Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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309. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his views on the issue of a person (details supplied) regarding their employment support being cancelled when they changed job; to ensure her supports are maintained seamlessly; to ensure other persons are not affected by this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51053/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The individual concerned was receiving support under the Employment Support Scheme (ESS) by way of a payment to the employer. The ESS offered financial support to employers to cover a disabled employee’s productivity shortfall. The employer paid 100% of the gross wage, then claimed between 20%-50% back, depending on the employee’s productivity shortfall. It was never intended to pay for personal assistance.

Any employee in an ESS employment in 2005 when the scheme closed to new applicants was allowed to remain on the scheme, but only in that specific employment. There are currently 23 employees left on the ESS. If the ESS employment terminates, the employee cannot transfer their ESS to a new employment. They are welcome to apply for the Wage Subsidy Scheme.

The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) came into operation as a pilot scheme in September 2005. It replaced the Pilot Programme for the Employment of People with Disabilities (PEP) and the Employment Support Scheme (ESS), both of which were closed to new applicants at that time. Clients on PEP were absorbed into WSS, while ESS continued for those already on ESS. Following a review of its pilot phase, the Wage Subsidy Scheme was placed on a permanent non-statutory footing in October 2008. Employers are currently paid a base rate of €6.30 per hour, with a higher payment for employers with larger numbers of disabled staff under the scheme.

The Wage Subsidy Scheme recently underwent a review to make the scheme more accessible and flexible for disabled people and their employers. This was done after an extensive public consultation with over 1,000 responses. As a result, the minimum hours were reduced from 21 to 15, and the scheme is now open to the community and voluntary sector as well as to certain people in receipt of Partial Capacity Benefit. One recommendation that has been implemented was to remove terms such as ‘productivity deficit’ from the scheme, language that is still used in the ESS.

To embrace a rights-based approach to disability and better account for the dynamic nature of disability, the scheme has shifted away from solely focusing on the employee’s capacity. Instead, it now includes language around work adjustments that allow the employee to reach their full potential. The scheme is now better aligned with the social model of disability and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

In July 2024, my Department launched a new scheme called Work and Access. This scheme offers seven supports to help reduce or remove barriers in the workplace for disabled people. Funding is available for in-work support, work equipment, workplace adaptations and training. Supports are available for those on the Wage Subsidy Scheme. In-work support may be of interest to the individual concerned.

The individual concerned has been advised that they and their new employer are welcome to apply for the Wage Subsidy Scheme. In addition, they are welcome to apply for supports under the Work and Access Scheme.

I trust this clarifies the position for you.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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310. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to consider offering all persons in receipt of transitional jobseeker's allowance the choice to have their payment paid directly into their bank account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51076/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) is a provision under the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme and is available to lone parents who have a youngest child aged 7 to 13 years (inclusive).

Payment is made by Electronic Information Transfer (EIT) at a Post Office nominated by the person in receipt of the payment. This is in line with the payment method available for the Jobseeker's Allowance scheme, which is EIT.

Where a person is working part-time, as a casual worker or doing an internship, payment can be made by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), paid weekly directly into their chosen Bank account.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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311. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of households in Cork north-central that qualified for the fuel allowance in 2024/2025; the projected number for 2025/2026 under the widened eligibility rules for those aged 66 years and over; the breakdown of applications by channel (online, post, Intreo, community welfare officers); the average processing time for applications in 2025; and the measures being taken to ensure that all eligible households are identified and assisted before the end of October 2025. [51079/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means-tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is made over the winter season from September to April at the weekly rate of €33.00 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum instalments, one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.

In Budget 2025, a more generous means test was extended to those aged over 66, with a higher means threshold of €524 for a single person and €1,048 for a couple. Applicants aged over 66 no longer need to be receiving a qualifying social protection payment and the threshold for the capital disregard increased from €20,000 to €50,000. It was projected that 5,200 would benefit from this budget measure in 2025. For those aged under 66, the means threshold is now €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory for the household.

The records of the Department indicate that there are 43,922 Fuel Allowances paid to households in County Cork. The Department is not in a position to break down the figures for regions within a specific county.

Fuel Allowance is administered across a wide range of qualifying schemes and across different IT platforms and, as a result, the breakdown of applications by channel and average processing times are not readily available.

My Department has completed all the necessary preparations for the 2025/26 Fuel Allowance season. This will ensure that all current eligible customers will receive their first payment during week beginning 22nd September, whether by weekly payment or by instalment. The payments will issue to the customer’s nominated post office or bank account.

My Department issued a media release and sharing relevant information on social media channels. This is part of an annual information campaign to let people know about the Fuel Allowance payment and will include messages about the start date for payments, as well as information about who is eligible and for new applicants how to apply. Information can be found at www.gov.ie/fa throughout the year.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.