Written Answers Nos. 755-772
755. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding any mechanism in place within his Department that allows for civil servants to transfer on secondment to an equivalent role within the European Union, without negatively impacting their pension and other employment rights; his views on the merits of such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34430/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department supports the secondment of staff to the institutions of the European Union in accordance with DPENDR Circulars 2/1976, 33/1991 and 27/2021, in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Department currently have one officer who is seconded to the European Commission as a Seconded National Expert (SNE). Additionally, we have one officer who is seconded to the European Commission through the National Experts in Professional Training (NEPT) programme. We also have a number of staff members who are currently working in the Department, who were previously seconded to the EU.
For the duration of these secondments, the officers remain employees of my Department and their pension and employment rights are fully maintained.
My Department will continue to support civil servants to avail of these opportunities as it recognises the value that such placements offer, towards:
• strengthening the capacity of my Department to deliver its objectives, by building on our knowledge of existing and emerging EU policies and developments of relevance to our work;
• building on our knowledge of the working of EU institutions, while fostering relationships with the EU and with other member states;
• further identifying opportunities for collaboration with the EU institutions;
• career development opportunities for seconded officers.
The networks and knowledge built up by officers seconded to the EU, are also of significant relevance as we prepare for the forthcoming Presidency of the European Council.
756. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application for disability allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34495/26]
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 confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 21 April 2026. The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
The person concerned was written to on 06 May 2026, requesting further information in relation to their application.
Upon receipt of this information, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
757. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Social Protection to engage in meaningful reform of the disability allowance means test (details supplied), especially in relation to how a partner's income is assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34502/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme. It is a means-tested payment for people with a disability who are aged between 16 and 66. In order to be eligible, the disability must be expected to last for at least one year. In common with other income support payments DA is intended to help a person who cannot derive sufficient income from employment - in the case of DA this is due to the fact that the person is disabled, in other cases it may be because the person is unemployed (jobseekers' Allowance) or has caring responsibilities (carers' Allowance).
Social welfare legislation provides that, for means-tested social assistance schemes, all income and assets belonging to the claimant, and their spouse/partner where applicable, is assessable for means testing purposes. This recognises the fact that couples operate as a single household and can share living expenses in a manner not available to a single-person. In addition, the purpose of a means test is to ensure that scarce exchequer resources, derived from taxes paid by citizens, are directed to those with the greatest need. The application of a household means test ensures that high income households do not unnecessarily benefit from income transfers funded by taxes paid by households on lower incomes. This approach supports an economically sustainable and socially equitable allocation of scarce resources.
In addition to the means test DA, like other social assistance payments is subject to a habitual residency requirement. It is also subject to an assessment of the person's capacity to work.
Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by my Department. A recipient can have up to €50,000 in savings and still receive the full rate of payment. This is compared to €20,000 for most social welfare payments.
The earnings disregard for Disability Allowance has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently. A person can earn up to €165 a week and keep their full rate of Disability Allowance. In fact, a person can earn up to €527.60 a week and still retain a minimum rate of Disability Allowance and their secondary benefits.
The Government recognises the 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, including a commitment to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability payment.
To deliver on this commitment, the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from Disability groups and advocates, set out the process whereby the cost of disability payment would be developed. it was agreed to establish a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability.
To prepare for the summit. A public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered was launched on Friday, 20 February and ran for just over six weeks until Tuesday 7 April. I am very pleased that there was an exceptional response with over 1,000 submissions received.
The submissions helped inform the agenda for the Summit which I hosted in the Aviva Stadium on the 13th of May 2026. It was an in-person and on-line event attended by many people with disabilities, Disability Person Organisations and other advocacy groups as well as representatives of many Government Departments and members of the Oireachtas together with senior Government Ministers including the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, and Ministers of State, Sean Canney and Emer Higgins. This attendance indicates that while the work on the cost of disability has been led by my Department the delivery of a solution will involve a range of Department's and agencies.
Following the Summit, a briefing paper will be produced outlining the key learnings. These will inform the approach that will be taken including the measures that may be taken as part of Budget 2027. While the issue cannot be resolved in one budget cycle I, and my Government colleagues intend, to the best of our ability, to use the resources available in Budget 2027 to make a meaningful difference.
758. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on an appeal for supplementary welfare allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34666/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for Supplementary Welfare Allowance on 5 February 2026. The application was refused on 10 March 2026 and the person concerned submitted an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 7 April 2026.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. As the person concerned has failed to submit all the information requested by the Department, to allow a full assessment of means, it cannot be determined that their means are less than the statutory limit for Supplementary Welfare Allowance. Additionally, the person concerned has not established that the Habitual Residency Conditions have been met for receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
The person concerned was notified of the appeal outcome on the 22 April 2026. This letter also provided information regarding the review options available which remain open should they wish to avail of them.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
759. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the refusal of an application for the working family payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34753/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them and be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 3 November 2025, which was awarded from 6 November 2025. This claim was subsequently disallowed on 24 March 2026 as the person concerned was not deemed to be working the required minimum number of hours (38) per fortnight to maintain their eligibility for the scheme.
On the 7 May 2026 the person concerned submitted a new application for WFP, which was awarded from this date as the eligibility requirements for the scheme have now been met.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
760. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 commitment to finalise an approach for benchmarking pension payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34901/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra762. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the Department's report on the benchmarking and indexing of working-age social protection rates; when it is expected to be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34903/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 760 and 762 together.
The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 contains a commitment to develop a benchmarking approach for use in adjusting the value of State pension payments. It is worth noting that indexing weekly social protection rates to only one measure, such as inflation, presents a challenge as it can widen the income gap between those dependent on social protection payments and other people in society.
The smoothed earnings approach proposed by the Department to index the rate of State Pension payments was subsequently endorsed by the Commission on Pensions and addresses this challenge as it links the pension rate to 34% of average earnings, and allows for variation in periods where inflation exceeds earnings growth.
In 2022 the Government decided that the Minister for Social Protection would, in submitting budget options, set out a rate of pension payment calculated using the smoothed earnings benchmark approach as an input for consideration as part of Budget discussions, on an annual basis, starting from September 2023.
Since then, this calculation has been prepared and submitted annually to Government as part of preparations for the Budget.
A report on the benchmarking and indexing of working age social protection rates is being undertaken by my Department and is yet to finalised.
A new Roadmap for Social Inclusion, to cover the period 2026-2030 is under development and is anticipated to be published shortly.
761. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the annual input to Cabinet which sets out the rate of pension payment calculated using the smoothed earnings benchmark approach will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34902/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund in light of the projected demographic changes. The Commission's Report, which was published in October 2021, took account of analyses of population, labour force and expenditure projections and set out recommendations to address the sustainability of the State pension system.
In response to the recommendations from the Commission on Pensions, a series of reforms to the State Pension system were announced in September 2022. The Government decided that the Minister for Social Protection would, in submitting budget options, set out a rate for State Pension payments calculated using the smoothed earnings benchmark approach as an input for consideration as part of Budget discussions, on an annual basis, starting from September 2023.
Since then, this calculation has been prepared and submitted annually to Government as part of preparations for the Budget, most recently in September 2025, for Budget 2026. The smoothed earnings calculation will be submitted for consideration of Government as part of the preparations for Budget 2027.
763. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he will include a target for the reduction of poverty among older people in the upcoming successor to the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025, given that no target was set for this in the existing policy, and that 30% of older people living alone, and 15% of all older people, are now at risk of poverty, according to recently published CSO-SILC data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34904/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 is the national strategy that aims to reduce consistent poverty and make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive countries in the European Union.
The current Roadmap sets out 81 commitments from across Government to help achieve this ambition.
Progress is monitored by a Steering Group that I chair, and my Department publishes annual progress reports and report cards detailing the progress that has been made. A fifth and final progress report and report card will be published in 2026.
A successor strategy for the period 2026-2030 is being currently developed by my Department, with the support of other Departments, and is intended to be published this quarter.
Recognising the multi-dimensional nature of poverty, the strategy will again be cross-Government, building on progress to date, outlining measurable actions aimed at reducing poverty and improving social inclusion, and acknowledging continued and new challenges.
These actions will span key areas such as income adequacy, employment, housing, health, education, transport, childcare and community supports, and focus on groups most impacted by poverty and social exclusion as seen in national data, including older people.
The new strategy is also informed by an extensive consultation process and engagement with civil society organisations, including those representing the interests of older people.
Further detail on actions and targets will be available on publication of the strategy.
764. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection If an examination of improvements to key ancillary benefits such as the fuel allowance, household benefits package and living alone allowance to support vulnerable groups has occurred as per the Programme for Government; if not, when this examination is to occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34905/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government has committed to protect core welfare rates while ensuring that available resources are targeted at vulnerable groups.
As referenced by the Deputy, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the fuel allowance, household benefits package and living alone allowance to support vulnerable groups.
This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year. For example, there have been a number of expansions under recent budgets to the Fuel Allowance to make it more available to vulnerable cohorts. These improvements have resulted in many more households qualifying for the payment and have resulted in the Budget for the scheme increasing significantly with an estimated expenditure of €557.4 million on the scheme in 2026 compared to an expenditure of €290.45 million in 2020.
Budget 2026 provided for a €5 increase to the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance resulting in recipients receiving an additional €140 over the course of a fuel season.
Importantly, from a child poverty perspective, Budget 2026 measures also saw the Fuel Allowance extended to all recipients of the Working Family Payment from January 2026, benefitting some 50,000 families.
Finally, from September 2026 those moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up employment will continue to receive their Fuel Allowance for five years after exiting their payment.
I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable cohorts. Any future decisions will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
765. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if a constituent (details supplied) is forbidden from getting a second Community Welfare Payment when moving into a council house, 14-years after getting a payment when moving into their previous council house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35053/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet once-off essential expenditure that an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income or personal and household resources. ANPs are 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.
The specific purpose of an ANP is to assist with immediate and essential expenses in situations of exceptional or urgent need. It is only intended to provide once-off short-term assistance where no other options are available.
All ANP applications are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the need presenting. Receipt of an ANP in the past does not prevent a person from receiving an ANP in the future, neither is a person moving from one local authority property to another prevented from applying for assistance to furnish their new home.
As part of the application process, a person is asked to provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need as is necessary.
According to departmental records, the person concerned recently applied for an ANP to assist with the cost of furnishing her new home. A CWO visited the property on 05/05/2026 to assess the need identified in the application but the person concerned was unavailable, and she later indicated by phone that she could not facilitate another home visit. The person concerned was requested to furnish additional documentation to allow a determination to be made on the claim.
Upon receipt of the requested documentation and agreement on a suitable date/time for a repeat home visit, the person's claim will be assessed, and she will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
766. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which the current levy arising from public expenditure overruns is being calculated and applied to his Department’s Vote; whether any categories of expenditure, including pay, pensions or staffing-related costs, are exempt from the levy within his Department; and if he will provide a breakdown of the areas against which the levy is being applied. [35088/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe basis for the calculation on which the current levy arising from public expenditure overruns is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
767. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline any supports available to a person (details supplied) who is currently undergoing chemotherapy following a breast cancer diagnosis, and experiencing significant financial hardship due to their ineligibility for illness benefit. [35140/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not received an Illness Benefit application from the person concerned.
Illness 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 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.
If the person is in urgent need of financial assistance, it is open for them to contact the Community Welfare Officer in their local Intreo office to enquire about assistance under the means-tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
To qualify for Supplementary Welfare Allowance, the person’s income must be below a certain amount.
The Department of Social Protection examines all sources of income. If the individual is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, the total income of the couple is added together in the means test.
768. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the continued means testing of the carer's allowance, given that caring is a constant, full time role that does not operate on defined hours or shift patterns, and places significant mental, physical and emotional demands on carers; if he accepts that the current system does not adequately reflect the value of unpaid care work or the cost of living pressures faced by family carers; the consideration being given to removing or reforming the means test for carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35160/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which my Department provides income support to carers. Expenditure on the scheme in 2026 is estimated to exceed €1.4 billion. At the end of April there were more than 106,800 carers receiving this payment.
The principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that full time care and attention is required and provided, and that a means test is satisfied. The payment is made in recognition of the fact that these carers are unable to earn a sufficient income due to their caring commitments. It is not, and never was intended to be a payment for the provision of care.
Where carers are providing care to more than one person, an increase of 50% is applicable. A higher rate of Carer’s Allowance is payable to carers aged over 66. It is also important to note that subject to eligibility, people who receive Carer’s Allowance may also receive a number of secondary benefits including a Free Travel Pass, the Household Benefits Package, a GP Visit Card and Fuel Allowance.
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 this Government.
This process is already underway. Last July the amount of weekly earnings disregarded was increased to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple. As part of Budget 2026, I announced further changes to the Carer’s Allowance means test that will be introduced in July. The weekly income disregard will increase from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of couple.
Since June 2022, there have been cumulative increases to the disregards of over 200%. The single carer disregard has increased by €667.50 and the couple disregard by €1,335. These are significant increases.
The reforms in July will see more carers qualify for Carer’s Allowance. For example, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €110,000 will retain their full Carer’s Allowance payment and even with an income of €138,000 will retain a partial payment. In addition, those recipients on a reduced payment due to means will see their payment increase.
The recent improvements outlined are evidence of the Government’s determination to deliver on its commitment to phase out the Carer's Allowance means test over the lifetime of the Government. We will continue to progress this commitment in light of the prevailing budgetary conditions.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
769. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress on the commitment to examine the modifications or changes that may be made to support women who currently fall outside the existing schemes to qualify for a State pension, as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35219/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides State Pension payments through the State Pension (Contributory), which is a contributory payment based on a person's social insurance record and the State Pension (Non-Contributory) which is means-tested social assistance payment. To receive either a contributory or social assistance payment a person must qualify for that payment in their own right.
The State Pension (Contributory) is funded from the Social Insurance Fund through the social insurance contributions paid by workers and employers. The rate of payment reflects the number of social insurance contributions paid over a working life. To qualify for this payment a person requires 520 (equivalent to 10 years) paid contributions.
The current State Pension (Contributory) system gives significant recognition and support to those whose work history includes extended periods outside of paid employment, often to raise families or in a full-time caring role. This is done through PRSI credits and through Homemaking Disregards under the Yearly Average method of calculating rate of pay, and through HomeCaring Periods under the Total Contributions Approach (TCA).
The Homemakers Disregard Scheme was introduced in April 1994 for use in the Yearly Average calculation. This allowed an applicant to apply under the Homemaker's Scheme for those years since April 1994 spent caring for children under age 12 or other dependent relatives to be disregarded in the calculation under the Yearly Average calculation method.
HomeCaring Periods were introduced under TCA. Up to 20 years of HomeCaring periods can be considered and this includes periods prior to 1994. Therefore, those who have a 40 year record of paid and credited social insurance contributions, subject to a maximum of 20 years of credits / HomeCaring periods, qualify for a maximum State Pension (Contributory) where they satisfy the other qualifying conditions for the scheme.
Since January 2024, Long-Term Carers Contributions (LTCCs) can be awarded to a person who has cared for an incapacitated person for a period of 20 years (1040 weeks) or more, and these contributions can be used towards the calculation of their State Pension (Contributory) entitlement. This is done by attributing the equivalent of a paid contribution to long-term carers of incapacitated dependents to cover gaps in their contribution record. These Long-Term Carers Contributions will be treated the same as paid contributions for State Pension (Contributory) entitlement only and can, where there are gaps in paid contributions, be used to satisfy the minimum 520 qualifying contributions condition. LTCCs are available to those who reach 66 since 1 January 2024 and those already over aged 66 at that date.
For those who do not qualify for a State Pension (Contributory), or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record, the State Pension (Non-Contributory) is available. This is a means-tested social assistance payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State.
As with all other social assistance schemes, payments are based on an income need. The means test used plays a critical role in ensuring that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
Finally, where a person's spouse or partner is in receipt of a State Pension (Contributory), they can also apply for an increase for a Qualified Adult, amounting up to 90% of a full rate State Pension (Contributory). This will be based on the Qualified Adult's means. The Increase for a Qualified Adult will automatically be paid directly to the adult dependent unless the adult dependent chooses to have it paid with the spouse's or partner's payment instead.
The combination of these measures means that no person with a viable income need falls outside these schemes.
As set out in the Programme for Government, the Department will examine the extent to which the measures already in place are adequate for ensuring that women do not fall outside of the State pension system. To do this the Department will, among other things, consider the trends in social insurance records and payments for women, any other purported barriers to accessing State pension supports for women, and the impact of means testing. This will also have to be done having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context and the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
770. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures in place to ensure that those who are in receipt of unemployment assistance payments are offered paths into training and employment. [35317/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, through its Intreo network, provides a number of pathways into training and employment for those who are in receipt of jobseeker payments.
My Department offers supports for education and training, which aim raise educational and skill levels to increase the employability of jobseekers and increase the likelihood of entering employment.
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) provides income support to jobseekers who wish to enter a full-time FET course to improve their skills and assist them in finding quality employment. The Training Support Grant (TSG) can be used by jobseekers to fund short-term training and certification up to €1,000 per annum. The Grant allows jobseekers to address immediate skills and certification gaps that prevent them from taking up an offer of employment. Jobseekers receiving qualifying payments can avail of free Higher Education courses via Springboard+.
The Part Time Education Option enables people in receipt of a jobseeker payment to attend part-time day/evening courses of education or training, with the approval of their Employment Personal Advisor. The Education, Training and Development option allows those in receipt of a jobseeker payment, with the approval of their Employment Personal Advisor, to continue receiving their payment while attending certain short education, training or development courses. The normal eligibility conditions for jobseeker payments continue to apply for both options.
My Department provides a number of schemes to keep jobseekers close to the labour market and facilitate them taking up work, such as the Work Placement Experience programme (WPEP) and JobsPlus.
The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is designed to support jobseekers and break the cycle of “no work, no experience” by providing 6-month work placements of 30 hours per week. Participants gain valuable on-the-job experience and complete 60 hours of training over the programme, including 20 hours of accredited or sector-specific training. More distant labour market cohorts benefit from reduced scheme qualification requirements.
JobsPlus is a recruitment incentive for employers of up to €10,000 to hire an unemployed person from the Live Register. The scheme is is co-funded by the EU for jobseekers under 30. Under-30s also need only be in receipt of a qualifying payment for 4 months to become eligible for the standard rate of JobsPlus.
My Department is currently drafting the successor to Pathways to Work, the national employment services strategy, which is expected to be published later this year. The strategy will recognise the labour market challenges facing distant labour market cohorts despite positive employment developments. It will focus on ensuring those facing additional barriers to work are supported to find and sustain quality employment through a range of supports available across the Intreo network.
771. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the numbers in 2025 in receipt of unemployment assistance who refused or failed to attend meetings relating to employment or training, or refused training courses; the actions that were taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35318/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Jobseeker payment is conditional on the recipient being available for, capable of and genuinely seeking work. This reflects the concept of ‘rights and responsibilities’ whereby people who are unemployed have the right to an income support from the State and a right to be supported in their efforts to secure employment, but also have a responsibility to seek employment and to engage with the employment services offered by the State.
Intreo Employment Services supports jobseekers to find work and there are a wide range of supports on offer in terms of further education, training, upskilling, work placements as well as programmes such as Community Employment and TUS.
Jobseekers who do not engage with the Intreo Employment Service or who fail to participate in appropriate employment interventions can have their jobseeker’s payment reduced and subsequently be disqualified from their payment for up to 9 weeks. They may also have their entitlement to a Jobseekers payment reviewed based on a failure to genuinely seek work. Once a jobseeker resumes this engagement the reduced rate is lifted immediately. Whether a reduced rate applies, and the duration of its application is totally within the control of the claimant.
The weekly reduced rates applied for Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit is €90 since January 2025 and €50 for those aged under 25 and in receipt of a reduced age-related Jobseeker's Allowance. The reduced rate for customers in receipt of Jobseeker's Pay Related Benefit, which was introduced at the end of March 2025 is set at 20% of their weekly payment. There were 11,082 reduced rates applied to customer’s jobseeker payments in 2025.
Most customers in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment who do not attend an initial appointment subsequently engage with the Department and attend a later appointment. As a result, sanctions are not required in the majority of such cases, as customers are afforded every reasonable opportunity to attend before any reduction or suspension of payment is considered.
It is not possible to provide a specific breakdown of customers who did not attend an appointment, nor of those who did not attend or who refused a training or employment opportunity.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
772. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of centenarian bounties paid in each of the years from 2016 to 2025; the projections of the number of payments made in 2026 and in coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35319/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Centenarian’s Bounty is issued by the President’s office to Irish citizens and residents of Ireland on their 100th birthday. A once-off payment of €2,540 and congratulatory letter issue from that office to mark the occasion.
My Department notify the President’s office of the number of residents in Ireland who have reached the milestone of 100 years. The table below lists the numbers of Centenarians notified to the President’s Office by my Department since 2016 and for 2026 to date.
The Department of Foreign Affairs notify the President’s office of those reaching the milestone of 100 years who are resident abroad, my Department would not hold that data.
Population projections would suggest that numbers could reach 1,000 per year by the early 2040s, as the population ages.
Notifications sent by the Department of Social protection to the Presidents office
