Written Answers Nos. 851-866
851. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 14 January 2026, if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11914/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity Pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
Claimants must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions (class A, E, H or S) since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their Invalidity Pension claim.
The relevant date is:
(a) any date after the completion of one year of continuous incapacity for work, or
(b) any lesser period that may be prescribed, subject to the conditions and in the circumstances that may be prescribed where the insured person has entered into a continuous period of incapacity for work and he or she is subsequently proved to be permanently incapable of work.
An application for IP was received from the person concerned on 20 May 2025. The application was refused on 6 August 2025 on the grounds that the qualifying conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. Notification issued to the person referred to on 6 August 2025 informing them of the decision, the reasons for it and of their right of review and appeal.
Following a review on 21 August 2025 to take account of additional medical evidence for the claim, a Deciding Officer decided that the original decision should stand. The person concerned had also appealed the decision to refuse their claim and their file was sent to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 21 August 2025 for further determination by an Appeals Officer (AO). The AO allowed the appeal on 4 November 2025 finding the person concerned medically eligible for IP subject to all other conditions being satisfied.
Following the AO decision, a DO decided that the relevant date for the claim was 2018. As the person concerned does not have any paid or or credited contributions in either of the 2 contribution years immediately prior to 2018, the IP claim was refused on 10 November 2025 on the grounds that the qualifying contribution conditions for IP are not met. Notification issued to the person referred to on 10 November 2025 informing them of this decision, the reasons for it and of their right of review and appeal.
Following reviews on 27 November 2025 and 11 December 2025, the DO decided that the original decision on 10 November 2025 should stand following each review.
An application for Disability Allowance was received by my Department from the person concerned on 24 April 2019. My Department has no evidence that the person concerned was wrongly advised in making this application. The person in question has no paid or credited PRSI contributions since the 2015 contribution year and would not have satisfied the qualifying contribution conditions for IP at the time of their DA application date.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
852. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of concerns that school meal providers are mislabelling the nutritional content of their products in their marketing content; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11934/26]
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.
My Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school. The primary relationship is between the school and supplier. It is the responsibility of each school board to select a supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenderer’s responsibilities and obligations, including in relation to compliance with Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland, as Ireland’s independent regulator and the central competent authority for the enforcement of food safety legislation provide advice on the mandatory labelling requirements which can be found on their website Food Information: www.fsai.ie/enforcement-and-legislation/legislation/food-legislation/food-information-fic-(labelling)
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland deals with enforcement procedures in instances of non-compliance with food law by any food business operator in Ireland.
Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to 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, the reduction of food waste and the use of recyclable packaging.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
853. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Social Protection to extend retrospectively, without further delay, the agreed and ministerial approved changes to superannuation on health grounds in respect of An Post pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12008/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI hope the Deputy will appreciate that neither I nor my Department can intervene or comment on issues relating to an individual pension scheme or pension provider.
My Department has no role in the payment of pension increases or retrospective benefits to members of occupational pension schemes, irrespective of whether those schemes operate in the public or private sector. The payment of pension benefits for occupational pension schemes, and the terms and conditions pertaining to such schemes, are matters for the scheme trustees or administrators to whom enquiries should be addressed. Matters directly relating to the An Post Superannuation Scheme come under the remit of the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
854. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 19 June 2025, to clarify if parents are the employer of home tutors and whether this means that they must now engage with the recently established auto enrolment pension acting as an employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12016/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAuto-enrolment, or MyFutureFund, was introduced to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with access to a quality assured retirement savings scheme, thereby giving greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income.
The purpose of the home tuition grant scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. When a tutor agrees to provide tuition, the Department of Education and Youth does not become the tutor’s employer but only acts as payroll agent on behalf of the parent/legal guardian for the payment of the home tuition grant scheme who have been sanctioned to receive funds under the home tuition grant scheme.
Although the Department of Education and Youth pays the tutor, the arrangement is a private one between the parent/legal guardian and the tutor and no contractual relationship exists between the tutor and the Department. Tutors below the age of 66 are classed as self-employed (Class S) for PRSI purposes. Class M applies to those over the age of 66 who are in in receipt of the contributory state pension. Work completed under the home tuition scheme does not count towards pensionable service. On this basis, home tutors are not classified as employees and do not come within the scope of MyFutureFund.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
855. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average processing time for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds. [12112/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo enable the accurate enumeration of recipients of various types of Jobseeker’s schemes, the Department uses a unique administrative code which is only applied to a claim that has already been awarded. Statistics are maintained on the average processing time for Jobseeker’s Benefit, but such data is not separately collated in respect of the Benefit Payment for 65 year-olds. Accordingly, the data sought cannot be provided in the manner referred to by the Deputy.
The current average processing time for Jobseeker's Benefit is 1 week.
856. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if workers who are paying into a private pension and not a work pension or have a previous work pension and now a private pension, can be fully excluded from auto enrolment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12113/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra857. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if he considered the scenario of retired members of the Army or An Garda Síochána who retire earlier and may work in the private sector and do not want to be part of auto enrolment, can they be excluded from re-enrolment after two years where they opt out after six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12114/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra858. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person who opts out of auto enrolment is enrolled again after two years when they have chosen to opt out; the reason this is being done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12115/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 856 to 858, inclusive, 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 access to a quality assured retirement savings scheme, thereby giving greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income.
The new system - known as MyFutureFund - commenced on the 1 January 2026. Over 763,000 employees that weren't actively contributing to a qualifying pension or PRSA through payroll were eligible and were automatically enrolled in MyFutureFund.
Firstly, MyFutureFund seeks to address the inertia and procrastination that exists when it comes to people providing for their retirement. A semi-compulsory retirement savings system which automatically enrols and deducts contributions from eligible workers is appropriate for overcoming that inertia. However, it is also recognized that there should be space for individual choice regarding participation in the system. Thus, it was decided that participants would be allowed to opt out during a two month window after six months mandatory participation in the scheme. The reason why the participants who chose to opt out are re-enrolled after two years is to prevent them falling back into inertia regarding their retirement. Instead, they are 'nudged' by re-enrollment to re-consider the provision they have made for their retirement and the benefits of participating in MyFutureFund. Finally, it should be noted that the policy of re-enrolment received widespread public support during the Strawman consultation of 2018 which sought views from stakeholders and the wider public on various aspects of the design of the system.
Secondly, where a worker is paying into a private pension, they may be fully excluded from My Future Fund provided their arrangement meets the standards set out in regulation for exempt employment. In the case of a PRSA, the standards specify the total contributions amount to at least 3.5% of the employee’s gross pay, of which at least 1.5% must be made by the employer (subject to a maximum of €1200 per annum) to exempt an employment from enrolment in My Future Fund. As the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) has no awareness of private pensions outside payroll, initially a worker with a private pension will be brought into My Future Fund provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Therefore, in order to be excluded from My Future Fund, such a worker should contact NAERSA (options are set out at www.myfuturefund.ie/contact-us) to seek a review of their enrolment and furnish evidence of their pension arrangement to seek an exemption.
Thirdly, where a worker is a retired member of the Army or An Garda Síochána working in a private sector employment, they will be automatically enrolled into MyFutureFund provided they meet the eligibility criteria. If they do not wish to continue their participation in MyFutureFund, they may opt out after six months, during months seven & eight and get their employee contributions refunded.
Finally, it is worth noting that there is no downside for an employee being auto-enrolled in MyFutureFund. For every €3 contributed by an employee, this will be matched by their employer, and the State will top it up with €1. In other words, every €3 contributed by an employee automatically becomes €7 which is then invested to grow over time.
I hope that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
859. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the implementation of systems (details supplied) within his Department; whether the systems are used to process and store social welfare recipient data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12195/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department uses the system referenced to process supplier invoices and payments only. This is independent of the Department’s core on premise platform which administers the Department's various schemes and services.
860. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection if an official diagnosis with assessment of need report is compulsory in an application for domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12274/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra864. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason it is necessary for parents to provide a burden of proof in the form of an assessment report, which cannot be obtained due to long waiting list, for assessment of needs for children for an application for domiciliary care allowance; when an application form and medical report is all that is currently required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12567/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra865. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if an official diagnosis, along with an assessment report, is a compulsory requirement when granting domiciliary care allowance, as the applicants are only required to submit an application form and medical report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12568/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 860, 864 and 865 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 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 or assessment reports can be helpful in making quality and efficient decisions, they are not mandatory.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
861. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will review the hot school meals programme with the aim of catering portions for the age of pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12281/26]
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 Nutritional Standards for School Meals have been in place since its inception and were developed by a technical Nutrition Subgroups comprised of:
• Dieticians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland,
• The HSE,
• Safefood, and
• The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
These standards are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available on gov.ie.
Nutritional standards are a priority for me and I requested a review of the scheme’s nutrition standards to be undertaken. My department seconded a Dietitian through the Department of Health, funded by the Department of Social Protection. The Dietitian is being supported by both expert technical and advisory groups. Portion sizes are being looked at as part of the review of the nutritional guidelines.
As stipulated in the Programme for Government, I will continue to 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, the reduction of food waste and the use of recyclable packaging.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
862. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a disability allowance application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12307/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I can confirm that the Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 14 July 2025. Based on the evidence supplied in support of their application and following requests for further information, the application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that the person concerned had failed to complete their application form in full.
The person concerned was notified of this decision on 02 December 2025 and their right to request a review of this decision and/or appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
A request for a review was received on the 14 December 2025 and further information was received on the 07 January 2025. Upon review of the supporting documentation, the person concerned has been awarded DA with effect from 19 November 2025 and the first payment will be made by their chosen payment method on 18 February 2026
Arrears of payment due from 19 November 2025 to 17 February 2026 will issue as soon as possible, once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 12 February 2026.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
863. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a list of all organisations and projects that received matched and-or partner funding from his Department in 2023, 2024 and 2025; the amount of funding allocated to each organisation or project; what was achieved and the stated outcomes from the funding provided in each case; the plans his Department has for the provision of matched and partner funding in 2026 and 2027 including the way such funding aligns with his/her Department’s philanthropy policy and objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12415/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials contacted the Deputy in relation to this Parliamentary Question in order to seek clarification on the scope of the question. My Department provides supports and funding to hundreds of bodies and community organisations including through for example, Community Employment (CE) Schemes, Tús (community work placement initiative) and the Rural Social Scheme. These schemes provide support to hundreds of organisations across the country and thousands of participants as key supported employment programmes.
Furthermore, contracted public employment services are provided throughout the country through the Intreo Partners National Employment Services and Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Services. In this regard, it is not possible in the timeframe available to answer a Parliamentary Question, to provide a table with the list of organisations, without further clarification from the Deputy as to what is within scope.
The Department also provides matched funding under the European Social Plus Fund (ESF+) which provides social protection by tackling poverty, fostering social inclusion, and improving employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups through training, education, and basic material assistance. The ESF+ Food and Basic Material Support is designed to support Member States in addressing the basic needs of the most deprived people in our community. The Department will continue to work with its beneficiary partner, FoodCloud, a not-for-profit organisation, and the charities around the country, to provide food and basic material assistance to the most vulnerable in our society. The current programme of funding is due operate until the end of 2027.
While the Department does not partner with philanthropic bodies in terms of seeking funding, there is close engagement with community, voluntary, and non-governmental organisations to provide better outcomes for our customers and to deliver its services.
866. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline whether any additional supports are currently available to parents who give birth to twins, or other multiple births; if there are any plans to expand these supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12593/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their nineteenth birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability. Child Benefit is currently paid to over 660,000 families in respect of approximately 1.3 million children. Annual expenditure on the scheme is estimated at over €2.2 billion in 2025.
The standard monthly rate of €140 for Child Benefit applies to each child. Twins are paid at one and a half times the standard monthly rate for each child, that is, €210 per month for each twin. All other multiple births are paid at double the standard monthly rate for each child, that is, €280 per child.
These increased payments continue for as long as all of the children remain qualified. The additional monthly premia in respect of multiple births acknowledge the existence of additional costs for parents of multiple births.
Parent’s Benefit is a payment for employed people, who are on Parent’s Leave from work, and self-employed people who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. Nine weeks Parent's Leave and Benefit is available to all eligible parents. The leave and benefit must be availed of within two years of the child's birth or adoption.
In the case of multiple births, one period of Parent's Leave can be claimed by each eligible parent who may also be eligible for Parent's Benefit during that period. This is in line with Maternity and Paternity Leave and Benefit schemes.
When the current durations of Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s Benefit are combined this adds up to 46 weeks of paid leave for a two-parent family.
While I have responsibility for the Benefits which are associated with Maternity, Paternity, and Parent's Leave, my colleague the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality has responsibility for the current associated Leave and the separate Parental Leave scheme, which is unpaid.
Any decision to increase the rate and durations of these schemes would have to be to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
