Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has agreed a number of commitments that are to be achieved over its lifetime, some of which are relevant to my Department.

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, with some payments already paid for a period of 12 weeks after the death of the recipient.

In this regard, Carer’s Allowance continues to be paid for a period of 12 weeks after the death of the person being cared for, while in the case of Domiciliary Care Allowance, payment continues for a period of 3 months after the death of the recipient.

Consideration as to how to deliver on this Programme for Government commitment is ongoing and any decisions will be taken in the context of the Budget, the overall funding available, the economic context, and competing Government priorities.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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63. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason pensions and social welfare payments cannot be paid together or at the same time, with the exception of carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29506/26]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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There is a general principle of one person-one payment that applies across our social welfare system. Given the contingency-based nature of this system, it can happen that a person may experience more than one contingency at the same time, but generally they can receive only one payment. This principle is common to social security systems across the world.

People may be eligible to receive one of the following supplementary supports in addition to their primary payment: Working Family Payment, Living Alone Increase, Fuel Allowance or Household Benefits Package depending on their living circumstances, their age and any applicable eligibility conditions. More information on overlapping payments and eligibility is available at gov.ie.

Furthermore, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.

Any changes to the underlying one person-one payment principle would involve significant additional expenditure, which could prove unsustainable in the long-term, and would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.