Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1280.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the old age contributory pension each year from 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31824/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty.

In 2024, for the second year in succession, the State Pension (Contributory) increased by €12 per week and has now increased by €29 in the lifetime of this Government. These weekly increases were part of a broader package, along with a wide range supports and lump-sum payments which were paid in late 2023 and into 2024. These included supports for those living alone and those in receipt of Fuel Allowance, many of whom are pensioners and are payable depending on the person's circumstances.

The rates and changes of the State Pension (Contributory) between 2019 and 2024 are set out in the table below

State Pension (Contributory) Maximum Payment Rates 2019-2024

My Department regularly reviews its supports and payment schemes, to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives.

Any decision to further increase social welfare rates will be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1281.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the disability allowance each year from 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31825/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.

The primary disability related social assistance scheme is the Disability Allowance, which is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged between 16 and 66. In addition to the means test, in order to be eligible, the disability must be expected to last for at least one year. The allowance is also subject to a medical assessment and a habitual residency requirement.

Maximum weekly rates of Disability Allowance from 2019 to date, including increases for qualified adults and qualified children, are laid out in tabular form below:

Disability Allowance payment rates 2019-2024:

Disability Allowance is structured to support recipients to avail of work opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment. Budget 2023 was the third successive budget that the Government has progressively increased earnings disregards, which will see people with disabilities retaining more of their payments while in employment. The earnings disregard for recipients of Disability Allowance has increased by almost 38% over these budgets from €120 to €140 to €165 currently.

A person can earn up to €165 and keep their payment in full and can earn up to €505.10 and keep a small portion of their payment and keep their secondary benefits.

Other increases and benefits which may be payable to Disability Allowance recipients include the Living Alone Allowance, currently €22 per week, and the Fuel Allowance of €33.00 per week. The fuel allowance scheme operates for 28 weeks per annum from October to April. A person in receipt of Disability Allowance may also be entitled to the Household Benefits Package and Free Travel Pass.

Also, as part of Budget 2024, I introduced significant supports for people with disabilities which include:

• €400 once-off payment for Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and Carer’s Support Grant recipients in November 2023 to address the high cost of living.
• €200 lump sum Living Alone Allowance payment.
• €300 lump sum Fuel Allowance payment.
• Christmas Bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment.
• January Cost of Living Bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1282.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the single parent allowance each year from 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31826/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1294.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the jobseeker's transitional payment from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31839/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1282 and 1294 together.

The One-Parent Family Payment is a payment for lone parents under 66, who are not cohabiting, and whose youngest child is under seven. The Jobseekers Transitional Payment is a special arrangement under the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme for lone parents under 66 who are not cohabiting and whose youngest child is between seven and fourteen years old.

There have been several changes to these schemes since 2019 which have had a positive impact for those in receipt of the payments.

In 2019, the core rates of both payments increased by €5, and the income disregard on both schemes increased from €130 to €150 per week. The latter measure resulted in recipients being able to earn more without affecting their payment. In 2020, the earnings disregard was increased by a further €15 to €165 per week.

In April 2021, the earnings threshold of €425 was removed from the One-Parent Family Payment. The removal of the threshold meant that the payment no longer ceased at €425. Instead, the payment tapers off as earnings increase.

Budgets 2022, 2023 and 2024 saw increases to the weekly personal rate of both payments of €5, €12 and €12 respectively, bringing the current personal rate of payment to €232 per week.

Since 2020, the weekly rate of the Increase for Qualified Child payment, for children over and under 12 years old, have consistently increased - taking the weekly rates from €34 for those under 12 and €37 for those aged 12 or over in 2019 to €46 and €54 per week in 2024.

The Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 provides for changes to the assessment of means. As a result, child maintenance payments are now excluded from the means assessment for both the One-Parent Family Payment and the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment as well as other payments. This change to the means test came into effect from the week beginning 4th June 2024.

In addition, since late 2022, the Department ceased applying the "efforts to seek maintenance" requirement for the One-Parent Family and Jobseeker's Transitional Payments. This requirement had often involved applicants having to go to Court. The Liable Relative Provisions, which applied to One-Parent Family Payment whereby the Department could seek a contribution from the child's other parent, have been revoked and have not been applied to new claims since late 2022.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1283.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the carers allowance each year from 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31827/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The main income supports to carers provided by my department include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer's Support Grant. Spending on these payments in 2024 is expected to exceed €1.7 billion.

Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which the department provides income support to carers in the community. There are currently 97,127 people in receipt of Carer's Allowance and the estimated spend on this payment in 2024 is over €1.1 billion.

The primary objective of the payment is to provide an income support to carers whose earning capacity is substantially reduced as a consequence of their caring responsibilities and in so doing to support the ongoing care of the person in respect of whom care is being provided.

Where carers are providing care to more than one person, an increase of 50% is applicable. A half-rate Carer’s Allowance may also be available to those in receipt of particular social welfare payments who are providing full-time care and attention. In these cases, a carer may retain their main payment and receive another payment, depending on their means, the maximum of which is equivalent to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance.

Payment changes made to the Carer's Allowance each year from 2019 and to date are laid out in tabular form below. In 2019, the maximum rate of all weekly social welfare payments increased by €5 per week with proportional increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment.

Carer’s Allowance Payment Rates 2019-2024:

Since my appointment as Minister, I have also made a number of significant improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance. I was the first Minister in 14 years to make changes to the Carer's Allowance earnings and capital disregards.

• In June 2022, the income disregards were increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
• Last month, the weekly income disregards were increased further, from €350 to €450 for a single person, and from €750 to €900 for carers with a spouse/partner.
• The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was also increased in 2022 from €20,000 to €50,000.

Since 2022, this amounts to cumulative increases to the income disregards of €117.50 for a single carer and €235.00 for a carer who is part of couple. These are the highest disregards in the Social Welfare system.

It is also worth noting that, in addition to the Carer's Allowance payment improvements, as outlined above, over the last two Budgets there has been a suite of once-off lump sum and double payments to assist with the cost of living and rising bills. More recently, as part of Budget 2024, these included:

• €400 for people receiving Carer’s Support Grant paid in November.
• A Christmas Bonus Double Payment to those in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, including carers.
• A further double payment was paid earlier in the year.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1284.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the carers benefit each year from 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31828/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The main income supports to carers provided by my department include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer's Support Grant. Spending on these payments in 2024 is expected to exceed €1.7 billion.

Carer's Benefit is a non-means tested payment made to insured people who may be required to leave the workforce, or reduce their working hours, to care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. A person may be eligible for Carer's Benefit if they have sufficient PRSI contributions. Projected expenditure on Carer’s Benefit in 2024 is estimated at €57.9 million.

The payment is payable for a period of 2 years (104 weeks) for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 2 years (104 weeks). Where care is provided beyond the period of entitlement to Carer’s Benefit, the means tested Carer’s Allowance is available for those who are in need of income support.

Payment changes made to the Carer's Benefit each year from 2019 and to date in 2024 are laid out in tabular form below. In 2019, the maximum rate of all weekly social welfare payments increased by €5 per week with proportional increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment.

Carer's Benefit Maximum Weekly Rates of Payment 2019-2024

While Carer’s Benefit is not a means-tested payment, it is subject to an earnings limit. The earnings limit is in line with the income disregard (single) for the Carer's Allowance payment. The current earnings limit is €450 per week (after tax). The earnings limit for Carer's Benefit has increased line with changes to the Carer's Allowance income disregard increases since June 2022.

Carer’s Benefit Earnings Limit 2019-2024:

It is also worth noting that in addition to the Carer's Benefit payment improvements, as outlined above, over the last two Budgets there have been a suite of once-off lump sum and double payments to assist with the cost of living and rising bills. More recently as part of Budget 2024, these include: -

• €400 for people receiving Carer’s Support Grant paid in November.
• A Christmas Bonus Double Payment to those in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, including carers.
• A further double payment was paid earlier in the year.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1285.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the invalidity pension each year from 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31829/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.

Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and who are covered by PRSI contributions. To qualify, the person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months; or must be permanently incapable of work.

Only class A, E, H and S contributions count for Invalidity Pension. Eligibility for Invalidity Pension requires at least:

• 260 weeks of paid PRSI contributions (5 years) since entering social insurance and
• 48 weeks of paid or credited PRSI contributions in the last OR second-last complete contribution year before the relevant date.

Maximum weekly rates of Invalidity Pension from 2019 to date, including increases for qualified adults and qualified children, are laid out in tabular form below:

Invalidity Pension payment rates 2019-2024:

Other increases and benefits which may be payable to Invalidity Pension recipients include the Living Alone Allowance, currently €22 per week. An Invalidity Pension recipient may also be eligible to claim a Fuel Allowance of €33.00 per week. This scheme operates for 28 weeks per annum from late September to April. If youqualify for an Invalidity Pension, you may claim the Household Benefits Package and a Free Travel Pass.

Also, as part of Budget 2024, I introduced significant supports for people with disabilities which include:

• €400 once-off payment for Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and Carer’s Support Grant recipients in November 2023 to address the high cost of living.
• €200 lump sum Living Alone Allowance payment.
• €300 lump sum Fuel Allowance payment.
• Christmas Bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment.
• January Cost of Living Bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1286.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the carers support grant each year from 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31830/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The main income supports to carers provided by my department include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer's Support Grant. Spending on these payments in 2024 is expected to exceed €1.7 billion.

The annual Carer’s Support Grant is available to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions and it is not taxed. The estimated spend on this grant in 2024 is over €290 million.

The objective of the Carer’s Support Grant is to support carers in their caring role and carers may use the grant in a manner that is appropriate to their needs. The grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for to take account of the additional cost of providing care and to recognise the particular challenges faced by these carers.

The Carer's Support Grant is automatically paid to people in receipt of Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care allowance in June of each year. Other people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment but who are providing full time care and attention are also eligible and can apply for a ‘standalone’ grant.

On 6 June, 132,523 carers received the grant in respect of 149,361 care recipients, at an estimated cost of €275 million.

In 2019, the grant was €,1700. In Budget 2021, I increased the grant by €150 to its current rate of €1,850. This is the highest rate since its introduction.

Over the last two Budgets, there has been a suite of once-off lump sum and double payments to assist carers with the cost of living and rising bills.

As part of measures announced in Budget 2023, carers who qualified for the Carer’s Support Grant received an additional once-off payment of €500 in November 2022. More recently, as part of Budget 2024, a further payment of €400 was made to those carers receiving the Carer’s Support Grant which was paid last November.

I am committed to supporting our family carers and I will continue to keep the range of supports provided by my department under review. Any further improvements to the Carer’s Support Grant payment would have to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1287.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the domiciliary allowance each year from 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31831/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The main income supports to carers provided by my department include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer's Support Grant. Spending on these payments in 2024 is expected to exceed €1.7 billion.

Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability and requires care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age. It is not means tested. If a person is caring for more than one child who qualifies for this Allowance, the monthly allowance is paid for each eligible child.

There are currently 55,276 families in receipt of the payment in relation to 62,138 children. Expenditure in 2024 is estimated at almost €274 million.

To qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance, the child must live at home with the person claiming the allowance for five or more days per week. If the child is in residential care but is at home for two days or more per week, a half rate allowance is payable.

Domiciliary Care Allowance ceases to be payable when a child reaches 16 years of age. The young person can then apply for Disability Allowance if they meet the eligibility requirements.

The payment changes made to the Domiciliary Care Allowance payment each year from 2019 and to date in 2024 are set out in tabular form below.

In acknowledging the financial burden families of sick children face, I have also made significant changes to the Domiciliary Care Allowance payment over the last number of Budgets.

• As part of Budget 2022, the period during which Domiciliary Care Allowance can be paid for children in hospital was extended from 3 months to 6 months.
• As part of Budget 2023, Domiciliary Care Allowance was made available for babies who remained in an acute hospital after birth for a period of 6 months.
• As of May of this year, I have extended the latter period from 6 months to 18 months for babies who remain in an acute hospital after birth.

I am committed to supporting our family carers and I will continue to keep the range of supports provided by my department under review. However, any changes, such as further improvements to Domiciliary Care Allowance, would have to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1288.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to child benefit for the first child and subsequent children from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31832/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Child Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16,17 and 18, if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.

There has been no change in the rate of Child Benefit since 2016.

Child Benefit is paid on the first Tuesday of each month at a rate of €140 per child. The same rate applies for subsequent children.

From May 2024, Child Benefit eligibility was extended to include 18-year-olds who meet the qualifying criteria.

Bonus payments of Child Benefit were paid in November 2022 (Double payment), June 2023 (€100 per child) and December 2023 (Double payment).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1289.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to child benefit for multiple births from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31833/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Child Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16,17 and 18, if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.

There has been no change in the rate of Child Benefit since 2016.

Child Benefit is paid on the first Tuesday of each month at a rate of €140 per child. Twins are paid at a higher rate of €210 per child and other multiple births are paid at a rate of €280 per child.

From May 2024, Child Benefit eligibility was extended to include 18-year-olds who meet the qualifying criteria.

Bonus payments of Child Benefit were paid in November 2022 (Double payment), June 2023 (€100 per child) and December 2023 (Double payment).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1290.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the changes made to payments for working family payment from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31834/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment for employees with children which supports people in low paid employment. The WFP is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependents, and to offer a financial incentive to take up employment. Once awarded, WFP is payable for 52 weeks. At the end of the 52-week period, a customer must reapply (renew) to determine ongoing eligibility.

The following changes have been made to the Working Family Payment Scheme from 2019 to current date.

In addition to the increases in the income thresholds, the following Cost of Living Bonuses were paid to all eligible WFP customers in 2022 and 2023:

• €500 paid on 17^thNovember 2022
• €200 paid on 23^rdApril 2023
• €400 paid on 23^rdNovember 2023
• From 28^thMarch 2019, changes were made to how maintenance payments were assessed for WFP. From this date, customers benefitted from a new maintenance disregard of €95 per week in respect of housing costs, with the remainder of maintenance to be assessed at 50%.
• From 6th June 2024, further changes were introduced to how WFP assessed child maintenance. From this date, child maintenance is no longer assessable for the purposes of Working Family Payment. This most recent changed benefitted approximately 6,500 customers and saw payments for those affected increase by an average of €24 per week.
• There are currently 45,953 families in receipt of Working Family Payment in respect of 97,940 children.
• I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1291.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the changes to payments made and the weekly income limit to the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance for first and subsequent children from 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31835/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.

The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid, and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.

In Budget 2019, the rates of payment for the scheme were increased by €25 to €150 for children aged between 4 and 11 years and €275 for children aged 12 and over.

In Budget 2022, the rates of payment for the scheme were increased by €10 to €160 for children aged between 4 and 11 years and €285 for children aged 12 and over.

In July 2022, as a once-off measure to assist families with back to school costs in 2022, the rates of payments were increased by €100 for each eligible child under the scheme.

In February 2023, as part of the cost of living measures announced, the €100 increase for each child was maintained for the 2023 scheme year.

The rates of payment for the 2024 scheme are €160 for children aged between 4 and 11 years and €285 for children aged 12 and over.

In Budget 2022, the income limits for one parent families were increased to bring them in line with the income limits for two parent families, widening the eligibility for that cohort of customers.

Each year, the income limits have increased to ensure the increases in weekly social protection payments rates introduced in each budget does not negatively impact on an individual’s entitlement to the allowance.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1292.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the back to work family dividend from 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31837/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Back to Work Family Dividend payment is based on the customer’s Qualified Child entitlement on the date of their exit from Jobseekers or One Parent Family Payment into employment, subject to a maximum of four children. For the first year an amount equal to 100% of the qualified child increase is payable. This reduces to 50% for the second year.

The rate of payment in January 2019 was €31.80 for a Qualified Child. In March 2019, it was increased to €34 for a child aged under 12, and to €37 for a child aged 12 and over.

Budget 2020 increased the rates to €36 for a child aged under 12, or €40 for a child aged 12 and over.

Budget 2021increased the rates to €38 for a child aged under 12, or €45 for a child aged 12 and over.

Budget 2022 increased the rates to €40 for a child aged under 12, or €48 for a child aged 12 and over.

Budget 2023 increased the rates to €42 for a child aged under 12, or €50 for a child aged 12 and over.

Budget 2024 increased the rates to €46 for a child aged under 12, or €54 for a child aged 12 and over.

I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1293.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the part-time job incentive scheme from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31838/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Part-time Job Incentive Scheme (PTJI) is an administrative scheme under Jobseeker's Allowance, which allows those who are long-term unemployed to take up part-time employment for up to 24 hours per week and to receive a weekly income supplement where they satisfy the qualifying scheme conditions.

The weekly rates of payment from 2019 to date in 2024 are shown below.

The PTJI scheme was temporarily extended to the self-employed during the Covid-19 pandemic. This extension ceased on 1 June 2022.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1295.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31840/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Widow’s, Widower’s, or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension has a rate for recipients aged under 66 and a rate for recipients aged over 66.

The maximum rate for those aged over 66 is the same as the maximum rate of State Pension (Contributory), and both rates increase in line with changes to the State Pension (Contributory). Over time, both pensions have experienced steady rate increases.

In 2024, for the second year in succession, the Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension increased by €12 per week and has now increased by €29 in the lifetime of this Government. This weekly increase was part of a broader package, along with a wide range supports and lump-sum payments which were paid in late 2023 and into 2024.

The table below shows the rates between 2019 and 2024:

Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Maximum Weekly Payment Rates 2019-2024

My Department regularly reviews its supports and payment schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives.

Any decision to further increase social welfare rates will be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1296.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the funeral grant from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31841/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Bereavement Grant, which was a once-off payment of €850 for funeral costs, was discontinued in January 2014.

The Widowed Parent Grant was introduced in 1999 to provide financial assistance to bereaved parents, with an initial rate of £1000. The Grant is now known as the Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant. It offers more substantial support for parents who have lost a spouse or a partner. The rates have increased considerably since its inception. The rates since 2019 are set out in the table below.

Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant Payment Rates 2019-2024

A special funeral grant of €850 is paid where a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease. This rate has not changed since 2019.

Under the Supplementary Allowance scheme, the Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income, which may include help with funeral and burial expenses. This is a more targeted and efficient manner of assisting people with bereavement expenses in addition to the range of supports already set out.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1297.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the maternity benefit half rate maternity benefit from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31842/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Maternity Benefit is a payment made for up to 26 weeks to employed and self-employed women who are on maternity leave from work and who satisfy certain qualifying conditions including social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions on their own insurance record.

To qualify for Maternity Benefit, a woman must be in insurable employment that is covered by the Maternity Protection Act, 1994, immediately before the first day of maternity leave.

Half-rate/reduced rate Maternity Benefit is payable if the claimant is also in receipt of one of the following payments:

• One-Parent Family Payment
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner Contributory Pension
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner Non-Contributory Pension
• Deserted Wife's Benefit
• Prisoner's Wife Allowance
• Deserted Wife's Allowance
• Death Benefit by way of Widow's/Widower's, Surviving Civil Partner's or Dependent Parent(s) Pension (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme)
• The rates of payment for Maternity Benefit from 2019 to 2024 are below:

• PAYMENT	RATE	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
  Maternity Benefit	Personal	245	245	245	250	262	274
  	Half rate	122.5	122.5	122.5	125	131	137

The rate of Maternity Benefit is compared to the rate of Illness Benefit that would be paid to the woman if she was absent from work through illness. The higher of the two rates is paid. They may also get an extra amount for any dependant adult (Increase for Qualified Adult, IQA) or child (Increase for Qualified Child, IQC) if certain conditions are met. In some circumstances, a half-rate Increase for a Qualified Child may be paid.

As part of Budget 2024, a €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child was paid. This was paid during November 2023 to those customers who qualified. Those Maternity Benefit customers who were in receipt of the Illness Benefit rate and who qualified for an Increase for a Qualified Child also qualified for this cost of living lump sum payment.

I trust this clarifies matters for the deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1298.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the adoptive benefit from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31843/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Adoptive Benefit is a payment to adopting parents who are either employed or self-employed to support them during a period of adoptive leave. It provides for a weekly payment to be made to persons who qualify for Adoptive Leave under the Adoptive Leave Act 1995, and satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. Adoptive Benefit is paid for 24 weeks from the date of placement of the child.

Please see below rates of payment from 2019 to 2024.

The rate of Adoptive Benefit is compared to the rate of Illness Benefit that would be paid to the adopting parent if they were absent from work through illness. The higher of the two rates is paid.

If the customer is deemed better off on the Illness Benefit Rate, the higher rate is paid. They may also get an extra amount for any dependent adult (Increase for Qualified Adult, IQA) or child (Increase for Qualified Child, IQC) if certain conditions are met. In some circumstances, a half-rate Increase for a Qualified Child may be paid.

As part of Budget 2024, a €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an increase for a qualified child was paid. This was paid during November 2023 to those customers who qualified. Those Adoptive Benefit customers who were in receipt of the Illness Benefit rate and who qualified for an Increase for a Qualified Child also qualified for this cost of living lump sum payment.

I trust that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1299.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the blind pension from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31844/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.

The primary social assistance scheme for people who are blind or visually impaired is the Blind Pension, which is a means-tested payment payable to those aged between 18 and 66. Blind Pension is the only income support payment designed to cater for a specific disability.

Eligibility for Blind Pension requires that a person’s vision is impaired to such an extent that they cannot perform any work for which eyesight is essential or cannot continue in their ordinary occupation. The scheme is designed to support recipients to avail of opportunities to pursue their own employment ambitions, be that self-employment or insurable employment.

Maximum weekly rates of Blind Pension from 2019 to date, including increases for qualified adults and qualified children, are laid out in tabular form below:

Blind Pension payment rates 2019-2024:

Blind Pension is structured to support recipients to avail of work opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment. Budget 2023 was the third successive budget that the Government has progressively increased earnings disregards, which will see people with disabilities retaining more of their payments while in employment. The earnings disregard for recipients of Blind Pension has increased by almost 38% over these budgets from €120 to €140 to €165 currently.

A person can earn up to €165 and keep their payment in full and can earn up to €505.10 and keep a small portion of their payment and keep their secondary benefits.

Other increases and benefits which may be payable to Blind Pension recipients include the Living Alone Allowance, currently €22 per week. A Blind Pension recipient may also be eligible to claim a Fuel Allowance of €33.00 per week. This scheme operates for 28 weeks per annum from October to April. If you qualify for a Blind Pension, you may claim the Household Benefits Package and a Companion Free Travel Pass.

Also, as part of Budget 2024, I introduced significant supports for people with disabilities which include:

• €400 once-off payment for Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and Carer’s Support Grant recipients in November 2023 to address the high cost of living.
• €200 lump sum Living Alone Allowance payment.
• €300 lump sum Fuel Allowance payment.
• Christmas Bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment.
• January Cost of Living Bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment.
• I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1300.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the illness benefit from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31845/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Illness benefit is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for illness benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. People must have made the required number of contributions under PRSI Class A, E, H or P to qualify.

The payment rates for Illness Benefit (including graduated rates (rates based on earnings within income bands) from the year 2019 to date in 2024 are as follows:

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1301.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the treatment benefit scheme from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31846/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Treatment Benefit is a PRSI-based scheme which provides free dental and optical services, and assistance towards the provision of audiological appliances and hair replacement products, to people who satisfy certain qualifying conditions, and to their dependent spouses/partners.

The following payment changes were made from 2019 to date in 2024, for persons who satisfy the medical requirements and the PRSI conditions of the scheme.

Medical Appliances - Hearing Aids

In 2021, legislation in relation to medical appliance benefit for hearing aids was amended. Prior to this amendment, the Department paid 50% of the cost of hearing aids up to a maximum of €500 per aid per ear. From April 2021, the Department contributes up to €500 per aid, per ear once every 4 years.

This Regulation removed the requirement for the customer to pay 50% of the full cost of the medical appliance. As a result of this change, if the cost exceeds the maximum grant of €500 only the remainder is paid by the customer

Contact Lenses

From 2022, a payment of up to €1,000 can be claimed towards the cost of a pair of medical contact lenses (€500 for each contact lens) once every 2 years. This amendment provided for the frequency of payment of the grant to be increased from once every 4 years to once every 2 years.

Hair Replacement Grant

From May 2022, an annual hair replacement benefit of up to €500 was introduced. This payment assists people who have suffered hair loss due to the treatment of a disease (cancer) or certain types of alopecia to purchase a hair replacement product.

Qualifying Conditions

Up to 2022, those aged 25-28 years old had to be in employment for 5 years to qualify for Treatment Benefit. This period was reduced to 39 weeks from April 2022, meaning that the number of PRSI contributions required to access treatment benefits was reduced for this cohort from 260 to 39.

Dental Examination Fee

A new fee structure for the payment of services in relation to dental treatment for patients entitled to Treatment Benefit was introduced from January 2024. The fee for an Oral examination was increased from €33 to €40, available once per calendar year.

In 2023, €133 million was paid in respect of 1.7 million Treatment Benefit claims.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1302.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the injury benefit from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31847/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Injury benefit is one of the benefits under the occupational injuries benefit scheme. It is payable to people who were injured at work, who acquired an occupational disease at work, or who were injured travelling to and from work.

The payment changes made to injury benefit from the year 2019 to date in 2024 are as follows:

I trust that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1303.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the disablement benefit from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31848/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1304.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the incapacity supplement from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31849/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1305.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the constant attendance allowance from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31850/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1303, 1304 and 1305 together.

Disablement benefit is a benefit payable under the occupational injuries benefit scheme. The scheme is a compensation payment and caters for people injured or incapacitated by an accident at work or while travelling to or from work. The scheme also covers people who have contracted a disease as a result of the type of work they do.

Payment is only made where the level of disablement following the accident or disease is assessed at 15% or more. Where the level of disablement is assessed at 20% or more the benefit is paid weekly or every 4 weeks (called disablement pension). However, where the rate is assessed at less than 20%, the benefit is paid as a lump sum (called disablement gratuity).

Disablement benefit can be paid alongside other social welfare payments. People in receipt of the scheme (without another payment) can work, full or part-time. Those who are unfit for work may qualify for illness benefit or another social welfare payment based on their social insurance contributions. Alternatively, they may qualify for incapacity supplement.

Below is a table of weekly rates (100% down to 20% disablement) and once off lump sum payment rates (15-19%) from the year 2019 to date in 2024.

Incapacity supplement is an extra supplement to disablement pension. Individuals may qualify for incapacity supplement if they are permanently incapable of work as a result of an occupational accident or disease and do not qualify for another social welfare payment such as illness benefit or invalidity pension. Individuals generally cannot qualify for incapacity supplement if they are in receipt of any other social welfare benefit or assistance.

The payment rates for incapacity supplement from the year 2019 to date in 2024 are as follows:

Constant attendance allowance is an increase payable on disablement benefit where there is a loss of faculty assessment of 50% or higher and where, as a result of the occupational injury, the person in receipt of disablement benefit requires constant attendance.

It is not payable if someone is in receipt of carer’s allowance or carer's benefit for the care of the beneficiary.

The payment rates for constant attendance allowance from the year 2019 to date in 2024 are as follows:

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1306.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment changes made to the partial capacity benefit from the year 2019 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31851/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.

Invalidity Pension is a social insurance payment for people who are deemed permanently incapable of work due to a long-term illness or disability. Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness, and who have made the necessary PRSI contributions.

Partial Capacity Benefit is a scheme which extends the Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension schemes to recognise and respond to the reality that some people in receipt of these payments have a capacity to engage in open market employment while continuing to need to receive some income support from the State. People in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit (the latter for a minimum of 26 weeks) who wish to return to work are eligible for Partial Capacity Benefit if their capacity for work is reduced as a result of their medical condition.

The personal rate of payment of Partial Capacity Benefit is based on a medical assessment of a person’s restriction regarding their capacity for work. After the medical assessment, if a person's disability is rated as moderate, severe or profound their payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% per cent of their existing rate, respectively. If assessed as mild, they will not qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit.

Partial Capacity Benefit payment rates coming from Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension 2019-2024:

Partial Capacity Benefit has been designed so there are no restrictions or limits on earnings from employment or on the number of hours a person can work.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.