Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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951. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are any social welfare benefits available to self-employed parents (farmers); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30436/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Farm Assist is a statutory means-tested income support specifically for farmers on low-incomes. A person can qualify for Farm Assist if they are aged 18 to 66, engaged in farming and meet the other statutory scheme conditions. There are specific disregards for children under Farm Assist: €254 is disregarded annually for each of the first two children and €381 for the third and other children. Child Support payments are payable in respect of dependant children under the scheme.

Farm Assist claimants can also move to the Rural Social Scheme, which provides a supplementary income for low-income farmers aged 25 years or over. Participants work 19.5 hours per week providing services that benefit rural communities and receive a top-up on their social welfare payment.

Additionally, the Department of Social Protection offers a range of support to parents from the birth of their child to the age of 18 if they are in full-time education.

Child Benefit is a universal 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.

As part of Budget 2025, a new baby grant of €280 was introduced. This is paid to families of babies born on or after 1 December 2024 in addition to their regular first month’s Child Benefit payment of €140.

Additionally, Maternity, Paternity, and Parent’s Benefits are available to parents who meet the PRSI contribution conditions, including those who are self-employed. These paid leaves provide parents with financial support while allowing parents to spend time caring for their child during the first couple of years of their child’s life.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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952. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a fuel allowance application will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if the details of their outgoings and financial difficulties provided as part of their appeal will be considered. [30449/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April. One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.

Following a means assessment, it was determined on 22 April 2025 that the household means exceeded the permissible weekly means of €524.00. Where applicants exceed the permissible income limit, marginally or otherwise, there is no scope for discretion. The application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified. Following a review, the decision was upheld.

It is open to the person concerned to apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment if the resources currently available to them are insufficient to meet their needs. Supports provided under the scheme include an Additional Needs Payments to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources. If the person concerned considers that they may have an entitlement to financial support, they should contact their local Community Welfare Service in their local Intreo office or the National Community Welfare Service on 0818 607080.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.