Cian O'Callaghan
Question:878. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review an aspect of the school meals scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1265/25]
View answerSchool Meals Programme
Questions (878)
Written answers
The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals were developed by a working group led by the Health and Wellbeing Programme in the Department of Health, in consultation with Safefood and the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.
Each school is required to provide a menu choice of at least two different meals per day and where required, provide a vegetarian/vegan option and an option that caters for students’ religious and cultural/ dietary requirements. The food provided for those with allergies must comply with the Standards.
All schools who wish to avail of funding are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. The primary relationship is between school and supplier.
Under tender documentation, as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, the menu is to accommodate those with food intolerances and allergies, including those with Coeliac disease. In addition, the supplier is required to check these details with the school upon award of the contract, in order to accommodate those potential customers. The supplier must also provide clearly visible menu boards with an allergens list.
This matter should be raised with the Principal concerned directly and they should liaise with the supplier to discuss extending the meat options for any students with Coeliac disease at the school.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Widow's Pension
Questions (879)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:879. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasoning behind excluding people under the age of 66 years from receiving the living alone increase when they are receiving a widower’s pension which requires a person to be living alone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1267/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Living Alone Increase is a weekly payment, which is not means tested. The Living Alone Increase is an additional payment made each week to persons who live alone and are in receipt of certain Social Protection payments.
These payments include recipients, 66 or over, of State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-contributory), Widow’s, Widower’s, or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, Widow's/Widower's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and Deserted Wife's Benefit.
The only payment types that allow a person under age 66 to receive the Living Alone Increase are payments to people who have a long-term illness or disability that is Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
The Widow’s, Widower’s, or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension and the Widow’s, Widower’s, or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension which are available to those under the age of 66 do not, specifically, require the recipient to be living alone. One of the conditions of receipt is that the claimant is not co-habiting as a couple with another person. The claimant may however live with other family members, or have dependent children in the case of the Widow’s, Widower’s, or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension. The conditions for receipt of the living alone increase would preclude such situations.
Any further widening of the qualifying criteria for accessing the living alone increase can only be considered while taking account of the overall policy and budgetary situation.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (880)
John McGuinness
Question:880. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer’s allowance will be approved as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied). [1377/25]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse / civil partner / cohabitant, property (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for Carer's Allowance from the person concerned on 23 February 2024.
The claim was disallowed as the means of the person concerned exceeded the statutory means limit. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 17 June 2024. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
To date, no review or appeal request has been received from the person concerned.
As part of Budget 2025, and with effect from July 2025, the weekly income disregard will increase from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for couples.
It is open for the person concerned to re-apply for Carer’s Allowance by completing a CR1 application form. The application should be returned to: Carer's Allowance Section, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Co Longford, N39 E4E0.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (881)
John McGuinness
Question:881. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons (details supplied) are in receipt of the household package and fuel allowance and electricity allowance. [1400/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Household Benefits Package comprises of an Electricity or Gas allowance, and a Free Television Licence. Only one Household Benefits Package is payable per household. The payment is made on a monthly basis.
The Household Benefits Package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment, or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under age 66 who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. For customers aged 70 or over, there is no requirement to be in receipt of a qualifying payment or to satisfy a means test.
An application for the Household Benefits Package was received from the spouse of the person concerned on 17 September 2015. She was awarded the Household Benefits Package, backdated to the date her Carer's Allowance was awarded on 30 April 2015.
The person concerned is in receipt of State Pension Non-contributory. To qualify for Fuel Allowance, a person must be living alone or with other people who also satisfy the qualifying conditions. Following a review of the person’s entitlement to Fuel Allowance on 23 August 2022, it was determined that the person did not qualify, as another member of the household, aged under 66, was not in receipt of a qualifying payment from my department.
Should the person’s circumstances have changed and they wish to reapply for Fuel Allowance, it is necessary for the person concerned to complete and submit an application form, which has been issued to them by post. On receipt of the completed Fuel Allowance application, the person’s eligibility will be examined and they will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Grant Payments
Questions (882, 884, 885)
Sorca Clarke
Question:882. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the payment of the grant that covers the provision of hair wigs for cancer and alopecia suffers, with a view to making the payment directly payable to the applicant. [1433/25]
View answerSorca Clarke
Question:884. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reviews carried out since 2022 of the grant amounts for hair wigs; and if the payable amount is set to increase in 2025. [1435/25]
View answerSorca Clarke
Question:885. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the role her Department played in setting the criteria for inclusion on the hair replacement products list; and the process for inclusion on the list, including the required qualifications. [1436/25]
View answerWritten answers
In general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. However, my Department administers the Treatment Benefit scheme which provides certain dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. These treatments are also available to their dependent spouse or partner, if applicable.
A new grant was introduced from May 2022 towards the cost of wigs and hairpieces for people who suffer from hair loss, due to disease such as cancer and a number of types of alopecia. The €500 grant toward the cost of a hairpiece, wig or hair replacement is available to individuals and their dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant who satisfy the medical requirements and the PRSI conditions of the treatment benefit scheme. The grant is payable for one item per calendar year.
The types of alopecia covered are:
• alopecia areata (which includes alopecia totalis/universalis, diffuse alopecia areata, alopecia ophiasis),
• primary scarring alopecias (including cicatricial alopecia, frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planopilaris alopecia),
• chemotherapy induced alopecia (anagen effluvium),
• alopecia resulting from surgery or trauma, including burns.
Under the Treatment Benefit scheme, a range of private suppliers hold contracts with the Department for the provision of services to qualified persons. The hair replacement contract specifies that "a 'wig' means any hair replacement item for the scalp, to include full wigs, hair pieces or toupee but does not include surgical hair replacement or topical applications."
In keeping with the other elements of the treatment benefit scheme, the qualified person is free to source the appropriate hair replacement product from a supplier of their choice and decide themselves which product they wish to purchase. Once chosen, the grant will cover the price of the product up to €500, with any excess over this amount paid by the qualified person.
Treatment benefit is a prior approval scheme and the current process allows contracted suppliers to check the eligibility of the customer and, following treatment or the provision of a product, make a claim online, via my Department’s portal ‘WelfarePartners’.
To be included on my Department's approved list of suppliers for hair replacement products, a provider must undertake to provide such products under the following terms and conditions of their contract with my Department:
(a) Have and maintain professional indemnity insurance.
(b) Maintain tax compliance and provide proof of such as is required by the Minister from time to time.
(c) Operate a practice address which is open to the public during normal business hours and any advertisement should mention this address and its contact details.
(d) Provide a minimum of 12 months guarantee on any product provided.
My Department keeps its schemes under regular review to make sure they continue to meet their objectives. This particular scheme has been kept under review since its introduction in 2022. Any change in the level or method of payment available under the scheme would have to be considered in a policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Grant Payments
Questions (883)
Sorca Clarke
Question:883. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for hair wigs, per county, for both successful and unsuccessful applications, for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and the total value of the approved applications, per year. [1434/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical, aural and hair replacement products and services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
The hair replacement benefit, introduced in 2022 is an annual benefit of up to €500 available to persons who satisfy the medical requirements and the PRSI conditions of the Department’s Treatment Benefit scheme.
The payment assists people who have suffered hair loss due to a disease or treatment of a disease such as cancer or certain types of alopecia to purchase a hair replacement product (HRP).
Of those persons who satisfy the PRSI conditions of the scheme, the following claims per
county were paid.
Number of HRP Customers paid by Customer County
|
Resident County |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Totals |
|
Carlow |
15 |
45 |
83 |
143 |
|
Cavan |
15 |
47 |
43 |
105 |
|
Clare |
26 |
53 |
65 |
144 |
|
Cork |
96 |
261 |
296 |
653 |
|
Donegal |
29 |
86 |
206 |
321 |
|
Dublin |
438 |
1,005 |
1,343 |
2786 |
|
Galway |
66 |
175 |
269 |
510 |
|
Kerry |
30 |
93 |
92 |
215 |
|
Kildare |
116 |
237 |
299 |
652 |
|
Kilkenny |
30 |
62 |
106 |
198 |
|
Laois |
21 |
44 |
78 |
143 |
|
Leitrim |
16 |
43 |
40 |
99 |
|
Limerick |
49 |
127 |
127 |
303 |
|
Longford |
20 |
28 |
43 |
91 |
|
Louth |
53 |
131 |
149 |
333 |
|
Mayo |
38 |
116 |
171 |
325 |
|
Meath |
71 |
147 |
198 |
416 |
|
Monaghan |
13 |
38 |
45 |
96 |
|
Offaly |
31 |
50 |
62 |
143 |
|
Roscommon |
33 |
54 |
76 |
163 |
|
Sligo |
16 |
59 |
65 |
140 |
|
Tipperary |
62 |
117 |
198 |
377 |
|
Waterford |
17 |
53 |
80 |
150 |
|
Westmeath |
25 |
43 |
85 |
153 |
|
Wexford |
32 |
66 |
113 |
211 |
|
Wicklow |
45 |
84 |
125 |
254 |
|
|
1,403 |
3,264 |
4,457 |
9,124 |
• Information based on claims paid during the relevant calendar year.
• Resident county is based on the customer’s current address as per Department’s records.
Of those persons who satisfy the PRSI conditions of the scheme, the following claims per
county were disallowed.
Number of HRP Customers Disallowed by Customer County
|
Resident County |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
4 |
1 |
0 |
|
Laois |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Meath |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Total |
8 |
4 |
1 |
Total value of approved applications 2022-2024
|
Year |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Total Expenditure |
€689,392 |
€1,626,325 |
€2,255,189 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 884 answered with Question No. 882.
Question No. 885 answered with Question No. 882.
Pension Provisions
Questions (886)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:886. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the rules around residency for the State pension (non-contributory); the minimum number of days that a person must be in the State to meet habitual residence requirement for the State pension (non-contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1452/25]
View answerWritten answers
One of the qualifying conditions for the State Pension Non Contributory (SPNC) is to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC). HRC applies to both Irish citizens and Non-Irish citizens.
Deciding Officers, when determining whether a person is habitually resident for social protection purposes, must take into consideration
(1) whether or not the person has a right to reside in the State and
(2) a determination of their habitual residence under Section 246 (4) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.
Five factors under Section 246 (4) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, i.e.:
• the length and continuity of residence in Ireland or in any other particular country
• the length and purpose of any absence from Ireland
• the nature and pattern of the person’s employment
• the person’s main center of interest
• the future intentions of the person concerned as they appear from all the circumstances
A person must satisfy both parts of the condition to be regarded as habitually resident in Ireland. There is no minimum period of residence in the State required to satisfy HRC. Each person’s claim is considered on its own merits, and within the terms of the relevant scheme guidelines.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (887)
Duncan Smith
Question:887. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal for carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1525/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
An Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned on 11th October 2024 by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the decision, and has submitted further documentation on 18th December 2024 for consideration by the Appeals Officer.
The Appeals Officer is currently reviewing this documentation, and will issue a response to the person concerned in the coming days.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (888)
Gary Gannon
Question:888. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine the case of a person (details supplied) pending an appeal decision on disability allowance; and if she will provide an update on the processing times for disability allowance appeals, specifically for individuals who are suffering from multiple health conditions, including chronic pain, rare diseases, and mental health issues. [1528/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 28th August 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 20th September 2024, and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
Significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years and further improvements in appeals processing times are a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer. There is active engagement between the Appeals Office and the Department to ensure that the appeals process operates efficiently and that where the Deciding Officer's decision is not revised in favour of the appellant that the appeal file is provided as quickly as possible to the Appeals Office for consideration by an Appeals Officer.
An Appeals Modernisation Project is currently underway the goal of which is to streamline and enhance the end-to-end appeals process for the customer, the Social Welfare Appeals Office and business areas across the Department.
The desire to process appeals quickly has to be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and of high quality and made in accordance with the legislative provisions and the general principles of fair procedures and natural justice.
Where a claimant has been refused a social welfare payment, regardless of the scheme involved, and is appealing that decision, if their means are insufficient to meet their needs it is open to them to apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim. If their application for supplementary welfare allowance is refused, they can also appeal that decision. The supplementary welfare allowance appeal will be prioritised for attention within the Appeals Office as soon as the appeal file and submission is received from the Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (889)
Michael Cahill
Question:889. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to urgently address the criteria for qualifying to participate in community employment schemes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1535/25]
View answerWritten answers
The aim of Community Employment (CE) is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. In addition, it helps long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return-to-work routine.
The general rule relating to eligibility for participation on CE is that the person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment for 12 months or more. This is to ensure that the scheme is targeted at those furthest removed from the labour market and who will benefit most from participation. The exceptions to the eligibility criteria apply to those who would be considered among the most vulnerable in society and include people from the Traveller or Roma communities and people with addiction issues or who have recently been released from prison.
A number of initiatives have been taken over recent times to support CE schemes in their recruitment and retention of participants. These changes have included:
• A provision to allow CE participants who reach 60 years of age to remain on CE until they reach state pension age.
• Some flexibility granted to CE Sponsors to extend individual placements to retain existing participants in cases where no replacement is immediately available.
• Changes to eligibility criteria extending CE to the adult dependents of those in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance.
• A new Pilot scheme to extend eligibility to the over 50’s age group in receipt of credits or a combination of credits & Jobseekers benefit.
In addition, Intreo Employment Services are prioritising referrals to these CE schemes - with dedicated staff working on CE referrals. Any further measures including extending eligibility to seasonal workers would have to be considered in a policy and budgetary context having regard to the overall resources available for welfare improvements.
The Department keeps all aspects of its employment and activation programmes under review to ensure that they have the best outcomes for participants. Places on these employment support programmes will continue to be made available to support those who are long term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market, while maintaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
School Meals Programme
Questions (890, 891, 893, 896, 899)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:890. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to a recent article (details supplied) which raises a number of concerns about the operation of the hot school meals scheme; if a review of the scheme was carried out before it was expanded to additional schools; if her Department will issue advise to schools when choosing a provider to ensure that the provider meets the nutritional standards set by her Department; if any oversight will exist to ensure these standards are met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1547/25]
View answerCian O'Callaghan
Question:891. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to a recent article (details supplied) which raises a number of concerns about the environmental impacts of the current system of the hot school meals scheme; if any alternative options were explored to reduce single use containers which cannot be recycled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1548/25]
View answerMairéad Farrell
Question:893. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the consideration that is given to the nutritional content of the food provided in the free meals in primary schools; the way the procurement for this service works; the number of different providers that are currently involved in servicing this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1562/25]
View answer
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:896. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is stipulated that a healthy meal approach should be taken to provide meals to the pupils when the contracts for the provision of school meals are being prepared; if the guidance of a dietician is sought in relation to what is appropriate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1606/25]
View answer
Claire Kerrane
Question:899. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied with the food being served as part of the hot meals scheme in primary schools; if the food is healthy; her views on concerns raised by a parent (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1701/25]
View answerWritten answers
The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
I am committed to ensuring that the nutritional standards of the School Meals Programme offers children a balanced and healthy diet to assist them in meeting the objectives of the Programme.
An independent evidence-based Evaluation of the School Meals Programme was carried out in 2023 and published by my Department which sets out the positive impact the Programme is having in terms of children’s education and well-being.
In Budget 2025, it was announced that the Hot School Meals Scheme will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025, meaning that approximately 3,200 schools and 550,000 children will be eligible for hot school meals in 2025.
In relation to suppliers, there are four nationwide school meal providers with another six regionally based suppliers. There are numerous smaller suppliers that in most cases supply school meals to rural schools.
All schools who wish to avail of funding 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. The primary relationship is between school and supplier.
A specific standard was set for School Meals under the Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals. These were based on the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Food Based Dietary Recommendations for healthy eating, which were developed by a technical working group led by:
• the Health and Wellbeing Programme of the Department of Health
• Safefood, and
• the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.
In addition, my Department participates in the Department of Health’s Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group. This provides strategic oversight, coordination, and direction for cross-Departmental and cross-sectoral actions in this area.
My Department established an interdepartmental working group, which includes the Department of Health and the Department Education, to oversee and make recommendations on the operation of the scheme, including nutrition inspection and evaluation.
My Department also has an oversight role in relation to the school meals programme and conducts regular inspections of schools. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected annually by my Department. All schools must submit a sample menu with their application for the School Meals Programme. Funding will not be provided for food that does not comply with these standards. All participating schools must also submit to my Department a signed Service Level Agreement which clearly sets out the school’s responsibilities and obligations in terms of compliance with nutritional standards.
In terms of packaging and waste, under tender documentation, and as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, the school meal supplier is responsible for operating policies which progressively address environmental considerations such as waste and packaging. Depending on the school size and school meal requirements, the school will decide on the method and logistics that best meets their needs in line with environmental standards. In addition, under tender documentation requirements, the school is committed to the principles of environmental management in its activities, and it encourages the implementation of sustainability principles in its procurement practices. The supplier should make all reasonable efforts to minimise adverse environmental impact in the methods of services delivery and in materials used.
Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to expand and improve the Free Hot School Meals programme and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, the reduction food waste and the use recyclable packaging.
On any occasion, where there may be any concerns about the quality of food provided under the School Meals Programme in any specific school, they should be brought to my Department’s attention, and it will be followed up accordingly.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Question No. 891 answered with Question No. 890.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (892)
Willie O'Dea
Question:892. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer’s allowance application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1561/25]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 14 November 2024.
I can confirm CA was awarded to the person concerned and backdated to the 07 December 2023. The first payment will issue to the nominated post office of the person concerned on 23 January 2025.
Arrears for the period 07 December 2023 to 22 January 2025 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 16 January 2025. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Question No. 893 answered with Question No. 890.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (894)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:894. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that recipients of partial capacity benefit who have transitioned from invalidity pension are excluded from the fuel allowance; the supports available for people with disabilities to return to part-time work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1570/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year). It is paid from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €400 million in 2025. The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed to direct the limited resources available to the Department in as targeted a manner as possible, and so it is focused on long term payments where an applicant satisfies a means test. People on long term payments are unlikely to have additional resources of their own and are more vulnerable to poverty, including energy poverty.
Partial Capacity Benefit allows people to continue to receive a percentage of their previous payment while in employment. In addition, the scheme has been designed so there are no restrictions on the number of hours a person in receipt of the payment can work and there are no restrictions on earnings. It is for this reason it is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance.
The two main schemes available from my Department to people with disabilities are Invalidity Pension and Disability Allowance.
Partial Capacity Benefit extends the Invalidity Pension scheme to recognise and respond to the reality that some people with long-term illnesses have a capacity to engage in employment while continuing to need some income support from the State. The Partial Capacity Benefit scheme has been designed to allow persons in receipt of this payment to continue to receive a percentage of their previous Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit payment (i.e., 50%, 75% or 100%) while in employment.
A person in receipt of Disability Allowance may continue to receive the payment if they are engaged in part-time work. They can work and earn up to €165 a week - after paying PRSI, pension contributions and union dues - without their Disability Allowance payment being affected. If they earn more than €165 a week, 50% of their earnings between €165 and €375 will not be taken into account in the Disability Allowance means test with any earnings over €375 assessed in full.
While the Department continues to keep the range of supports available under review, any decision to change the qualifying criteria for the Fuel Allowance payment would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in a wider budgetary context.
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. Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Artificial Intelligence
Questions (895)
Malcolm Byrne
Question:895. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department and agencies under the aegis of her Department have policies on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Department and those agencies; whether training has been provided to staff on the use of AI; if her Department has used AI, including large language models, in the preparation of legislation or statutory instruments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1588/25]
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Guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in my Department are currently being prepared, incorporating the principles highlighted in the "Interim Guidelines and Principles for the use of AI" published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
My Department has not developed its own training in relation to AI, however staff in the Department may avail of training courses on Artificial Intelligence provided by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the Institute of Public Administration, or other providers.
AI, including large language models has not been used in the preparation of legislation, or statutory instruments
There are four bodies under the aegis of my Department – the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council and the Social Welfare Tribunal. The Citizens Information Board have issued guidelines to staff on the use of AI and some staff have undergone formal training on AI.
The Pensions Authority are in the process of drafting a formal policy for their staff on using AI.
The Pensions Council and Social Welfare Tribunal are staffed from the Department of Social Protection’s existing resources so separate policies are not required.
Question No. 896 answered with Question No. 890.
Pension Provisions
Questions (897)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:897. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1654/25]
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If a person is in insurable employment and is awarded the State pension (contributory), the appropriate PRSI class in respect of their employment changes from class A to class J. There is no employee PRSI liability under class J, although there is an employer PRSI liability of 0.5%.
When a person is awarded the State pension (contributory), the award letter from my Department advises them that their employer will be notified via Revenue’s Payroll Notification of the award of pension to ensure the correct PRSI class is applied.
In the case cited by the Deputy, the employee is advised to contact their employer and ensure that the appropriate PRSI class for his employment is changed from class A to class J with effect from the date of award of the pension. If there is a PRSI refund due for a prior period where the employee was deducted the incorrect amount of PRSI, then they can contact my Department's PRSI Refunds area at PRSIrefunds@welfare.ie for any necessary action.
For the Deputy's information, since 1 January 2024 a person can draw down their State pension (contributory) at any stage between age 66 and 70. This gives a person who defers their pension the opportunity to continue to work and pay PRSI which may improve their contribution record for pension purposes.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.