Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:648. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection to reassess an application for additional needs payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71990/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Application Forms
Ceisteanna (648)
Freagraí scríofa
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my 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.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for an ANP on the 21/10/2025 for assistance towards furnishing their new home.
On 06/11/2025, the person concerned advised that they had received a loan from a family member and had kitted out the property themselves with these funds. This included all furniture, white goods, curtains and some flooring. The person concerned stated that only flooring in the one area of their home was still outstanding. The person concerned was awarded a payment towards the cost of this flooring as the only immediate need that remained. A letter advising them of this outcome and offering them the opportunity to seek a review, issued on 06/11/2025.
It should be noted that ANPs are intended to address essential and immediate needs and not for the repayment of loans once a need has been met.
Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, Exceptional Needs Payments and Urgent Needs Payments, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.
The Review Officer who has responsibility for reassessing the claim, must do so independently of the original CWOs decision, basing their decision on all information presented by the customer, including any new information provided.
At the Deputy’s request by email, a SWA Review Officer reviewed the claim of the person concerned and considering all the circumstances of the case, upheld the original decision made by the initial CWO on this claim. A letter advising the person concerned of the outcome of this review issued to them in writing on 18/11/2025.
If the person concerned feels that they have been treated unfairly, they have the right of recourse to contact The Office of the Ombudsman, 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773, Telephone number: 01-639 5600 / 1890 22 30 30, Email: [ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie] .
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Widow's Pension
Ceisteanna (649)
John McGuinness
Ceist:649. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the widows pension will be approved as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied). [72016/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned has been awarded a Bereaved Partner's Contributory Pension at the weekly rate of €277.00 with effect from the 07th November 2025. In addition they have also been granted an Increase for Living Alone at the weekly rate of €22.00, Fuel Allowance at the weekly rate of €33.00 and Telephone Support Allowance at the weekly rate of €2.50. Payment will commence into her nominated bank account from 12th December 2025. Any arrears due will also be paid into her nominated bank account on the same date.
The person concerned has been notified of this decision in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (650)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:650. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who moves jobs after four years must start auto-enrolment again at 1.5% or will remain at 3%. [72033/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The introduction of a pensions auto-enrolment system is a Programme for Government commitment, and one of my key priorities. The aim of introducing an Automatic Enrolment (AE) system is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland, and to help provide for better retirement incomes for workers. The new system will be called 'My Future Fund' and it will launch from the 1st January 2026.
Current and new employees aged between 23 and 60 years of age and earning €20,000 or above per annum (across all employments) who are not already in an approved supplementary pension scheme will be automatically enrolled into the My Future Fund. Those who fall outside the age and earnings threshold, i.e., those aged between 18 and 23 or between 60 and 66, and/or who earn below €20,000 per annum will be able to join the new retirement savings system voluntarily by opting in.
Contributions into My Future Fund will be made by the employee, the employer and the State. Based on the employee’s gross earnings, employer and employee matching contributions will start at:
- 1.5% of gross earnings for Years 1-3,
- rising to 3% in Years 4-6,
- to 4.5% in Years 7-9, and
- to the maximum contribution rate of 6% from Year 10 onwards.
A State top-up will also be contributed, which will be at the rate of a third of the employee’s contribution.
It should be noted that ‘years’ here, as provided for in the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024, refers to years from when contribution collection commences (i.e., January 2026) and not years of service. Therefore, changes in employment do not reset the contribution rates to 1.5%, they will continue at the prevailing rate for the system at that time - so at 3% in the case posited in the question.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (651)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:651. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount his Department has spent on translation services from a company (details supplied) for the years 2020 to 2025 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72075/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Social Protection provides a document translation service, on request, where the documents are required to support customer’s applications and interactions with the Department.
This includes the translation of documents into or from English, Irish and any other language, as well as alternative formats such as braille and audio translation.
In line with procurement guidelines Request for Tenders are issued for the provision of these services. Contracts are then awarded to the successful tenderer of the competition.
I can confirm for the period mentioned by the Deputy 2020 to 2025, the Department did not use the services of the company Translink.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (652, 653)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:652. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the average wait time for an additional needs payment in Cork city. [72112/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThomas Gould
Ceist:653. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the average wait time for an appointment with a community welfare officer in Cork city. [72113/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 653 together.
The delivery of crucial and locally based community welfare services to meet the challenges and the needs of people across the country is a priority for my department. The Community Welfare Service (CWS) continues to provide a flexible service to meet the different needs of people, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. This service is easily accessible and responsive to our client’s needs.
CWOs are available in over 50 locations across the country, including the Intreo Centre at Abbeycourt House in Cork City, where they can be seen without an appointment, during business hours, Monday to Friday.
Alternatively, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home or indeed anywhere suitable. These arrangements ensure people who need a service have comprehensive options for accessing the service in person.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my department may make an ANP to help meet expenses that an eligible person cannot pay from their weekly income, personal and/or household resources. The ANP scheme is demand led and administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS), taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Claim processing times are monitored at both a national and local level in the CWS, with targeted interventions available to support and mitigate delays in any area across the Country, where fluctuations in claim loads are observed. This maintains the claim processing timeframes nationwide for ANPs.
My department cannot provide a breakdown analysis of average claim processing times specific to Cork City however, work on hands nationally for ANPs is within the scheme's normal processing levels and fully completed applications, where the required documentation is supplied, are generally processed within ten working days. Where it is clear that a person has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the claim is processed on the same day. CWOs are very experienced and can generally assess when a case is so urgent that it requires an immediate response.
When considering an application from people in financial difficulty for any payment under the SWA scheme, the CWO must consider all of the relevant circumstances when examining a case in determining the most appropriate scheme type and level of assistance required. The CWO may ask for a number of supporting documents to ensure the customer receives a level of payment appropriate to their needs. Where an application cannot be finalised promptly, the delay is normally due to the need for additional information or documentation and the time it takes for the information to be provided. Upon receipt of this information, the application is then processed quickly.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Question No. 653 answered with Question No. 652.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (654)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:654. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who have availed of an additional needs payment in the last quarter of this year and the same period in 2020 and 2024 respectively, in Cork city, by category of payment, in tabular form. [72114/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
Additional Needs Payments statistics are maintained on a county basis. Table 1 below shows the number of Additional Needs Payments issued, by category, in County Cork in Q3 in the years 2020, 2024 and 2025. Q3 statistics have been used in order to provide a like for like comparison, given that the last quarter is not yet available for 2025.
In addition, my Department publishes statistics on Additional Needs Payments in the Quarterly Statistics report which is available at [g]ov.ie
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via [www.mywelfare.ie].
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 - The number of Additional Needs Payments issued, by category, in County Cork in Q3 in the years 2020, 2024 and 2025
|
Category |
Q3 2020 |
Q3 2024 |
Q4 2025 |
|
Bills |
25 |
71 |
94 |
|
Child Related |
26 |
38 |
33 |
|
Clothing |
207 |
370 |
283 |
|
Funeral |
62 |
64 |
72 |
|
General |
353 |
338 |
301 |
|
Housing |
448 |
512 |
547 |
|
Illness |
4 |
7 |
3 |
|
Urgent Needs Payment |
4 |
5 |
18 |
|
Other Supplements |
|
1 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
1,129 |
1,406 |
1,352 |
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (655)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:655. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims refused by payment in Cork; and the number accepted on appeal. [72115/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. Claim refusal rates vary across schemes. The majority of applications and appeals are processed centrally and not on a geographic basis, therefore it is not possible to provide a breakdowns of the number of claims refused by payment in Cork; and the number accepted on appeal.
Further detailed information can be found through my Department's statistics landing page, gov.ie/dsp/statistics and in the the Annual Report of the Chief Appeals Officer, ([News and Publications from the Social Welfare Appeals Office (www.gov.ie)].
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
School Meals Programme
Ceisteanna (656)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:656. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools with funded breakfast clubs in Cork. [72126/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 number of schools in receipt of the Breakfast Club and children benefitting in Cork are detailed below.
|
Roll No. |
School Name |
Pupils Benefiting |
|
05940D |
SCOIL URSULA |
188 |
|
10724B |
SOUTH ABBEY NS |
221 |
|
11262R |
DRUIMNE N S |
64 |
|
12473M |
GREENMOUNT MONASTERY NS |
237 |
|
13031I |
ST JOSEPHS CONVENT N S |
204 |
|
13543M |
DERRINACAHARA N S |
77 |
|
13696O |
ST VINCENTS CONVENT N S |
207 |
|
13980L |
S N B TOGHER CORK |
250 |
|
14000C |
SCOIL NAOMH MHUIRE |
320 |
|
16159D |
CONVENT GIRLS SENIOR NATIONAL SCHOOL |
30 |
|
16680O |
SCOIL COLMCILLE |
250 |
|
17011W |
MOCOMHOG N S |
20 |
|
17024I |
SCOIL NA CROISE NAOFA |
197 |
|
17045Q |
ST PATRICKS B N S |
153 |
|
17105I |
MUIRE GAN SMAL C |
296 |
|
17281F |
TOGHER N S |
26 |
|
17993R |
SCOIL MHUIRE GAN SMAL B |
418 |
|
18153B |
S N PADRAIG NAOFA C |
134 |
|
18154D |
S N PADRAIG NAOFA |
86 |
|
18217B |
SCOIL PADRE PIO N S |
279 |
|
18292P |
GAELSCOIL AN TEAGHLAIGH NAOFA |
186 |
|
18377A |
IOSEF NAOFA |
98 |
|
18734V |
REALT NA MAIDINE |
107 |
|
18786R |
SCOIL IOSAGAIN |
6 |
|
19203S |
ST PAUL'S SCHOOL |
80 |
|
19256Q |
SCOIL GHOBNATAN |
470 |
|
19426P |
S N MHARCUIS B |
88 |
|
19427R |
S N BHREANNDAIN C |
105 |
|
19433M |
HOLY FAMILY S S |
67 |
|
19730S |
SCOIL OILIBHEIR |
15 |
|
19908K |
GAELSCOIL MHACHAN |
139 |
|
19909M |
GAELSCOIL PEIG SAYERS |
287 |
|
19989N |
SCOIL MHUIRE NA TROCAIRE |
211 |
|
20004T |
SCOIL AN CROI RO NAOFA |
12 |
|
20024C |
BUN SCOIL MUIRE |
510 |
|
20036J |
NORTH PRESENTATION PRIMARY SCHOOL |
290 |
|
20038N |
SCOIL AISEIRI CHRIOST |
233 |
|
20074R |
ST GABRIELS SPECIAL SCHOOL |
50 |
|
20140E |
SCOIL MHUIRE FATIMA BOYS SENIOR |
195 |
|
20389T |
SCOIL MARIA ASSUMPTA |
164 |
|
20493O |
CANON SHEEHAN PRIMARY SCHOOL |
171 |
|
20497W |
SCOIL MHUIRE AGUS EOIN |
300 |
|
20553G |
STRAWBERRY HILL NATIONAL SCHOOL |
316 |
|
20586V |
BANDON PRIMARY SCHOOL |
376 |
|
62530F |
NORTH MONASTERY SECONDARY SCHOOL |
261 |
|
62531H |
GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE |
683 |
|
62540I |
COLÁISTE ÉAMANN RÍS |
760 |
|
62590A |
ST VINCENT'S SECONDARY SCHOOL |
255 |
|
62621I |
NANO NAGLE COLLEGE |
136 |
|
62630J |
ST ALOYSIUS SCHOOL |
310 |
|
62650P |
URSULINE COLLEGE BLACKROCK |
336 |
|
62693K |
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL |
50 |
|
62730N |
ST PATRICKS COLLEGE |
201 |
|
70910L |
ST. BROGAN'S COLLEGE |
861 |
|
70970G |
CARRIGNAFOY COMMUNITY COLLEGE |
320 |
|
70990M |
COLÁISTE AN CHRAOIBHÍN |
920 |
|
71020G |
DAVIS COLLEGE |
1010 |
|
71040M |
COLÁISTE FIONNCHUA |
410 |
|
71050P |
ST COLMAN'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE |
1125 |
|
71101G |
ST AIDAN'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE |
306 |
|
71110H |
NAGLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE |
297 |
|
76067L |
COLAISTE POBAIL NAOMH MHUIRE |
568 |
|
76086P |
MARIA IMMACULATA COMMUNITY COLLEGE |
23 |
|
76090G |
COLÁISTE POBAIL BHEANNTRAÍ |
47 |
|
91397T |
BISHOPSTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL |
200 |
|
91400F |
MAYFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL |
320 |
|
91516B |
SKIBBEREEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL |
38 |
|
Total |
67 |
17570 |
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (657, 658)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:657. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if an assessment of need will still be required for an application for domiciliary care allowance given the recent policy reform announcement by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. [72237/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSeán Crowe
Ceist:658. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the long waiting period for an assessment of need is taken into account during an application for domiciliary care allowance; and if it has been brought to his attention that applications have been refused due to the lack of an assessment though a child is on the waiting list for an assessment. [72238/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 657 and 658 together.
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of the child's disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child to deal with activities of daily living in areas such as mobility, personal care, feeding/diet, communication, speech/language, sleeping, behaviour, safety, sensory, issues, including any other additional needs.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability or diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the child's disability, in terms of the associated overall level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of a similar age who does not have such a disability. The decision process that applies in the consideration of whether a child meets the conditions for DCA includes the examination of all relevant factors identified as impacting on the child's additional care needs.
When reviewing an application for Domiciliary Care Allowance, the claim is first referred to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their opinion. Medical Assessors are fully qualified and experienced practitioners who provide a second opinion to that of the person's own doctor for the guidance of the Department's Deciding Officers.
The assessment of the substantial extra and continual care needs of children with childhood development and behavioral disorders is more challenging compared to other childhood conditions given the wide spectrum of manifestation of conditions and bearing in mind the age attainment of developmental milestones. In all cases, determinations on eligibility for DCA are based on all of the medical and care needs information provided with the application and while specialist reports and Assessment of Needs (AON) reports can be helpful in making quality and efficient decisions, they are not mandatory.
Applications are assessed based on the information which has been provided by the applicant. In cases where the supplied information does not prove satisfactorily that a child meets the eligibility criteria for DCA, any mention of further reports/assessments are intended as an aide to the applicant as to the type of medical evidence which may prove useful in the future, as decisions are appealable.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Question No. 658 answered with Question No. 657.
Care Services
Ceisteanna (659)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:659. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine the case of a person (details supplied) who has been denied domiciliary care allowance due to the lack of an assessment of need though they have been waiting for an appointment for some months. [72239/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of the child's disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child to deal with activities of daily living in areas such as mobility, personal care, feeding/diet, communication, speech/language, sleeping, behaviour, safety, sensory, issues, including any other additional needs.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability or diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the child's disability, in terms of the associated overall level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of a similar age who does not have such a disability.
An application for DCA was received from the person concerned on 15 May 2025. The application was referred to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their opinion. Medical Assessors are fully qualified and experienced practitioners who provide an independent medical opinion on the eligibility of the child for DCA for the guidance of the Department's Deciding Officers.
A Deciding Officer disallowed the application for DCA as per decision letter dated 1 October 2025, on the grounds that the child was not considered to satisfy the above conditions for DCA based on the information provided with the application.
The assessment of the substantial extra and continual care needs of children with childhood development and behavioural disorders is more challenging compared to other childhood conditions given the wide spectrum of manifestation of conditions and bearing in mind the age attainment of developmental milestones. In all cases, determinations on eligibility for DCA are based on all of the medical and care needs information provided with the application and while specialist reports and Assessment of Needs reports can be helpful in making quality and efficient decisions, it is important to not that they are not mandatory.
In cases such as this one, where the supplied information does not prove satisfactorily that a child meets the eligibility criteria for DCA, any mention of further reports or assessments is intended as an aide to the applicant as to the type of medical evidence that may prove useful in the future.
An appeal of the disallow decision was registered by the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on the 3 October 2025. As part of the appeal, the claim was first reviewed by a Deciding Officer and, following this review, the decision of 1 October 2025 remained unchanged. The person’s file was then forwarded to the SWAO for the consideration of an Appeals Officer.
An Appeals Officer disallowed the appeal for DCA in respect of the person concerned as per decision letter dated 10 December 2025 issued directly by the SWAO.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Funeral Services
Ceisteanna (660)
Mark Wall
Ceist:660. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of funeral assistance grants applied for by county and granted by county in each of the last three years , in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72417/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department can make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income.
An application can be made under the scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by by the applicant and/or the family of the deceased person, without causing hardship.
Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Table 1 below shows the number of Additional Needs Payments registered for Funeral and Burial expenses by county from 2023 - 2025.
Table 2 below shows the number of Additional Needs Payments awarded for Funeral and Burial expenses by county from 2023 - 2025 (Q3).
The figures provided do not include the number of claims that have been disallowed, withdrawn, cancelled or are awaiting further information.
In addition, my Department publishes statistics on Additional Needs Payments in the Quarterly Statistics report which is available on gov.ie
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 – Additional Needs Payments for Funeral and Burial expenses registered by county from 2023-2025
|
County |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 (to end of Q3) |
|
Carlow |
77 |
88 |
57 |
|
Cavan |
102 |
99 |
75 |
|
Clare |
107 |
105 |
89 |
|
Cork |
478 |
469 |
432 |
|
Donegal |
164 |
171 |
133 |
|
Dublin |
1,907 |
1,928 |
1,451 |
|
Galway |
210 |
187 |
170 |
|
Kerry |
147 |
160 |
125 |
|
Kildare |
234 |
275 |
143 |
|
Kilkenny |
94 |
97 |
74 |
|
Laois |
113 |
105 |
69 |
|
Leitrim |
35 |
35 |
28 |
|
Limerick |
253 |
236 |
191 |
|
Longford |
74 |
86 |
38 |
|
Louth |
230 |
231 |
161 |
|
Mayo |
141 |
133 |
109 |
|
Meath |
178 |
202 |
122 |
|
Monaghan |
65 |
49 |
36 |
|
Offaly |
118 |
112 |
100 |
|
Roscommon |
77 |
64 |
38 |
|
Sligo |
62 |
74 |
54 |
|
Tipperary |
180 |
212 |
118 |
|
Waterford |
139 |
118 |
104 |
|
Westmeath |
125 |
110 |
69 |
|
Wexford |
181 |
196 |
118 |
|
Wicklow |
152 |
163 |
105 |
|
Not specified |
8 |
6 |
3 |
|
Grand Total |
5,651 |
5,711 |
4,212 |
Table 2 – Additional Needs Payments for Funeral and Burial expenses awarded by county from 2023-2025, to end of Q3
|
County |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 (to end of Q3) |
|
Carlow |
38 |
41 |
26 |
|
Cavan |
47 |
47 |
27 |
|
Clare |
68 |
51 |
40 |
|
Cork |
268 |
261 |
193 |
|
Donegal |
89 |
88 |
60 |
|
Dublin |
929 |
909 |
577 |
|
Galway |
93 |
75 |
49 |
|
Kerry |
67 |
71 |
38 |
|
Kildare |
102 |
122 |
61 |
|
Kilkenny |
54 |
39 |
27 |
|
Laois |
59 |
45 |
27 |
|
Leitrim |
20 |
16 |
14 |
|
Limerick |
140 |
120 |
77 |
|
Longford |
45 |
41 |
26 |
|
Louth |
123 |
117 |
73 |
|
Mayo |
50 |
57 |
30 |
|
Meath |
111 |
89 |
45 |
|
Monaghan |
43 |
23 |
15 |
|
Offaly |
66 |
46 |
40 |
|
Roscommon |
51 |
26 |
19 |
|
Sligo |
29 |
30 |
17 |
|
Tipperary |
95 |
104 |
57 |
|
Waterford |
71 |
58 |
40 |
|
Westmeath |
68 |
68 |
26 |
|
Wexford |
77 |
83 |
45 |
|
Wicklow |
75 |
72 |
56 |
|
Not specified |
3 |
|
|
|
Grand Total |
2,881 |
2,699 |
1,705 |
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (661)
Mark Wall
Ceist:661. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of heat supplement payments awarded for each county, for each of the past three years; the average time this payment remains in payment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72418/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
Under the scheme, my Department may award a supplement to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. This can include a heating supplement where a person has need for additional heating due to ill health or infirmity. Heating supplement is not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the year.
Heating supplements are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme. All the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into account in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Table 1 below show the number of heating supplement recipients at the end of 2023, 2024 and at end of November 2025.
More generally, my Department also provides discretionary Additional Needs Payments, where appropriate, to people who face difficulties in meeting heating bills. In 2025, to the end of November, over 2,300 Additional Needs Payments totaling almost €1.3 million were made to assist with household bills and heating costs.
Data on the average time heat supplements claims remains in payment is not collated. However analysis of the claims in payment at the end of November 2025, show that 15% are in payment less than 1 year, 51% are in payment for 1 year to 10 years, while 34% are in payment for over 10 years
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an heating supplement is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1: Total number of heating supplement recipients at the end of 2023, 2024 and end of November 2025, by county.
|
County |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 (Nov) |
|
Carlow |
4 |
4 |
3 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
Clare |
27 |
22 |
20 |
|
Cork |
52 |
47 |
37 |
|
Donegal |
40 |
45 |
38 |
|
Dublin |
94 |
81 |
77 |
|
Galway |
26 |
24 |
19 |
|
Kerry |
18 |
15 |
14 |
|
Kildare |
12 |
8 |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
Laois |
43 |
32 |
24 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
290 |
242 |
202 |
|
Longford |
15 |
14 |
15 |
|
Louth |
5 |
4 |
6 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Meath |
7 |
3 |
6 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
70 |
37 |
24 |
|
Roscommon |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
111 |
107 |
92 |
|
Waterford |
15 |
9 |
10 |
|
Westmeath |
67 |
55 |
45 |
|
Wexford |
18 |
12 |
12 |
|
Wicklow |
9 |
8 |
13 |
|
Grand Total |
950 |
792 |
689 |
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (662)
Mark Wall
Ceist:662. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of domiciliary care applications for each of the last three years; the number granted; the number of those turned down that were appealed; the number of those appeals that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72419/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child with a severe disability. The payment is not based on the type of disability. It is based on the impact of the disability.
The table(s) below details the number of applications received, awarded, rejected, number of appeal received and number of appeals allowed for Domiciliary Care Allowance each year over the past 3 years.
|
Year |
Registered Claims |
Awarded |
Disallowed |
|
2022 |
10,524 |
7,872 |
3,948 |
|
2023 |
12,290 |
8,301 |
4,079 |
|
2024 |
13,270 |
8,961 |
4,554 |
|
2025 to Nov |
14,500 |
9,014 |
4,844 |
Not all claims that were rejected resulted in an appeal. It is also important to note that there is a time lag between receiving a claim decision, requesting an appeal, and receiving a decision on an appeal. Therefore claims which were rejected in one year may not receive a decision on an appeal until the following year.
|
Year |
Appeals Submitted |
Allowed |
Partially Allowed |
Revised Decision by DSP |
|
2022 |
2,084 |
698 |
48 |
712 |
|
2023 |
2,146 |
862 |
54 |
407 |
|
2024 |
3,609 |
792 |
29 |
832 |
|
2025 to Nov |
2,878 |
1,322 |
16 |
1,437 |
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (663)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:663. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will address the case of a lone parent (details supplied) whose one parent family payment has been suspended; the reason for the suspension; if he will review the decision as a matter of urgency; and if he will confirm that the constituent has co-operated fully with all requests and procedures during the process. [72437/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
To qualify for One Parent Family Payment, a person must satisfy the conditions for the scheme. Persons in receipt of Department of Social Protection schemes, including Oner Parent Family Payment, may also have their entitlement reviewed from time to time to ensure they continue to satisfy the conditions.
The One-Parent Family Payment of the person concerned was referred to the Social Welfare Inspector as part of a routine control review in July 2025. Following investigation, the Social Welfare Inspector was not satisfied that the person concerned continued to satisfy the conditions for receipt of the payment. The person did not submit all the necessary information, including bank statements, requested as part of the review. In addition the Social Welfare Inspector was not satisfied that the person had disclosed all of their means.
As a result, the One-Parent Family Payment claim was disallowed from 16/10/2025. The person concerned was informed of this decision in a letter dated 14/10/2025 and advised that, if they were not satisfied with the decision, they could send in any facts or evidence to the Department and a Deciding Officer would review the decision. The person was also advised they could appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, which provides an independent appeals service.
While the person has provided additional information following this disallowance decision of 14/10/25, the specific information requested by the Social Welfare Inspector remains outstanding.
The person has now appealed the decision to disallow the One-Parent Family Payment claim and the case is currently with the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The person will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I understand the person concerned has applied for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment, a number of documents are still outstanding in relation to this application. The Community Welfare Service will now contact the person concerned to follow up.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (664)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:664. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a deceased person’s (details supplied) next-of-kin are being pursued for a welfare debt the family were unaware off; the details in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72504/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following a lengthy investigation, which included correspondence with the claimant's accountant and solicitors, a decision letter issued to the claimant on 10 August 2018 advising him that his pension was revoked for the full period for which it was awarded, as he had failed to provide the necessary documentation for his entitlement to be established. The person concerned was also given the right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
As the person concerned has since passed away, section 339 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) requires the personal representative of a deceased claimant to ensure that sufficient assets are retained, to the extent (if any) appropriate, to repay any sum determined to be due to the Minister or the State. Recovery of any overpayment, therefore, may only be recovered to the extent to which it can be met from the estate, if any, allowing for reasonable funeral and legal expenses for which the estate is liable.
Correspondence issued from my Department's Debt Recovery Unit to the solicitors acting for the estate in relation to recovery of the outstanding overpayment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (665)
John Connolly
Ceist:665. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average time currently being taken to consider applications for spousal visas to reside permanently with their spouses in Ireland, by country; the reasons for delays in processing these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72232/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
I can assure the Deputy that 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.
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.
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/ .
Departmental Inquiries
Ceisteanna (666)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:666. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason a request to her Department by the HSE to provide clearance for a notification of a marriage interview involving a person in the IPAS system would result in a six-month delay. [71304/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Unfortunately, based on the information supplied, it has not been possible to locate the application in question.
If more information can be provided, officials can continue to search for the specific application.
Some information that may assist in the search is:
• Application type
• Application number
Officials will re-examine your request on receipt of the additional information.
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (667)
Louis O'Hara
Ceist:667. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if consideration is being given to introducing statutory guidelines for the calculation of child maintenance payments; if this will include affordability assessments for both parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71320/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders, completed by officials in my Department, was published on 8 January 2024. It was one of the actions contained in the “Supporting Children” goal of the Family Justice Strategy. The Review put forward 26 recommendations focused on generating maximum compliance with child maintenance orders, to ensure security and stability for children and to aid poverty prevention. The key recommendations of the review include:
• Development of a set of child maintenance guidelines.
• Introduction of mandatory mediation information sessions.
• Strengthening attachment of earnings orders and exploring the possibility of attaching an order to a PPS number rather than employing entities, so that orders do not lapse when there is a change in employer.
• Introduction of a single enforcement procedure when the receiving parent makes an enforcement application, allowing the judge to choose the most appropriate enforcement option based on the circumstances of the case.
• Simplification of the bench warrant process.
• Placing the onus on paying parents to pay costs associated with enforcement proceedings.
• Allowing for deductions from social welfare, the paying parent’s bank accounts, from government grants and subsidies and allowing for the recovery of arrears from tax refunds.
An interdepartmental group (“The Child Maintenance Guidelines Committee”) was established in February 2024 to develop a set of child maintenance guidelines for use by all parties on a voluntary basis when putting child maintenance arrangements in place, along with an online calculator to help determine fair child maintenance payments. The objectives of the child maintenance guidelines include:
To establish fair, consistent and predictable amounts of maintenance for children whose parents are not together.
To increase transparency, consistency and predictability for those seeking and paying child maintenance.
To reduce conflict and tension between parents by making the calculation of child maintenance more objective.
To reduce the number of child maintenance applications made to the courts by giving parents guidance in setting the levels of child maintenance and by encouraging private maintenance agreements.
To ensure consistent treatment of parents and children who are in similar circumstances.
To promote a culture of payment of child maintenance.
The guidelines will be a voluntary tool for parents, to assist them in coming to private child maintenance arrangements. The guidelines may also be of assistance to courts who may have regard to them as they see fit in appropriate cases. The guidelines and accompanying calculator are now in the final stages of development and they are expected to be launched in January 2026.