Written Answers Nos. 702-709
702. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of additional staff employed or who will be employed by his Department directly or under contract for the purposes of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026. [37460/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection has employed a Policy Officer and an Administration Officer under contract by the Department of Social Protection at the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union (PermRep) in Brussels for the purpose of the Presidency.
703. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection to reinstate the disability allowance payment of a person (details supplied). [37638/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability whose income falls below certain limits and who are aged between 16 and are under 66.
As a matter of good practice to assure the integrity of payments and to reduce the level of overpayments the Department has an ongoing process of reviewing a sample of claims in payment each year. As part of the review process people in receipt of means-tested payments who are selected for review are asked to provide evidence of their means. In some cases where payment, such as DA, is also dependent on a person continuing to be incapable of work the person may be asked to provide up to date evidence to that effect. Where a review indicates that the person's means exceed the scheme thresholds or that their condition has improved such that they are now capable of work their payment is suspended or closed. This prevents further overpayments arising and prevents the accumulation of significant debts. In addition if a person does not provide the information requested as part of the review within the time provided a payment can be suspended. All decisions with respect to suspension or closing of a claim can be reviewed and appealed
In this case the means of the person concerned were reviewed. Following receipt of all requested information the person concerned had their Disability Allowance reinstated on 14 May 2026, with first payment to issue 20 May 2026.
Arrears owed for the period 22 April 2026 to 13 May 2026 shall issue to the person concerned on the same date, 20 May 2026.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
704. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to increase the living alone allowance in the upcoming Budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37714/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary weekly social welfare payments are intended to enable recipients to meet their basic day-to-day income needs. In addition to these primary payments, my Department also provides a range of other payments that are considered secondary in nature.
The Living Alone Increase is one of those secondary payments. It is not a scheme or a stand-alone payment in itself, but rather it is a supplement to certain primary social protection payments for those who are in receipt of those payments and who are living alone. The current rate of the Living Alone Increase is €22 a week. It has increased by over 144% since 2019 when it was just €9 per week.
The majority of the recipients of the Living Alone Increase are those over 66 and getting a pension from my Department. The Living Alone Increase is also available to those under 66, who live alone and are getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
The rate of primary and secondary payments to pensioners, and their adequacy, are considered in the context of the annual budgetary process. In doing so, the Government considers evidence from a wide range of sources, including agencies such as the CSO, and also research submitted by advocacy groups such as the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, which uses a measure they call the “Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL)”.
The data shows that the cost of living for a single person is slightly more than the individualized cost of two people living together. For this reason, the Living Alone Increase is available to those in receipt of qualifying payments.
Any future changes to the rate of payment for the Living Alone Increase would have to be considered in the overall budgetary context, including possible increases to primary rates and other supports available.
705. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of volunteers registered with the citizens information centres before September 2022 and for each year after September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37715/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body, under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, that funds and support the eight independent Citizens Information Service (CIS) companies, which operate the national network of Citizens Information Centres.
Across the Citizens Information Service (CIS) both employed staff and volunteers are essential in the provision of supports to service users.
The table below shows the number of volunteers registered with the Citizen's Information Centres before September 2022 and for each year after September 2022.
|
Year |
Number of CIS volunteers |
|
January 2020 |
786 Volunteers were not active during Covid-19 restrictions. |
|
2023 |
170 |
|
2024 |
195 |
|
2025 |
180 |
Each CIS is overseen by a voluntary Board of Directors; the above excludes the volunteer board members.
As Minister, I absolutely recognise and value the important work carried out by volunteers in the CIS and I have been very clear to CIB that it is important that the voluntary ethos of the CIS should be protected and the skills of its volunteers be valued and utilised to the maximum extent possible.
706. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the efforts made by the Citizen Information Board to recruit and train new volunteers to the Citizen Information Centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37716/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body, under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, that funds and support the eight independent Citizens Information Service (CIS) companies, which operate the national network of Citizens Information Centres.
Following an Independent review on volunteering in the CIS, in 2024 measures were put in place to promote volunteering numbers in Citizens Information.
CIB in conjunction with CIS published an information pack on Volunteering with CIS which can be found at Volunteer with Citizens Information (www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/volunteer-with-citizens-information/).
The Volunteering with CIS information pack provides easy to read information and video explainers for both Board and service volunteers on the following areas.
• Volunteer with Citizens Information (www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/volunteer-with-citizens-information/#1adb97)
• What is the Citizens Information Service? (www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/volunteer-with-citizens-information/#38ccba)
• If I volunteer with Citizens Information, what will I do? (www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/volunteer-with-citizens-information/#5c4dc6)
• Benefits of volunteering (www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/volunteer-with-citizens-information/#cd0750)
• What are CIS looking for from volunteers? (www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/volunteer-with-citizens-information/#cd2d86)
• How do I apply to be a volunteer? (www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/volunteer-with-citizens-information/#4f1af3)
As of Quarter 4 2025, there were 180 volunteers involved in the Citizens Information Service.
All vacancies for Board members and service volunteers are advertised on: www.citizensinformationboard.ie/en/news/vacancies.html. People can also contact their local CIC for information on volunteering.
South Munster CIS are currently running two campaigns on the citizens information website for volunteer roles.
My Department has supported CIB previously in promoting a radio, print and social media campaign for the recruitment of volunteers.
707. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will advise on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37725/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel Allowance (FA) may be payable to certain households in receipt of long term social welfare payments. Entitlement to FA is based on the household composition, is subject to a means test and it is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.
Following the Deputy's representations, entitlement to FA for the person concerned has been reviewed by a Deciding Officer who has found that the qualifying conditions for FA are met from 19 February 2026 and has awarded FA effective from this date. All arrears due from 19 February 2026 to the end of the current fuel season on 6 May 2026 will issue to their nominated bank account for payment date on 21 May 2026. The person referred to was notified of this decision on 14 May 2026.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
709. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify if an individual resident in Ireland on stamp 1 permission becomes incapacitated due to illness is eligible to apply for disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37737/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly payment for people aged 16 to 66 with a disability expected to last at least one year. Eligibility is subject to assessment of the person's ability to work, a means test and the satisfaction of the habitual residence conditions (HRC). Applicants must demonstrate that they are substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable given their age, experience, and qualifications.
A person seeking access to any social welfare payment must complete the relevant application form and provide any evidence required to establish that they satisfy the eligibility conditions. People from outside the EU/EEA will be required to provide evidence that they have a valid permit to enter and remain in the State. While not determinative this will help inform consideration as to whether they satisfy the HRC condition.
If the Deputy wishes to provide the details on this case, my officials can arrange for an application form to issue to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
