Written Answers Nos. 98-101
98. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans to address rising rates of food poverty, particularly in relation to the continuation of lunch and breakfast programs for school-aged children through the summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46281/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2025 it was announced that a Holiday Hunger Pilot Project between the Department of Social Protection’s School Meals Programme and Department of Education and Youth’s Summer Programme would be implemented during the summer of 2025. This pilot supported over 42,200 children most at risk of educational disadvantage.
I am pleased to advise that on Monday the 8th June I announced a extension of this pilot for 2026.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
99. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will commit to increasing the core baseline of social welfare rates such as the child support payment, to address the issues of poverty in the next Budget rather than relying on temporary measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46149/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Social Protection, I am committed to making the case for a fair budget that protects the people most in need in our society - particularly families on low incomes and people, including pensioners and carers who are dependent on social welfare payments.
That is why, as part of Budget 2026, I announced a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures, including a €10 weekly increase across social welfare schemes from January 2026. Also announced was the largest Child Support Payment increase in the history of the State which included an increase of €16 for children aged 12 and over and an increase if €8 for children 12 and under.
In determining Budget increases, consideration is given to a wide range of inputs from bodies such as the ESRI and the latest research from the Vincentian MESL Research Centre, along with the most recent Consumer Price Index data and other statistics published by the CSO.
In July, at my Department's annual pre-budget forum, I will meet stakeholders with a view to continuing this progress. I will listen to their priorities for the forthcoming Budget. This will be a key input to Budget formulation and the measures that I will bring forward for consideration of Government, particularly in the context of the Programme for Government's commitment to protect core welfare rates.
100. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps his Department is taking to support applicants, particularly older persons and those with limited digital literacy, in accessing and completing social protection applications as services become increasingly digitised; if he will outline any initiatives in place to provide in-person assistance, training, or alternative application channels to ensure no cohort is excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46314/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department is committed to ensuring that all customers, including older people and those with limited digital literacy, can access and complete applications for social protection schemes and services.
While online channels offer greater convenience for many, not all customers have the same level of digital confidence or access. Therefore, it is essential that appropriate supports remain in place so that no individual or cohort is excluded from engaging with our services.
To support this, the department provides a range of in-person supports through Intreo Centres, assisted digital services and alternative application channels, including postal requests.
This ensures that customers can choose the access channel that best suits their circumstances. My department also promotes the use of plain English across all customer communications to ensure that information is clear, accessible and easy to understand.
Frontline staff in Intreo Centres continue to play a central role in supporting customers who need help with applications, particularly older people and those who may not be confident using digital services. Staff provide in-person guidance, explain application requirements in plain language and offer assisted digital support where needed.
Under section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005, Access Officers appointed in my department support people with disabilities who may need help accessing our information, services, or buildings, including booking sign language or interpretation services.
My department has introduced 55 Quiet Rooms designed to be sensory-friendly across the Intreo network to provide a calm, private space for customers who may benefit from a more supportive environment. These rooms are designed to support neurodiverse customers or those experiencing stress, trauma or distress as well as customers requiring additional time or privacy.
In 2024, the department also became a JAM Card (Just A Minute) friendly organisation. This initiative allows customers with hidden disabilities or communication difficulties to discreetly indicate that they require additional time, patience or support during interactions. JAM Cards are supported across all public offices and customer contact channels, with almost 3,000 frontline staff having completed awareness training.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
101. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the fuel allowance eligibility criteria in cases where a pensioner is deemed ineligible due to a non-dependent adult child residing in the household; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44574/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to the department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria, this ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
A change in the qualifying criteria such as including adult children who are in employment and not in receipt of a qualifying social protection payment, would have to be considered in the context of scheme policy and budgetary negotiations. Disregarding a household member who is not reliant on long term social protection payments and who is in employment would change the targeted nature of the scheme.
I understand however that there will always be exceptional cases, and it is for this reason that my department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via: www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
