Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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1769. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 646 of 15 July 2025, if he accepts that his Department, using as it does its customers' PPS number, can readily identify if a person whose payment is under review is over 80 years-of-age; the reason reviews of the aged and infirm do not provide for the sensitivity required to ensure that excessive stress and consequential ill health is caused to the aged and vulnerable; if he will now provide the details of the number of people who have been reviewed over the past five years over 80 years-of-age; the savings achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41330/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy regarding reviews of customers over 80 years of age is not readily available. The system used to record control reviews, of which there are over 650,000 annually, only uses the PPSN, and scheme type as the unique identifiers. Details regarding, name, date of birth, or address of customers are not recorded on the control review system.

Reviews of customers over 80 years of age normally occur where information from data matching with other agencies indicates that a review is required. This may be information relating to Fair Deal scheme, Nursing Homes, Revenue or increases in British/American pensions. Relevant information may also come from customer reviews of other schemes such as Carers Allowance. The review will ensure that the customer will continue to receive their correct rate of payment over the lifetime of their claim.

Recipients are also regularly reminded through information letters, of their obligation to notify the Department of changes in their circumstances in a timely manner. This is to ensure that any changes in circumstances are notified promptly, reducing the need for further reviews of their payments.

I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to treating all customers with dignity and respect and is very aware of the sensitivities involved in conducting reviews of payments where older people are concerned.