Written Answers Nos. 653-672
654. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection how the budget increase of €12 for contributory and non-contributory pensions has been reached each year; if consideration has been given to index-linking these payments, as done in some EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2400/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 contains a commitment to develop a benchmarking approach for use in adjusting the value of State pension payments. The approach proposed by the Department, known as the smoothed earnings approach, was subsequently endorsed by the Pensions Commission.
In 2022 following on from the work of the Pensions Commission, Government decided that the Minister for Social Protection would, in submitting budget options, set out a rate of pension payment calculated using the smoothed earnings benchmark approach as an input for consideration as part of Budget discussions, on an annual basis, starting from September 2023.
Since then, this calculation was prepared and submitted annually to Government, most recently in September 2024, as part of preparations for Budget 2025. In assessing Budget options, and taking account of this calculation, Government was mindful that the cost of living pressures are most acute over the winter period. For that reason, rather than taking a simplistic approach to applying an indexed rate of increase to weekly rates of payment, the Government decided to 'front-load' supports through the provision of a range of once-off payments, including extra payments for people receiving Fuel Allowance, those in receipt of carer's payments and those living alone.
These payments were provided in addition, not only to the €12 increase in the weekly payment rate, but to the double week payments delivered in both October and December.
This combination of once-off payments in conjunction with the €12 weekly rate increase which came into effect only this month, not only exceeds the value of a benchmarked increase but ensures that a significant proportion of this value is delivered when people need it most over the winter period.
Post Budget analysis by the ESRI that shows that the package of measures introduced under Budget 2025 have resulted in average gains in income for most households this year.
655. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on an application for a carer's allowance application for a person (details supplied). [2402/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer'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.
Two applications for CA were received from the person concerned.
The person concerned was approved CA from 05 May 2016 for the first care recipient and 01 September 2022 for the second care recipient.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the carer cannot be engaged in employment or self-employment or training/study, however, where it is shown to the satisfaction of a Deciding Officer that adequate provision has been made for the care of the care recipient, the carer may work/be self-employed; engage on a training course for a maximum of 18.5 hours per week from 1 January 2020.
Following a revised decision the claim was stopped from 06 November 2024 in respect of both care recipient’s as it was established the person concerned was working over 18.5 hours per week.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 25 October 2024. 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 review was initiated on foot of correspondence received from the person concerned on 03 December 2024.
Following this review request, the application was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 18 December 2024 to confirm if all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied. The SWI is due to meet with the person concerned this week. Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
656. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal for a domiciliary care allowance application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2439/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 by way of a summary decision. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision shortly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
657. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeline for when the means test will be abolished for the carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2441/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra761. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will bring forward to the earliest possible date the timeline for the abolition of the means test for the carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3498/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 657 and 761 together.
The main income supports to carers provided by the Department of Social Protection are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.9 billion in 2025.
The Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. There are currently 98,117 people in receipt of Carer's Allowance and expenditure in 2025 is estimated to be over €1.24 billion.
The primary objective of the Carer’s Allowance payment is to provide an income support to carers whose earning capacity is substantially reduced as a consequence of their caring responsibilities and in so doing to support the ongoing care of the person or people in respect of whom care is being provided. It is important to note that the Carer’s Allowance is not intended to be a compensatory payment for the full value of earnings foregone nor is it a payment by the State for the provision of care.
There have been a number of significant improvements made to the means test for Carer's Allowance in recent years. 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. This amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €292.50 and €585.00 respectively since June 2022.
Notwithstanding these improvements an Interdepartmental Working Group with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth was established last year to examine and review the system of means testing for carer payments. The Group is chaired by my department and I expect the report its findings in the coming weeks.
The Government is very aware of the key role that family carers play in Irish society and the challenges they face. Thus, the Programme for Government - Securing Ireland's Future - has set out a timeline which commits to significantly increasing the income disregards for Carer’s Allowance in each Budget with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the Government.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
658. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will re-establish the independent and impartial County Tipperary Citizens Information Service (details supplied); if he will resource a re-established countywide citizens information service to attain European Foundation for Quality Management accreditation, as was in place at the time of its abolition; if he will ensure that the re-established service is resourced to produce regular social policy reports and analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2446/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you are aware, the Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body, under the aegis of my Department, that is responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services.
As you will be also aware, CIB delivers on this remit through providing some services directly and through funding a number of companies, including eight regional companies of the Citizens Information Service (CIS). These companies operate the national network of 90 Citizens Information Centres and 21 outreach locations, with South Munster and North Munster CIS having responsibility for the Tipperary area.
In February 2017, following lengthy and extensive analysis, and a detailed consultation period with all stakeholders, the Board of CIB made the decision to restructure the governance arrangements of the then network of 42 CIS companies, as well as 51 Money Advice and Budgeting Services companies, into 16 regional companies.
The aim of this restructuring was to improve governance arrangements and ensure a modern and streamlined citizen-focused service delivery model. The restructuring process was completed in October 2018.
In relation to Tipperary, there are five Citizens Information Centres located throughout the county, including in Clonmel, Nenagh, Roscrea, Thurles and Tipperary town. The separately CIB funded Citizens Information Phone Service is also available to the people of Tipperary and beyond.
As regards social policy funding, CIB provides funding to its funded companies, including CIS, through the annual Social Policy Grant Scheme, which aims to support and promote social policy work at a regional and local level.
In addition, the CIS submits data based on its services through Social Policy Returns. CIB informs my Department that in 2024, the five Citizens Information Centres in Tipperary provided a combined total of 165 Social Policy Returns to CIB, which is used to inform CIB's social policy research and reporting.
659. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection if the supplementary welfare allowance can be used to replace gas boilers for those who do not have the means to pay to replace them on their own (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2454/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources.
While the recently signed regulations (S.I. No. 749/20) prohibit the use of public funds to assist with the purchase of a new stand-alone fossil fuel boiler, it must also be recognised that the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is an essential support for people experiencing hardship.
Supports may still be provided on a case-by-case basis, in respect of costs relating to the repair of an existing fossil fuel boiler or the purchase and installation of a second-hand and - in exceptional circumstances - a new fossil fuel boiler. Support may also continue to be paid in respect of non-fossil fuel heating, such as electric or biomass heating solutions, where these are deemed to be a suitable option for the person’s circumstances.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
660. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to address an issue over the hot lunch programme affecting a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2480/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
My Department has engaged with a number of schools that have been unable to secure a hot meals supplier due to their location, facilities or space. These schools have been advised to contact local caterers or supermarkets or try to source a local supplier that could 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. They will advise them of the meal options available to them and assist with any queries they may have.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
661. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures he will take to address the exclusion of coeliac children from hot school meals, to ensure their dietary needs are met in a fair and equitable manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2481/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
In 2023, my Department published an independent evidence-based Evaluation of the School Meals Programme which sets out the positive impact the Programme is having in terms of children’s education and wellbeing.
In Budget 2025, it was announced that the Hot School Meals Scheme will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025, meaning that approximately 3,200 schools and 550,000 children will be eligible for hot school meals in 2025.
A specific standard was set for School Meals under the Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals. These were based on the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Food Based Dietary Recommendations for healthy eating by a technical working group led by:
• the Health and Wellbeing Programme of the Department of Health
• Safefood and
• the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.
The primary relationship is between the school and supplier. All schools who wish to avail of funding under the programme are responsible for choosing their schools meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenderer’s responsibilities and obligations, including in relation to compliance with Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals.
Under the Hot School Meals Scheme, parents can choose food for their child every week from an approved menu which contains a range of options that are offered by the school’s supplier in accordance with Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals. The Department reviews the options to ensure nutrition value.
The menu must also accommodate those with food intolerances and allergies, including those with Coeliac disease. In addition, the supplier is required to check these details with the school upon award of the contract, in order to accommodate those children. The supplier must also provide clearly visible menu boards with an allergens list.
In December 2024 this Department established an interdepartmental working group, which includes the Department of Health, the Department Education and the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, to oversee and make recommendations on the operation of the scheme, including in relation to nutrition inspection and evaluation.
Under the Programme for Government the Department will continue to expand and improve the Hot School Meals Scheme and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, reduce food waste and utilise recyclable packaging.
On any occasion, where there may be any concerns about the options available for children with Coeliac disease in any specific school, they should be brought to my Department’s attention, and it will be followed up accordingly.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
663. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance appeal decision will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2500/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
664. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if social welfare recipients can be refused an additional needs payment to help cover the increased cost of fuel or heating because they are in receipt of the fuel allowance, given the cost of fuel has increased and the fuel allowance does not meet the current cost, nor is it set to meet the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2502/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources.
The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. While receipt of Fuel Allowance does not specifically disqualify a person from receipt of an Additional Needs Payment, consideration is given to any State supports that may already be available to the person.
Furthermore, under the scheme, a Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances that have exceptional heating costs due to ill health, infirmity or a medical condition and are unable to meet those costs out of household income. Heating supplement is not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the year.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
665. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused an additional needs payment for being in receipt of the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2503/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) is to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
Departmental records show that the person concerned applied for an ANP on 07/01/2025 to assist with the cost of home heating oil. This claim was disallowed on the basis that the person concerned is currently in receipt of Fuel Allowance. A letter issued to the person concerned on 21/01/2025 advising her of this outcome and affording her the opportunity to seek a review of the Designated Person’s (DP) decision.
Following the Deputy’s enquiry on behalf of the person concerned, a Reviewing Officer reviewed the claim and considering the circumstances of the case, upheld the original decision made by the DP on the basis that the cost of utility bills and heating costs are not unforeseen costs and therefore are expected to be paid from a person’s weekly household income. The person concerned was notified in writing of this review outcome on 31/01/2025.
Where any customer, including the person concerned has been impacted by Storm Éowyn, they may apply to the Department of Social Protection for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme. The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance to eligible households affected by a severe weather event.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
667. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity pension application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2541/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 by way of a summary decision. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision shortly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
668. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason domiciliary care allowance ceases at 16 years of age; if he will increase the age limit in line with child benefit due to the number of 16-year-olds not eligible for disability allowance who still have a condition requiring care by their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2543/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department provides the Domiciliary Care Allowance which is a monthly non-means tested payment to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability and requires care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age.
From January 2025, the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance increased from €340 to €360 per month. As of December, there were 57,132 families in receipt of the payment in relation to 64,429 children. Expenditure in 2025 is estimated at over €301 million.
Domiciliary Care Allowance ceases to be payable when a child reaches 16 years of age. The young person can then apply for Disability Allowance if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Disability Allowance is a long-term disability payment which is subject to a means test, medical assessment and a habitual residency requirement.
One of the key proposals in the Green Paper on Disability Reform, which my predecessor published in September 2023, was to extend Domiciliary Care Allowance to 18 years of age. In line with this change, the Paper proposed to also raise the qualifying age for Disability Allowance to age 18.
The Green Paper was a consultation document. Based on the feedback received during the public consultation, it became clear that there were significant concerns about the proposals in the Green Paper. Among these concerns, people in particular questioned whether it was appropriate to reform the system of disability payments separate to a wider consideration of other challenges faced by people with disabilities, including transport, health, education and access to employment.
The Department responded to these concerns and, in April 2024, it was announced that the proposals would not proceed any further.
As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Any future reform of disability payments, including Domiciliary Care Allowance, are being considered as part of this broader review of disability matters on a whole-of-government basis and will take account of the feedback received during the Green Paper process.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
669. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe for when the means tests will be removed for carer’s allowance; if there will be any change to the way carer’s allowance is taxed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2549/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main income supports to carers provided by the Department of Social Protection are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.9 billion in 2025.
The Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. There are currently 98,117 people in receipt of Carer's Allowance and expenditure in 2025 is estimated to be over €1.24 billion.
The primary objective of the Carer’s Allowance payment is to provide an income support to carers whose earning capacity is substantially reduced as a consequence of their caring responsibilities and in so doing to support the ongoing care of the person or people in respect of whom care is being provided. It is important to note that the Carer’s Allowance is not intended to be a compensatory payment for the full value of earnings foregone nor is it a payment by the State for the provision of care.
There have been a number of significant improvements made to the means test for Carer's Allowance in recent years. 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. This amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €292.50 and €585.00 respectively since June 2022.
Notwithstanding these improvements an Interdepartmental Working Group with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth was established last year to examine and review the system of means testing for carer payments. The Group is chaired by my department and I expect the report on its findings in the coming weeks.
The Government is very aware of the key role that family carers play in Irish society and the challenges they face. The Programme for Government commits to significantly increasing the income disregards for Carer’s Allowance in each Budget with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the Government.
Finally, the issue the Deputy raises regarding the tax treatment of social welfare payments is outside the remit of my Department and is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. There are a number of social welfare payments including Carer’s Allowance which, depending on a person’s circumstances, may be liable to income tax. The Department of Social Protection makes the payment to the individual without deducting tax.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
671. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a carer’s allowance application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2602/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer'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 03 December 2024.
A request for further information issued to the person on 05 December 2024 and 27 January 2025.
Following the receipt of the requested information, the application was examined by a Deciding Officer and the person concerned was awarded CA from 05 December 2024.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 29 January 2025 and the first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on 06 February 2025.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
672. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the renewal of a public service card needs to be done in person and no longer via phone or online, appreciating the challenge this poses for elderly citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2637/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe photograph on the Public Services Cards (PSC) must be refreshed every 10 years to ensure the efficacy and reliability of the PSC as proof of identity. This is in line with other photo identifications such as passports, driving licenses and in keeping with internationally agreed guidelines on photo IDs.
My Department provides an on-line PSC renewal service through MyWelfare.ie for customers who have a verified MyGovID account. The online renewal service was upgraded in June 2024.
Alternatively, a person can arrange an appointment to renew their PSC in-person at one of my Department’s PSC/Intreo Centres. Where a person has particular concerns about attending for any in-person service, the person should contact the office and ask to speak with the Access Officer.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
