Written Answers Nos. 299-311
299. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has concerns about the quality of meals being provided under the hot school meals scheme; if he has concerns about the amount of food provided under the scheme being binned due to these issues; if he has engaged with meal providers regarding this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50996/25]
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 Nutritional Standards for School Meals have been in place since the scheme's inception and were developed by a technical Nutrition Subgroups comprised of:
• Dieticians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland,
• The HSE,
• Safefood, and
• The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
These standards are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available on gov.ie.
I have directed that a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards be undertaken. This is being conducted by a dietician in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals. I have asked for a report on the nutritional standards to be submitted to me by the end of this year. In the meantime, food that is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt, was removed from the school menu from September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted, as an option, once a week at most when selected by the child’s parents.
Under the School Meals Programme, the primary relationship is between the school and supplier. My department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school. It is the responsibility of each school board to administer the Programme in their school including handling the procurement process in accordance with the rules and guidelines set out by the Schools Procurement Unit of the Department of Education and Youth.
As stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, that the school meal supplier is responsible for operating policies which progressively address environmental considerations such as waste and packaging. Depending on the school size and school meal requirements, the school will decide on the method and logistics that best meets their needs in line with environmental standards.
In addition, under tender documentation requirements, the school is committed to the principles of environmental management in its activities, and it encourages the implementation of sustainability principles in its procurement practices. The supplier should make all reasonable efforts to minimise adverse environmental impact in the methods of services delivery and in materials used. My department does not collect details of the amount of additional wastage from school meals as this is managed at school level under the relevant contract.
Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to expand and improve the Free Hot School Meals programme and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, the reduction of food waste and the use of recyclable packaging.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
300. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons given to his Department for the refusal of a school (details supplied) to sign up to the hot meals scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51001/25]
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 provides the funding directly to the school. 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.
While all primary schools are eligible, the School Meals Programme is not mandatory for schools. The decision to apply lies with the school principal and board of management.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
301. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale for deferring the €285 child benefit increment until 2027; the Department’s estimate of the number of children that will remain in income poverty as a result of this deferral; whether interim measures will be put in place to mitigate the impact on low-income families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51016/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes the commitment to explore a targeted child benefit payment and examine the interaction this would have with existing targeted supports like the Working Family and Child Support Payments. Officials in my Department are working on this commitment.
Child Benefit is a monthly payment to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their nineteenth birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability. It is paid in respect of almost 1.3 million children. Expenditure on the scheme is estimated at over €2.2 billion in 2025.
It is important to note that, in addition to Child Benefit, families on low incomes may be able to avail of other social welfare payments:
• the Child Support Payment with primary social welfare payments, €62 per week for those aged 12 and over, and €50 per week for under 12s.;
• the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
• the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
The ESRI has proposed a model for a Second-Tier Child Benefit which would abolish the existing Child Support Payment and remove core conditions for the Working Family Payment, involving a cost of €770m a year. It is important to note that the second-tier payment, as proposed by the ESRI, involves an entire re-engineering of current working age supports.
The ESRI analysis states that under its proposal, up to 100,000 children could see losses in household income, while 233,000 would experience gains. Further work is required to definitively quantify the number of people affected either way.
The impacts of any new second tier payment on work incentives, the labour market and existing Child Support Payment recipients needs to be carefully analysed. This work is complex and will take time to complete.
We know, based on ESRI research, that increases in the Child Support Payment and Working Family Payment are very effective at tackling child poverty, given that they provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income, thereby supporting low-income families with children. This is why payment rates of the Child Support Payment and weekly thresholds for the Working Family Payment were increased significantly in Budget 2025, amongst other measures.
For Budget 2026, the Government has emphasised the importance of directing support to families with children where it is most needed. The Government is committed to reducing child poverty and is looking at all options in this regard. There are a wide range of possible approaches, and we want to ensure these are given full consideration in the context of the Budget.
302. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of delays being experienced by former An Post employees in their applications for pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51087/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Pension (Contributory) is funded by the contributions paid into the Social Insurance Fund. In general, a person will qualify for State Pension (Contributory) if they are aged 66 or over and have between 520 and 2080, or more, reckonable contributions (of which 520 must be full-rate social insurance (PRSI) contributions). There are no issues or delays relating to An Post employees who meet the qualifying conditions with respect to the State Pension (Contributory).
Contributions paid at Classes B, C or D, i.e., those made by public servants recruited before 6 April 1995 are known as modified or reduced rate contributions and are not qualifying contributions for the State Pension (Contributory).
This is because such contributors pay less in social insurance contributions in return for fewer social insurance benefits. For example, Class D contributors currently pay a contribution at the rate of 1% on their weekly earnings up to €1,443 and 4.1% on weekly earnings over that amount, and their employers pay a contribution of 2.45% on all employee earnings.
In contrast, Class A contributors pay a contribution of 4.1% on their weekly earnings and their employers pay a contribution of 8.9% where employees' weekly earnings are €527 or less and 11.15% where their employees' weekly earnings exceed €527. Class A contributors have access to the full range of social insurance benefits.
Given social insurance contributions are paid over the working lifetime of a person during which time they may have had multiple, and in some cases overlapping, employments, or may have been awarded credited or attributed contributions, or paid for voluntary contributions it would be extremely difficult to associate entitlement to a benefit with employment with a particular employer; nor is this information required to assess eligibility to a pension. The Department does not therefore categorise or record applications for the State pension by prior employer name.
Matters relating to applications for civil and public sector pension schemes are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and questions relating to An Post employees in respect of these schemes should be directed to that Department.
303. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he plans on abolishing the means-test for the carer’s allowance in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50024/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and remains fully committed to supporting carers in that role.
The Carer’s Allowance scheme is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers. In 2025 the expenditure on the Carer’s Allowance scheme is estimated to be over €1.24 billion. There are currently almost 102,000 people in receipt of Carer's Allowance.
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. Given the likely costs of abolishing the means test - at least €600m but potentially far higher - it cannot be done in a single budget but it will be delivered over the lifetime of the Government.
Recent progress was made in July when the weekly income disregard for Carer's Allowance increased from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse or partner. This amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €292.50 and €585.00 respectively, or 88%, since June 2022.
The increases in July mean that a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €69,000 can retain their full Carers payment and even with an income of €97,000 they can retain a partial payment.
It is important to note that my department provides non-means-tested supports to carers including Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the annual Carer’s Support Grant of €2,000.
We will continue to advance the Programme for Government commitment over the lifetime of the Government having regard to the prevailing policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
304. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the means by which, under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People, the cost of disability, and an increase in the employment rate among people with disabilities, will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50847/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a range of commitments in relation to supports for disabled people. This includes a commitment to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment. However, we know that addressing the cost of disability is not a question of income support alone. The delivery of and access to services are also key. We need all of the Departments and agencies of Government to work together to address the issue in a comprehensive way.
That is why the Taoiseach set up a Cabinet Committee on Disability and a dedicated programme office within his own Department. In addition, the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 takes a whole-of-Government approach. The publication of this strategy sets out specific actions to be led by named Departments, including, for my own Department, the responsibility to lead a Strategic Focus Network on the cost of disability. The work of this network, which will include people with disabilities and their advocates, will inform the approach to be taken in delivering on the Programme for Government commitment. I have asked my officials to expedite this work with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of next year.
As the Deputy will be aware the last number of Budgets, included some specific measures to assist disabled people with the rising cost of living. As part of Budget 2025, for example, a €400 Disability Support Grant for people in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension, was paid in November 2024., together with a €12 increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments from January 2025.
In addition, we have taken a range of measures to help people with disabilities secure and maintain employment including changes to the Wage Subsidy Scheme, the implementation of an early engagement outreach process within the Department to link people with disabilities with dedicated employment advisors, and the introduction of a new range of Work and Access supports.
The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People sets out a range of commitments across five key pillars. My Department, alongside the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will lead the employment pillar, focused on improving access to the workplace for disabled people.
The Strategy will be supplemented by Programme Plans of Action every two years. These Programme Plans will set out how the key priority actions under each commitment will be delivered on, by whom, the timeframe for delivery, and relevant Key Performance Indicators. Reporting/updating on Programme Plans will be carried out every 6 months. The First Programme Plan of Actions 2025-2026 is currently being developed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
305. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures being taken to increase the participation rate of people with disability in the labour market. [50803/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a range of commitments in relation to supports for disabled people. In addition, earlier this month, the Government published the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. This is Ireland’s plan to advance the realisation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The publication of this strategy is a key Programme for Government commitment. It seeks to ensure full participation of disabled people in Irish society.
The strategy adopts a whole-of-Government approach with individual Government Departments and State Agencies responsible for planning and delivering the commitments that come under their remit across five key pillars.
My Department alongside the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will jointly lead on the employment pillar. My Department has clear commitments to build and expand on our successful employment programmes, to make these better known, and to remove some of the uncertainty around supports when a person returns to work. The Strategy will be supplemented by Programme Plans of Action every two years. The First Programme Plan of Actions 2025-2026 is currently being developed.
Commitments in the Programme for Government and in the Strategy build on the progress made in recent years to enhance our employment supports and improve access to employment for disabled people. We have taken a range of measures to help people with disabilities secure and maintain employment including changes to the Wage Subsidy Scheme, the implementation of an early engagement outreach process within the Department to link people with disabilities with dedicated employment advisors, and the introduction of a new range of Work and Access supports.
In December 2023, my Department established the WorkAbility programme. It is co-financed with the EU Employment, Inclusion, Skills, and Training programme. It aims to support disabled people into employment through 57 local, regional, and national projects.
We will advance our commitments over the lifetime of the Government and in light of available resources.
I trust this clarifies the position of the Deputy.
306. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the Parliamentary Question No. 1420 of 8 September 2025; the estimated number of anomalies under the yearly averaging method of calculating the rate of pay for the State Pension (Contributory); the different types of anomalies encountered by his Department under this system; the estimated cost to the Exchequer if these anomalies were corrected now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50920/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Yearly Average (YA) method of calculating State Pension (Contributory) payment rates has been used since the introduction of the contributory Old Age Pension (now State Pension (Contributory)) in 1961. The YA system measures the frequency rather than the number of contribution. The YA is calculated by dividing the total number of contributions accumulated during a person’s lifetime by the number of years since they made their first reckonable contribution. Under the YA approach, anomalies can arise because of the date of entry into insurable employment.
The main anomaly within the YA calculation method is that it is possible for people to start paying social insurance later in their working life and yet qualify for a pension at maximum rate. Entitlement to a full pension can in some cases be achieved from as little as 10 years of social insurance contributions.
Another anomaly arises where a person has a gap in their social insurance contribution record, possibly from periods spent caring for family or travel (which can be compounded by an early entry into the social insurance system due to work as a student). As a result, the person may qualify for a lower pension entitlement than a person with the same or fewer social insurance contributions. This occurs as their YA is calculated over the person’s entire ‘working life’. (i.e. their date of first social insurance paid to date of pension drawdown).
A number of recent reports have looked at the State Pension system and have endorsed that the YA system be replaced with a ‘Total Contributions Approach’ (TCA), which would make the level of pension directly proportionate to the number of social insurance contributions made by a person over his or her working life, with significant pension credits granted to people who have taken time out of the workplace to perform caring duties. Following on from the National Pensions Framework (2010), an interim TCA was introduced in 2018 that allowed all those who reached State Pension Age from September 2012 to be assessed under both the existing YA method and the new TCA method, with the person receiving the 'better of' the two rates.
Following on from this, the Pensions Commission, tasked with determining the sustainability of the State Pension system into the future, set out a wide range of recommendations to address future sustainability - including the full transition to the TCA model and the phasing out of the Yearly Average approach. Arising from these, a number of State pension reforms were enacted in the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023, which represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State pension system.
Among these reforms, the 2023 Act introduced a ten-year phased transition from the YA method of calculation of State Pension (Contributory) to TCA as the sole method of calculation. The ten-year transitional arrangements are to avoid a ‘cliff edge’ effect. The first year of phasing-out began in January 2025. From 2034 the YA method of calculation will no longer be used, and all State Pension (Contributory) calculations will be done using the TCA method.
TCA is a fairer and more transparent method for calculating the contributory pension and will remove the existing anomalies. The total contributions approach resolves the anomalies arising from the YA calculation model as the year a person commenced paying social insurance contributions will no longer be a key determining factor for pension entitlement rate calculation.
Instead, the totality of social insurance contributions paid and credited will be simply added together. This is an equitable approach as pension outcomes are more in line with the total number of contributions paid and credited. The principle of higher contributory entitlements for those who contribute more frequently into the social insurance fund is central to contributory pensions around the world.
Under the TCA approach to get a maximum pension requires 2080 contributions, equivalent of 40 years, for full rate and it includes provisions for up to 10 years of PRSI credits, and up to 20 years of homecaring periods with a cap of 20 years (1040) combined PRSI credits and homecaring periods.
The Department has no plans to retrospectively look at pension rates calculated and all those who are currently in receipt of the State Pension (Contributory) qualified for their rate of payment based on the legislation in place when they qualified.
The Pensions Commissions estimated that the full move to TCA would result in annual savings to the Social Insurance Fund in the region of €440m by 2040, increasing to €2bn by 2070.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
307. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the interdepartmental working group on non-binary gender; the actions of the group today; the reports produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50967/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Review Group for the Gender Recognition Act recommended in its report extending legal gender recognition to non-binary people, while also recognising the complexity of the issue and acknowledging that a comprehensive impact analysis may be required.
In June 2025 the Government launched the National LGBTIQ+Inclusion Strategy II (2024-2028).
As part of this strategy my Department has committed to progressing the action point to establish an interdepartmental working group to carry out an impact assessment on providing legal recognition for those who identify as non-binary.
My officials will engage with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to progress this matter.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
308. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether current social welfare rates are meeting the minimum essential standard of living in light of inflation and rising housing, energy and food costs; the revisions being planned in Budget 2026 to address adequacy concerns; the means by which the Department ensures that vulnerable households are protected from falling below subsistence thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51023/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Social Protection, I am committed to making the case for a fair budget that protects the people most in need in our society - particularly families on low incomes and those people, including pensioners and carers who are dependent on social welfare payments.
Budget 2025 was, for the third year in a row contained the largest social welfare package in the history of the State. This package included an across the board €12 weekly rate increase in primary payments.
Each year, the ESRI produces a post-Budget analysis of the main tax and welfare changes in the Budget. This analysis shows that the package of measures introduced under Budget 2025 would result in average gains in income for most households this year. It also shows that incomes have remained largely stable since 2020 despite a number of crises including the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in the cost of living.
I am therefore satisfied that the most recent Budget protected the most vulnerable in our society.
Focusing particularly on children in 2025, the MESL report notes the positive impact of a number of recent policy measures in this area, including the New Baby Grant, the expansion of the Hot School Meals programme and free school book schemes.
Nevertheless, the Government continues to monitor the situation and will of course take this valuable analysis from the Vincentian MESL Research Centre into account in preparing the Budget. The analysis from the Vincentian MESL Research Centre is funded by the Department of Social Protection.
The MESL report and other useful research and analysis, including the latest prices data published by the CSO, will be important inputs to the Government’s consideration when framing Budget 2026.
In July, I met with many stakeholders at my Department's annual pre-budget forum with a view to continuing this progress. I listened to their priorities for the forthcoming Budget. This will be a key input to my thinking on Budget formulation and the measures that I will bring forward for consideration of Government, particularly in the context provided by the Programme for Government's commitments on core welfare payments.
309. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the issue of a person (details supplied) regarding their employment support being cancelled when they changed job; to ensure her supports are maintained seamlessly; to ensure other persons are not affected by this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51053/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe individual concerned was receiving support under the Employment Support Scheme (ESS) by way of a payment to the employer. The ESS offered financial support to employers to cover a disabled employee’s productivity shortfall. The employer paid 100% of the gross wage, then claimed between 20%-50% back, depending on the employee’s productivity shortfall. It was never intended to pay for personal assistance.
Any employee in an ESS employment in 2005 when the scheme closed to new applicants was allowed to remain on the scheme, but only in that specific employment. There are currently 23 employees left on the ESS. If the ESS employment terminates, the employee cannot transfer their ESS to a new employment. They are welcome to apply for the Wage Subsidy Scheme.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) came into operation as a pilot scheme in September 2005. It replaced the Pilot Programme for the Employment of People with Disabilities (PEP) and the Employment Support Scheme (ESS), both of which were closed to new applicants at that time. Clients on PEP were absorbed into WSS, while ESS continued for those already on ESS. Following a review of its pilot phase, the Wage Subsidy Scheme was placed on a permanent non-statutory footing in October 2008. Employers are currently paid a base rate of €6.30 per hour, with a higher payment for employers with larger numbers of disabled staff under the scheme.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme recently underwent a review to make the scheme more accessible and flexible for disabled people and their employers. This was done after an extensive public consultation with over 1,000 responses. As a result, the minimum hours were reduced from 21 to 15, and the scheme is now open to the community and voluntary sector as well as to certain people in receipt of Partial Capacity Benefit. One recommendation that has been implemented was to remove terms such as ‘productivity deficit’ from the scheme, language that is still used in the ESS.
To embrace a rights-based approach to disability and better account for the dynamic nature of disability, the scheme has shifted away from solely focusing on the employee’s capacity. Instead, it now includes language around work adjustments that allow the employee to reach their full potential. The scheme is now better aligned with the social model of disability and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
In July 2024, my Department launched a new scheme called Work and Access. This scheme offers seven supports to help reduce or remove barriers in the workplace for disabled people. Funding is available for in-work support, work equipment, workplace adaptations and training. Supports are available for those on the Wage Subsidy Scheme. In-work support may be of interest to the individual concerned.
The individual concerned has been advised that they and their new employer are welcome to apply for the Wage Subsidy Scheme. In addition, they are welcome to apply for supports under the Work and Access Scheme.
I trust this clarifies the position for you.
310. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection to consider offering all persons in receipt of transitional jobseeker's allowance the choice to have their payment paid directly into their bank account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51076/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) is a provision under the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme and is available to lone parents who have a youngest child aged 7 to 13 years (inclusive).
Payment is made by Electronic Information Transfer (EIT) at a Post Office nominated by the person in receipt of the payment. This is in line with the payment method available for the Jobseeker's Allowance scheme, which is EIT.
Where a person is working part-time, as a casual worker or doing an internship, payment can be made by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), paid weekly directly into their chosen Bank account.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
311. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in Cork north-central that qualified for the fuel allowance in 2024/2025; the projected number for 2025/2026 under the widened eligibility rules for those aged 66 years and over; the breakdown of applications by channel (online, post, Intreo, community welfare officers); the average processing time for applications in 2025; and the measures being taken to ensure that all eligible households are identified and assisted before the end of October 2025. [51079/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance scheme is a means-tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is made over the winter season from September to April at the weekly rate of €33.00 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum instalments, one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.
In Budget 2025, a more generous means test was extended to those aged over 66, with a higher means threshold of €524 for a single person and €1,048 for a couple. Applicants aged over 66 no longer need to be receiving a qualifying social protection payment and the threshold for the capital disregard increased from €20,000 to €50,000. It was projected that 5,200 would benefit from this budget measure in 2025. For those aged under 66, the means threshold is now €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory for the household.
The records of the Department indicate that there are 43,922 Fuel Allowances paid to households in County Cork. The Department is not in a position to break down the figures for regions within a specific county.
Fuel Allowance is administered across a wide range of qualifying schemes and across different IT platforms and, as a result, the breakdown of applications by channel and average processing times are not readily available.
My Department has completed all the necessary preparations for the 2025/26 Fuel Allowance season. This will ensure that all current eligible customers will receive their first payment during week beginning 22nd September, whether by weekly payment or by instalment. The payments will issue to the customer’s nominated post office or bank account.
My Department issued a media release and sharing relevant information on social media channels. This is part of an annual information campaign to let people know about the Fuel Allowance payment and will include messages about the start date for payments, as well as information about who is eligible and for new applicants how to apply. Information can be found at www.gov.ie/fa throughout the year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
