Written Answers Nos. 1-20
4. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on meetings between his Department and disabled persons’ organisations regarding the proposed cost-of-disability payment; to provide a timeline for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3294/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the significant additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing permanent measures.
That is why the Programme for Government includes a range of commitments to support disabled people. This includes a commitment to introduce a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment. These commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.
We are making progress. In Budget 2026, I provided for a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures. This contained significant targeted measures, meaning this year, disabled people will see a €10 increase in their weekly rates of payment, a €5 increase in Fuel Allowance and the highest ever increases in the Child Support Payment. The Budget package also included a number of measures which are specifically to support disabled people to take up or remain in employment including significant increases in the rate of the Wage Subsidy Scheme payment and measures to allow people in receipt of disability payments to retain their fuel allowance for five years if they take up employment.
Reflecting the commitments in the Progamme for Government, the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 assigns responsibility for leading the introduction of a cost of disability payment to my Department. Importantly the strategy requires that this work should be informed by, and should include, the active input of disabled people and their advocates.
Accordingly, as set out in the Strategy, my Department will lead a Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability. The work on establishing the network has already begun. My officials have held bi-lateral meetings with a number of organisations to discuss the possible structure and content of the Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability as well as the approach to be taken in running the associated Strategic Focus Summit. Most recently, my officials met with a number of organisations on 2nd December at my Department's quarterly Disability Consultative Forum, at which the Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network was the main Agenda item. Officials from across government were also in attendance given that this is a whole of Government issue.
A meeting with the Disabled Persons Organisation's network is being organised and that is expected to take place next Friday, 23rd January.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
14. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review and change the current penal and outdated means test calculation on land or savings on, for example, the old age pension (non-contributory); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2894/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the means test on certain welfare payments is to ensure that the State directs its limited resources towards those with the greatest need for income support.
The allocation of resources through means testing is an essential component of many social transfer systems, ensuring that available resources are redistributed effectively and targeted at those in the lower income deciles. Ireland's system of means testing has ensured our social protection system is targeted and is consistently one of the most effective in the EU at reducing poverty levels, with a poverty reduction effect of 62.7% in 2024.
In our social welfare system the means test examines both cash income (including income from work) and capital assets (that is savings and investments, including property). It is important to note that the value of a person's principal residence or home is never assessed as part of means tests.
The value of capital is assessed using a progressive formula. In the case of the non-contributory pension the first €20,000 of capital is disregarded entirely, meaning no assessment is applied to this portion. For the next €10,000 above this threshold, an assessment of €1 per €1,000 is applied. The subsequent €10,000 is assessed at a rate of €2 per €1,000. Any remaining balance above these amounts is assessed at €4 per €1,000. This ensures a progressive approach to capital means assessment for recipients of the non-contributory pension. Under this system people with capital assets of up to €111,000 - excluding the value of their family home - can still receive a partial pension payment.
While the case can always be made that the assessment of capital should be made more generous it also has to be recognised that any such change comes with a cost - a cost that is either borne by taxpayers or by the reduction in funds available to other essential state supports and services. Accordingly, while I would not rule out a change to means testing thresholds as part of future budgets such a change would need to be evaluated and considered within the broader context of the Programme for Government and the overall budgetary position.
ENDS
15. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures he is taking to address the growing gap between social welfare payment rates and the actual cost-of-living, particularly in relation to food, energy, housing, childcare and transport; if he accepts that once-off lump sum payments have failed to provide ongoing protection for low-income households; the plans to introduce permanent increases linked to real cost-of-living data rather than annual budget cycles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2341/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acted quickly and decisively in 2022 - 2024 to help households respond to a sharp spike in prices. It did this through a combination of measures including one-social welfare payments and energy credits. However it also increased core social welfare payment rates by €41 per week between 2022 and 2025. These increases of over 20% exceeded the increase in average prices, measured by the consumer price index, of about 18.5%, between 2021 and 2025.
Given inflation has stabilised and given that underlying social welfare rates had more than maintained pace with inflation the Government was very clear that the focus would move from one-off measures to permanent measures targeted at helping households most at risk of poverty.
By allocating €320 million in permanent measures allocated to alleviate child poverty budget 2026 included the largest Child Support Payment increase in the history of the State. This payment increased by €16 per week to €78 for children aged 12 and over (a 26% increase), and a weekly increase of €8 to €58 for children under 12 years (a 16% increase).
This brings the total annual value of the Child Support Payment to more than €3,000 for each child under 12 and more than €4,000 for each child of 12 and over. Since 2019 the value of the child support payment has increased by about 110% (more than doubled) for children over 12 and by 71% for children under 12.
The Budget package also provides significant supports to help householders with the cost of heating and other energy bills. The Fuel Allowance increased by €5, or 15% - nearly three times the rate of inflation - and, for the first time, families receiving the Working Family Payment will qualify for the Fuel Allowance. In addition, people moving from Disability Allowance or the Blind Pension to take up work will retain their Fuel Allowance for five years.
In addition, the Government continued to support core social welfare rates - the €10 per week increase in core rates for 2026 represents a 4.1% increase on most payments, when consumer prices according to the CSO had increased by 3.2% over the 12 months to November 2025.
These increases all reflected, and were based on, the wide range of data used by my Department including CSO price data, ESRI research, analysis from the Minimum Essential Standard of Living studies of the Vincentian partnership (which the Department funds) as well as extensive direct engagement with stakeholder and advocacy groups including through the Department's pre-budget forum and the Social Inclusion Forum.
This research and engagement will continue to inform the Department's approach for future budgets.
16. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the current situation where self-employed workers have no access to sick pay, illness benefit, leaving them in a vulnerable position despite paying PRSI; if he will extend this support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2688/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness Benefit is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for Illness Benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. The person must have made the required number of contributions under class A, E, H or P to qualify. In general, self-employed people make PRSI contributions at class S which does not provide entitlement to Illness Benefit.
Self-employed contributors pay class S PRSI at a rate of 4.2%. This is 11.25 percentage points lower than the combined employer and employee contribution of 15.45% made in respect of employed contributors. However, self-employed contributors do have access to over 90% of benefits available to employed contributors.
The only benefits that class S PRSI does not provide access to are Health and Safety Benefit, Illness Benefit and Occupational Injuries Benefits. Self-employed contributors who are ill may qualify for Invalidity Pension.
In circumstances where people are ill but do not qualify for Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension, my Department provides means tested supports under the Disability Allowance scheme and the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. An Additional Needs Payment may also be available to people who have expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income.
The Programme for Government includes an action to explore the option of giving self-employed workers access to Illness Benefit by means of making a higher PRSI contribution. My Department has commenced work in this regard and this proposal will be progressed over the lifetime of the Government.
Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
17. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Protection for an overview of measures being taken in his Department in 2026 to support people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2685/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to supporting disabled people and offers a range of income and employment supports to achieve this.
The Department of Social Protection provides a range of income support payments for disabled people. There are currently approximately 231,000 recipients of disability income support payments, with estimated expenditure of €3.24 billion in 2025.
In Budget 2026, I provided for a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures. This contained significant targeted measures, meaning this year, disabled people will see a €10 increase in their weekly rates of payment, a €5 increase in Fuel Allowance and the highest ever increases in the Child Support Payment.
Budget 2026 also provided for improvements to employments supports offered to disabled people. People moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up work will be able to retain their Fuel Allowance payment for five years and people on these payments who have children will be eligible for Back to Work Family Dividend when taking up employment. The Wage Subsidy Scheme was expanded to people who acquire a disability while in employment and to those who transfer from Invalidity Pension to Partial Capacity Benefit while rates will be increased from April.
In 2026, my Department will continue to work towards the commitments outlined in the National Human Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. My Department, alongside the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will lead the employment pillar, focused on improving access to the workplace for all disabled people. My Department will also lead a Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability. The network will take a whole of government approach to address this issue with the involvement of all relevant Departments and Agencies.
The work of this network, which will include disabled people and their advocates, will inform the approach to be taken. I have asked my officials to expedite this work with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of 2026.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
18. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will amend the current weekly means limit for the increase for qualified adult allowance for recipients of the State pension and to increase the current means limit of €100 which has been in place since 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1244/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides State Pension payments through the State Pension (Contributory), which is a contributory-based payment based on a person's social insurance record, and the State Pension (Non-Contributory), which is means-tested social assistance payment.
At present an Increase for qualified adult (IQA) is payable with the State contributory pension at the maximum rate of payment where the means of the qualified adult are not more than €100 per week. Reduced rates are payable where their means are over €100 and not more than €310 per week. No increase for a qualified adult is payable where their means are in excess of €310 per week.
The purpose of means tests are to ensure that the available resources are targeted in the most effective manner to those people who are most in need of support. For example where a household has income from an occupational pension as well as the contributory state pension it is appropriate to consider if the State's resources should be directed towards increasing the income into that household, via an increase in means limits for the qualified adult payment, or to increasing incomes into other households including for example recipients of the non-contributory pension in receipt of the fuel allowance.
In general the current structure of the Irish social protection system in mediating these choices is show to perform exceptionally well delivering a poverty reduction effect of 62.7% - one of the most effective poverty mitigation effects across the entire EU.
A review of means testing in the social protection system is currently under way in my Department. The purpose of the review of means testing is to look at the different means-tested schemes and to identify any issues in terms of the application of the respective means test.
The outcome of the review will inform decisions regarding any potential changes to means testing. All prospective changes to means testing arrangements will have to be considered in both an overall policy and budgetary context.
19. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions being taken to increase the low labour participation rate of 32% for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2895/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, it is important to clarify for the Deputy that according to Census 2022, the employment rate for disabled people is actually 49% and not 32%.
My Department's Intreo service is a single point of contact for all employment supports in the State. Disabled people can make an appointment to meet with a Designated Disability Employment Personal Advisor to discuss employment and training options, including schemes such as Community Employment, Tús and Employability.
Since 2022, my Department began rolling out a proactive early engagement approach with young people aged between 18 and 22 years of age in receipt of Disability Allowance. This was followed by 22–25-year-olds and then all age groups.
Work and Access is a scheme that offers seven supports that addresses barriers to the workplace for disabled people and make it more accessible. Funding is available for communication supports, workplace adaptations as well as disability equality and inclusion training.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme supports employers to hire disabled people through a subsidy. Budget 2026 has provided for a further expansion in eligibility and an increase in the subsidy rates.
As a result of Budget 2026, people moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up work will keep their Fuel Allowance for up to five years, from September 2026. The Back to Work Family Dividend is also being extended to people moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension who have children. In addition, people on Disability Allowance can earn up to €165 per week and keep their payment in full.
Under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, my Department, alongside the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will lead the employment pillar. The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation is also responsible for actions within the pillar. This pillar is focused on improving access to the workplace for all disabled people.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
20. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of new applicants aged 66 years and over who have been approved for the fuel allowance under the revised means thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2789/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs; it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made for 28 weeks over the winter season - from late September to early April - at the weekly rate of €38 or, if preferred, by way of two instalments - one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.
In Budget 2023, a more generous means test was introduced for those aged over 70, with a higher means threshold of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. In Budget 2025, this was extended to those over 66. From 1st January 2026, the means thresholds for over those aged over 66 increased to €534 per week for a single person over 66 and €1,068 per week for a couple. Applicants aged over 66 no longer need to be receiving a qualifying social protection payment and the threshold for the capital disregard increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
As part of Budget 2026, the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance increased by €5 from €33 to €38.
Fuel Allowance is a demand led scheme. The number of new Fuel Allowance applicants who have been approved under the revised means thresholds is not readily available. At the end of December 2025, there were a total of 420,646 households in receipt of Fuel Allowance of which 230,373 where the recipient is aged over 66 years.
It should be noted that the number of qualified households continuously fluctuates, as recipients join and exit the scheme as their circumstances change.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
