Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the period of a social welfare payment following the death of a dependent from six to 12 weeks as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50439/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has agreed a number of commitments that are to be achieved over the lifetime of the Government.

I am currently considering options for the Social Protection package as part of Budget 2026. Consideration and decisions in relation to any Social Protection measures as part of the Budget process will be taken in the context of overall funding available, the economic context and the competing Government priorities.

One of the proposals in the Programme for Government is to extend the period of payment after death from 6 weeks to 12 weeks. While in general, across Social Welfare schemes, payment continues for a period of 6 weeks after death, there are some exceptions.

In fact, some Social Welfare payments are already paid for a period of 12 weeks after the death of the recipient.

For Carer’s Allowance, the payment continues for a period of 12 weeks after the death of the person being cared for. In the case of Domiciliary Care Allowance, payment continues for a period of 3 months after the death of the recipient.

A high level estimate of the cost to implement this extension from 6 to 12 weeks across other relevant Social Welfare schemes is being undertaken by my officials but is not yet finalised. This costing will inform budget decisions and will be based on the estimated average number of recipients across all relevant social welfare schemes. It will be subject to change in light of emerging trends, changes in the number of recipients and any projections for future recipient numbers and other relevant data.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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102. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the proposed annual cost of the disability support payment. [50674/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Among the key points made in the Indecon report on the cost of disability in Ireland was the fact that the costs of disability vary based on the type of disability a person has, and the impact that disability has on their daily lives - including through their needs for heating and lighting, transport, medication, therapies and treatment, housing adaptations, and education and employment supports to name just a few.

We know, therefore, that addressing the cost of disability won't be solved simply by providing higher payments via the social welfare system. The delivery of and access to services is also key.

This is one of the reasons why the Taoiseach has set up a Cabinet Committee on Disability and a dedicated programme office within his own Department - to make sure that the Departments and agencies of Government step away from their silos and work together to address this issue.

It is also why the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 takes a whole-of-Government approach. The publication of this strategy is a key Programme for Government commitment. It sets out 123 actions assigned to key Departments.

It also places the responsibility on the Department of Social Protection to lead a cross Government Strategic Focus Network on the issue of the cost of Disability, and to include people with disabilities and their advocates on this network, as partners in the work. I have asked my officials to expedite the establishment of this network with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of 2026.

In the meantime, I am engaged with my colleague Minister Jack Chambers to explore what might be feasible in the forthcoming budget. As the Deputy will be aware, the last number of Budgets, included some specific measures to assist disabled people with the rising cost of living. As part of Budget 2025, for example, a €400 Disability Support Grant for people in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension, was paid in November 2024. together with a €12 increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments from January 2025.

In addition, we have taken a range of measures to help people with disabilities secure and maintain employment including changes to the Wage Subsidy Scheme, the implementation of an early engagement outreach process within the Department to link people with disabilities with dedicated employment advisors, and the introduction of a new range of Work and Access supports.

I, and my Government Colleagues, are determined to build on this work through implementing the commitments in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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103. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on plans in the Programme for Government to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability support payment, which will be increased incrementally over the lifetime of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50432/25]

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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127. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he intends to introduce a cost of disability payment in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50031/25]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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130. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection pursuant to the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a permanent cost of disability payment, the timeline for the introduction of the payment; the details of the planned payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50759/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 127 and 130 together.

The Programme for Government includes a range of commitments in relation to supports for disabled people. This includes a commitment to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment.

Our commitments in the Programme for Government will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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104. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to remove inconsistencies and anomalies in the current jobseeker's allowance scheme which discourage people from taking up employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50698/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the Programme for Government commitment, my Department is examining a new Working Age Payment.

The Programme for Government commits that the Working Age Payment will ensure that individuals will always see an increase in income when they work or take on additional hours. It will do this by addressing inconsistencies and anomalies in the current Jobseeker's Allowance Scheme which may discourage people from taking up employment.

A proposed Working Age Payment model would change the basis for payment, moving away from a ‘days of work’ approach to an income-based approach.

My officials are currently exploring potential models for a new Working Age Payment. It is intended to publish proposals for consultation later in the year.

In the meantime, there are a number of arrangements in place to incentivise and encourage people in receipt of the Jobseeker's Allowance scheme to take up work or to engage in training and development programmes to prepare for work. These include a disregard of €20 earnings per day for up to three days of employment, support under the Back to Work Family Dividend scheme which provides for the retention of the Child Support payments for up to two-years on taking up employment and the continued payment of welfare where a person returns to education and training or moves into self-employment.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.