Written Answers Nos. 559-578
559. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal against the decision to refuse disability allowance in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved given the applicant contends that her means were incorrectly assessed. [33601/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is a service 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 there is no record of any appeal by the person concerned having been received by that office. I understand that the Department's Disability Allowance section have recently carried out a review of this claim, and the above named was notified of the outcome on the 21st May 2025.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office have contacted the person concerned directly, and have issued an SWAO1 - Appeals Form to them for completion.
On receipt of their response, the relevant Department papers will be requested from the Disability Allowance Section. When these are received the appeal will be assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
560. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for illness benefit in the name of a person (details supplied). [33603/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department received an application for Illness Benefit from the person concerned on the 15th May 2025. Unfortunately, the person concerned did not qualify for payment of Illness Benefit as she did not satisfy the PRSI conditions.
In order to qualify for Illness Benefit, you must meet conditions related to age and social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
You must have at least 104 class A, E, H or P social insurance (PRSI) contributions paid since first starting work. Only PRSI contributions paid at these classes are reckonable for Illness Benefit.
You must also meet either Condition 1 or Condition 2 below:
Condition 1
You must have 39 weeks of PRSI contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year, of which 13 must be paid contributions.
If you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, then 13 paid contributions in one of the following tax years can be used instead:
• either of the two tax years before the relevant tax year
• the last complete tax year (before the year in which your claim for Illness Benefit begins)
• the current tax year
OR
Condition 2
• You must have 26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the relevant tax year, and 26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.
• The relevant tax year is the second-last complete tax year before the year in which your claim for Illness Benefit begins.
• Example: If you make a claim in 2025, the relevant tax year is 2023.
The person concerned last had paid contributions in 1992 and as such she does not qualify for payment.
A letter issued to the person concerned on 19th May 2025 providing her with the full details of this decision. She should continue to submit medical certificates for as long as she is incapable of work in order to receive PRSI credited contributions.
If the person concerned is in urgent need of financial assistance, it is open for her to contact the Community Welfare Officer in her local Intreo office to enquire about assistance under the means-tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
561. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department is responsible for the Gender Recognition Act 2015. [33609/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Gender Recognition Act 2015 and its current provisions are the responsibility of the Department of Social Protection.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
562. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that due to a recent change in Department policy, activation officers are now required to meet with jobseeker’s when they have only been on a social welfare payment for 300 days; if he is aware that they are then referred to Intreo partners, i.e., local employment area service, and so on; if he is aware that individuals cannot be referred on to a community employment programme until they have been on a social welfare payment for 365 days and as a result jobseekers are meeting with at least two different agencies in the time before they become eligible for the programme; if he understands that this means those who are suitable for community employment are not getting the best chance to be referred on to the programme; if he is aware that this has resulted in local community groups in Meath and Louth noticing many issues with those who are being referred to them regarding their suitability for the programme (details supplied); if his Department will consider changing its eligibility policy on accepting trainees at the 300-day stage instead of waiting until 365 days have passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33622/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, I would like to acknowledge the important role Community Employment (CE) schemes play in providing valuable occupational experience and training as a stepping-stone to employment for people who are unemployed, schemes such as CE also provide important and, in many cases essential, services to their local communities.
The Deputy may wish to note that no changes have been introduced recently by my Department’s Intreo Employment Services in terms of its processes for referring suitable customers to its CE programmes.
Eligible customers can access CE through a variety of pathways. They may be referred from Intreo Employment Service or Intreo Partners following engagement with a personal advisor/case officer, they can submit an expression of interest in a specific CE vacancy via the Departments JobsIreland recruitment website and they may approach a CE scheme Sponsor or Supervisor directly for referral to a vacancy.
The Intreo Employment Service also operates a dedicated central CE recruitment team who identify eligible customers and make referrals where appropriate. CE is promoted regularly at recruitment events organised by Intreo and vacancies are promoted through JobsIreland and by CE Sponsors.
The general rule relating to eligibility for participation on CE is that the person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment for 12 months or more. This is to ensure that the scheme is targeted at those furthest removed from the labour market and who will benefit most from participation. The exceptions to the eligibility criteria apply to those who would be considered among the most vulnerable in society and include people from the Traveller or Roma communities and people with addiction issues or who have recently been released from prison.
My Department, working together with CE sponsors have made a number of changes in recent times to support CE sponsors in their recruitment and retention of participants. These changes include:
• 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 extend individual placements to retain existing participants in cases where no replacement is immediately available.
• 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 & Jobseekers Benefit.
I can assure the Deputy 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.
If there is a specific case to which the Deputy is referring, I would be happy to arrange to have the particular circumstances examined.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
563. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has a designated head of procurement; if each agency or public body under his Department’s remit also has a designated head of procurement; and if so, to list those entities, along with the name or grade of the person holding that role. [33648/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a designated Procurement Officer as provided for in the Department of Finance Circular 40/02. The Departments Procurement Officer is at Principal Officer grade.
Details in relation to my Department’s agencies are set out below.
The Citizens Information Board has a Procurement Officer at Higher Executive Officer grade.
The Pensions Authority has a Procurement Officer at Principal Officer grade.
The Pensions Council is an advisory body to the Minister and the secretariat is provided by the Pensions Authority. There is no designated head of procurement for the Pensions Council.
The Social Welfare Tribunal does not have any procurement of services in relation to the operations of the Tribunal. There is no designated head of procurement for the Social Welfare Tribunal.
564. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff within his Department and its agencies who hold a formal procurement qualification or certification (for example, CIPS, NFQ Level 6 or higher in procurement, EU public procurement training), broken down by organisation, in tabular form. [33666/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department implements strict governance of public procurement, and all staff involved in procurement must adhere to comprehensive rules set out in the Department’s Procurement Policy and Procedures.
The Department and its agencies fully comply with all government procedures for procurement, ensuring that best practice and regulatory requirements are consistently met across all operations. This commitment extends to all agencies under the Department’s remit, which are also required to maintain compliance with national procurement standards and the relevant EU Directives and regulations.
The Department has a dedicated Project and Procurement Policy Office, which provides support and guidance in procurement matters. Training and advice are provided by the Office of Government Procurement through regular online information sessions and in-person events.
There are currently 6 staff in the Project and Procurement Policy Office, all of whom hold an accredited Certificate in Public Procurement from Public Affairs Ireland.
565. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department and each agency or public body under its remit uses a formal contract management system or procurement tracking platform; to list the systems in use; and if they are centrally monitored or independently operated. [33684/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a robust governance process in place to assure the management control of procurement and contract management. A central register of all contracts awarded is maintained. This register is held on an in-house SharePoint application which is monitored by the Project Office & Procurement Policy Unit.
Details in relation to my Department’s agencies are set out below.
Citizens Information Board do not use a formal contract management system or procurement tracking platform. Citizens Information Board tracks contracts using excel based contracts registers.
The Pensions Authority use Sage 200 to track its contracts. This contract register is centrally maintained, monitored and reported on by the procurement team in the Authority’s Operations Unit.
The Pensions Council is an advisory body to the Minister and the secretariat is provided by the Pensions Authority. Procurement is handled on their behalf by Pensions Policy. There is no Contract Management System for the Pensions Council.
The Social Welfare Tribunal does not have any procurement of services in relation to the operations of the Tribunal.
There is no Contract Management System for the Social Welfare Tribunal.
566. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection for an updated timeline on the progress of the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025. [33726/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
On 22nd January 2024, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the entitlement of an unmarried cohabitant to a Widower's Contributory Pension. The Supreme Court judgment overruled a previous High Court decision and found in favour of the claimant and his children.
Following Government approval, the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025 was published on 13th March and Second Stage concluded in Dáil Eireann on 27th March. The Bill is scheduled for Dáil Select Committee Stage on 25 June. I look forward to working with the Oireachtas in ensuring this important legislation is enacted as soon as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
567. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding pension payment to person (details supplied); when payment will issue given that proposed recipient has been waiting for a number of years for Department sign off having reached pension age in early 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33732/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have been examining the issues in relation to this specific case.
Throughout this process they have engaged directly with the person involved and kept him briefed regarding progress.
The process has taken some time because the circumstances are unusual and have raised extremely complex issues that require engagement with a number of external stakeholders and other Government Departments.
My officials have briefed me on the matter, and I am now considering the appropriate next steps to bring the matter to a conclusion.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
568. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection for a full list of all documents, reports, strategies, and resources that have been “unpublished” by his Department over the past ten years (details supplied), including all such materials that have been “unpublished” by divisions, sections and units of his Department that became part of the Minister’s Department following a transfer of functions; and who “unpublished” the materials under a different Minister or Department. [33814/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the gov.ie website is the key source of information on government and public services, with approximately 75 million page views in 2024. It was also a critical information resource during covid-19.
In April 2025 the Gov.ie platform underwent a major system upgrade, carried out by OGCIO. Following this upgrade some links were unintentionally broken. Any broken links were replaced with placeholder text, “Item has been unpublished or removed”.
At that time, my Department worked with OGCIO to review our content on the site and resolve any broken links. The resolution of the issue is almost complete. OGCIO have informed us that a post-migration audit revealed that less than 1% of all pages were affected by broken links.
In reference to the Irish Times article of 17th June “Official documents are quietly disappearing from departmental websites. Why?”, we can confirm that the publication was not removed or unpublished from the site. The Action Plan on Food Poverty and the associated research report referenced in this article have been available on the gov.ie website since publication and can be found at the Social Inclusion Division page. The broken link referenced in this article was found on a related Press Release page, published on 11 July 2024 - Minister of State Joe O’Brien publishes the Food Poverty Action Plan.
We have been in touch with the journalist to thank them for highlighting this matter, and to let them know that we took immediate steps to re-establish the broken link on this page.
Every effort is made by my Department to keep gov.ie content up to date, accurate and accessible. We are committed to the open publication of government information and I can assure the Deputy that no systematic removal of links or documents has taken place. The issue here was a technical one which we have taken steps to resolve. If a member of the public requires access to a particular document that is affected by this issue, they can contact my Department directly.
569. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures her Department has put in place to ensure that school leaders and boards of management are not required to undertake significant administrative responsibilities, such as the establishment of school meal programmes during the summer break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33841/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 13th February 2025 the Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan announced details of the 2025 Summer Programme, and encouraged schools to participate. This programme was first established in 2021.
All schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for children with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, so that they can be supported, nurtured and encouraged to continue to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.
This year, a Holiday Hunger pilot project will be implemented by utilising the Department of Social Protection’s School Meals Programme and the Department of Education’s Summer Programme. Schools eligible for the School Meals programme will be able to make meals available for the Summer Programme.
The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Schools have a choice if they want to make meals available for the Summer Programme it is not compulsory. Over 900 schools have applied supporting over 68,000 children.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
570. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason no formal communication has been issued from the Department acknowledging the impracticality of introducing new initiatives, such as school meals in September, without proper support or timelines; if she will clarify her expectations for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33843/25]
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.
The Hot School Meals began as a pilot project in 2019 with some 30 schools. Since then it has expanded annually. There are currently 2,900 schools eligible for the Hot School Meals with the remaining 300 primary schools eligible from September as announced in Budget 2025.
Schools apply annually for the School Meals Programme and choose the start date of their programme.
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.
The Schools Procurement Unit, which is grant funded by the Department of Education, provides guidance to schools for all procurements matters pertaining to the School Meals Programme.
My department also provides a dedicated helpline 071-9138625 and queries can also be emailed to school.meals@welfare.ie
I trust this clarifies the matter.
571. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason carers allowance or benefit cannot be awarded to a family member living in a different county to help towards the cost of private care being paid for an individual who needs 24-hour care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33883/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in the Programme for Government.
Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. There are currently over 100,000 people in receipt of this payment with expenditure in 2025 estimated to be over €1.24 billion.
Carer’s Allowance is a means-tested income support for people living in Ireland who are looking after someone who needs full time care and attention. The time spent providing care must not be less than 35 hours per week.
The provision of full-time care and attention requirement is moderated somewhat by allowing a carer to work or engage in education or training for up to 18.5 hour per week. During this time, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person.
The full-time care and attention requirement is contained in the respective legislative provisions of the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Carer’s Support Grant schemes.
To provide full-time care, a carer does not have to live with the care recipient. However, a direct system of communication must exist between the carer's residence and that of the care recipient. This may be a telephone or alarm type system, in addition to full-time, in-person care of at least 35 hours per week, over 5 to 7 days.
In the case referenced by the Deputy, it is stated that the carer and person in need of care live in different counties. It is important to note that the county boundary is not an issue once the carer is in a position to satisfy the full-time care criteria.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
572. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons fuel allowance has not been awarded to a person (details supplied). [33901/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April. One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.
The person concerned applied for Fuel Allowance on 5 February 2025. It was decided that they were not entitled to the allowance as their means of €1,161.92 exceeded the income threshold of €1,048 to qualify. The decision letter that issued on 4 March included a breakdown of the means assessed. The means included the state pension and occupational pension of the person concerned as well as the state pension and employment income of their spouse.
If there is a change in their circumstances, it is open to the person concerned to reapply and their entitlement will be re-examined.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may award a supplement to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. This can include a heating supplement where a person has need for additional heating due to ill health or infirmity. All the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into account in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. If the person concerned thinks that they may have an entitlement to financial support, they should contact their local Community Welfare Office in the nearest Intreo ofice or the national community welfare services on 0818 607080.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
573. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number in receipt of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance in 2024, disaggregated by rate of payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33918/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra574. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the total administrative costs of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33919/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 574 together.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a Child Support Payment (previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child) is being paid and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are returning to full-time second level education and in respect of whom a Child Support payment is being paid.
The rates of payment for the 2024 scheme were €160 for children aged between 4 and 11 years and €285 for children aged 12 and over.
Back to School Clothing and Footwear payments totalling €57.04 million were made to 149,510 families in respect of 264,400 qualified children in 2024.
The breakdown of payments issued is set out in tabular form below.
|
Rate of payment |
Number of children awarded |
|
€160 |
146,540 |
|
€285 |
117,860 |
|
Total |
264,400 |
The Departments administrative costs are shared across all its schemes and services.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
575. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount his Department spent on advertising on a social media platform (details supplied) in the years 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [33980/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers over 100 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. We are committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services that are available to them. Public information campaigns, including advertising on digital and social media platforms, are an important part of this work.
The Department of Social Protection has not placed paid advertisements on X in 2024 or to date in 2025. We keep all forms of communication to the public, including social media advertising, under consistent review. All campaigns are developed and targeted carefully in collaboration with our media buyer using the best mix of media formats to ensure that the Department’s messages reach members of the public effectively, while ensuring value for money.
576. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims open for jobseekers benefit on 31 March 2025 before the jobseekers pay-related benefit scheme began; and if any consideration was given to retrospectively applying the new benefit to the cohort in receipt of the original payment.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33983/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit was introduced at the end of March this year. This new social insurance-based income support has replaced the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme for people who have become fully unemployed since the commencement of the scheme on 31 March, in line with the statutory conditions for the scheme.
A commencement date is required for the introduction of any new scheme. The Commencement Order provides that this scheme comes into operation on 31 March 2025. The scheme is available to those whose unemployment begins on or after this date as provided for in section 68KB(1)(d) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended.
The existing Jobseeker's Benefit scheme remains available for people who became fully unemployed before 31 March and such customers will remain on Jobseeker's Benefit until they return to employment, or their benefit runs out, whichever is the earlier, subject to the normal rules of that scheme. There was a total of 38,500 people in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit at the end of March 2025.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
577. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding that is available for the provision of reasonable accommodations for individuals in the public sector workplace; if his Department has issued a list of pre-approved reasonable accommodations available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33984/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra578. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Social Protection his Department’s policy on the disability equality training available for staff in the Civil Service; if this training includes information on reasonable accommodations and neurodiversity; if those in managerial roles are required to attend additional training on this subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33986/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 577 and 578 together.
My Department has no role in relation to the provision of reasonable accommodations or disability equality training in the public sector workplace. That is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and/or individual public sector organisations.
My Department provides a range of employment supports for people with disabilities working in the private sector and the community and not-for-profit sector.
In July 2024, my Department launched a new scheme called Work and Access. This scheme offers seven supports to improve access in the workplace for people with a disability. Funding is available for communication supports, work equipment and workplace adaptations. Jobseekers, employees, self-employed people and employers may apply for supports both for the business premises and remote workplaces.
Through this scheme, non-public sector employers can access Disability Equality and Inclusion Training, to provide employers and organisations with access to training for staff, to gain a better awareness and understanding of disabilities in the workplace.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
