Written Answers Nos. 372-391
372. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE staff by grade and gender working in the National Community Welfare Contact Centre as of 25 November 2025, in tabular form. [67634/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCalls from customers with Community Welfare Service queries are handled by a two tier contact centre. Tier 1 calls are answered by the National Intreo Contact Centre (NICC) which provides a single point of phone contact for customers who are making enquiries about the range of Intreo services and payments. Tier 2 calls are escalated, where necessary, from the NICC to the Community Welfare Officer line.
While the NICC advisors take calls about Community Welfare Service (CWS) specific queries as well as the wider range of Intreo services and payments, CWS calls are answered immediately on a priority basis.
The tables below detail the number of full-time equivalent staff, by grade and gender, that were based in the NICC (Table 1), and on the Community Welfare Officer line (Table 2) as of 3rd November 2025.
|
Table 1 FTE staff by Grade and Gender - National Intreo Contact Centre |
|
|
|
|
|
Grade |
Female |
Male |
Other |
Total |
|
Principal Officer |
1.00 |
|
|
1.00 |
|
Assistant Principal |
1.00 |
|
|
1.00 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
9.20 |
5.00 |
|
14.20 |
|
Executive Officer |
12.60 |
6.00 |
1.00 |
19.60 |
|
Clerical Officer |
45.75 |
17.30 |
6.00 |
69.05 |
|
Service Officer |
|
1.00 |
|
1.00 |
|
Temporary Clerical Officer |
4.00 |
6.00 |
7.00 |
17.00 |
|
Total |
73.55 |
35.30 |
14.00 |
122.85 |
|
Table 2 FTE staff by Grade and Gender - Community Welfare Officer Line |
|
|
|
|
|
Grade |
Female |
Male |
Other |
Total |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2.60 |
6.00 |
|
8.60 |
|
Executive Officer |
2.00 |
3.00 |
|
5.00 |
|
Total |
4.60 |
9.00 |
- |
13.60 |
373. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the immediate and dedicated income support which has been provided to former franchisees (details supplied) and subcontractors who are currently unable to apply for the insolvency payments scheme; and the process by which they can secure an urgent needs payment or other welfare support without compromising any future claims against the receiver. [67663/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department’s priority is to support all workers affected and to ensure that they receive their statutory entitlements and appropriate income supports in a timely manner.
Direct employees of the company concerned were placed in a statutory consultation period, lasting 30 days. An employee remains in employment during the 30-day consultation period and continues to accrue an entitlement to their wages and holiday pay. Direct employees should not apply for Jobseeker’s payments during the consultation period as they remain employees until employment terminates
However if a person is self-employed as a franchise holder or sub-contractor, they may qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) if they satisfy PRSI contribution conditions. They can apply for Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (BASI) as an interim payment while their application is being processed, subject to normal eligibility criteria.
If a person who is a direct employee of a franchise Holder or of a self-employed contractor is impacted by the receivership e.g. now on temporary lay-off, they may apply for Jobseekers Pay Related Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance, depending on PRSI record and means. They can also apply for Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (BASI) as an interim payment while their application is being processed, subject to normal eligibility criteria.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to assist people with essential expenditure, which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income, and personal or household resources. SWA payments are administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS) considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. All ANP applications are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the need presenting. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.
If a person is experiencing financial difficulties, it is open to them to make an application for assistance by completing a SWA1 form. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at: www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. Alternatively, if you have a verified MyGovID account you can apply for an ANP at: www.MyWelfare.ie.
As always, my Department’s dedicated teams at Intreo and Employment Services are available to assist in any way possible.
My Department will continue to monitor the situation closely. In the meantime, if you have any further questions or know of someone who is in need of support, please don’t hesitate to contact the Department outlining the details of the person concerned for further review and advice.
374. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will arrange for a definitive answer to be provided to a person (details supplied) who has been in touch with his Department over the past several months seeking to determine her eligibility for a State pension (contributory); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67665/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 16 July 2013. There is no record of receipt of an application for state pension contributory or state pension non-contributory from the person concerned.
Correspondence issued on 19 May 2020 from my Department advising the person concerned that their employment from 1 January 2003 to 30 June 2011 was not insurable under social welfare legislation and that there was nil PRSI liability for this period. The Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) Schedule 1 Part 2 (1) provides that employment in the service of a spouse or partner is an excepted employment for the payment of PRSI.
The person concerned was also advised that if they did not agree that they were in the employment of their spouse, a sole trader, the case could be referred to a Social Welfare Inspector to be investigated as a business partnership. It is still open to them to request this.
It is also open to the spouse of the person concerned to apply for a qualified adult increase on their state pension contributory pension for the person concerned. The increase for a qualified adult is a means tested payment based on the means of the qualified adult.
Alternatively, the person concerned could apply for the State Pension non-contributory which is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 95% of the State Pension (contributory). The quickest way to apply is online at MyWelfare.ie if the person has a verified MyGovID account.
I have arranged for application forms for a qualified adult increase on State pension contributory and the state pension non-contributory to be sent to the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
375. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm if a person (details supplied) who was entitled to claim the bereaved partners pension received an interim payment while the legislation was being drafted; the way in which this interim payment was facilitated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67727/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January 2024, the Supreme Court found that section 124 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 (as amended) was inconsistent with the constitution insofar as it excluded the unmarried cohabitant applicant in that case from the category of persons eligible for a Widower's Contributory Pension. The Supreme Court recognised that legislation was necessary in order to give effect to its decision. As a result, the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 was enacted on 21 July 2025, which provides access to surviving qualified cohabitants to Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension. In accordance with this legislation where the bereavement of a qualified cohabitant occurred prior 22 January 2024, payment will be made from the date of judgment. Where the bereavement of a qualified cohabitant occurred after the date of the judgment and before the enactment of the legislation, payment will be back-dated to the date of death.
The Supreme Court judgment does not provide for an entitlement of backdated Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension prior to 22 January 2024 to any person.
The Department does not comment on any payments made to or entitlements of named individuals.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
376. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 502 of 18 November 2025, the advice she would give to a teacher who has moved schools in the past 12-months but, due to their child’s illness, are forced to temporarily leave work and cannot qualify for carer’s allowance. [67757/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf a person is not eligible for statutory Carer’s Leave but decides to take time away from their employment to provide full time care and attention to someone who needs it, they may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit paid by my Department.
Carer's Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment. The Programme for Government has 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. From July 2026, the weekly income disregard will increase from €625 to €1,000 for a single person and from €1,250 to €2,000 for a spouse/partner.
Carer’s Benefit is an entitlement based on the person’s social insurance contributions and can be paid for up to 104 weeks.
If there is a particular case the Deputy wished to have reviewed please supply details.
Applications for both schemes can now be made online via MyWelfare.
Enquiries relating to Carer’s Leave are dealt with by the Workplace Relations Commission.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
377. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a schedule of projects and costs incurred in respect of her engagement of a company in 2024 and to date in 2025 (details supplied). [67766/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has an Enterprise Agreement in place with the company in question since 2024. No costs were incurred in the year ending 2024 and no costs have arisen from projects to date.
As part of the Department’s commitment to emerging technology, it is trialling various technologies in a newly established Innovation Hub. The AWS costs related to this work amounted to €8,882 in 2025.
378. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of and amount in overpayments made, by heading, to persons in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will clarify whether a collection agency was utilised or individual to recover overpayments. [67767/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra379. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of fraud investigations into payments made by her department in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of those that resulted in enforcement action and or criminal conviction and the amount recovered. [67768/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 379 together.
The Department’s anti-fraud and control measures are designed to prevent and detect fraud, ensure effective oversight of schemes, pursue the prosecution of offenders where appropriate and recover any overpaid entitlements identified.
Persons who have been overpaid social welfare have a liability to refund the overpayment as they have been in receipt of a payment to which they were not entitled. Overpayments of social welfare entitlements can occur where a person provides false or misleading information in their application or through error on the part of either the claimant or the Department.
Table 1 sets out the total number of overpayments raised, value of the overpayments and total recoveries for 2023 and 2024. Data for 2025 data is not available until after audit by the C&AG.
Table 1:
|
Year |
No. of Overpayments raised |
Value of Overpayments €(M) |
*Total Recoveries €(M) |
|
2023 |
87,732 |
€115.8 |
€87.4 |
|
2024 |
115,943 |
€157.5 |
€101.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
* Recoveries may include overpayments raised in other years but are being repaid in the current year.
Table 2 below shows the value of overpayments for 2023 and 2024 broken down by category:
Table 2:
|
|
2023 €m |
2024 €m |
|
Suspected fraud |
18 (15%) |
24.3 (15%) |
|
Customer error |
70.3 (61%) |
106.4 (68%) |
|
Estate cases |
24 (21%) |
24.6 (16%) |
|
Official error |
3.4 (3%) |
2.2 (1%) |
|
Total value |
115.7 |
157.5 |
The Department does not engage collection agencies or any outside bodies in recovering overpayments.
Table 3 sets out the number of reviews and the associated value of overpayments raised where an element of fraudulent activity was suspected. These cases arise where a deciding officer is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that a person deliberately provided false or misleading information or wilfully concealed relevant information in relation to their entitlement. The Deputy will appreciate that there is a high evidential standard to be met in such cases.
Table 3:
|
Year |
No. of Suspected Fraud Cases |
Value of Overpayments €(M) |
*Recoveries of Fraud Cases €(M) |
|
2023 |
5,097 |
€17.9 |
€13.7 |
|
2024 |
6,007 |
€24.3 |
€14.7 |
*Recoveries may include overpayments raised in other years but are being repaid in the current year.
Where we find suspected fraudulent activity, each individual case is examined and the Department decides on a relevant course of action, up to and including prosecution, if so warranted.
Table 3 sets out the number of criminal cases referred to the CSSO for prosecution and the number of prosecutions taken in 2023 and 2024.
Table 3:
|
Year |
Number referred to CSSO |
|
2023 |
91 |
|
2024 |
84 |
Criminal cases are referred to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) throughout the year on an ongoing basis and for that reason, as well as the legal process, cases are unlikely to be finalised within the same calendar year.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
380. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to concerns of various NGOs and charities supporting elderly people in relation to the negative impact that the most recent budget had on elderly people that rely on state supports including the state pension and fuel allowance; the actions he will take to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67805/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Social Protection, I am acutely aware, as we all are, of the pressures faced by pensioners given increases in the cost of living over the last number of years.
On Tuesday 7th October 2025, I announced a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures for Budget 2026.
The Government has prioritised targeted permanent measures as part of Budget 2026 to support pensioners, which are as follows:
• A €10 increase in the maximum weekly rate of all State pensions from January 2026, with proportionate increases for Qualified Adults and those on reduced rates of payment. This will bring the maximum personal rate of State Pension (Contributory) to €299.30 per week, and the maximum personal rate of State Pension (Non-Contributory) to €288.00 per week.
• A €5 increase in Fuel Allowance from €33 to €38 per week from January 2026. This will provide an additional €140 during the annual fuel allowance season which will help to offset the impact of increasing energy costs.
As part of Budget 2026, people in receipt of State Pension (Contributory) or the State Pension (Non-Contributory) will also receive a Christmas bonus payment in December 2025.
Data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that consumer prices have increased by 2.7% over the 12 months to September 2025. The €10 increase to State Pension rates represents a 3.46% increase in State Pension (Contributory) and a 3.6% increase in State Pension (Non-Contributory). This rate increase will continue to assist in mitigating the impact of the sustained period of price increases for pensioners.
I note the publication of the Budget 2026 MESL Impact Briefing by the MESL Research Centre at the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Their briefing examines the impact of Budget 2026 on adequacy levels for different types of households. Several recommendations in the MESL pre-Budget submission have been delivered or exceeded in Budget 2026. For example, the MESL submission did not recommend an increase in either the rate of State Pension or qualified adult rates. Both of these rates have increased. Under the MESL proposal, the core payment to a two adult pension household would have stayed at €548.70 per week. This has increased by €19 to €567.70 per week.
The Government is aware of the impact of inflation on families and households, particularly for people who are on a fixed income, and people who rely on a social welfare payment for all or most of their income.
That is why the Government has committed, under the Programme for Government - "Securing Ireland’s Future", to increase core welfare payments over the lifetime of the Government. As per the Programme for Government commitment, in Budget 2026 we are progressively increasing weekly pension payments and the Government will protect core welfare rates while ensuring that available resources are targeted.
381. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made over the past 12 months on each of his Department’s Programme for Government commitments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67816/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has made significant progress on the Programme for Government commitments under its remit. Due to the large number of commitments however, it is not possible to include all of these in this response, so they will be provided to the Deputy electronically and in tabular format as requested. Updates on a range of commitments are set out in the table below:
|
Set an ambitious child poverty target ensuring a focus on inequality. |
This commitment has been delivered. A new Child Poverty Target was approved by Government and announced in September 2025. |
|
Continue to expand and improve the Free Hot School Meals programme and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, reduce food waste and utilise recyclable packaging. |
Processing of applications ongoing; work underway on options for smaller schools, including the involvement of local groups, meals on wheels etc. A Dietician is being funded by the Department of Social Protection. This Dietitian who is supervised by the Department of Health and in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals will carry out a review of the Nutritional Standards for School meals, and examine supplier menus etc. A report will be prepared for the Minister by the end of the year. The issue of waste and recycling has been written into the new Call for Tender and other procurement templates. |
|
The Government will protect core welfare rates while ensuring that available resources are targeted at vulnerable groups who are unable to work such as carers, people with disabilities and pensioners. |
Core welfare rates were protected in Budget 2026, with an above inflation increase of €10 per week in the maximum weekly personal rates of payment. Additional supports were provided such as the largest ever increase in the Child Support Payment, the largest ever increase in the income disregard for Carer’s Allowance, and increases in the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance, Working Family Payment and Domiciliary Care Allowance, among others. |
|
Safeguard the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund by fully implementing the PRSI Roadmap 2024 – 2028. |
The increases agreed as per the PRSI roadmap from 2024 to 2028 were legislated for in the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 which was enacted in July 2024. The first increase of 0.1% across all PRSI rates became effective from 1 October 2024. The second increase of 0.1% on all rates became effective from 1 October 2025. |
|
Progressively increase weekly pension payments. |
Budget 2026 provided for a €10 increase in the maximum weekly personal rates of payment across pension schemes. |
|
Examine improvements to key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Allowance to support vulnerable groups. |
Budget 2026 provided for a number of improvements to the Fuel Allowance scheme. This included: • A €5 increase in the weekly rate of payment; • An extension in the eligibility of Fuel Allowance for recipients of the Working Family Payment; and • People in receipt of Disability Allowance and Blind Pension can retain Fuel Allowance for five years after exiting their payment to take up employment. |
|
Continue to significantly increase 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. |
Budget 2026 provides for the largest ever increase in the carer’s allowance income disregards – an increase of €375 per week to €1,000 for single people, and an increase of €750 per week to €2,000 for a couple. This means that a carer in a two-adult household with an income of over €100,000 will retain their full Carer’s Allowance payment. The latest changes are evidence of the Government’s determination to deliver on its commitment to eliminate the means test over the life-time of its term, and will do so in a progressive manner as part of the annual Budget process. |
|
Introduce a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment. |
Due to the cross-departmental nature of the cost of disability, the Taoiseach has set up a Disability Programme Office in his own Department. He has also established a dedicated Cabinet Committee on Disability with a view to driving and monitoring progress in this area. The recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025 – 2030 takes a whole of Government approach and includes a commitment to establish a Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability. This will be led by the Department of Social Protection but will involve all relevant Departments and Agencies. The work of this network, which will include people with disabilities and their advocates, will inform the approach to be taken in delivering on this commitment. I have asked my officials to expedite this work with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of the year. |
|
Progressively increase weekly Disability Payments and the Domiciliary Care Allowance. |
As part of Budget 2026 measures announced: • a €20 increase in the monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance, and, • €10 increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments from January 2026. There will be proportionate increases for people getting a reduced rate |
|
Review the minimum hours requirement under the Wage Subsidy Scheme for people with disabilities and examine an increase to the payment rate. |
As a result of reviewing the subsidy rate, Budget 2026 provides that from April 2026: • The two lower rates of €6.30 and €6.93 are being combined into one rate and increased to €7.50; • The two middle rates of €7.56 and €8.19 are being combined and increased to €8.50; and • The two higher rates of €8.72 and €9.45 are being combined and increased to €10. |
|
Promote training initiatives to raise awareness and understanding of disabilities amongst Intreo staff. |
Intreo Employment Services provide Disability Awareness training to staff to support their engagement with people with disabilities. The IMS Training and Change Management Team provide training and support on how to engage with DSP customers with disabilities through our Customer Service Courses. The trainers also highlight various training courses for staff to attend that assist with dealing with customers with disabilities e.g. National Disability Authority Training, JAM training, Be Disability Aware. |
|
Examine the eligibility criteria for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. |
Eligibility for the BSCFA was extended to children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid from June 2025. As part of Budget 2026 measures, Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance extended to eligible children aged 2 and 3. |
|
Set a new child poverty target and examine ways to lift more children out of child poverty. |
New Child Poverty Target approved by Government and announced in September 2025. The successor to the Roadmap for Social Inclusion is being developed.
Budget 2026 provides for a package of measures to tackle child poverty and to support families. The package includes: • the largest Child Support Payment increase in the history of the State, • increase in the Working Family Payment thresholds of €60 per week, for all family sizes, • families receiving the Working Family Payment will qualify for the Fuel Allowance for the first time • expansion of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance to 2 and 3 year olds for eligible recipients, • extension of the Back to Work Family Dividend for people in receipt of Disability Allowance and Blind Pension; and • increase of €20 per month in the Domiciliary Care Allowance. |
|
Explore a targeted Child Benefit Payment and examine the interaction this would have with existing targeted supports to reduce Child Poverty such as the Working Family Payment and Child Support Payment. |
This work is being progressed, having regard to the available body of evidence, including the work undertaken previously by the ESRI, the National Economic and Social Council, and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare.
|
|
Expand the eligibility for the Fuel Allowance to families in receipt of the Working Family Payment. |
This commitment has been delivered as part of Budget 2026 - families receiving the Working Family Payment will qualify for the Fuel Allowance. |
|
Increase core welfare payments, ensuring that resources are also targeted at people who are unable to work. |
Budget 2026 provided for a €10 increase in the maximum weekly rates of core welfare payments. |
|
Progressively increase the Child Support Payment |
The DSP 2026 Budget package included the largest Child Support Payment increase in the history of the State, with a weekly increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 and over (a 26% increase), and a weekly increase of €8 to €58 for children under 12 (a 16% increase). This brings the total annual value of the Child Support Payment to €3,016 for each child under 12 and €4,056 for each child 12 and over. |
|
Enhance supports for lone parents. |
The Department of Social Protection has engaged with stakeholders such as the National One Parent Family Alliance to identify opportunities for enhancing supports to lone parents. Budget 2026 provides for a €10 increase in the weekly rate of one-parent family payment, and a €60 increase in the thresholds of the Working Family Payment for all family sizes. |
|
Enact legislation to give entitlement to unmarried cohabitants to a Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension. |
This commitment has been delivered. The Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 was enacted on 21 July 2025. The provisions of the Act commenced from that date. |
|
Complete the roll-out of Hot School Meals to all Primary Schools in 2025. |
All primary schools are eligible for the Free Hot School Meals Programme from September 2025. All the procurement templates provided by the Department of Education Schools Procurement Unit were revised by the Department of Education in consultation with the Interdepartmental working group for the Schools Meals Programme and were published on 15 August 2025. New schools joining the programme can avail of the cold lunch option until procurement for Hot Schools Meals has been completed. |
|
Ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, reduce food waste and utilise recyclable packaging. |
The nutritional value of school meals, dietary requirements of students etc. will be examined by the Dietitian for the School Meals Programme. Food waste and recycle packaging requirements have been built into the new procurement documentation. |
|
Implement the Summer 2025 Holiday Meals pilot project and evaluate this initiative aimed at closing the nutritional gap during school closures. |
As part of the 2025 Budget €1.3 million was allocated for a Holiday Hunger pilot project to support some 68,000 of our most vulnerable children with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. Applications were received from 914 schools. A draft evaluation is being finalised by the D/Education. |
|
Introduce Pay Related Benefit in March 2025 linking unemployment payments to previous earnings for those who have contributed to the Social Insurance Fund and who lose their jobs. |
This commitment has been delivered. Pay Related Benefit (PRB) for jobseekers launched on 31 March 2025. |
|
Introduce the Auto Enrolment My Future Fund in September 2025 to provide workers with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement savings |
On 29 April 2025 the Minister for Social Protection announced that the collection of contributions for the Automatic Enrolment retirement savings system called My Future Fund will begin from 1st January 2026. |
|
Publish a new Employment Strategy focused on intensive engagement and supports to help those most distant from the labour market into the workforce. |
A public consultation was launched with a closing date of end September 2025. 5 Regional Consultation Workshops are being held in Autumn 2025, with the aim to publish the revised Pathways to Work Strategy in mid-2026. |
|
Increase the number of recruitment fairs and job matching services connecting employers with jobseekers. |
A total of 612 events have been organised by Employer Relations from January to October 2025, compared to 536 for the same period in 2024. To date in 2025, over 92k jobseekers have met with over 1,895 employers at these events. A total of 1,962 job matching services were carried out by Employer Relations from January to October 2025, compared to 2,070 in the same period in 2024. |
|
Enhance application processes within the Department of Social Protection and provide additional resources where necessary to ensure that individuals receive decisions on their applications in a timely manner. |
Additional Appeals Officers assigned to the Social Welfare Appeals Office in response to increased applications received in 2024 and to deal with the associated backlog increase. Further improvements delivered through the Appeals Modernisation project including enhancements to my MyWelfare which facilitate an appellant to easily submit and track their appeal and receive their decision as soon as it is available. New Appeals Regulations implemented across the Department from 28th of April 2025 which aim to provide greater transparency, streamline processes and improve processing times. |
|
Provide increased flexibility to local Community Employment (CE), TÚS, and Rural Social Schemes to retain participants for longer when it benefits both the individual and the community. |
The Department has in place increased flexibility to enable participants to remain within their work programme through the provision of temporary extensions. A work programmes participation may be extended where the participant is in continued training/education in the case of CE, or where there is no replacement to fulfil specific community needs. The Department also introduced Rural Social Scheme Review measures to offer 3-year contracts to RSS participants, while those who are 60 years or over may remain on the scheme, provided they maintain eligibility to a qualifying payment, until they reach 66. |
|
In particular, work to ensure there is some discretion at local level so that vulnerable individuals who have little prospect of entering paid employment are not forced off CE schemes when their three-year term expires. |
The Department introduced increased flexibility to enable CE participants remain within their work programme through the provision of temporary extensions. CE participation may be extended where the participant is in continued training/education in the case of CE, or where there is no replacement to fulfil specific community needs. |
|
Increase the top-up payment for participants on CE, TÚS, and the Rural Social Scheme in recognition of the important work they do in local communities. |
As part of Budget 2026 measures, a €5 increase in the top up for Community Employment, Tús and Rural Social Scheme participants (from €27.50 to €32.50 per week) was included. Participants will also benefit from the €10 increase in the maximum weekly personal rates of payment, and the increases in the child support payment, where applicable. |
|
Continue to support and increase the places on successful local programmes such as CE, TÚS and the Rural Social Scheme which do vital work in local communities. |
There were 19,564 participants on CE and 4,503 on Tús at the end of October. Overall, the number on schemes has risen by around 250 over the past year. Currently there are 68 qualified adults and 269 credit only customers on CE. Tús continues to be actively promoted to 18-year-old customers who have a low probability of exit from the LR. |
|
Deliver social welfare payments, such as Jobseeker's Allowance, through post offices, and examine what other services could be provided through the network. |
Throughout 2025, the DSP continued to deliver cash payments to welfare recipients via An Post. An Post also provide a budgeting service to DSP customers through the network and the Department continue to engage with An Post to explore other possible services which could be undertaken by the Post Office Network. |
|
Ensure every government department Statement of Strategy includes Climate Action and decarbonisation as a key priority. |
This commitment has been delivered. The DSP Statement of Strategy 2025-2028 includes: ‘Supporting a whole-of Government approach to climate action and decarbonisation. One of our aims over the lifetime of this SoS is to reduce the Department’s carbon footprint and energy utilization (per person/per sq meter)’. |
382. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the schools within Dublin 5, Dublin 13 and Dublin 17 that have availed of the school meals scheme for the 2025 to 2026 school year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67849/25]
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 table below gives the schools participating in the School Meals Programme in Dublin 5,13 and 17 in tabular form for the 2025/26 academic year to date.
It is important to note that the 2025/2026 academic school year started a few months ago and applications continue to be received and processed.
|
Roll Number |
School Name |
Address |
|
17977T |
SCOIL AINE CONVENT SENIOR |
Dublin 5 |
|
17978V |
NAISCOIL IDE |
Dublin 5 |
|
18360G |
SCOIL BHREANDAIN |
Dublin 5 |
|
18362K |
S N CAITRIONA NAIONAIN |
Dublin 5 |
|
18968A |
ST MALACHYS B N S |
Dublin 5 |
|
18969C |
ST EITHNES SENIOR GIRLS NS |
Dublin 5 |
|
19037E |
ST MONICAS N S |
Dublin 5 |
|
19297H |
CROMCASTLE GREEN B N S |
Dublin 5 |
|
19298J |
SCOIL NAIS IDE CAILINI |
Dublin 5 |
|
19496N |
SCOIL FHIACHRA SOISIR |
Dublin 5 |
|
19919P |
ST DAVIDS N S |
Dublin 5 |
|
19920A |
ST JOHN OF GOD N S |
Dublin 5 |
|
19954R |
NORTH BAY EDUCATE TOGETHER NS |
Dublin 5 |
|
20064O |
OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION NS |
Dublin 5 |
|
20281W |
ST BENEDICTS AND ST MARYS NATIONAL SCHOOL |
Dublin 5 |
|
19373U |
ST MICHAELS HSE SP SCH |
Dublin 5 |
|
19406J |
HOLY TRINITY SEN NS |
Dublin 13 |
|
19549I |
ST FINTANS NS |
Dublin 13 |
|
20304I |
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI NATIONAL SCHOOL |
Dublin 13 |
|
20308Q |
BELMAYNE EDUCATE TOGETHER NATIONAL SCHOOL |
Dublin 13 |
|
20538K |
GAELSCOIL GHRÁINNE MHAOL |
Dublin 13 |
|
18210K |
ST MICHAELS HOUSE SPECIAL SCHOOL |
Dublin 13 |
|
20519G |
STAPOLIN EDUCATE TOGETHER NATIONAL SCHOOL |
Dublin 13 |
|
17104G |
ST FRANCIS JUNIOR NATIONAL SCHOOL |
Dublin 17 |
|
17785K |
SAN NIOCLAS MYRA |
Dublin 17 |
|
19454U |
DARNDALE NS JUNIOR |
Dublin 17 |
|
19524P |
OUR LADY IMMAC SEN N S |
Dublin 17 |
|
19668Q |
ST FRANCIS SENIOR N S |
Dublin 17 |
|
19913D |
ST JOSEPHS NS |
Dublin 17 |
|
20445D |
MALAHIDE/PORTMARNOCK EDUCATE TOGETHER NS |
Dublin 17 |
I trust this clarifies the matter.
383. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection when workers will be informed of the charges under which the ‘My Future Fund’; and if workers will not be informed till after the scheme commences on 1 January 2026. [67863/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra384. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is proposed to charge a fixed fee to administer members’ auto enrolment accounts, which may be in breach of Section 104 of the Pensions Act; if his Department think that Section 104 does not apply and that it can therefore discriminate against low-paid members. [67864/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra385. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which his Department plans to ascertain members' investment preferences before contributions are received to the auto-enrolment scheme on 1 January 2026, as required under Section 70 of the Act. [67865/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 383, 384 and 385 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment (AE) Retirement Savings System. The aim of introducing AE is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income. The new system - to be known as My Future Fund - will commence from 1 January 2026. The implementation of My Future Fund will pave the way for around 750,000 workers to be brought into a retirement savings scheme for the first time and I look forward to its implementation.
The administration fees associated with My Future Fund are under active consideration and will be finalised shortly through Regulation following consultation with the Chief Executive of the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services Reform and Digitalisation, after which more details will be provided to the public. This is expected shortly, in advance of commencement on 1 January 2026.
Section 104 of the Pensions Act (1990) concerns charges relating to Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSA). These provisions do not apply to My Future Fund, which is statutorily established on the basis of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act (2024). It is this Act and the regulations issued thereunder that set out the basis for the fees charged.
As previously announced the administration fee will take the form of a flat weekly fee rather than a 'commission' based on a percentage of funds under management. In this way the administration fee will reflect the actual costs of administration (which do not vary with fund size), will be same for all participants regardless of their income or the size of their retirement fund, and will, ultimately, prove much better value for money for the participant over the course of a standard retirement planning horizon.
In addition to the administration fees, there will be fees for the investment management services. These services have been procured through a competitive procurement process. That tendering process required fees to be less than 0.1% of assets under management. In this regard, I can confirm that the prices attached to the bids were significantly below the maximum ceiling and represent excellent value for participants.
With regard to ascertaining the investment preferences of participants, Part 4 of the AE Act provides for a default strategy whereby individual participants are allocated to a risk level relative to their age. This default strategy follows a life-cycle approach whereby younger participants are allocated to higher risk growth investment funds while participants closer to retirement will be allocated to lower risk investment funds designed to preserve the value of funds in the years before a participant retires. Should a participant wish to exercise a choice in the level of risk, from lower risk to medium risk to higher risk, then they will be able to do so through their My Future Fund account. This design aligns with a key principle of the AE system here in Ireland, which is to facilitate choice but not to mandate it.
I hope this clarifies these matters for the Deputy.
386. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of disablement benefit recipients who also receive constant attendance allowance (CAA); the number of disablement benefit recipients that have a level of disablement assessed at 50% or above; the reason the number of recipients of CAA appears disproportionately low compared to the total number of disablement benefit recipients; if his Department is actively reviewing the criteria or processes to ensure eligible individuals are not being excluded from receiving CAA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67921/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisablement Benefit is a compensatory payment for persons who have suffered a loss of faculty due to injury arising out of and in their insurable employment.
Constant attendance allowance is an increase to Disablement Benefit, If an individual requires daily care because of an accident at work or work-related illness. To qualify for constant attendance allowance, an applicant must be in receipt of Disablement Benefit of over 50%. A payment of €261 constant attendance allowance is paid directly to the person on Disablement Benefit. There are currently 14,331 persons in receipt of Disablement Benefit and 117 in receipt of constant attendance allowance.
An individual on Disablement Benefit may become a care recipient on Carers Allowance or Carers Benefit. Payment of Carers Allowance or Carers Benefit is paid directly to the carer. A person in receipt of constant attendance allowance must provide for their own care needs and cannot be a care recipient on either Carers Allowance or Carers Benefit.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
387. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the consideration given to an individual’s outgoings when it comes to calculating eligibility for means-tested disability payments (details supplied). [67993/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme. The payment is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement.
Social welfare legislation provides that, for means-tested social assistance schemes, all income and assets belonging to the claimant, and his or her spouse/partner where applicable, are assessable for means-testing purposes.
In a means test, the Department of Social Protection examines all sources of income. To receive Disability Allowance, household income must be below a certain amount. The purpose of the means test on social assistance schemes is to ensure that resources are directed to those with the greatest need for income supports by the State. The means test does not examine people's outgoings.
The means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property – other than the family home – and capital. Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by the Department of Social Protection. A recipient can have up to €50,000 in savings and still receive the full rate of payment. This compares with €20,000 for most social welfare payments.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
388. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to introduce legislation that provides for a specific timeframe following which, a previous determination of incomes ceased to apply when the applicant disputes the Department's findings and suffers financial hardship (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68016/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conditions to be satisfied for payment of means tested payments are outlined in social welfare legislation and include an assessment of means which includes any income or assets which a person owns. In addition, specific legislation held within Part 3 of Rule 2(1) of the Third Schedule of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 states that where a person has directly or indirectly deprived themselves of any income or property in order to qualify for a payment, or for a higher rate than they would otherwise be entitled, that income or the value of the property shall be taken to be part of the means of that person.
The current legislation does not provide specifically for situations where the deprivation was made a number of years ago, nor does it provide for a time frame for the means derived from such deprivation to cease to apply or be reduced.
However a working group has been established in my department to examine the matter.
389. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of individuals who received the carers support grant in June 2025 and who are not also in receipt of carer’s allowance or carer’s benefit. [68017/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers who get Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance. It can also be paid to certain other carers providing full-time care, provided they meet age, residency and employment conditions, and are not in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit.
The number of recipients of the Carer's Support Grant in June 2025 was 139,351. Of these, 5,730 were not in receipt of Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, or Domiciliary Care Allowance.
Table 1 - Recipients of the Carer's Support Grant and other schemes, June 2025.
|
Scheme |
Recipients |
|
Carer's Support Grant - Total |
139,351 |
|
Carer's Support Grant and Carer's Allowance |
98,983 |
|
of which Carer's Support Grant, Carer's Allowance and Domiciliary Care Allowance |
27,278 |
|
Carer's Support Grant and Carer's Benefit |
4,011 |
|
of which Carer's Support Grant, Carer's Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance |
1,695 |
|
Carer's Support Grant and Domiciliary Care Allowance |
30,627 |
|
Carer's Support Grant Only |
5,730 |
390. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection when a school (details supplied) which is part of the DEIS programme since 2022 will be entitled to avail of the hot school lunch provision under the school meals scheme; if he accepts a disparity exists between this school and others in the locality which have students from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds but have provision for hot school meals under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68139/25]
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 for Government contains a number of measures to continue the development of the School Meals Programme including to complete the roll-out of Hot School Meals to all Primary Schools in 2025/26 academic year and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on nutrition, waste and packaging.
The Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools known as the DEIS programme is a Department of Education and Youth policy which aims to reduce educational disadvantage. Our lady Mercy School, Beaumont, Dublin 9 is a DEIS Secondary school and all DEIS secondary schools have access to the School Meals Programme.
The Hot School Meals Programme is for Primary Schools. My immediate priority is to complete the roll-out of Hot School Meals to all Primary Schools in 2025/26 academic year. However, as the Programme for Government sets out, we will commence the rollout of Hot School Meals to all secondary schools over the lifetime of this government.
Our lady Mercy School, Beaumont have made an application for the School Meals Programme on the 3rd October 2025. We have requested further information from the school and my officials have followed up with a phone call. They have confirmed they will send in the information required and as soon as this is received a decision will be made.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
391. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if it has been brought to his attention that applications for Long-Stay Family Reunification Visas are currently taking in excess of 24 months to process; the measures he intends to introduce to bring processing times back in line with the advertised six month standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68449/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra441. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps he is taking to reduce the processing time for Join Family Visa applications, which are currently reported to take in excess of 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68151/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 441 together.
I can advise the Deputy that there are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department.
While processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies, the majority of visas are processed within stated target times.
The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks. My Department aims to process join family visa applications made in other circumstances within 12 months.
I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target. In the first nine months of 2025 the average processing time for a join family application was approximately 100 days.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
It should be noted that some applications can take considerably longer. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible.
In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to 2023, with over 35,000 additional applications received. These increases have continued, in the first nine months of 2025, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 166,000 visa applications and has issued over 153,000 decisions. This reflects an increase in applications of 5.5% compared to the same period in 2024. My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 8,200 additional visa decisions have issued in the first nine months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
On 26 November, I announced the publication of a comprehensive review of the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy. This review sets out a number of short-term measures to be introduced immediately, and longer-term measures which will be kept under ongoing review.
The purpose of the revised Policy is not to deter people making applications, but to ensure that people who are sponsoring an application have sufficient resources to provide for their family, without the reliance on public services or state funds.
The revised policy can be accessed on my Departments website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/revised-non-eea-family-reunification-policy-and-final-report-on-the-review-of-the-policy/.
