Written Answers Nos. 601-620
601. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider increasing the household benefit package to take into account the increases in electricity costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51184/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Household Benefits Package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €308 million this year on the Household Benefits Package.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Increase to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year and I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable groups. Any future decisions including any decision to increase the Electricity/Gas element of the Household Benefits Package will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. 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 that this clarifies these matters for the Deputy.
602. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the status of a jobseeker's application for a person's (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51203/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted an application for Jobseekers Allowance on 13/08/2025.
Jobseekers Allowance has been awarded from 01/08/2025 at €244.00 per week.
The first payment, including arrears will be available to the person concerned into their nominated back account on the 30/09/2025.
A notification of this decision was been sent on 25/09/2025.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
603. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process jobseeker's allowance applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51215/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra604. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process jobseeker's benefit applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51216/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra605. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process disability allowance applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51217/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra606. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process carer's allowance applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51218/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra607. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process carer's benefit applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51219/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra608. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process invalidity pension applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51220/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra609. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process child benefit applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51221/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra610. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process disability pension applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51222/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra611. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process maternity benefit applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51223/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra612. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process parent's benefit applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51224/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra613. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process paternity benefit applications per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51235/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra614. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process domiciliary care allowance applications per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51236/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 603 to 614, inclusive, together.
The Department is committed to providing a quality service to its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the differing eligibility criteria. Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of health-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested schemes can also require more detailed investigations and interaction with the customer, thereby lengthening the decision-making process.
Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised. In addition, the staffing needs of all areas are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources.
My Department does not collate statistics on processing times broken down by county. The average number of weeks to award a claim, the targets and performance in August 2025 and August 2024 for the schemes requested are provided in the tables below.
Table 1: Performance standard and average weeks to award for various schemes in August 2025
|
Scheme |
Target |
By |
Performance |
Average weeks to award |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
90% |
In 6 Weeks |
96% |
3 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
90% |
In 3 Weeks |
73% |
3 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
90% |
By due date |
95% |
6 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
90% |
By Commencement of leave |
94% |
6 |
|
Parent's Benefit |
90% |
By Commencement of leave |
98% |
1 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
80% |
In 10 Weeks |
88% |
7 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
90% |
In 10 weeks |
93% |
6 |
|
Disability Allowance |
75% |
In 10 Weeks |
90% |
6 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
90% |
In 10 Weeks |
94% |
6 |
|
Child Benefit |
90% |
In 4 Weeks |
75% |
1 |
Table 2: Performance standard and average weeks to award for various schemes in August 2024
|
Scheme |
Target |
By |
Performance |
Average weeks to award |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
90% |
In 6 Weeks |
96% |
2 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
90% |
In 3 Weeks |
90% |
2 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
90% |
By due date |
95% |
6 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
90% |
By Commencement of leave |
92% |
6 |
|
Parent's Benefit |
90% |
By Commencement of leave |
96% |
1 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
80% |
In 10 Weeks |
86% |
7 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
90% |
In 12 weeks |
96% |
5 |
|
Disability Allowance |
75% |
In 10 Weeks |
91% |
6 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
90% |
In 10 Weeks |
96% |
6 |
|
Child Benefit |
90% |
In 4 Weeks |
70% |
1 |
615. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process supplementary welfare allowance applications per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51237/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system and helps eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports available under the SWA scheme, can consist of a basic weekly payment, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs). The SWA scheme is administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS), 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.
It is important to note that, where my officials are aware that a customer has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the person in question receives a prompt service, usually on the same day.
When considering an application from people in financial difficulty for any payment under the SWA scheme, the CWO must consider all the relevant circumstances when examining a case in determining the most appropriate scheme type and level of assistance required. The CWO may ask for a number of supporting documents to ensure the customer receives a level of payment appropriate to their needs.
Where an application is complete and accompanied by the required documentation, an application for a Basic SWA is generally processed within 1 week and where the application relates to an ANP it is generally processed in ten working days. However, where an application is not finalised within this timeframe, the delay is generally due to additional information or documentation being requested from the person to support their application.
My Department currently does not hold statistics relative to the processing times of SWA payments per county. However, I can assure the Deputy that presently there are no backlogs in SWA claims and work on hand is within normal CWS processing levels.
The CWS is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
616. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process widowed parent grant applications per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51238/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBereaved Parent Grant (formerly known as Widowed Parent Grant) is a once off grant for widows, widowers, surviving civil partner's or surviving qualified cohabitants, who have one or more dependent children residing with them. In order to qualify for this grant, a person must be entitled to, or in receipt of Bereaved Partner's Contributory Pension, One Parent Family Payment, Death Benefit (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme), State Pension (Contributory) or State Pension (Non-Contributory), which includes a child support payment.
The average processing time for a Bereaved Parent Grant application is one week.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
617. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of foster carers or children in foster care who were able to avail of the back to school allowance this year, and the number of foster carers that applied and were refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51281/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
In order to qualify for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an applicant must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions, including the applicant must be in receipt of a weekly social protection payment or participating on an approved employment or training support scheme and the applicant’s household income must be within the relevant income limits. The income limits for the scheme are increased annually as part of the budget process.
The Weekly Household Income Limits for 2025 are:
|
No. of Children |
Income Limit |
|
1 child |
€694.00 |
|
2 children |
€756.00 |
|
3 children |
€818.00 |
|
4 children* |
€880.00 |
* Limit is increased by €62 for each additional child.
The household income includes weekly social protection payments, gross income from employment, minus employees PRSI and a €20 travel allowance and any other income the household may have.
Any income from Foster Care Allowance, Working Family Payment, Child Benefit, Rent Supplement, Back to Work Family Dividend, Guardian’s Payments, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Blind Welfare Allowance and Higher-Level Education grants is not assessable. Rehabilitative employment (up to €165 per week) is also not assessable.
This year, I was really pleased to announce extending eligibility for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance to children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid. It is expected some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
The number of foster carers or children in foster care who availed of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and the number of foster carers that applied and were refused is not available as the Department collates data based on the qualifying payment the applicant is in receipt of.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme opened to applications on 9 June 2025. Up to close of business on Thursday 25 September, Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments totalling €54.81m have issued to 143,134 families in respect of 253,576 children.
The scheme remains open to new applications on www.mywelfare.ie until 30 September 2025.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
618. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if foster carers who foster with a private agency are being refused the carers allowance based on the fact that they are fostering with a private agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51282/25]
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.
Foster carers may qualify for the range of carer related income supports including CA if they satisfy the eligibility criteria as outlined above.
CA is not refused to foster carers on the ground that they are fostering with a private agency. Decision on CA are made by Deciding Officers in accordance with the legislative provisions, taking account of all information and documentation provided as part of the application. Foster Care Allowance is not assessed as means for any social welfare payments.
This Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including foster carers, play and remains fully committed to supporting them. In the Programme for Government, we committed to examining the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers. We have done that, and I am really pleased that children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid are eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance this year, once they meet the qualifying conditions for the payment.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, you might provide the relevant details so that my officials can examine the specific case.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
619. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans made regarding pensions for foster carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51283/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters relating to foster carers, previously foster parents, are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
This Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including foster carers, play and remains fully committed to supporting them. The State Pension (Contributory) system already provides a range of measures to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment, such as PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards, and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.
Foster carers are entitled to benefit from these measures on the same basis as other carers and parents. If they are not in receipt of Child Benefit, they can still qualify for the Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla. Foster carers can register for up to 20 years caring periods for child under the age of 12, or for children over the age of 12 in the case of a child who requires additional nursing care.
Since January 2024, long-term carer's contributions can be awarded to a person who has cared for an incapacitated person demanding full-time care for a period of 20 years or more. These contributions are treated the same as paid contributions for State Pension (Contributory) entitlement only and can be used to fill any gaps in a person's contribution record, including satisfying the minimum 520 contributions, or 10 years, required for eligibility.
Foster carers who have cared for an incapacitated dependent or dependents for over 20 years also benefit from this provision.
These measures assist foster carers to access the State pension system in the same way as biological or adoptive parents, while ensuring that the system remains sustainable.
Any future changes to State Pension system would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context, including the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
620. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the abolition of the means test for carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51314/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government has clearly 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.
It is important to note that the process of easing the means test has already begun. The latest change occurred in July when the weekly income disregard for Carer's Allowance was increased from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse/partner. This was as a result of a Budget 2025 measure. This amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €292.50 and €585 respectively, or 88%, since June 2022.
The latest improvements mean that more carers can now avail of Carer’s Allowance and others already in receipt of the support may potentially receive a higher rate of payment. Since July a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €69,000 will retain their full carer's payment and even with an income of €97,000 will retain a partial payment.
I will consider any further improvements to the Carer's Allowance means test in the context of the upcoming Budget and in light of available resources.
