Written Answers Nos. 55-74
56. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department has reviewed the processes of eligibility assessments, appeals, and administration which disabled people must undergo to access supports. [67516/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department understands the many pressures faced by people and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently. The ambition to process applications and reviews quickly must be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent, of high quality, and made in accordance with the legislative provisions, and the general principles of fair procedures and natural justice.
Operational processes, procedures, and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised, and repeated requests for information are minimised to avoid any undue stress to the customer.
As part of the Department’s programme of service delivery modernisation, a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology, have been implemented in recent years including enabling people to apply for support through the online service on MyWelfare.
In addition, the staffing needs of the Department are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources.
New Social Welfare Appeals Regulations (S.I. No. 744 of 2024) came into effect from Monday, 28 April 2025. The purpose of these regulations is to modernise and streamline the social welfare appeals process, providing greater clarity, improved consistency, and more defined timeframes.
An Appeals Modernisation Project to develop and implement new business processes was completed in Q1 2025. The purpose of the project was to streamline and enhance the end-to-end appeals process for the customer. The new system provides online capabilities on MyWelfare which provide a more efficient and streamlined service for people making appeals.
This change supports the end-to-end electronic processing of appeals and provides a secure, comprehensive, online appeals service for customers. It is improving the customer experience by offering an additional online channel, facilitating 24/7 access to view their current appeal status which has helped improve communications with appellants during the appeals process.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
57. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on any review carried out by his Department of social protection supports aimed at reducing energy poverty among older persons, people with disabilities and those living alone ahead of Budget 27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67563/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel Allowance eligibility encompasses 22 qualifying schemes, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the support available to eligible households. In addition to these qualifying schemes, people over 66 do not need to be in receipt of a payment from this Department to qualify for Fuel Allowance, subject to satisfying a means test. According to the latest CSO data, there are just over 1.8 million households in Ireland. Of these, 463,910 households are eligible for the Fuel Allowance scheme, representing approximately 26% of all households nationwide.
Recent expansions to the Fuel Allowance Scheme have resulted in a significant increase in the Budget for the scheme with an estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2026 of over €557 million, compared to expenditure of €290 million in 2020. Examples of this expansion are as follows:
• Budget 2026 allowed for people on Disability Allowance and Blind Pension to retain Fuel Allowance for a period of 5 years if they leave the payment to take up employment from September 2026.
• In January 2023, enhanced Fuel Allowance measures for people aged 70 years and over were introduced. These included a new means threshold of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. In addition, for people aged 70 or over, the amount of capital (savings and investments) that is disregarded in the means test for Fuel Allowance was increase from €20,000 to €50,000. Savings over €50,000 are assessed on a proportionate basis only. The means threshold has been increased in line with core Social Welfare payment budget increases and now stands at €534 for a single person and €1,068 for a couple.
• The weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 was increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory). The means threshold is now €499.30 for a single person and €698.70 for a couple.
• Budget 2025 allowed for the enhanced Fuel Allowance measures announced in Budget 2023 for those aged over 70 to be available to those aged 66 and older. The enhanced measures included a new weekly means threshold, which now stands at €534 for a single person and €1,068 for a couple. In addition, the amount of capital that is disregarded in the means test was increased from €20,000 to €50,000. A person aged 66 or over also is not required to be in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection.
• Budget 2025 allowed for Carers Allowance to be considered a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance from January 2025.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Increase to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year and 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 groups. Any future decisions, including any decision to introducing higher income disregards or revised means-test thresholds for those with dependent children will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. 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 http://www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
58. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in Dublin Bay North who availed of the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments this year. [67542/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a means-tested once-off payment aimed at helping families with the extra costs of clothing and footwear when children start school each autumn. The scheme is open from 1 June to 30 September each year.
Statistics on social welfare recipients are available on a county level only. Up to end August 2026 there were 146,295 recipients of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance of which 38,429 were in county Dublin.
59. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the dietician report into the nutritional standards of the hot school meals scheme, including recommendations for improving the nutrition. [67250/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Nutrition Review Report was published earlier this week. The report was conducted by my Department's seconded a CORU-registered dietician for the School Meals Programme who is under the clinical supervision of the Department of Health.
The report showed there is a wide variety of meals offered under the scheme, with good availability of nutritious and well-balanced options. 82% of meals analysed did not contain foods considered high in fat, salt or sugar. However, the analysis of data on meal options showed that high, fat, salt, sugar foods are chosen over healthier options when available on the menu.
Feedback provided by principals and teachers during school visits was largely positive. Principals rated meals particularly highly on choice, consideration of dietary requirements, quality, and nutritional value. 78% of teachers rated meals as acceptable, good or excellent for nutritional value, and 79% rated meals as acceptable, good, or excellent on quality.
The average proportion of uneaten meals was 18.9% across all classes, with less food waste seen in younger age groups. Absenteeism contributed significantly to total waste. When accounting for absences the proportion of uneaten meals fell to 11.1%.
There are of course improvements required in the scheme. Meals would benefit from increased provision of vegetables, fruit, salad and wholegrain foods, improving menu consistency, providing age-appropriate portion sizes and strengthening compliance systems.
The review recommended the introduction of a standardised, fully compliant menu framework by prioritising a 3-week menu cycle and developing robust nutrition compliance audits. Improve flexibility and age appropriateness by providing different meal sizes for different age groups and allowing schools to choose either a hot or cold lunch on any given day. In order to continue to ensure inclusivity for all students, menus will be adapted for special schools, special classes, and children with specific dietary requirements.
Importantly, the findings of the report align closely with those in the independent IPSOS Behaviour and Attitudes evaluation of service review of the Hot School Meals Scheme and support the recommendations in the report.
I am pleased to see that the reports indicate a generally high standard of food provision and a high level of overall satisfaction. I am also pleased that they provide an independent and objective view of those areas where we can improve the programme. I will immediately begin to act on those recommendations for improvement.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
60. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the supports in-place for self-employed people who must reduce their hours; the adequacy of these supports in the context of the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67568/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSelf-employed people are covered for many of the same contingencies as employees such as State Pension (Contributory), Bereaved Partners (Contributory) Pension, Maternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit, Guardians Payment (Contributory), Invalidity Pension, Parent's Benefit, Partial Capacity Benefit (where in receipt of Invalidity Pension), Paternity Benefit and Treatment Benefit.
In addition, my Department provides a range of income supports for people who fully or partially lose their self-employment, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) is a payment for self-employed people who have ceased self-employment and have paid enough Pay-Related Social Insurance contributions. To be eligible for the payment a person must satisfy the statutory conditions of the scheme including being capable of work and available for full-time work, be genuinely seeking work and prove unemployment in the prescribed manner. The payment can be made for up to six or nine months depending on the number of Pay-Related Social Insurance contributions the person has made.
I recently introduced a legislative provision to cover circumstances where a person sets up a business and it closes within two years. Even though the person may not have any self-employment PRSI contributions in the Governing Contribution Year, they may qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) if they have sufficient employment contributions paid at Class A or H in the relevant Governing Contribution Year.
A person in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) can work up for 3 days as an employee in insurable employment and retain their entitlement to the support.
Where a self-employed person is operating their business at reduced levels and does not meet the conditions for Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) they may receive support under the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance provided that they satisfy the conditions of that scheme. If the person is self-employed, they may qualify depending on their earnings from their business. They do not need to close their business or to stop working in their self-employed business to get Jobseeker’s Allowance.
My Department will continue to keep its range of supports under review to ensure that they meet their overall objectives.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
61. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason exceptional needs payments for boiler replacements are being refused by DSP when local authority schemes do not cover replacement boilers, when SEAI warmer homes schemes and similar grants are taking 24-36 months to complete and people are left without heating or hot water when their boiler breaks down. [67421/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet expenses that an eligible person cannot pay from their weekly income, personal and/or household resources. The ANP scheme is demand led and 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 in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. Supports from this Department are however not intended to cover circumstances where another Government Department or Agency has the primary responsibility.
Local authorities offer a range of grants to help eligible households improve heating and energy efficiency. While new fossil fuel heating systems are no longer funded, grants available may support alternative energy-efficient solutions.
For example, the Housing Aid for Older People Grant can assist with essential home improvements, including heating repairs and upgrades. It can fund repairs to existing oil or gas boilers by a qualified contractor, the purchase and installation of a second-hand fossil fuel boiler, and alternative heating systems such as electric heaters or biomass stoves, where appropriate.
There is now an Age Friendly Technical Advisor in each of the 31 local authorities who are able to guide people though options, advocate and liaise on their behalf with the relevant agencies.
Each application for an ANP is considered on a case by case basis, based on the circumstances and the need presenting. The Community Welfare Service works to identify the appropriate response and to ensure that the person needs, including facilities such as heating and hot water, are maintained.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
62. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the implementation of the Programme for Government commitments to support pensioners. [67416/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the Programme for Government 2025, my Department is committed to ensuring that the State Pension remains the bedrock of pension provision in Ireland for older people. We will continue to strengthen the safety net for our older citizens, improving their quality of life and promoting dignity and independence in later years.
At the outset, it is important to reiterate that this Government is committed to maintaining the State Pension Age at 66.
As part of Budget 2026, the maximum weekly rate of all State pensions increased by €10 from January 2026, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and people receiving reduced rates. This brought the maximum personal rate of State Pension (Contributory) for a person aged under 80 to €299.30 per week.
The weekly rate of Fuel Allowance also increased by €5, from €33 to €38, from January 2026. This provides an additional €140 over the Fuel Allowance season to each qualifying household. In March 2026 the Government extended the 2025/26 Fuel Allowance season by four weeks in response to increased energy costs. This provided a further €152 to approximately 470,000 qualifying households. In addition, the Christmas Bonus was paid in December 2025 to eligible long-term social welfare recipients, including State pensioners.
These measures demonstrate the Government’s continuing commitment to supporting pensioners, including through improvements in core weekly payments and targeted supports for household costs.
The Government is also taking steps to safeguard the long-term sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund, from which contributory State pensions are paid. The PRSI Roadmap provides for phased increases in PRSI rates between 2024 and 2028. A further review on the adequacy of PRSI rates will be carried out after the next Actuarial Review of the Fund in 2027.
In January, my Department delivered on the Government's commitment to Introduce the Auto Enrolment Retirement Savings System, known as 'MyFutureFund' which is intended to provide workers with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement savings. There are currently over 835,000 participants in MyFutureFund. The high numbers of participants demonstrates the great level of success that MyFutureFund has achieved since its commencement, and I am extremely proud as Minister to have led on the transformational reform that is MyFutureFund as I believe it will have a positive and lasting impact on peoples’ lives in Ireland for generations to come.
The Government will continue to advance its commitments to support pensioners, while also ensuring that the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund remain sustainable over the longer term.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
63. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to increase the weekly rate of Carer's Allowance Benefit to €325 to recognise the additional cost of providing fulltime care in a cost of living crisis. [67385/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the invaluable contribution made by family carers and has prioritised improvements in supports for carers in recent Budgets. The Government has provided over €2.2 billion for caring income supports in 2026.
Carer's Allowance is the main income support payment for family carers, with almost 111,000 people currently receiving the payment at an estimated cost of more than €1.4 billion this year.
In January 2026, there was a €10 increase in the maximum personal rate of Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit to €270 and €271, respectively, for carers aged under 66. This compares to €254 for most weekly payments for persons age under 66 years. For Carers aged 66 and over, the maximum weekly rate increased to €308.
While weekly payment rates have continued to increase, the Government's focus has been on reforming the Carer's Allowance means test. This has been strongly advocated by family carer organisations. Significant increases to the income disregards have been delivered, with the weekly disregards now at €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple. As a result of these changes, virtually all current recipients of Carer's Allowance now receive the maximum rate of payment.
The Programme for Government commits to progressively increase weekly carer payments and to significantly increase the income disregards for Carer's Allowance. I am not in a position to divulge the status of current Budget discussions but I can confirm that the Government remains committed to addressing these issues.
64. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has engaged with public transport operators in relation to these operators charging free travel pass holders booking fees for free travel journeys. [66483/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme.
The Free Travel Scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those under the age of 66 on certain qualified payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State. The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and a range of transport services offered by private transport operators countrywide.
Under the Free Travel scheme, there is no requirement or impediment for transport operators to provide additional services such as a seat booking service. Some travel operators have introduced online booking services for customers who wish to guarantee their seat on a particular service. This is entirely a matter for the transport operator concerned.
Customers wishing to avail of Free Travel do not have to pre-book services with any operator participating in the Free Travel Scheme. They can continue to present on their preferred day of travel and avail of Free Travel using their Free Travel Public Services Card.
It is open to any Free Travel customer who wants to be guaranteed a seat on a particular service to book their seat in advance, where a pre-booking facility exists. My Department has no control over the fee a transport company may charge for their seat booking facility and has no formal engagement with public transport operators on this matter.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
65. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection whether, given the Government's stated ambition to support entrepreneurship and small business growth, he believes that the Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) scheme and the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance remain fit for purpose in the modern economy; and whether a review of both schemes will be undertaken. [66710/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department offers a range of employment supports to jobseekers including back to work schemes which support the commencement of self-employment.
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who are interested in self-employment as a route to re-entering the labour market. The allowance is payable at 100% of the primary payment for year 1, reducing to 75% for year 2.
To qualify for Back to Work Enterprise Allowance a person is required to have received an eligible income support payment continuously for 9 months. An applicant who is a part-time or casual worker is required to be in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment for 12 months immediately prior to the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance application.
The proposed business must be a new enterprise and based in Ireland. As part of the application process, there is an assessment of suitability of the proposed business. The applicant is referred to the Enterprise Officer in the Local Development Company who works with the applicant to complete the business plan. The enterprise must be recommended by both the Enterprise Officer and the DSP Employment Personal Advisor before a final decision is made to award the allowance. This process ensures that the individual is supported by the Local Development Company to plan for the successful launch of their business.
In addition, the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance scheme provides support to customers of Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit to avail of self-employment opportunities by allowing them to retain their Jobseekers payment rate for the remaining duration of their claim. The proposed business must be a new enterprise and based in Ireland. As part of the application process, there is an assessment of suitability of the proposed business and a recommendation by the Employment Personal Advisor before the claim is awarded.
In addition, those interested in commencing self-employment may have entitlement to support under the Jobseeker's Allowance scheme. Means derived from their self-employment would be assessed and a weekly Jobseeker's Allowance rate may be payable.
Jobseeker’s Benefit Self-Employed (JBSE) is a weekly payment from the Department of Social Protection to people who lose their self-employment. It is not designed for those commencing self-employment.
My Department will continue to keep its range of supports under review to ensure that they meet their overall objectives.
66. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on MyFutureFund following the recent opt out window. [67284/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contained a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System (AE). The aim of introducing AE was to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income.
The new system - known as MyFutureFund - commenced on the 1 January 2026 and it is overseen by the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA), which is a separate statutory body, independent of my Department and directly responsible for all operational elements of MyFutureFund. There are currently over 835,000 participants in MyFutureFund.
By the end of August, 29,352 participants had opted out. The opt out rate as a percentage of the number of eligible participants is less than 4 percent which it should be noted is substantially below international comparators such as the UK where the opt rate was approximately 10 percent and New Zealand where it was approximately 12 percent.
The high numbers of participants and low opt out rate demonstrates the great level of success that MyFutureFund has achieved since its commencement, and I am extremely proud as Minister to have led on the transformational reform that is MyFutureFund as I believe it will have a positive and lasting impact on peoples’ lives in Ireland for generations to come.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number and percentage of Disability Allowance application refusals overturned on appeal in 2025 and to date in 2026. [66589/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no direct correlation between the number and percentage of Disability Allowance decisions and the number of appeals registered during a particular time period as timing differences will always apply. This is particularly the case given the Appeal Regulations which came into effect from April 2025 which increased the number of days allowing customers to make an appeal from 21 days to 60 days. Accordingly appeals received in January 2026 may refer to decisions made in November 2025.
However as an indication of the appeal rate, 19,058 Disability Allowance applications were refused during 2025 with 8,808 appeals registered in the same period. This means that approximately 46% of those who received a decision to refuse their Disability Allowance application appealed that decision.
During 2025, 12,411 Disability Allowance appeals were finalised. 30% of those Disability Allowance appeals were decided by appeals officers in favour of the appellant. A further 17% were awarded by Disability Allowance section on review, i.e. without the need to complete the formal appeals process. Taken together, this means that 47% of appeals finalised had a favourable outcome. If you apply this percentage to the number of Disability Allowance refusals made, accepting that there is no direct correlation given the difference in the time period, the percentage of Disability Allowance refusals which result in an appeal decision in favour of the applicant is 31%.
For 2026, up to end of Q2, 8,691 Disability Allowance applications were refused, with 4,299 appeals registered in the same period. This means that approximately 49% of those who received a decision to refuse their Disability Allowance application appealed that decision.
Up to end of Q2 2026, 4,272 Disability Allowance appeals were finalised. 30% of disability allowance appeals finalised up to Q2 were decided by appeals officers in favour of the appellant, with a further 26% awarded by Disability Allowance section on review, without the need to complete the formal appeals process. Taken together this means that 56% of total Disability Allowance appeals finalised had a favourable outcome. Using the same assumptions as for 2025, this represents about 28% of all Disability Allowance refusals made.
It is important to note that where decisions are allowed after submitting an appeal, this does not mean that the initial decision was incorrect. A decision can be revised because the person making an appeal provides additional information which was not available when the initial decision was made. In other jurisdictions appellants are not allowed to submit additional information but instead are required to submit a new claim. By referring the appeal papers back to the deciding team for review our process is more flexible and does not require a person to restart the entire application process.
As a result, 2,101 (about 36%) of the 5,827 disability allowance appeals allowed in 2025 were made by way of revised decision by the scheme Deciding Officers.
For 2026, up to end of Q2, 1,126 (about 47%) of the 2,420 disability allowance appeals granted were made by way of revised decision by the scheme Deciding Officers.
If the original decision remains unchanged following the review/re-examination by a Deciding Officer, the appeal case proceeds to formal determination by an Appeals Officer. When a case is assigned to an Appeals Officer, he or she will examine the documentary evidence presented and consider if the appeal can be properly and fairly decided by way of a summary decision or whether an oral hearing is required. At any time during the appeals process, up to and including Oral Hearing, if applicable, an appellant can submit additional information, which affords them the opportunity to strengthen their case.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
68. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the level of service his Department already provides within the town of Shannon in County Clare; the way in which his Department proposes to address any deficiencies or expand their service offering in the town. [67218/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeople living in Shannon Town and the surrounding area can access in person Department of Social Protection services through the Ennis Intreo Centre and Limerick Intreo Centre. These centres provide access to a broad range of supports, including employment services, income supports and the Community Welfare Service. Depending on the service required, customers can engage with the Department either by appointment or through the walk-in facilities available at the relevant office.
Client Identity Services (registration for Public Service Cards) and appointments for processing PPSN applications are also provided for at both these locations.
While direct, face-to-face contact remains c cornerstone of the department’s service to customers, there are a number of alternative ways in which people in Shannon can access supports without having to visit an Intreo Centre. In particular, the department’s online services provide customers with convenient access to employment and income-support services from their own homes.
Through MyWelfare, customers can apply for a range of schemes and payments, manage existing claims and submit supporting information or documentation electronically. The majority of applications for Jobseekers payments are made online. Paper applications continue to be available for customers who prefer or require that option.
Employment services can also be delivered remotely where appropriate. This includes access to online Group Information Sessions, which provide customers with information on employment supports, services and opportunities available to assist them in returning to employment. Customers can also engage on a one-to-one basis with Employment Personal Advisers, including through remote and online engagement where appropriate. This enables people in Shannon to receive personalised employment guidance and activation support without necessarily having to attend an Intreo Centre.
Customers who need assistance from the Community Welfare Service may also access that service by contacting the National Community Welfare Service by freephone. They can speak directly with a Community Welfare Officer by telephone where an in-person meeting is not required.
In addition, all scheme areas in the department are contactable by phone. Telephone queries relating to Intreo services are dealt with by the National Intreo Contact Centre, which is available to support customers with their queries on 0818 405060 from 8.15am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Customers will find information and contact details, including phone numbers and emails, for all DSP schemes and services on the department's www.Gov.ie site.
The Department is committed to provide high standards of customer service and continues to keep access to services under review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
70. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons claiming job-seekers allowance who are new to Ireland and have never worked in Ireland prior to claiming the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67175/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance, a person must satisfy a number of statutory conditions, including a means test, being available for and genuinely seeking full-time work, and satisfying the Habitual Residence Condition.
The Habitual Residence Condition, which applies to all applicants regardless of nationality, helps ensure that social assistance payments are directed to persons who have established a sufficient connection with the State. To satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition, a person must have a right to reside in the State and demonstrate that they are habitually resident here. In determining whether this condition is satisfied, a Deciding Officer considers the individual circumstances of each applicant, including factors set out in legislation such as their residence history, employment history, centre of interest and future intentions.
While information relating to a person's residence history and employment history may be considered in determining entitlement to a payment, these details are assessed on an individual basis in determining whether the Habitual Residence Condition is satisfied, and are not compiled for statistical reporting purposes. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy.
I can assure the Deputy that all applicants for Jobseeker's Allowance, regardless of nationality, must satisfy the statutory qualifying conditions for the scheme. The Habitual Residence Condition is an important safeguard within the social assistance system, ensuring that applicants have established a real and continuous connection with the State before entitlement to payment can be awarded.
71. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households that will receive the fuel allowance in the 2026/2027 season, by county. [67287/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance scheme is a means-tested payment that assists qualifying households with their heating costs during the winter season. Budget 2026 extended eligibility for Fuel Allowance to recipients of the Working Family Payment, increasing the total number of households expected to benefit from the scheme to 470,000.
Based on the most recent county-level data provided for August 2026, the estimated number of households that will receive Fuel Allowance in the 2026/2027 fuel season by county set out below.
Note: The figures represent the most recent available departmental data. As the Fuel Allowance scheme is demand-led and the number of qualified households continuously fluctuates as recipients join and exit the scheme, final recipient numbers for the 2026/27 season may differ from these estimates.
|
County |
Fuel Allowance Households |
|
Carlow |
7,100 |
|
Cavan |
8,800 |
|
Clare |
12,400 |
|
Cork |
49,100 |
|
Donegal |
22,800 |
|
Dublin |
101,300 |
|
Galway |
24,100 |
|
Kerry |
17,200 |
|
Kildare |
16,900 |
|
Kilkenny |
9,300 |
|
Laois |
8,700 |
|
Leitrim |
4,500 |
|
Limerick |
21,000 |
|
Longford |
6,000 |
|
Louth |
15,300 |
|
Mayo |
17,300 |
|
Meath |
15,500 |
|
Monaghan |
7,100 |
|
Offaly |
8,800 |
|
Roscommon |
7,700 |
|
Sligo |
7,900 |
|
Tipperary |
19,800 |
|
Waterford |
14,500 |
|
Westmeath |
9,500 |
|
Wexford |
19,800 |
|
Wicklow |
13,000 |
|
Total |
465,400 |
72. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on the impact to date of the change in income disregards for the carer’s allowance which came into effect in July 2026. [67290/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which my Department provides income support to carers. At the end of August there were 111,000 carers receiving this payment with a provision of €1.4 billion for 2026.
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 well underway. As part of Budget 2026, I announced significant improvements to the means test that were introduced in July 2026. The weekly income disregard increased by 60% from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of couple.
These are the largest ever increases in the income disregards.
The impact of the increases meant that those recipients on a reduced payment due to means saw their payment increase. Almost 2,700 carers received an increase in their Carer’s Allowance payment in July. Furthermore, virtually all Carer’s Allowance recipients are now being paid at their maximum weekly rate.
In addition, more carers will qualify for Carer’s Allowance, even those in households that are regarded as having relatively high incomes. 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 with an income of €138,000 will retain a partial payment.
The improvements delivered to date demonstrate the Government’s determination to support carers. Any further improvements will be considered as part of the Budget 2027 process in the context of the overall budgetary and policy framework.
73. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will amend the current weekly means limit for the increase for qualified adult allowance for recipients of the State pension and increase the current means limit of €100 which has been in place since 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66608/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides State Pension payments through the State Pension (Contributory), which is based on a person's social insurance record, and the State Pension (Non-Contributory), which is means-tested social assistance payment.
A State Pension (Contributory) recipient can claim an increase on their pension in respect of a qualified adult subject to a means test and where the eligibility conditions are satisfied. Only the means of the spouse or partner of the claimant are assessed. Where savings, property or other assets are held jointly, the spouse or partner's means is taken to be half of the total amount.
Article 7 of SI 142 of 2007, the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations, as amended, sets out the income limit for the payment of an Increase for a Qualified Adult across a range of schemes, not solely in respect of the State Pension (Contributory) scheme.
An Increase for Qualified Adult is payable at the maximum rate of payment where the means of the qualified adult are not more than €100 per week.
Reduced rates are payable where means are over €100 and not more than €310 per week. No increase is payable where means are in excess of €310 per week.
Means tests and income thresholds are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years.
Any change to the income limit for the payment of an Qualified Adult Increase in respect of State Pension (Contributory), as suggested would need to take other schemes affected into account and would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
74. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps his Department is taking to ensure that the current State pension provides an adequate income for older persons in view of the cost of living pressures that pensioners are reporting, particularly for pensioners living in rural areas; and if he will make a full statement on the matter. [67626/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is very effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.
Over €12 billion was allocated to State Pensions in Budget 2026, which was an increase of €700m on Budget 2025. From January of this year, the weekly State Pension increased by €10. This means the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory) is now €299.30 per week.
Since 2021, the State Pension (Contributory) has increased by €51 per week. This shows continued commitment to supporting older people and this will remain a priority for Government.
In addition, my Department also provides a range of other payments which help to support older people in meeting their costs-of-living:
It is recognised that the cost of living for a person living alone is greater than the individualised cost of two or more people living together. That is why a weekly Living Alone Increase of €22 is payable to all pensioners living alone who are in receipt of a State Pension from my Department. This payment has increased by over 144% since 2019, when it was just €9 per week.
The over 80 allowance, which is an increase of €10 per week on the basic pension rate, is automatically awarded to qualified pensioners on attaining 80 years of age.
• The Free Travel Scheme is available to all people aged over 66 years permanently residing in the State.
• The Household Benefits Package is a supplementary payment to assist with the cost of electricity or gas bill. It also includes a TV licence.
• The Fuel Allowance is a weekly payment of €38 payment to help with the cost of home heating during the winter months. It is paid to only one person in a household.
• The Telephone Support Allowance is payable when a person is in receipt of a qualifying payment AND the Living Alone Increase AND the Fuel Allowance.
• The Island Allowance is a weekly social welfare increase of €20 for residents of certain Irish islands to offset extra living costs.
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," or MESL.
Any future changes to the rate of payment for the State Pension and any supplementary payments would have to be considered in the overall budgetary context, including possible increases to primary rates and other supports available.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
