Written Answers Nos. 682-701
683. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he is considering reform or abolition of the partner means test for disability allowance; the reason disability allowance is treated differently from invalidity pension in relation to a partner's income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37345/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra708. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the eligibility criteria for disability allowance with regard to the current means test where a partner's or spouse's means is also taken into account, and only assess the disabled person in their own right, giving them independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37735/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 708 together.
Supporting disabled people is a key priority for this Government. Both the Programme for Government and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025 to 2030 include significant commitments in this regard.
Disability Allowance 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, Disability Allowance is intended to help a person who cannot derive sufficient income from employment - in the case of Disability Allowance this is due to the fact that the person is disabled.
Social welfare legislation provides that, for means-tested social assistance schemes, all income and assets belonging to the claimant, and their spouse or partner where applicable, is assessable. 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 direct income supports to households with fewer resources and supports an economically sustainable and socially equitable allocation of scarce resources.
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. A person’s family home is not assessed as means.
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 position with regard to Invalidity Pension is different as it is a contributory payment and not a means tested payment. That means that, in addition to a person having to satisfy requirements in relation to the impact of their disability on their ability to work, eligibility for the payment is based on the person’s PRSI record. As such, neither the person’s income nor that of their spouse or partner has an impact on their eligibility for the payment or the rate of payment they receive. However, where a person wishes to claim an increase for a qualified adult then their income will be assessed.
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 commitment to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability payment.
In addition, the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from disability groups and advocates, includes a commitment to a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability, emphasising the cross-government nature of the issue.
To prepare for the summit I ran a public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered. 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 the Minister of State for Disability and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport. 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.
684. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person on disability allowance and in receipt of a free travel pass, on taking up employment will have no restrictions on retaining this travel pass as they have a long-term disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37378/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Free Travel scheme is to ensure older people and people with disabilities remain active within their community. Therefore, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments or due to certain medical conditions.
As part of the “Make Work Pay” initiative, persons who move directly from certain long term Social Protection schemes, such as Disability Allowance, to employment are entitled to retain their Free Travel entitlement for a further period of 5 years, where they previously had an entitlement.
Furthermore, as part of Budget 2024, Free Travel eligibility was expanded to people who have never been medically fit to drive due to a disability or are medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months. There is no requirement that a person must be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment or any means limits in order to qualify for a Free Travel Pass on these medical grounds, provided the other qualifying criteria are met.
While my Departments schemes are reviewed on an ongoing basis, any decision to expand the eligibility criteria for the free travel to allow persons who lose eligibility for disability allowance to retain their Free Travel pass indefinitely can only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
685. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in receipt of the State pension (contributory) living in the Dublin Fingal west constituency, by electoral division or local area within the constituency, in tabular form. [37383/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that my Department collates statistics only at county level, not at the constituency level or below.
There are currently 135,571 people in receipt of State Pension (Contributory) in Co. Dublin.
686. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in receipt of the State pension (non-contributory) living in the Dublin Fingal west constituency, by electoral division or local area within the constituency, in tabular form. [37384/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that my Department collates statistics only at county level, not at the constituency level or below.
There are currently 17,330 people in receipt of State Pension (Non-Contributory) in Co. Dublin.
687. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department or the Schools Procurement Unit has received any complaints, reports, disclosures or allegations relating to gifts, inducements, free goods, promotional items, branded merchandise, service add-ons or other benefits being offered by suppliers to schools during live Hot School Meals tender competitions since 2020; the number of such complaints received, in tabular form by year; the nature of the allegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37394/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra688. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the Schools Procurement Unit has issued any guidance, circular, instruction, advisory notice or compliance communication to schools regarding the prohibition on accepting gifts, inducements or benefits from suppliers participating in Hot School Meals procurement competitions; and if he will provide copies of same. [37395/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra689. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any investigation, audit, review, procurement examination or legal assessment has been conducted concerning allegations of gifts or inducements being offered to schools during Hot School Meals procurement processes; the outcome of any such examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37396/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra690. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department or the Schools Procurement Unit maintains records of schools reporting offers of free water dispensers, bottled water, branded lunch boxes, food containers, promotional merchandise or similar items from tendering suppliers during Hot School Meals competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37397/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra691. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether schools participating in the Hot School Meals Scheme are formally advised that the offering or acceptance of gifts, inducements or advantages during live procurement competitions may constitute breaches of public procurement rules and the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37398/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra698. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any legal advice has been sought by his Department, the schools procurement unit or the Office of Government Procurement regarding the legal implications of suppliers offering gifts, promotional items or undeclared service add-ons during active hot school meals procurement competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37407/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 687 to 691, inclusive, and 698 together.
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.
My Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each school board to administer the Programme in their school including handling the procurement process. The Schools Procurement Unit under the Department of Education and Youth, provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme. They have published a Procurement Support document for the Provision of Hot Meals for Primary Schools which clearly outlines that schools cannot accept payments, gifts, or inducements from tenderers or Food Business Operators.
The Department of Education and Youth in conjunction with my Department provided webinars and frequently asked questions to support schools through their procurement process including the evaluation of tenders. Neither department collects information regarding the composition of evaluation team.
Schools as Public Bodies are independent Contracting Authorities and are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. The School Board of Management are responsible for selecting their evaluation team and it is recommended that members of the Board of Management or School Principal chair the evaluation team and that members of the Board of Management, School Principal, and member of the parents' association can take up evaluator and note taker roles in the evaluation team.
My Department has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected and a further 121 desk assessments were conducted in 2024. This represents a 20% total check on schools. For 2025, 400 schools were inspected and the desk assessments increased to 155 cases as more schools become eligible to join the programme.
The Schools Procurement Unit is under the remit of the Department of Education and Youth, and can advise if they have received any complaints, concerns regarding procurement integrity, inducements, gifts, within the Hot School Meals Programme since 2023.
All schools seeking School Meals funding must sign a Service Level agreement with my Department. The Service Level agreement states that schools should not accept any gifts, donations, or consideration from a supplier that are directly or indirectly linked to the selection by them as the supplier of the school meals. The criteria for the selection of suppliers of school meals must be objective and only for the supply of the school meals in accordance with the principles of transparency, non-discrimination, equal treatment within Public Procurement rules.
692. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the Schools Procurement Unit permits external accountancy, consultancy or administration firms to conduct, manage, score or administer tender evaluations on behalf of schools under the Hot School Meals Scheme; whether any approval process exists for such arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37399/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra693. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools participating in the Hot School Meals Scheme which used external third-party administration, consultancy or accountancy firms in the management or evaluation of procurement competitions in each year from 2020 to 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37400/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 692 and 693 together.
My Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each school board to administer the scheme in their school including handling the procurement process. If a third party is engaged by the school to administer the procurement process that is within the remit of the School Board to choose to do so. School Meals Scheme covers the funding of the school meals only and does not allow for any other expenditure
The Schools procurement unit under the Department of Education and Youth, provide guidance to schools for all procurement including the School Meals Programme.
Schools as Public Bodies are independent Contracting Authorities and are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules.
694. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the Schools Procurement Unit has conducted any audit, compliance review or governance assessment concerning the composition of tender evaluation teams used by schools under the Hot School Meals Scheme; whether any external firms were identified as participating in evaluations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37401/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra695. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether actual food quality, taste, nutritional standard, presentation or meal sampling forms part of the formally weighted evaluation criteria under the current Hot School Meals procurement framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37402/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra696. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the Schools Procurement Unit intends to introduce a mandatory and formally weighted food quality assessment component within future Hot School Meals tender evaluations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37403/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 694 to 696, inclusive, together.
My department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each school board to administer the scheme in their school including handling the procurement process. If a third party is engaged by the school to administer the procurement process that is within the remit of the School Board to choose to do so. School Meals Scheme covers the funding of the school meals only and does not allow for any other expenditure.
The Schools procurement unit under the Department of Education and Youth, provide guidance to schools for all procurement including the School Meals Programme.
Schools as Public Bodies are independent Contracting Authorities and are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules.
Taste assessment, or food sampling is not part of the marking of tender evaluations. Food preferences vary from person to person therefore schools follow the Scheme's Nutritional Standards, developed by expert dietitians ensures consistency, quality, and appropriate nutritional balance.
697. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department has conducted any assessment of whether the current hot school meals procurement framework disproportionately favours suppliers with sophisticated written tender submissions over suppliers providing higher-quality food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37406/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra700. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he intends to take to ensure the integrity of the hot school meals procurement process; to ensure compliance with public procurement law and anti-corruption obligations; and to ensure that contracts are awarded on the basis of genuine food quality, nutritional standards and service delivery rather than administrative capability, documentation quality or improper inducements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37410/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 697 and 700 together.
Under the School Meals Programme, the primary relationship is between the school and supplier. My Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each School Board to administer the Programme in their school, including handling the procurement process. The Schools Procurement Unit under the Department of Education and Youth, provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme and have published a Procurement Support document for the Provision of Hot Meals for Primary Schools. The criteria for the selection of suppliers of school meals must be objective and only for the supply of the school meals in accordance with the principles of transparency, non-discrimination, equal treatment within Public Procurement rules.
All schools seeking School Meals funding must sign a Service Level agreement with my Department. Meals which has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Scheme and conducts regular inspections of schools. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected and a further 121 desk assessments were conducted in 2024. This represents a 20% total check on schools. For 2025, 400 schools were inspected and the desk assessments increased to 155 cases as more schools become eligible to join the programme.
Any concerns with the quality of the food should be brought to the attention of the Principal and/or Board of Management who manage the contract with the Food Business organisation that supply the meals to ensure full compliance with the nutrition standards.
699. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether consideration has been given to establishing a confidential reporting mechanism for suppliers, school staff or parents to report suspected procurement irregularities under the hot school meals scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37409/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the School Meals Scheme 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 primary relationship is between the school and supplier. My Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each school board to administer the scheme in their school including handling the procurement process. The Schools Procurement Unit under the Department of Education and Youth, provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Scheme.
Concern regarding any aspect of the School Meals Programme can be reported to my Department and can be confidential and fully investigated.
701. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department has examined the administrative and financial costs associated with the annual continuation process for child benefit payments for children aged 16 to 19 who remain in full-time education; whether consideration is being given to streamlining or simplifying this process in light of current school retention rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37424/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children aged 16 years of age or under. From May 2024, Child Benefit was extended to those who are in full-time education or has a disability, up until their 19th birthday. Government has provided over €2.2 bn for the scheme in 2026.
In order to confirm that children aged between 16 and 19 remain eligible for Child Benefit, my Department issues a letter to parents in advance of the child’s 16th birthday. This letter must be certified by the child's school or institution for Child Benefit to be extended.
The Department is continually monitoring processes to identify any improvements possible.
