Written Answers Nos. 648-669
648. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on his Department’s development of a sectoral adaptation plan for the water quality sector, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Quarter 3 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55493/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s second statutory National Adaptation Framework was published by the then Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in June 2024, and was developed under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act of 2015, which was subsequently amended in 2021.
As statutorily required by the National Adaptation Framework my Department has developed a sectoral adaption plan for Water Quality and Water Services Infrastructure which was submitted to the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment on 30 September 2025.
649. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units that have been realised from July 2022 to date from projects that availed of the Vacant Homes Refurbishment Grant in the cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny and Waterford, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55525/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022, provides a grant of up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes the number of applications, approvals and the total number and value of grants paid per local authority. This data also includes a breakdown of applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Derelict Property Top-up Grant for every quarter. The Q2 2025 grant statistics were published on 18th July 2025. This data can be accessed at the following link: Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2025).
650. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the pre and post BER of homes retrofitted as part of the retrofitting scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2025 to date, broken down by scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55762/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Local Authority Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP). This was designed around the Programme for Government's commitment to retrofit 500,000 homes to a minimum B2 BER standard by 2030, implementation of which is led by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. My Department is supporting implementation by seeking to ensure that approximately 36,500 are local authority homes. Each year the target number of units and funding provided under the EERP are subject to the funding availability as part of the annual Estimates process. The 2025 EERP budget is providing funding support of €90 million to retrofit 2,500 properties.
An annualised breakdown of the units retrofitted from the years 2013 – 2024 is available on my Department's website at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/
Under this EERP programme, my Department funds costs of up to €48,850 plus project management fees, on individual local authority homes. The programme has been devised in a way to give local authorities a level of flexibility when selecting properties to retrofit, ranging from those requiring minor levels of works to properties needing the maximum level of retrofitting required to bring them to a B2 standard. The actual cost of retrofitting works on each home will depend on its pre-works BER. Local authorities are asked to ensure that the average cost per home drawn down under the programme is circa €36,500, including project management fees. Adhering to this average will ensure that the maximum number of homes can be retrofitted with the available budget. For 2024, the average cost per property was circa €34,000.
The table below details the number of units and the average cost recouped to local authorities across various pre-works BERs over the period 2021 to 2024.
|
|
2021 |
|
2022 |
|
2023 |
|
2024 |
|
|
Pre BER Rating |
No of units |
Avg. Payable Amt. per EE BER Rating |
No of units |
2022 Avg. Payable Amt. per EE BER Rating |
No of Units |
2023 Avg. Payable Amt. per EE BER Rating |
No of Units |
2024 Avg. Payable Amt. per EE BER Rating |
|
B |
16 |
€9,262 |
60 |
€15,879 |
96 |
€26,430 |
71 |
€27,506 |
|
C |
325 |
€19,777 |
666 |
€23,295 |
722 |
€27,255 |
862 |
€31,395 |
|
D |
248 |
€22,402 |
603 |
€26,832 |
666 |
€31,062 |
792 |
€33,490 |
|
E |
241 |
€23,693 |
466 |
€29,441 |
559 |
€32,945 |
534 |
€35,941 |
|
F |
100 |
€24,414 |
271 |
€28,486 |
280 |
€33,956 |
242 |
€38,745 |
|
G |
108 |
€14,699 |
217 |
€25,978 |
122 |
€34,154 |
133 |
€39,369 |
Works for 2025 remain ongoing and full details in relation to the 2025 EERP scheme will be available early 2026.
651. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if under the successor scheme to the basic income for arts announced in Budget 2026, for individuals who are in receipt of social welfare payments, including disability allowance and carers allowance will be permitted to retain those payments while participating in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55097/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Research Scheme 2022 – 2026 is a research programme which has examined, over a three-year period, the impact of a basic income-style payment for artists and creative arts workers. The pilot scheme will run until February 2026.
For those participants in the pilot scheme who are also recipients of a social welfare payment, the Department of Social Protection treats income from the scheme as income from self-employment for the purpose of its various means tests.
This means that where a scheme includes a disregard of a certain amount of income from self-employment, that disregard is applied to income from the pilot scheme.
Budget 2026 has made provision for a future permanent successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot, subject to Government approval. The details of this successor scheme have yet to be finalised.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
652. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on current and future employment initiatives to support people with an intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55405/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of employment supports for disabled people including those with an intellectual disability.
My Department's Intreo service is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports in the State. Disabled people can access mainstream employment schemes such as Community Employment and Tús as well as referral to tailored supports such as Employability, a service that offers a professional job-matching service, on-going support and advice and information on employment supports for disabled people.
People with an intellectual disability can make an appointment to meet with a Designated Disability Employment Personal Advisor to discuss employment and training options. There is now a Designated Disability Employment Personal Advisor in each of the 62 Intreo offices nationwide.
In July 2022, my Department launched Early Engagement. The scheme aims to proactively engage with young disabled people or those in the early stages of disability or illness about options for education, training or employment. Over 33,000 people have been contacted and over 4,300 referrals have been made for further education or employment supports since the scheme launched.
In December 2023, my Department established the WorkAbility programme. It is co-financed with the EU Employment, Inclusion, Skills, and Training Programme. This programme aims to support disabled people into employment through 57 local, regional and national projects. Many of these projects such as Kare: Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities and Down Syndrome Ireland, support people with intellectual disabilities into further education, training and employment opportunities. The WorkAbility programme aims to support over 13,000 disabled people over its lifetime.
In July 2024, my Department launched a new scheme called Work and Access. This scheme offers seven supports to help disabled people get a job or stay in work. It also supports employers to take on or retain disabled people. Funding is available for communication supports, work coaches, workplace adaptations and disability equality and inclusion training. Supports are available for both the business premises and remote workplaces.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme supports employers to hire disabled people through a subsidy. In August 2024, my Department published a review of the scheme to make it more accessible and flexible. As a result, the minimum hours for the scheme were reduced from 21 to 15 hours. The scheme was expanded to those on Partial Capacity Benefit and to the community and voluntary sector.
An additional €3.7 million has been allocated to the scheme. In June this year, we launched the revamped scheme. A media campaign to raise awareness of this very beneficial scheme for employers and employees followed the launch. Budget 2026 has provided for a further expansion to people who acquire a disability while in employment and to those who transfer from Invalidity Pension to Partial Capacity Benefit.
Also as part of Budget 2026, the base rate of the Wage Subsidy Scheme paid to employers, will be increased from €6.30 to €7.50 per hour from April 2026. Where an employer employs between 7 and 16 employees under the scheme, they will receive a new rate of €8.50. In the case of an employer who has more than 17 employees, the rate will be €10 per hour for each employee.
In addition, the Government recently launched the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. This strategy prioritises a cross-government approach and my Department, alongside the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will lead the employment pillar, focused on improving access to the workplace for all disabled people.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
653. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to alter the criteria for carer's allowance for twins, which currently pays at one and half rate, to allowing a carer to receive full rate carer’s allowance for each individual twin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54576/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the enormous contribution that family carers make to Irish society and we are committed to supporting them.
Carer's Allowance is made up of a personal rate for the carer and additional amounts for child dependents. At the moment, the standard personal rate for a carer under age 66 is €260 per week and for a carer aged 66 or over the rate is €298. As a result of Budget 2026, these will increase by €10 to €270 and €308 per week respectively from January. Where a carer is providing full-time care and attention to more than one person as in the case outlined by the Deputy, the rate of Carer's Allowance payable is increased by 50% of the standard personal rate.
The current weekly of the Child Support Payment is €50 for a child aged under 12 and €62 in respect of a child aged 12 or over. From January these rates will increase to €58 and €78 per week respectively as a result of Budget 2026.
Similarly, the weekly non-means tested, social insurance-based Carer's Benefit payment has an increased personal rate where care is provided to more than one person. It is payable for up to 104 weeks in respect of each care recipient.
In addition to this higher personal rate of payment and Child Support Payments, carers of twins may also qualify for other supports from my Department.
The non-means-tested annual Carer's Support Grant is available for all full-time carers whether or not they are in receipt of a weekly carers’ payment from my department. The grant increased by €150 this year to €2,000 - its highest ever level. A grant is paid for each person being cared for.
Domiciliary Care Allowance is payable to a parent or guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. Where a person is caring for more than one child who qualifies for Domiciliary Care Allowance, they may claim the monthly allowance of €360 for each child. As a result of Budget 2025 this will increase by €20 to €380 per month from January. There is no restriction on the number of children a person may claim Domiciliary Care Allowance for.
It should also be noted that, in the case of twins, Child Benefit is paid at one-and-a-half times the normal monthly rate for each child. That is, €210 per month in respect of each child.
The Programme for Government contains a number of commitments to improve the supports available to family carers. These include a commitment to continue to increase the Carer’s Support Grant and to progressively increase weekly carer support payments. In addition, the Government has committed to examining how carers who are providing full-time care and attention to more than one person can be better supported.
These commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government and in light of available resources.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
654. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will re-examine an application made for carer’s allowance (details supplied) in respect of backdating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54577/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 27 August 2025.
CA was awarded from 28 August 2025. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 26 September 2025.
A backdating review was initiated on foot of correspondence received on 06 October 2025. Following this review, the CA has been backdated with effect from 24 April 2025.
Arrears due from 24 April 2025 to 27 August 2025 will issue to the nominated bank account of the person concerned.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 07 October 2025.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
655. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available to a person who has paid class D contributions rather than class A contributions for the entirety of their career, and now has limited access to supports such as illness benefit/illness pension, in view of the fact that they have been medically signed off as unfit to return to their job in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54669/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrior to 6 April 1995, civil and public servants did not have access to the full range of social insurance benefits as their terms of employment protected them against the main contingencies of illness and old age, and the risk of unemployment was not considered a factor due to the nature of their employment. In 1994, the Government decided that civil and public servants appointed on or after 6 April 1995 should be subject to the full (class A) rate of PRSI contribution.
Civil and public sector employees recruited prior to 6 April 1995 pay social insurance contributions at modified rates under classes B, C and D. Amongst the class B contributors are permanent and pensionable civil servants and Gardaí; the class C contributors are commissioned army officers and members of the army nursing service; and the class D contributors include permanent and pensionable employees in the public service, other than those insured at classes B and C.
Consequently, 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 1.1% on their weekly earnings up to €1,443 and 4.2% on weekly earnings over that amount; their employers pay a contribution of 2.55% on all employee earnings. Class D contributors are currently entitled to widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension, guardian's payment (contributory), occupational injuries benefits, parent's benefit and carer's benefit.
In contrast, civil and public servants recruited from 6 April 1995 pay a higher social insurance contribution of 4.2% under PRSI class A on their weekly earnings; their employers pay a contribution of 9% where employees’ weekly earnings are €527 or less, and 11.25% where their employees’ weekly earnings exceed €527. Class A contributors have access to the full range of social insurance benefits.
My Department does not have the details of the work history of the person referred to in the Deputy's question as having been medically signed off as unfit to return to their job in the health service and, therefore cannot comment on their entitlements arising from that situation. The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Pubic Service Reform and Digitilisation is responsible for policy matters relating to public sector pensions and the employment rights of public servants.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
656. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the guardian's payment (contributory) for a person (details supplied) was discontinued when the person began to receive disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54758/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGuardian's Payment is paid to a guardian solely for the benefit of a child, who is in their care and satisfies the definition of an "orphan" under social welfare legislation.
There is a general principle of one person, one payment, across the Irish social welfare system. This principle is common to social security systems across the world. DSP legislation stipulates that Guardian's Payment is not payable in respect of a child who has been awarded Disability Allowance in their own right. Consequently entitlement to Guardian's Payment ceased when the child was awarded Disability Allowance.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance and Respite Care Grant for the child. Domiciliary Care Allowance was paid up to his 16th birthday.
My Department also provides an additional needs payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This includes certain means tested supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place 0818 607080- which will direct callers to the appropriate offices.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
657. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will commission and publish research into legal gender recognition for those aged under 16 years-of-age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54773/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June 2020, the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future included actions to commence research to examine arrangements for gender recognition in respect of persons aged under 16 years.
The Department of Social Protection and the then Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth jointly commissioned this research, to identify the mechanisms used in other countries, which govern legal gender recognition of children aged under 16 and to provide practical advice in relation to recognition for this age group.
The paper was intended to provide targeted information on what is a complex and sensitive issue. The jointly commissioned research is being reviewed in light of the complexity and sensitivity of this policy area.
As the research relates to issues surrounding children it is a matter for the Minister of Children, Disability and Equality to consider.
658. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will establish a process by which Irish citizens born in Northern Ireland (NI) can access Irish gender recognition; if he will work with the United Kingdom (UK) and NI authorities to reinstate Ireland on the list of approved countries for recognising foreign gender recognition in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54774/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 9 of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) 2015 sets out the conditions which a person is required to meet in order to qualify for a gender recognition certificate.
The application process was set up to cater for applicants born in the State, born abroad but ordinarily resident in the State and born and living abroad but with an entry in the Foreign Births Register.
In June 2025 the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth launched the National LGBTIQ+Inclusion Strategy II (2024-2028). The issue raised by the Deputy with respect to the amendment of the GRA to apply to other applicants will be considered as part of implementation of the actions in the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy.
In relation to the recognition by the United Kingdom (UK) and NI authorities of an Irish gender recognition certificate, the only jurisdictions that are recognised by the UK and NI are ones that operate a similar processing system of gender recognition to the UK. The Irish gender recognition system would not meet those conditions.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
659. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was not awarded the blind pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54897/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBlind Pension is payable to persons who are blind and certain other persons with low vision, aged between 18 and 66 years, who are habitually resident in the State.
Blind Pension is a means tested payment and items which include cash income, the value of any property (excluding the person’s own home), employment, spouse’s employment, self-employment and income from other pensions, both Irish and foreign is assessable as means.
The person concerned has weekly means of €453.50 which is over the weekly statutory limit of €247.60. This income is derived from a private pension and, therefore, the income disregards associated with employment are not applicable in this case.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
660. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will issue a statement to person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54918/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy has now contacted stating that he wishes to withdraw the PQ as the matter has been resolved directly by the Department.
661. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any technical, legal, operational, or policy constraints preventing his Department, when publishing quarterly reports of payments or purchase orders over €20,000, from including additional columns that link each payment to its underlying procurement process specifically tender/contract title; name and address of the awarded contractor/supplier; contract award date; contract duration; expected contract value (excl. VAT); maximum contract value (excl. VAT); the unique identifier from the relevant contract award notice; and where such constraints exist, to provide details explaining his Department’s current process for reconciling each reported payment with the corresponding published contract award notice on eTenders. [55066/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with Circular 05/2023 (Initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement), contracting authorities are required to publish contract award notices for all procurements over €25,000 (exclusive of VAT), including any contract awarded under a Framework Agreement on completion of the award whether the procurement was advertised on eTenders or not.
My Department issues in the region of 31,000 payments annually for goods and services. Purchase orders over €20,000 (ex VAT) are published quarterly at [Purchase Orders for €20,000 or above] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/collections/purchase-orders-for-20000-or-above/) on Gov.ie.
Once a tender competition is concluded and a contract awarded, expenditure is managed in an internal financial management system. This system is separate to the national tendering system (eTenders). This is also separate to the internal contract register used to record contract details.
With regards linking expenditure with the procurement process, the Department must work to the technical specifications and functionality of the financial management software it utilises. This information is not linked to public procurement details on eTenders. The merging of all systems would be difficult and expensive due to technical and operational reasons.
The Department has an internal process which monitors all payments made and all purchase orders over €20,000 are checked quarterly to monitor compliance with procurement procedures.
662. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if all contracting authorities under the aegis of his Department are in full compliance with Circular 05/2023, in particular the mandatory requirement to publish contract award notices for all contracts above €25,000; and if he will provide details of the monitoring or enforcement arrangements in place to ensure this requirement is met. [55083/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
Details relating to these agencies is outlined below:
Citizens Information Board (CIB)
The CIB confirms that it is in full compliance with Circular 05/2023, Initiatives to Assist SMEs in Public Procurement, including the mandatory requirement to publish all Contract Award Notices for contracts over €25,000 on the e-Tenders platform. The CIB have internal processes and procedures in place to ensure this requirement is met, including tender process checklists for all tenders over €25,000.
Pensions Authority
The Pensions Authority confirms that it is in full compliance with the requirements of Circular 05/2023, Initiatives to Assist SMEs in Public Procurement, including the mandatory requirement to publish contract award notices for all contracts above €25,000 (exclusive of VAT) on the e-Tenders platform.
In line with the Circular, the Authority has implemented internal procurement procedures that ensure that all relevant contracts are advertised and awarded in accordance with the updated thresholds and transparency obligations. The Authority remains committed to transparency, good governance, and supporting SME participation in public procurement
Pensions Council
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 unit of the Department.
Social Welfare Tribunal.
The Social Welfare Tribunal does not have any procurement of services in relation to the operations of the Tribunal.
663. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a school (details supplied) and many other smaller rural schools are being disregarded in the provision of hot school meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55130/25]
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 programme is designed so that meals are provided by contracted food business operators. This ensures responsibility for food safety and legislative compliance is placed on these professional providers and not on the schools themselves. This also ensures children benefit from a reliable, high-quality service, while schools are protected from having to take on responsibilities more appropriate to the providers, who will have the necessary expertise and experience in food provision.
The recent refinements to the procurement system, which underpins the programme, strengthens it by ensuring consistent standards across all participating schools. They also reflect the combined input of several Government Departments and State agencies, ensuring that schools and providers operate safely and compliantly across areas such as food safety, health and safety, fire safety, and building regulations.
No new legislation has been introduced or application of the law changed.
Some 89% of primary schools with fewer than 50 pupils who participated in the School Meal Programme in 2024/2025 received a hot school meal. My Department will work with all rural schools to find a resolution in regards to getting the hot schools meals set up. Ballyguiltenane National School Limerick has been contacted by my officials.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
664. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a list of all studies, research and reports commissioned by his Department that were outsourced, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; the names of the companies to which each study, research and report was outsourced; the total cost for each; the number of reports finalised and presented to him that have yet to be released by his Department; the dates on which any such reports yet to be released were first provided to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55169/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails, as requested by the Deputy, are contained in the table below:
|
Name of outsourced Study/Research/Report |
Name of outsourced company |
Total Cost (inc. VAT) |
Dates on which any such reports yet to be published were first provided to the Minister (only if not yet released) |
|
Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund |
KPMG |
€352,395 |
Not applicable as report published |
|
Evaluation of the School Meals Programme |
RSM Ireland |
€118,707 |
Not applicable as report published |
|
Hot School Meals Pilot Project Report |
B&A Research & Insight |
€18,204 |
Not applicable as report published |
|
FEAD Programme Evaluation Report |
B&A Research & Insight |
€24,600 |
Not applicable as published |
|
Strategic Review of the Abhaile service |
Indecon (Ireland) |
€99,445.50 |
Not applicable as report published |
|
Evaluation of the Community Employment and Tús Schemes. |
OECD - Joint Research Centre (JRC) |
Nil |
Not applicable as published |
|
Research into the drivers and mitigating actions relating to Food Poverty based on case studies of two geographic locations (one urban, one rural) |
Amárach |
€58,974 |
Not applicable as published |
|
Poverty and Social Inclusion Research Programme, thematic report on EU poverty indicators used in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion in a comparative perspective 2018 - 2021 |
ESRI |
Part of a three year joint research programme
€60,280 - for the thematic paper |
N/A – Report published |
|
High-Level Independent Expert Review of the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund as at 31 December 2021 (commissioned in 2023) |
International Labour Organization |
€25,000 |
N/A |
|
Actuarial peer review of the accrued to date liability of social insurance schemes - effective 31 December 2018 (Commissioned in 2020) |
KPMG |
€12,100 |
N/A |
|
Employer Youth Activation Charter Consultation Process |
INOU |
€7,200 |
N/A |
|
Specialised consultancy services to review and undertake a quantitative analysis of the Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service
Commissioned in 2024 |
Indecon International Economic and Strategic Consultants |
€121,128 |
N/A |
|
Qualitative research of Unemployed People’s Experience of the Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service
Commissioned in 2025 |
Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed (INOU) |
€9,258 |
N/A |
|
Evaluation of Back to Work Family Dividend (commenced in 2023) |
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
€166,050.00 |
N/A – report in progress |
|
Evaluation Report for the provision of examining low hours employment in the Labour Market (commenced in 2025) |
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
€122,717.10 |
N/A – report in progress |
|
Thematic Report on Persistent Income Poverty and Deprivation in Ireland (2025) |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
€60,280 |
N/A - report published |
|
Technical Paper on Minimum Essential Standards of Living, Poverty and Deprivation in Ireland (2024) |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
€49,308 |
N/A - report published |
|
The Prevalence of Food Poverty in Ireland (2024) |
Amárach |
€58,974 |
N/A - report published |
|
Econometric Evaluations and Research under Pathways to Work (2023) |
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
€54,639 |
N/A - report published |
|
Thematic Report on Poverty and Social Inclusion Indicators (2023) |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
€60,280 |
N/A - report published |
|
Technical Paper on the Poverty Indicators for Social Inclusion in Ireland (2023) |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
€49,308 |
N/A - report published |
|
Mid-Term Review of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion (2022) |
IPSOS |
€37,823 |
N/A - report published |
|
Thematic Report on Headline Poverty Target Reduction in Ireland and the Role of Work and Social Welfare (2022) |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
€60,280 |
N/A - report published |
|
Technical Paper on the Measure of Basic Deprivation and Consistent Poverty in Ireland (2021) |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
€49,308 |
N/A - report published |
|
Social Transfers and Deprivation in Ireland: A study of cash and non-cash payments tied to housing, childcare and primary health services (2020) |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
€62,713 |
N/A - report published |
|
The Cost of Disability in Ireland (November 2021) |
Indecon International Research Economists |
€287,911.50 |
N/A -Report published |
|
Lone Parents Digital Activation – focus groups report (Commissioned in 2023) |
Ámarach Consulting |
€23,370 |
N/A |
|
Evaluation of Lone Parents Digital Activation Project (Commissioned in 2024) |
MCA Consulting |
€20,295 |
N/A |
665. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the research that his Department has undertaken to ensure that it is always more financially advantageous to take up employment rather than jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55277/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker’s Allowance is a means-tested social welfare payment for people who are unemployed. There are arrangements in place to incentivise and encourage people in receipt of the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme to take up work or to engage in training and development programmes to prepare for work.
A person can work up to three days per week and continue to receive a partial jobseeker’s payment. Under Jobseeker's Allowance, the first €20 of earnings per day is disregarded up to a maximum of €60 for three days worked, with the balance assessed at 60%.
Under the Back to Work Family Dividend scheme, people taking up full-time employment retain the Child Support element of their payment for two-years. The first year is paid at the full rate and the second year is paid at 50%. This means that they receive an 'in-work' welfare payment to supplement employment earnings.
People in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance can opt to return to education and training or to move into self-employment and continue to receive a welfare payment. For the full duration of their training or education course they will receive the full rate of payment. If they take up self-employment they receive a full payment rate for the first year and 75% rate for the second year. Jobseekers who take up work placement programme, Community Employment, or Tús placements also receive an increase in their payment rate and can also continue to receive any secondary benefits.
In addition, the Department supports employment transitions through the Part-Time Job Incentive scheme which facilitates part-time employment for up to 24 hours per week, and also provides supports to employees with children under the Working Family Payment.
My Department's Employment Service works with individuals to determine the most appropriate support to their circumstances.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment, my Department is examining a new Working Age Payment which would provide that employees would always see an increase in income when they work or take on additional hours. This would move away from the current days worked system under the Jobseeker's Allowance scheme. Officials in the Department are exploring a range of potential models for a new Working Age Payment. It is intended to publish a Strawman proposal for consultation later in the year or early next year.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
666. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available and taxes/levies charged from the State from 1 January 2026 to a single person where they are, in receipt of jobseekers' allowance and not working, working 19 hours-per-week at the new minimum wage rate, working 39 hours-per-week at the new minimum wage rate, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55278/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker’s Allowance is a means-tested social welfare payment for people who are unemployed. Household income, savings, shares, investments, property other than the home are considered to determine whether a person satisfies the means test.
Jobseeker's Allowance is not subject to income tax, USC or PRSI.
If a person is not working and has no other income, the maximum rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance for a single person will be €254 per week from January 2026.
A person can work up to 3 days per week and can qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance provided that they satisfy all elements of the means test. If a person works a full working week of 39 hours, they will not qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance. Depending on their family circumstances, they may be eligible for the Working Family Payment which is a tax-free payment available to employees with children.
There is a daily disregard of €20 applied for income under Jobseeker's Allowance giving a total disregard of up to €60 per week. The balance is assessed at 60%
The minimum wage will rise to €14.15 per hour from 1 January 2026. If a jobseeker is working 19 hours at minimum wage for 3 days per week, their gross income from employment is €268.85 per week. In this case the means assessed is €125.30 per week. Assuming that they have no other means then they would be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance of €128.70 per week from January 2026.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment, my Department is examining a new Working Age Payment which would provide that employees would always see an increase in income when they work or take on additional hours. This would move away from the current days worked system. Officials in the Department are exploring a range of potential models for a new Working Age Payment. It is intended to publish a Strawman proposal for consultation early next year.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
667. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department and each body under its aegis discloses expenditure on external consultancy and adviser fees, by category (details supplied) in their annual report and or financial statements for each accounting year; if they provide direct web links to the most recent publications where these Section 1.5 disclosures are set out for his Department and for each aegis body; and if they provide the total consultancy and adviser fees by the Section 1.5 categories for each of the past five years for his Department and for each aegis body, respectively; and the internal controls that are in place to ensure that these category-level disclosures are made annually and that procurement of such services complies with applicable competitive tendering rules, in tabular form. [55374/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsultancy is defined by the Department of Finance as where a person or organisation provides intellectual or knowledge-based services (e.g. expert analysis and advice) through delivering reports, studies, assessments, recommendations, proposals, etc. that contribute to decision making or policy development.
Total expenditure on Consultancy is provided in the Departments Appropriation account annually and is submitted to the Comptroller and Audit General for audit. These financial statements are published at www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/. Yearly expenditure for consultancy is published by the Department in tabular form by company, amount and purpose at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/organisation-information/department-of-social-protection-policy-on-procurement/ .
Expenditure on consultancy is closely monitored and only essential contracts are awarded following a rigorous assessment of needs and where the required competencies do not exist in-house. Approval is required of the Department’s Project Governance Committee (PGC), which is chaired by the Secretary General.
Bodies Under the Ageis of the Department
Citizens Information Board
CIB discloses expenditure on external consultancy and adviser fees in its annual financial statements in accordance with Section 1.5 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, Business and Financial Reporting Requirements.
The weblink to the most recent annual financial statements is below:
www.citizensinformationboard.ie/en/publications/corporate/
CIB ensures these disclosures are made annually and have internal controls in place to ensure the expenditure is reviewed through an analytical review process prior to submission of the annual financial statements for audit.
CIB has comprehensive procurement policies and procedures in place to ensure procurement of such services comply with applicable competitive tendering rules.
Pensions Authority
The Pensions Authority’s 2024 Financial Accounts can be found in its Annual Report on the corporate publications section of its website Annual report and accounts - pensionsauthority.
All previous publications of our Financial Accounts can be found in the relevant Annual Report available at pensionsauthority.ie/corporate-publications/publications-archive/archive/.
An internal control audit is conducted annually by its internal auditors and the Authority includes a Statement on Internal Control in its Annual Report. Procurement of consultancy services follows Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidelines, EU/national competitive tendering rules, and internal procurement procedures. Compliance is overseen by the Authority’s Audit & Risk Committee.
Pensions Council
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 unit of the Department.
Social Welfare Tribunal
The Social Welfare Tribunal does not have any procurement of services in relation to the operations of the Tribunal.
668. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will investigate a case (details supplied) concerning an individual who has recently become unemployed and is experiencing ongoing issues with social welfare payments; if he will ensure that the matter is resolved; if he will provide contact details for the individual’s nearest INTREO office to facilitate a meeting with an officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55403/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit (JPRB) scheme 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 31/03/2025 and who meet the statutory conditions for the scheme.
The purpose of the JPRB is to provide a financial cushion when a person loses their employment. It allows them to adjust to a period of uncertainty associated with unemployment. The scheme aims to support a person during this initial period while they seek alternative employment and adjust their outgoings.
A person must meet certain PRSI contribution requirements to qualify for the JPRB scheme, and the rate of payment is linked directly to a person's earnings, subject to maximum rates depending on prior contributions.
According to the records of my department, the person concerned applied for JPRB on 23/09/2025. The person was awarded JPRB from 29/09/2025. A letter dated 30/09/2025 issued to the person concerned confirming details of their JPRB including the weekly rates of payment for the duration of 39 weeks.
To-date, two payments issued on 03/10/2025 and 08/10/2025 to the person concerned at their nominated Post Office. The person will continue to receive their payment every Wednesday thereafter.
Should the person concerned wish to contact their local Intreo Centre in Coolock to discuss JPRB or any other issues, assistance is available by:
• emailing coolock@welfare.ie, by freephone at 0818 405060, or
• attending the Coolock Intreo Centre, Northside Civic Centre, Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin 17, where the team will be happy to assist and answer any questions the person may have.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
669. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the employment schemes or supports available for young adults with a mild intellectual disability in the Dublin 9 area; if he will provide details of the nearest INTREO office and contact information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55404/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of employment supports for disabled people including those with an intellectual disability.
My Department's Intreo service is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports in the State. Disabled people can access mainstream employment schemes such as Community Employment and Tús as well as referral to tailored supports such as Employability, a service that offers a professional job-matching service, on-going support and advice and information on employment supports for disabled people.
Disabled people in the Dublin 9 area can access these services in Ballymun Intreo centre on Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 9, D09 K8W2. They can contact the office at ballymun@welfare.ie or ring 0818 405060. Young adults with a mild intellectual disability can make an appointment to meet with a Designated Disability Employment Personal Advisor to discuss employment and training options. There is now a Designated Disability Employment Personal Advisor in each of the 62 Intreo offices nationwide.
Designated Disability Employment Personal Advisors also play a leading role in Early Engagement, launched by my Department in 2022. The scheme aims to proactively engage with young disabled people or those in the early stages of disability or illness about options for education, training or employment. Over 33,000 customers have been contacted and Designated Disability Employment Personal Advisors have made 4,300 referrals to further education and training, Employability, job vacancies and employment support schemes.
In December 2023, my Department established the WorkAbility programme - it is co-financed with the EU Employment, Inclusion, Skills, and Training Programme. This programme aims to support disabled people into employment through 57 local, regional and national projects. One of these projects, St Michael’s House WorkAbility programme, is located in Dublin 9. Through Workability, they deliver WorkSkills workshops, manual handling training as well as training and assisting young adults to become valued and active members of the workforce. They also support potential employers to provide employment for disabled people.
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, job coaches and training.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme supports employers to hire disabled people through a subsidy. In August 2024, my Department published a review of the scheme to make it more accessible and flexible. As a result, the minimum hours for the scheme were reduced from 21 to 15 hours. The scheme was also expanded to those on Partial Capacity Benefit and to the community and voluntary sector. Budget 2026 has provided for a further expansion, from January, to people who acquire a disability while in employment. In addition, the rates of subsidy paid under the scheme will be increased from April 2026 as a result of measures in Budget 2026.
In addition, the Government recently launched the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. This strategy prioritises a cross-government approach and 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.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
