Written Answers Nos. 496-515
496. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the total gross annual Exchequer expenditure on social welfare payments in each of the past ten calendar years; the expenditure attributable to each social welfare scheme, including pensions, working-age income supports, disability payments, illness-related payments, family supports, carers' payments, child-related payments, and supplementary welfare schemes, in tabular form. [68106/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure from my Department is financed from both Voted Expenditure and from the Social Insurance Fund. Detailed scheme-by-scheme expenditure is set out in the Appropriation Accounts and in the Social Insurance Fund Accounts.
My Department also publishes a comprehensive statistical report, which includes details on recipients and beneficiaries, and on expenditure. The 2025 Annual Statistics Report was published in July this year, and it is available, along with historical reports, through gov.ie/dsp/statistics. Table A1 of the report sets out expenditure across both the Vote and the Social Insurance Fund over the past ten years, grouped by the particular programme the expenditure refers to. Ten years worth of data in respect of each individual scheme is also set out in the report, across the various sub-sections of the report. Detailed expenditure is always the first table in each sub-section. The Deputy should note that the 2025 figures should be considered provisional until both sets of Accounts have been published.
497. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients who exited jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit in each of the past ten calendar years, by reason for the cessation of payment, including transfer to another social welfare scheme, entry into employment, failure to satisfy the qualifying conditions, voluntary closure of the claim, emigration, death, and any other recorded reason, in tabular form. [68105/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra498. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit, who transferred to another social welfare payment in each of the past ten calendar years; the scheme to which they transferred in each case (including disability allowance, invalidity pension, illness benefit, State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-Contributory), one-parent family payment, carer's allowance, carer's benefit, working family payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68104/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 497 and 498 together.
Reasons for claim closure by scheme and calendar year for the period 2016-2025 are shown in the below tables. Note that claim closure reasons recorded may be self reported, and include cases where no reason is given. There may be more than one reason for a claim closure but only a single reason is recorded.
Aggregate closure reasons concerning failure to satisfy the qualifying conditions and voluntary closure of the claim are not available. 'Other' includes for example claims closed due the customer to signing or not picking up their payment, or scheme benefit exhausted. Details in respect of the schemes to which people moved under 'transfer to another social welfare payment' are not recorded.
Finally, care should be taken when interpreting the figures as recording behaviour may have changed over the years; for example the system administering jobseeker claims was changed in 2025.
Jobseeker's Pay Related Benefit
|
- |
Transfer to another social welfare scheme |
Entry into employment |
Customer abroad |
Customer deceased |
Other |
Total |
|
2025 |
2,157 |
23,797 |
1,232 |
16 |
7,500 |
34,702 |
Jobseeker's Benefit (excluding Jobseeker's Benefit for the Self Employed)
|
- |
Transfer to another social welfare scheme |
Entry into employment |
Customer abroad |
Customer deceased |
Other |
Total |
|
2016 |
9,067 |
69,112 |
1,552 |
34 |
45,627 |
125,392 |
|
2017 |
8,429 |
69,602 |
1,374 |
25 |
42,017 |
121,447 |
|
2018 |
8,153 |
70,889 |
1,371 |
20 |
40,507 |
120,940 |
|
2019 |
8,325 |
77,503 |
1,360 |
25 |
37,653 |
124,866 |
|
2020 |
13,447 |
69,509 |
979 |
22 |
44,926 |
128,883 |
|
2021 |
8,906 |
54,368 |
1,031 |
33 |
31,567 |
95,905 |
|
2022 |
13,076 |
65,431 |
2,707 |
54 |
44,376 |
125,644 |
|
2023 |
9,724 |
62,413 |
2,513 |
34 |
41,507 |
116,191 |
|
2024 |
9,344 |
73,554 |
2,675 |
37 |
44,724 |
130,334 |
|
2025 |
8,633 |
72,849 |
1,791 |
26 |
39,601 |
122,900 |
Jobseeker's Allowance
|
- |
Transfer to another social welfare scheme |
Entry into employment |
Customer abroad |
Customer deceased |
Other |
Total |
|
2016 |
49,087 |
78,180 |
6,404 |
358 |
59,515 |
193,544 |
|
2017 |
43,526 |
72,018 |
5,089 |
310 |
52,909 |
173,852 |
|
2018 |
38,261 |
62,896 |
4,009 |
324 |
47,112 |
152,602 |
|
2019 |
33,212 |
54,419 |
3,109 |
258 |
39,441 |
130,439 |
|
2020 |
27,395 |
42,606 |
2,096 |
295 |
23,957 |
96,349 |
|
2021 |
18,899 |
46,957 |
2,358 |
297 |
19,459 |
87,970 |
|
2022 |
24,502 |
46,945 |
4,989 |
291 |
29,559 |
106,286 |
|
2023 |
24,040 |
42,872 |
6,763 |
233 |
34,369 |
108,277 |
|
2024 |
23,999 |
43,564 |
5,681 |
221 |
33,503 |
106,968 |
|
2025 |
19,408 |
45,262 |
4,320 |
209 |
32,923 |
102,122 |
500. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind the new DEY guidelines, whereby uneaten food supplies under the hot lunch scheme will not be sent home with the children at the end of the day (details supplied). [68137/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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. Under tender documentation the successful food business operator is responsible for the sustainable and safe removal of all food waste.
This measure ensures that meals provided by the Food Business Operators are consumed under appropriate conditions and prevents the risk of foodborne illness associated with leftover meals being stored or transported outside controlled temperature conditions.
Hot school meals are produced and validated to be safe for their intended use, namely storage under refrigerated conditions, reheating once, consumed immediately, and prior to the stated use-by-date date. Where meals are removed from this controlled process such as being carried home without appropriate temperature control and subsequently reheated again the risk of microbial growth increases significantly. Such practices may render the food unsafe and present a risk of foodborne illness.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
501. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to expedite a Domiciliary Care Allowance application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68237/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living in areas such as mobility, personal care, feeding / diet, communication, speech / language, sleeping, behaviour, safety, sensory issues, including any other additional needs.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability or diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the child's disability, in terms of the associated overall level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of a similar age who does not have such a disability. The decision process that applies in the consideration of whether a child meets the conditions for DCA includes the examination of all relevant factors identified as impacting on the child's additional care needs.
An application for DCA in respect of the child concerned was received by my Department on 11 December 2023. A Deciding Officer disallowed the claim as per decision dated 29 January 2024. Based on the information provided, the child was not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA. This determination considered the supporting medical evidence that was provided by the applicant in their application. The Deciding Officer also had regard to the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor in making their decision and a copy of this opinion was issued to the applicant for information along with the decision notification.
The person concerned requested a review of the above decision on the 7 July 2026 and provided further new information/evidence for consideration. Further to that review, following a re-examination of their application, including all the further new information/evidence that was provided by the applicant in support of their review request, a Deciding Officer decided to revise the above original decision and award the application, as per review decision dated 22 July 2026 which issued directly to the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
502. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to expedite a domiciliary care allowance transfer application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68234/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months.
Eligibility is determined having regard to the overall level of care and attention required by the child and is not based solely on a particular diagnosis or medical condition.
I can confirm that my Department received a request on the 1 September 2026 to transfer the DCA claim in respect of the child concerned from the current recipient to their spouse.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that this transfer was processed on the 25 September 2026. A decision letter has issued directly to the new DCA recipient confirming the outcome and providing details of the award.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
503. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on engagements between Mid-West Mental Health services and Tipperary Employability to source backfill for the Employability Individual Placement and Support post in North Tipperary MH services. [68172/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Individual Placement Support programme is facilitated through organisations that also deliver the Employability service on behalf of Department of Social Protection.
However, responsibility for the management of the Individual Placement Support programme including recruitment for this service rests with the Health Service Executive and therefore is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
504. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) who has appealed a disability allowance decision will receive an update on the decision. [68192/26]
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.
My Department periodically reviews DA claims to ensure there is continued entitlement to the payment. A medical review of the person concerned was instigated.
Based on the evidence submitted, it was found the person concerned was deemed not to be substantially restricted in seeking suitable employment, by reason of a specified disability, which is expected to last for a period of at least one year. The result of this was a decision to disallow the DA claim effective from 18 August 2026.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 21 July 2026 and afforded the right of review and/or appeal.
The person concerned requested an appeal with the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO) on 27 August 2026 and provided further medical evidence on 27 August and 10 September 2026.
When additional medical evidence is received alongside an appeal request, the Department undertakes a review of the new information in the first instance. This ensures that any entitlement arising from the additional evidence can be considered promptly and, where appropriate, a favourable decision made without recourse to a formal appeal.
I can confirm, following a review, the original decision of 21 July 2026 was upheld, therefore, the person’s concerned file was sent to SWAO on 23 September 2026.
This person will be notified directly regarding the outcome of the appeal by the SWAO.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
505. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection to comment on the number of carer's allowance applications that have been rejected from 2023; the number of appeals that were successful; and to outline the appeals process. [68345/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra506. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection to comment on the number of disability allowance applications that have been rejected from 2023; the number of appeals that were successful; and to outline the appeal process. [68346/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together.
Carer’s Allowance is a payment for people on low incomes who are caring for a person who needs full-time care and attention because of age, disability, or illness. Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability; it is available from 16 years of age.
Statistics
The number of refusal decisions and successful appeals for the two schemes is shown in the below table.
|
- |
Nr refusal decisions 2025 |
Nr refusal decisions to August 2026 |
Nr. successful appeals 2025 |
Nr. successful appeals to August 2026 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
10,916 |
8,506
|
2,298
|
1,405 |
|
Disability Allowance |
19,058 |
11,990
|
5,767
|
3,154 |
It should be noted that appeals may arise for reasons other than the refusal of a claim, including decisions relating to the rate of payment awarded following a means assessment or the backdating of a claim. Consequently, not all appeals recorded relate to an initial refusal decision. Separate statistics on appeals by reason are not available. Furthermore, figures may include appeals relating to decisions made in earlier years.
Information on the number of refusals in previous years is available in the Department's Annual Statistical Reports. Information on successful and unsuccessful appeals is available in the published Annual Reports of the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Appeals process
An appellant who is dissatisfied with a decision of a Deciding Officer or Designated Person in the Department of Social Protection may submit an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Appeals should normally be lodged within 60 days of the decision letter.
Once received, the appeal is registered, and an acknowledgement is issued to the appellant. The Social Welfare Appeals Office notifies the relevant scheme area in the Department of Social Protection that an appeal has been received. The scheme area is required to:
• Review the original decision.
• Consider any new evidence submitted.
• Prepare a submission explaining the basis for the decision.
• Undertake any further investigations if necessary
Before the appeal is assigned to an Appeals Officer, the original decision maker may revise the decision if new evidence or facts support a more favorable outcome for the appellant. If a fully favorable revised decision is issued, the appeal is effectively resolved and withdrawn.
Where the matter is not resolved by revision, the appeal is assigned to an Appeals Officer. Appeals Officers are independent in the exercise of their statutory decision-making functions. The Appeals Officer reviews all information available related to the appeal, and if he or she believes there is enough information in the documents provided, they can make a decision on the appeal. If they believe more information is needed to decide the case he or he may arrange for an oral hearing.
The Appeals Officer issues a written decision which may:
• Allow the appeal.
• Partially allow the appeal.
• Disallow the appeal.
The decision includes the reasons for the determination and is issued to both the appellant and the relevant scheme area.
507. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the number of domiciliary care allowance applications that have been rejected from 2023; the number of appeals that were successful; and to outline the appeal process. [68342/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the child's disability or diagnosis. Rather, the assessment focuses on the impact of the condition and the extent of the additional care and attention required when compared to a child of the same age without that condition.
The following tables set out the number of DCA applications received and disallowed since 2023, together with the number of appeals allowed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the number of decisions revised in the applicant's favour by a Deciding Officer following the submission of an appeal.
|
DCA Applications |
|
|
|
Year |
Applications Received |
Applications Disallowed |
|
2023 |
12,290 |
4,079 |
|
2024 |
13,270 |
4,554 |
|
2025 |
15,588 |
5,167 |
|
2026** |
12,188 |
4,079 |
|
DCA Appeals |
|
|
|
Year |
Appeals Allowed |
Revised decision by Deciding Officer |
|
2023 |
862 |
407 |
|
2024 |
792 |
832 |
|
2025 |
1562 |
1482 |
|
2026** |
698 |
1,037 |
** Figures are up to end of August 2026
It is important to note that where decisions are allowed on receipt of an appeal, this may not mean that the initial decision was incorrect. A decision is more often revised because the person making an appeal provides additional information that was not available when the decision was first made. In other jurisdictions appellants are not allowed to submit additional information, but instead are required to submit a new application. By referring the appeal papers back to my department’s decisions team for review, our process is more flexible. As a result, 1,037 (60%) of the 1,735 DCA appeals granted in the period January to August 2026 were decided by way of revised decision by the scheme Deciding Officers. This clearly shows my department’s efforts to ensure that as few cases as possible have to go through the full appeals process.
An applicant who is dissatisfied with a DCA decision may appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, normally within 60 days of the date of the decision.
Upon receipt of an appeal, my Department reviews the original decision and considers any additional information submitted by the appellant. In some cases, the original decision may be revised by a Deciding Officer where additional information supports a more favourable outcome. To the end of August 2026, 1,037 DCA appeals were resolved in this manner.
Where a case is not resolved following review, it is referred to an independent Appeals Officer for determination. The Appeals Officer may decide the appeal on the basis of the evidence available or, where necessary, hold an oral hearing to obtain further information.
The Appeals Officer may allow, partially allow or disallow the appeal and issues a written decision setting out the reasons for that determination.
508. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of international protection applicants who had reckonable earnings, and made PRSI contributions in each of the years since 2020, according to the Revenue Commissioners and his Departments records. [68310/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not hold data in respect of someone's international protection status. Daily Expenses Allowance is payable to International Protection Applicants who live in or are on a waiting list for accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service. Not all persons seeking protection receive the Daily Expenses Allowance. PRSI information held by my Department is not sufficiently time stamped to examine crossover between Daily Expenses Allowance claims and PRSI contributing.
Earlier this year, the Central Statistics Office published a frontier series release titled "International Protection Applicants: Demographic and Employment Insights 2022-2024". While frontier series releases are considered experimental in nature, this release included detailed analysis of employment for the persons availing of the Daily Expenses Allowance and may be of interest to the Deputy. The release is available at www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/fp/fp-ipadei/internationalprotectionapplicantsdemographicandemploymentinsights2022-2024/.
509. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection to list the companies contracted to provide school meals under the scheme and to provide details of the sources of beef and chicken used by each supplier. [68509/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra510. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide details of how beef and chicken products supplied under the School Meals Programme are transported and delivered, including whether products are imported pre-cooked, frozen or chilled; whether they are delivered to schools frozen, chilled or ready-to-eat; and the processes involved in their preparation prior to consumption by pupils. [68508/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra512. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide details of the source and provenance of food ingredients supplied under the School Meals Programme; specifically the country of origin and supply chain for all beef and chicken products provided to schools under the scheme. [68506/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 509, 510 and 512 together.
My Department provides the funding for the School Meals Programme directly to schools. My department does not select or approve suppliers. All schools as independent contracting authorities are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenders responsibilities and obligations.
Under EU and national food law, the meals provided to students under the Hot School Meals Scheme are categorised as ‘non-prepacked’ foods as these are foods prepacked for direct sale (Article 44, FIC Regulation). In Ireland, the only mandatory food information that a Food Business Operator is obliged to provide for ‘non-prepacked’ food intended for the final consumer is the allergen declaration which they provide.
It should be noted that under EU laws, and as reflected in public procurement rules, it cannot be specified that food must originate from a particular country. That would be in breach of EU single market rules.
Under the Hot School Meals mandatory procurement documentation there are four delivery options the school as the contracting authority can choose. Hot School Meals prepared off-site and delivered ready to eat, meals pre-prepared off-site and heated in the school’s designated preparation and/or servery area; meals prepared off site and heated in the school by use of an external pod or mobile catering unit; or meals fully prepared on-site.
Suppliers are not required to provide the department with details of the preparation method of the meals but are required to comply with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point guidelines and with Nutritional Standards for the School Meals Programme.
The Department of Agriculture carry out checks on all consignments of plants and products of animal or plant origin; pesticides, organics and food of non-animal being imported into the EU through the Border Control Posts at Dublin and Rosslare Ports and Dublin and Shannon Airports.
The rules relating to the importation of food of plant and animal origin, into the EU, are laid down in European Regulation 2017/625, SI 656/2020 and SI 9/2020. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products and to ensure that products of animal or plant origin meet the same husbandry, production method and hygienic requirements as apply to business operators operating within the EU.
These consignments undergo documentary, identity, physical, sampling and laboratory inspections to confirm they are in compliance with EU legislation. Consignments found not to comply with these requirements are rejected and are either destroyed, re-exported to the country of origin or are subjected to special treatment under Competent Authority control to mitigate the risk associated with the non-compliance, in compliance with rules laid down in Regulation 2017/625.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland, as Ireland’s independent regulator and the central competent authority for the enforcement of food safety legislation provide advice on the mandatory labelling requirements for beef not of Irish origin which can be found on their website Labelling of Meat Products | Food Safety Authority of Ireland. (www.fsai.ie/enforcement-and-legislation/legislation/food-legislation/meat-meat-products/labelling( The Food Safety Authority of Ireland deals with enforcement procedures in instances of non-compliance with food law by any food business operator in Ireland.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
511. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the traceability arrangements in place for such products, including the country in which the meat is reared, slaughtered, processed and packaged. [68507/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides the funding for the School Meals Programme directly to schools. All schools as independent contracting authorities are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenders responsibilities and obligations.
Under EU laws, and as reflected in public procurement rules, it cannot be specified that food must originate from a particular country. That would be in breach of EU single market rules.
Suppliers are not required to provide the department with details of the preparation method of the meals but are required to comply with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point guidelines and with Nutritional Standards for the School Meals Programme.
The Department of Agriculture have advised that they carry out checks on all consignments of plants and products of animal or plant origin; pesticides, organics and food of non-animal being imported into the EU through the Border Control Posts at Dublin and Rosslare Ports and Dublin and Shannon Airports.
The rules relating to the importation of food of plant and animal origin, into the EU, are laid down in European Regulation 2017/625, SI 656/2020 and SI 9/2020. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products and to ensure that products of animal or plant origin meet the same husbandry, production method and hygienic requirements as apply to business operators operating within the EU.
These consignments undergo documentary, identity, physical, sampling and laboratory inspections to confirm they are in compliance with EU legislation. Consignments found not to comply with these requirements are rejected and are either destroyed, re-exported to the country of origin or are subjected to special treatment under Competent Authority control to mitigate the risk associated with the non-compliance, in compliance with rules laid down in Regulation 2017/625.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland, as Ireland’s independent regulator and the central competent authority for the enforcement of food safety legislation provide advice on the mandatory labelling requirements for meat not of Irish origin which can be found on their website Labelling of Meat Products | Food Safety Authority of Ireland (www.fsai.ie/enforcement-and-legislation/legislation/food-legislation/meat-meat-products/labelling) The Food Safety Authority of Ireland deals with enforcement procedures in instances of non-compliance with food law by any food business operator in Ireland.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
513. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that the new methodology to calculate pension payments for those who turned 65 in March of 2025 is resulting in a constituent (details supplied) receiving €10 less per week; if he is aware of the hardship this is incurring on this constituent and people in her same situation; and if he will consider re-adjusting payments for people who are worse off under this new model to maintain parity with previous years. [68556/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA series of landmark reforms were introduced to the State Pension system in response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations and represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system. One of the reforms agreed by Government was a phased transition over 10 years to Total Contributions Approach (TCA) and the abolition of the Yearly Average (YA) approach. The ten-year phased transition is to avoid a ‘cliff edge’ effect and to soften the impact of the move on the first cohorts.
During this transition period, individual pension rates will be assessed under TCA. Where a person does not qualify for 100% TCA, their entitlement is assessed using a combined rate approach. In the case of the person concerned, the combined rate is 80% YA and 20% TCA, giving them entitlement to €242.00 per week which is 80.83% of the maximum rate.
Where a person qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify the means-tested State Pension non-contributory which is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment of 95% of the SPC.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
514. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which a person (details supplied) can access social protection payments; the specific supports are in place to assist; the way he can access this without recourse to the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68554/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pensioner concerned is in receipt of State pension non-contributory. Up to 24 September 2026, their pension was paid directly to their nominated bank account.
On 14 September 2026, a type 2 agent application form was received. A change of payment method to a nominated post office was also received.
On 22 September 2026, a letter issued to the appointed agent confirming their appointment and advising that pension payments could be collected from the nominated post office using the Public Services Card of the person concerned. The first pension payment was available in the post office on 25 September 2026.
As the Public Services Card belonging to the person concerned has been misplaced, officials in my Department have been in contact with the appointed agent to organise a replacement card.
If the person concerned requires additional financial assistance, it is also open to them to contact their Local Community Welfare Officer who may be in a position to assist. This can be done by calling the National Community Welfare Contact Centre at 0818-607080 and they will direct them to the appropriate office.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
515. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE staff in his Department, by grade that are processing new applications for State pension (contributory) and disability allowance respectively, in tabular form. [68649/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
The total number of staff processing new applications for State Pension Contributory and Disability Allowance are set out hereunder:
|
State Pension Contributory |
|
|
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
Full-time equivalent |
|
Clerical Officer |
43 |
37.86 |
|
Executive Officer |
7 |
7.00 |
|
TOTAL |
50 |
44.86 |
|
Disability Allowance |
|
|
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
Full-time equivalent |
|
Clerical Officer |
37 |
36 |
|
Executive Officer |
7 |
7 |
|
TOTAL |
44 |
43 |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
