Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

369. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the approximate cost of extending child benefit for a period of six months and one year respectively, in the event of the death of a qualifying child based on available data from 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67583/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The death of a child is always a tragedy and the difficulties that parents and families experience as a result should not be underestimated.

The Department recognises the need for a transition period during which people can grieve and plan for a life following the death of a family member. If a person is in receipt of a primary social welfare payment which includes a Child Support Payment and, tragically, that child dies, the Child Support Payment will continue for six weeks after the child's death.

Whilst the Department is appreciative of the difficulties families face in such circumstances, currently there is no provision to pay Child Benefit after the death of a child. The Child Benefit payment ceases once the Department is notified of the death.

Our records show that there were 171 children in receipt of Child Benefit who sadly passed away during 2024.

Assuming that each child was a single birth, i.e. the parents were in receipt of €140 per month in Child Benefit, the approximate costs for continuance of payment for six months and a year respectively after their passing is shown in the table below.

Where appropriate, the Department also provide Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. An application can also be made under the scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses.

Both the Child Support Payment and Additional Needs Payment are targeted measures designed to assist customers experiencing financial difficulty. In contrast, Child Benefit is a universal payment which is not dependant on means or PRSI contributions.

The Department regularly reviews all of its schemes in order to ensure that they are still delivering on their policy aims and objectives. Any changes to Child Benefit would have to be considered in a wider policy and budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the position for the deputy.

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

370. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the 5% pension increase recently granted to former Irish Rail staff; when this increase is due to be implemented; if his Department has assessed the impact of this increase on the eligibility of affected pensioners for Social Protection supports such as the medical card, fuel allowance and other secondary benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67612/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In relation to the aspect of the Deputy’s query on pension increases, the Department of Transport has advised that while the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, as a commercial semi-state body, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) is responsible for the provision of pension schemes for its employees. Decisions regarding pension increases are ultimately a matter for the CIÉ Board as informed by actuarial advice and in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes, subject to requirements imposed by statute and scheme rules.

With regards to assessing the impact of this pension increase on the eligibility of pensioners for Social Protection supports, my Department has not carried out any such assessment.

While my Department's schemes are reviewed on an ongoing basis as part of the Budgetary process, it would not be practical to carry out impact assessments following increases to public service or private pensions. Furthermore, my Department does not hold information on the relevant members of the Irish Rail pensions scheme, mentioned by the Deputy, or the increased rate of pension that the members will now receive.

Matters in relation to the Medical Card should be directed to the Department of Health.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.