses are also deductible. As part of Budget 2025, the weekly income disregard will increase from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse / partner. These changes to the income disregard will take effect from July 2025.
In June 2024, the introduction of new legislation meant that child maintenance payments are now excluded from all social welfare means tests.
Capital is assessed as means and includes savings and investments and the value of property owned, but not personally used. The table below sets out how capital is assessed.
|
Formula |
Weekly Means |
|
First €50,000 |
Nil |
|
Next €10,000 |
€1 per €1,000 |
|
Next €10,000 |
€2 per €1,000 |
|
Excess of €70,000 |
€4 per €1,000 |
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, you might provide the relevant details so that my officials can examine the specific case.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (639)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:639. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44137/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Disability 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. The 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.
The DA claim of the person concerned was reviewed by a Social Welfare Inspector during (SWI) 2023 due to their spouse’s self-employment income. Whilst the review was ongoing the person concerned transferred to Maternity Benefit and their DA was stopped on the 19 August 2023.
Their Maternity Benefit stopped on the 17 February 2024 and they applied to have their DA payment re-instated. An information request issued to the person concerned on the 20 March 2024, requesting details of the household. This information was received back on the 4 April 2024.
Their application was referred back to the SWI on 14 June 2024 for a report on the person’s means, their spouse’s self-employment and circumstances. The SWI met with the person concerned on the 4 July 2024 and again on the 27 July 2024. When all outstanding documents were received, the SWI report was returned for consideration on the 27 September 2024.
Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application review, they were advised that they did not meet the means criteria for receipt of DA, with effect from the 21 February 2024. A means assessment had determined that their means exceeded the statutory maximum allowed under the DA scheme. They were assessed with weekly means of €726.57 which is higher than the statutory limit of €478.00. Means were derived from their spouse’s self-employment.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 24 October 2024 and of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.