Written Answers Nos. 351-380
351. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has commenced any assessment or scoping exercise into the legal recognition of non-binary gender under the Gender Recognition Act 2015; if so, the terms of reference of this assessment; and the expected date for its completion. [53232/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide the number of officials assigned to work on the assessment of recognising non-binary gender in law; and the estimated cost to his Department to date. [53233/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra353. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has commissioned any external consultants, research studies, or advisory groups in respect of legal recognition of non-binary gender; and if so, to list the contracts and the costs incurred. [53234/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra354. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has engaged with the Department of Foreign Affair &Trade, the Department of Justice of Home Affairs and Migration, and the Department of Children, Disability & Equality regarding the international recognition of Irish passports or other identity documents containing a non-binary gender marker. [53235/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra355. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which his Department proposes to amend existing databases, forms, and records to accommodate a non-binary gender marker; and if he has undertaken any analysis of the costs and technical requirements of this. [53236/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra356. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered the implications of introducing a non-binary gender category for statistical reporting in areas such as health, education, employment, and census data; and if so, to outline the preparatory work undertaken. [53237/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra357. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has sought or received legal advice from the Attorney General on the compatibility of recognising a non-binary gender in Irish law with existing legislation on family law, succession, taxation, and equality; and if so, to provide details of this advice. [53238/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the consultations he has undertaken with stakeholders on the recognition of non-binary gender; if she will publish the list of groups consulted; and if she will commit to a public consultation process before bringing forward any legislative change. [53239/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra359. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of legal recognition of non-binary gender on gender quota legislation, including political representation and corporate boards; and if he will publish this assessment. [53240/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra360. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has prepared any estimate of the long-term financial and administrative cost to the State of recognising non-binary gender in law; and if so, to provide the figures. [53241/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359 and 360 together.
The 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 Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth 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.
The issues raised by the Deputy, including the implications for Irish passports or other identity documents, will be considered as part of the work of that group.
At this point my department has not commissioned any external consultants, research studies, or advisory groups in respect of legal recognition of non-binary gender.
A Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth will be established comprising representatives from the LGBTIQ+ community and statutory and non-statutory bodies including Government Departments.
My department will be participating in progressing relevant actions in line with the Strategy and Action Plan.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
361. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the number of people in receipt of the living alone allowance per year from 2020 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53261/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra362. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of the living alone allowance, per year from 2020 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53262/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 362 together.
The Living Alone Allowance is an extra payment for people who are living alone and getting certain social welfare payments. The current rate of payment is €22.00 per week.
It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the cost of the Living Alone Allowance by year. The Living Alone Allowance is included in the overall expenditure of the primary scheme and is not accounted for separately.
The table below shows the number of people in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance at the end of December each year from 2020 to 2024, and at the end of August 2025.
Table 1: Living Alone Allowance recipients, by year
|
Year |
Recipients |
|
2020 |
218,728 |
|
2021 |
224,818 |
|
2022 |
233,425 |
|
2023 |
241,450 |
|
2024 |
248,671 |
|
2025 (August) |
253,737 |
363. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of expanding living alone allowance to all individuals over the age of 66; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53263/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Living Alone Allowance is an additional payment of €22 per week made to people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including state pensions, and who are living alone. It is also available to people who are under 66 years of age who are living alone and are in receipt of disability allowance, invalidity pension, incapacity supplement and blind pension.
The estimated annual cost of expanding the Living Alone Increase to all individuals over 66 years of age is €684.6 million. This cost estimate is based on the CSO's April 2025 population statistics for people aged 66 and above, net of the cost of existing recipients of the payment.
It should be noted, however, that such a change - payment to all individuals based on age regardless of household status or receipt of an existing social protection payment - would represent a fundamental alternation of the existing nature of the scheme, in addition to the cost of the change, which would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
364. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to urgently review a fuel allowance payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53274/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel Allowance is payable to people who satisfy the scheme conditions and who either live alone or only with certain qualified people. Entitlement to fuel allowance is based on a review of all people residing in the household regardless of their relationship to the customer.
A letter issued to the person concerned on 13 September 2025, informing them they did not qualify for Fuel Allowance as their partner was living at the address and not on a qualifying payment.
The person concerned requested a review and the review is currently ongoing. The Department have been in touch with the person concerned directly in relation to the review. They will be notified directly in writing when a decision is made or if any further information is required.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
365. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to address the additional cost of living experienced by people with disabilities. [53290/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment. Our Programme for Government commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.
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 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. My Department has been given responsibility to lead a Strategic Focus Network on the cost of disability. The work of this network, which will include disabled people 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. It is proposed that the first meeting of this group will take place in the coming weeks.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
366. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person will be reviewed (details supplied); if the decision on this application will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53292/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person in question is in receipt of an Invalidity Pension (IP) from my Department since 20 December 2007 and receives their weekly basic IP payment to their nominated bank account on Thursday of each week. There is no review of the IP claim currently underway.
An application for Fuel Allowance was received from the person concerned on 15 September 2025. They were found eligible for fuel allowance with effect from 18 September 2025 and notification of the award issued to them on 22 September 2025.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
367. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case will be reviewed of a person (details supplied) who has appealed a decision on carer’s allowance; if consideration can be given to expediting this appeal, given the person’s urgent financial circumstances and caring responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53305/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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 as the evidence provided does not indicate that the person concerned was providing a total of at least 35 hours care to the care recipient each week at the time of the original application as required by the governing legislation.
The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.
368. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for disability allowance for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53377/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and the habitual residency conditions.
I can confirm that the Department received an application for DA from the person concerned that they subsequently withdrew the claim. They then requested their claim be reopened on 19 August 2025 and additional information was sought by the Department. Based on the evidence supplied, the application was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 02 October 2025 and was given the right to request a review and/or appeal of this decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
369. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of years it will take before he will be in a position to abolish the means test for carer's allowance. [53384/25]
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 that we make progress in a way that is sustainable, and which balances the allocation of the available budgetary resources each year across all priorities. This includes funding services to other vulnerable groups such as disabled people, lone parents and children.
With this Budget, we are increasing the income disregard for a single person by €375 per week to €1,000. That’s an increase of 60% and means that a single person who provides full time care but does some part-time work can earn over €55,000 per year from that work, and receive a full carers payment. In parallel, we are also increasing the income disregard for a couple by 60% or €750 to €2,000 per week. That means that a person who is caring in a household where their partner earns up to €108,000 per annum will receive a full carer’s payment.
Further improvements to the Carer's Allowance means test will continue to be considered in the context of the annual Budget process and in light of available resources.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
370. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount disregarded from means assessment under the job seekers allowance scheme and the non-contributory pension scheme from income derived from seaweed harvesting; when this disregard was last adjusted; the change in the consumer price index since; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53536/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 152 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control Provisions) Regulations 2007 sets out the amount disregarded from means assessments under the Jobseeker's Allowance scheme and the State Pension (Non-Contributory) from income derived from seaweed harvesting. The amount disregarded is €1,270.
This disregard was last adjusted in the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control Provisions) Regulations 2007. This legislation came in to operation on March 29th, 2007.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) CPI Inflation Calculator calculates the percentage change in CPI between March 2007 and August 2025 at 30.8%.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
371. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person whose self-employed income derives wholly from seaweed harvesting is eligible to receive farm assist; if such persons are made aware of this entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53541/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarm Assist is a statutory income support specifically for farmers on low incomes. A person can qualify for Farm Assist if they are aged 18 to 66 and engaged in farming and meet the other statutory scheme conditions of the scheme.
There are currently just over 3,400 recipients of Farm Assist. Government has provided €46.99 million for Farm Assist for 2025. Expenditure for 2024 was just over €52 million.
In order to qualify for Farm Assist, a person must be engaged in farming and own or lease the land that is being farmed. A person whose sole income is derived from seaweed harvesting would not be eligible for this scheme.
However, where a person is eligible for Farm Assist, income up to €1,270 per year earned by that person, or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, from seaweed harvesting is not assessed in the means assessment for their Farm Assist claim.
Sectoral supports for the seafood industry, including seaweed harvesting, is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
372. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for disability allowance; the number rejected; and the number of those rejected who were successful on reapplication, in tabular form. [53548/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability. You can get Disability Allowance from 16 years of age. You can get Disability Allowance even if you are in school.
The table below provides the number of claims registered, awarded and rejected for Disability Allowance in each of the last three years. My Department does not collate statistics on the number of people who reapplied for Disability Allowance, or the outcome of reapplications.
Table 1: Disability Allowance claims registered, awarded and rejected, by year
|
Year |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
|
2024 |
29,177 |
18,657 |
20,343 |
|
2023 |
28,704 |
16,418 |
16,653 |
|
2022 |
26,021 |
13,817 |
14,593 |
373. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for carers allowance; the number rejected; and the number of those rejected who were successful on reapplication, in tabular form. [53549/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra376. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for carer's allowance in 2024 and 2025 to date; the number of applications that were awarded in 2024 and 2025 to date; the number that were refused, and number that were refused but then awarded on appeal, in 2024 and 2025 to date. [53686/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 376 together.
Carer’s Allowance is a payment for people on low incomes who are caring for a person who needs full-time care and attention because of age, disability, or illness.
Table 1 below provides the number of claims registered, awarded and rejected for Carer's Allowance, and Table 2 shows the number of appeals registered and the number that were successful in 2024 and to the end of June 2025. My Department currently does not collate statistics on the number of people who reapplied for Carer's Allowance, or the outcome of reapplications.
Table 1: Carer's Allowance claims registered, awarded and rejected, by year
|
Year |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
|
2024 |
23,303 |
16,279 |
9,937 |
|
2025 (to end June) |
12,864 |
10,201 |
5,648 |
Table 2: Carer's Allowance Appeals, by year
|
Year |
Registered |
Allowed |
Partially Allowed |
|
2024 |
4,041 |
550 |
57 |
|
2025 (to end June) |
1,947 |
335 |
22 |
374. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will propose a policy change to allow for carers to be eligible for the fuel allowance without another person in the house having to be on a social welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53557/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for Fuel Allowance are in place to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person aged under 66 must satisfy all the qualifying criteria including the household composition criteria. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty.
As part of Budget 2025 it was announced that from January 2025, Carers Allowance would be considered a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance purposes.
A change in the qualifying criteria such as allowing the payment of Fuel Allowance irrespective of a household’s composition, would have to be considered in the context of budgetary negotiations. Disregarding a household member who is not reliant on long term social protection payments would change the targeted nature of the scheme. Carers who are in receipt of the Carers Allowance payment and who live alone can access the Fuel Allowance payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
375. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a bereaved partner's pension application for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53559/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the purposes of Bereaved Partner's Contributory Pension, a person will be considered a qualified cohabitant, if the applicant lived with the deceased as a cohabiting couple, in an intimate and committed relationship for two years, where there are children of the relationship; or five years where there are no children of the relationship.
In determining whether a person is a qualified cohabitant, the circumstances of the relationship are taken into account, having regard to, but not limited to, the duration of the relationship, the basis on which the couple lived together, the degree of financial dependence of either adult on the other etc.
Having reviewed the facts presented with the initial application of the person concerned, their claim was disallowed as the information provided did not support a finding they were a qualified cohabitant.
On receipt of further supporting documentation from the Deputy, the application was reviewed and has been awarded. The person concerned is being notified in writing of the revised decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
377. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of death benefits under the occupational injuries scheme can avail of the living alone allowance; if not, if he will consider such a request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53769/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Living Alone Increase (LAI) is not a scheme or a stand-alone payment, but it is a supplement to a primary social protection payment of €22 per week made to people aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone.
A person over the age of 66 and who is receipt of death benefits under the occupational injuries scheme can avail of the LAI. LAI is also available for those aged 66 or over, where the person is in receipt of State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-Contributory), Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and Deserted Wife's Benefit.
LAI is also paid to people aged under 66 who live alone and are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
378. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will respond to the recommendation of the Comptroller and Auditor General that his Department should examine the scope for receiving more complete information on the economic sectors, source and type of income giving rise to Class S PRSI contributions; the procedures and guidance he will put in place as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53786/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has accepted the recommendation of the Comptroller and Auditor General and will work closely with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners to examine the scope to exchange more detailed information on the source and type of income giving rise to class S PRSI contributions.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
379. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the Comptroller and Auditor General's recommendation that his Department should introduce a formal strategy for both the regular review of older outstanding debt, in particular for pre-2011 cases and for the targeted review of certain cohorts of debtors on a periodic basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53787/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the recent publication by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of his report on the Accounts of Public Services for 2024, and in particular, the chapter on the Management of the Redundancy and Insolvency Payments Scheme Debts.
The Redundancy and Insolvency Payments Schemes are an important safety net for workers. These schemes provide a safeguard for employees' rights, ensuring they receive their statutory entitlements including redundancy payments and other pay related entitlements due, even when their employers face financial difficulties or become insolvent. By providing timely payments, the Department helps to maintain worker financial support during periods of employment loss.
While many of the employer debts raised by the Department relate to companies in insolvency, every effort is made to recover what is possible. The R&I debt management unit ensures that debt management and recovery cases are reviewed and managed effectively, that recoverable debts are pursued. The Department remains a preferential creditor for all the debts, including those that predate 2011.
The Department has noted and will implement the recommendation issued by the C&AG. The Department will continue to pursue all recoverable debts to maximise recovery and is committed to the ongoing improvement of debt recovery.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
380. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update as to progress on refunds to a supplier following an overcharge of almost €786,000 uncovered by the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to 98 schools during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic periods; the reason refunds are being made on a phased basis as opposed to a lump sum; the timeline of these refunds; the extent to which refunds are being successfully recovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53788/25]
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.
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 and it is the responsibility of each school board to administer the Programme in their school. School Meals Contracts are between the suppliers and the schools.
The funding to schools for the School Meals Programme is entirely separate to the Department of Education capitation funding which covers the day to day running costs of a school and teaching resources.
A routine School Meals inspection by Department officials was the catalyst for identifying the overcharging issue by this company. My Department has always advised schools that they must ensure that they reconcile the supplier invoices against school attendance and school meal use.
Refunds commenced on the 27th February 2025 from the company to the individual schools concerned. Each School was refunded in a lump sum. My Department subsequently recouped this funding from the schools. €720,092.40 has been paid in full. Four schools have an outstanding debt amounting to €35,674.10 which are actively being recovered by my officials. It is expected this will be concluded in full in the coming weeks.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
