Parliamentary questions

Protected Disclosures

Michael Collins

475. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be provided with a copy of documents; if these documents were provided to her internal audit division under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and to the independent investigation carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16080/22]

Departmental Schemes

Peter Burke

476. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if epilepsy will be considered as a qualifying condition in order to qualify for the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16081/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Niamh Smyth

477. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); if she will expedite the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16107/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

478. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the living alone allowance to persons over 66 years of age who are not in receipt of a qualifying payment from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16138/22]

Social Welfare Offices

Seán Sherlock

479. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of retainers her Department has with outside organisations; and the cost of each retainer in tabular form. [16158/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Canney

480. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider amending the legislation relating to the living alone allowance to ensure that single persons who were never married are treated in the same manner as widows or widowers and that they can access the living alone allowance if not in receipt of a qualifying payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16321/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

James Lawless

481. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined and advice issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16322/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Louise O'Reilly

482. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to allow single non-widowed persons who are not in receipt of a qualifying payment to receive the living alone allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16352/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

483. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within her Department in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the costs associated with such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16382/22]

Departmental Data

Peadar Tóibín

484. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of application claims for illness benefit nationally; the length of time for processing applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16401/22]

Departmental Data

Peadar Tóibín

485. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of application claims for illness benefit in County Meath; the length of time for processing applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16402/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Claire Kerrane

486. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending social welfare eligibility to stamp 1 visa holders, particularly in cases of serious illness or emergency access to schemes such as the supplementary welfare allowance considering the recent focus on migration and need to ensure supports for refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16404/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Claire Kerrane

487. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that persons on community employment schemes are required to meet the qualifying period of 390 days in receipt of the jobseeker’s allowance in order to qualify for the fuel allowance before they enter community employment given that those referred to community employment by her Department are obliged to engage as per the conditions of the jobseekers allowance and therefore, through no fault of their own fail to meet the qualifying period for the fuel allowance previously; if she will examine the matter and consider removing this stipulation for those engaged on schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16425/22]

Departmental Policies

Claire Kerrane

488. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to providing exemptions for specific types of savings within means testing for carer’s allowance such as cases (details supplied) and in consideration of forthcoming changes to capital thresholds later in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16555/22]

Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

489. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 25, 28 and 86 of 22 March 2022, if she will clarify any meetings that she or her Department officials had with interested parties or companies in relation to the provision of these services and specifically any lobbying on the policy decision to tender out these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16581/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Fergus O'Dowd

490. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to or can provide details on the approximate number of persons over the age of 66 years who are currently living alone in the State who are not in receipt of the living alone allowance as they are not in receipt of one of the qualifying social welfare payments required; her plans to expand the scheme to this cohort considering the significant increase in the cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16665/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Sorca Clarke

491. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the proactive actions that have been taken to inform recipients of payments made by bank transfer that due to the closure of a bank (details supplied) alternative bank details will need to be provided to ensure that there is no interruption to payments. [16666/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Sorca Clarke

492. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the length of time that it takes to change bank account details on the mywelfare app given the imminent need for welfare recipients to provide alternative bank details due to the closure of a bank (details supplied). [16667/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Sorca Clarke

493. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reviewing the eligibility for social welfare on the binary basis of days worked and consider a cumulative hours worked basis which could encourage many workers in the home care sector to accept additional hours without being penalised. [16672/22]

Pension Provisions

John McGuinness

279. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the PRSI changes being considered relative to occupational pensions; the timeline for implementing any such change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15617/22]

Departmental Communications

Jennifer Whitmore

280. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to carry out a review of the way that her Department communicates with persons to ensure this is done so in a compassionate and consistent manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15543/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

281. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for an invalidity pension now under appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved; and if an oral hearing will be arranged to allow the applicant to explain their case. [15544/22]

Departmental Offices

Johnny Guirke

282. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she can clarify the situation in relation to reports circulating of the possible closure of the Castlepollard, County Westmeath branch office of her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15558/22]

Departmental Offices

Johnny Guirke

283. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Social Protection if an undertaking will be given to ensure that the Castlepollard, County Westmeath branch office of her Department remains open and providing the full range of services into the foreseeable future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15559/22]

Citizens Information Services

Claire Kerrane

284. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a citizens information office (details supplied) is closed to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15565/22]

Departmental Investigations

Claire Kerrane

285. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of investigations launched in a region (details supplied); the number of these investigations that relate to one staff member alone; the cost to the State of the investigations, including legal advice; if she has concerns in relation to the matter; if she has examined the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15566/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Alan Kelly

286. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount allocated to the wage subsidy scheme financial support to employers who employ persons with a disability (details supplied) over the past five years; and the amount of that funding that has been drawn down over the five years by employers specifically for the reason of the grant. [15610/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

287. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the transport services and or the financial assistance available to persons on social welfare or a low income with a requirement to travel to hospitals for treatment on a regular basis; if she will address the transport issues and costs associated with such travel arrangements in circumstances in which there is a lack of public transport or simply no public transport; if overnight private accommodation costs are funded for low income patients in circumstances in which hospital appointments span a number of days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15619/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15720/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the process to date in the determination of an appeal of a carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15721/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Holly Cairns

290. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to address delayed processing of carer’s allowance applications. [15747/22]

Agriculture Industry

Matt Carthy

291. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for farm assist received by quarter; the number declined; the reason for such by quarter in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15756/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Matt Carthy

292. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for farm assist received by month in 2021 and to date in 2022; the number declined; the reasons for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15757/22]

Social Welfare Code

Matt Carthy

293. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if any additional flexibility is being shown to applicants of farm assist with regard to the period for which income is calculated, due to likely future earnings having degraded in the past 12 months arising from dramatically increasing input costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15758/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Seán Sherlock

109. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if financial assistance will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who will be accommodating six Ukrainian refugees three adults and three children in their home in the coming days given the unexpected challenges they may encounter. [15117/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marian Harkin

110. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the refusal of pandemic unemployment payments to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15133/22]

Social Welfare Schemes

Claire Kerrane

111. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection when in-person assessments will resume for those applying for disablement benefit; the reason that these assessments have not been restored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15134/22]

Social Welfare Schemes

Brendan Griffin

112. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons with alopecia and who do not qualify for a medical card can benefit from any other source of financial assistance to help cover the cost of their wig as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15137/22]

Departmental Programmes

Peadar Tóibín

113. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons enrolled in the activation and family support programme; and the amount of funding allocated to the scheme for 2022. [15140/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Peadar Tóibín

114. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent on child benefit since 2017 by year ; the number of recipients of child benefit since 2017 by year; and the effect means testing child benefit would have on the amount allocated to child benefit and the number in receipt of child benefit in tabular form. [15141/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Darren O'Rourke

115. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors who served in the role prior to 1 July 2008 are not eligible for the recently approved ex-gratia payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15164/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Darren O'Rourke

116. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an ex-gratia payment rather than a pension was agreed with community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15165/22]

Departmental Contracts

Catherine Murphy

117. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has engaged a company (details supplied) in respect of the services it provides from 2011 to date in 2022; the number of times she has engaged this company; the services used; and the total cost of all engagements with this company. [15188/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Alan Dillon

118. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which her Department can support workers (details supplied) who entered a 30-day collection redundancy period without any income support or social protection payment for themselves during this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15232/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects an increase in the demand for social welfare payments in 2022; if she is satisfied that these demands will be met in full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15298/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the sections in her Department which currently have waiting lists for the processing of various payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15299/22]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which satisfactory provision continues to be made for those retiring at 65 years of age; the recent progress in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15377/22]

Youth Unemployment

Bernard Durkan

122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor youth unemployment levels; the extent to which such levels have increased or otherwise in recent months; the plans in hand to ensure that these levels are kept as low as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15378/22]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects to be in a position to address the pensions issue for persons that have gaps in their contribution record for any reason with a view to ensuring the availability of a payment including pro-rata payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15379/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which waiting times for payments in respect of means-tested applications compare with contribution related payments; the extent of progress in reducing waiting times for means-tested payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15380/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which the processing of various applications for social welfare payments continues to be in line with best possible waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15381/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of decisions to refuse for jobseeker’s allowance, illness benefit and disability that have been overturned or otherwise following further appeal or review thereof; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15382/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the Departmental regulations or legislation which govern and guide deciding officers when assessing medical evidence submitted by an applicant as part of an application for disability allowance and invalidity pension; the length of time such regulations and or guidelines have been in place; if recent changes have taken place in respect of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15383/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the exact procedure followed within her Department when making an assessment as to whether a person meets the medical criteria for an illness-related payment; if the deciding officers who assess these cases are medical professionals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15384/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when assessing if a person is permanently incapable of work for the purpose of an application for invalidity pension, if due regard is had for the age, experience and qualifications of the applicant when making a final decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15385/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the circumstances within which section 76(1)(a) of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payment and Control) Regulations 2007 can be disregarded by a deciding officer when assessing an applicant’s medical eligibility for invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15386/22]

Social Welfare Code

Bernard Durkan

131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps taken by her Department to ensure equity and fairness for all social welfare applicants with particular reference to applications for illness-related payments; if account is taken of the fact that whilst rules and regulations are important in creating fairness, that they should not be applied in such a strict and inflexible manner so as to create inequity to social welfare applicants; the steps taken by her Department to address any unfairness in this regard with particular reference to illness-related payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15387/22]

Social Welfare Code

Bernard Durkan

132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the standard procedure, regulations and guidance followed by deciding officers and appeals officers when ensuring full disclosure of the reasons and justification for refusal of an application for illness-related payments is communicated to the applicants to enable due process including preparation for any further appeal may take place; if an internal Departmental guidance exists as to the level of detail required in such disclosures with particular reference to medical evidence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15388/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of invalidity pension applications received by her Department since 2012 to date; the number of applications granted and refused in each year; the number of applications granted after review following initial refusal in each year; the number of applications allowed and disallowed following appeal in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15389/22]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons currently in receipt of the State (contributory) pension; the extent to which this number is likely to fluctuate in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15390/22]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons currently in receipt of the State (non-contributory) pension; the extent to which this number is likely to fluctuate in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15391/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of recipients of child benefit payments; the extent to which this has fluctuated over the past two years and is likely to so do in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15392/22]

Departmental Contracts

Louise O'Reilly

137. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of contracts that her Department has with a company (details supplied); the location, nature, value and type of contract in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15415/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Louise O'Reilly

138. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial supports that are available for a family that is in inappropriate accommodation which it owns and which is no longer suitable for their child who is a wheelchair user in cases in which the financial circumstances do not allow for the family to purchase a new house; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15443/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

139. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) was refused the benefit payment for persons over 65 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15489/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

140. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to offset the rising cost of living for persons on fixed incomes particularly pensions and welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15494/22]

Social Insurance

Richard Boyd Barrett

141. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has or will pay full PRSI contributions for all those who were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment over the course of the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15495/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Holly Cairns

142. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to address the barriers for individuals applying for parent’s benefit including digital literacy issues, necessity for a public services card to apply via MyGovID.ie and attendant difficulties in accessing paper application forms for applicants who are unable to apply online. [15506/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

1. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to an issue (details supplied) in relation to the legislation regarding the liable relatives unit and the significant challenges it presents to lone parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14850/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Mick Barry

2. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures that she will take to ensure that refugees from Ukraine will be able to have access to social protection entitlements; if her Department will adapt the usual rules that would require furnishing of documentation to prove eligibility for certain payments such as medical records or training and employment records given the difficulty to obtain them from Ukraine; if she will recognise the accrual of social insurance payments in Ukraine towards the eligibility to benefits here as is the case with those coming from elsewhere in the EU and EEA; if her Department will provide information and assistance including translated material and access to interpreters to allow Ukrainian people to access payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14200/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Claire Kerrane

3. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the 30-hour rule on eligibility for the exceptional needs payment; the supports that are available for those who are struggling with the cost of living and who work over 30 hours a week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14851/22]

School Meals Programme

Peadar Tóibín

4. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools participating in the schools meals scheme in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the total amount of funding made available for the scheme per year. [15139/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Michael Collins

5. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider the criteria for the fuel allowance and allow some latitude in the application criteria for the allowance whereby, for example, persons who apply for the jobseeker’s or supplementary welfare allowance should not have to wait for 12 months to be accepted for fuel allowance; if persons who are on illness benefit will be included; and if she will reconsider the application criteria for the fuel allowance and the latitude in same given the ongoing fuel crisis in Ireland. [15079/22]

Social Welfare Schemes

John Paul Phelan

6. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount that has been allocated for the working family payment scheme that supports parents at work in 2022; the additional allocated funding as part of cost-of-living measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14663/22]

Social Welfare Schemes

Emer Higgins

7. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that persons in receipt of jobseeker's benefit, illness benefit, enhanced illness benefit, occupational injuries benefit, maternity benefit or disablement benefit are automatically excluded from the fuel allowance regardless of their income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14660/22]

Fuel Prices

Éamon Ó Cuív

8. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends on widening the eligibility criteria for the free fuel allowance and increasing the payment in order that the real purchasing power of the allowance is maintained in view of the recent rapid increase in the price of energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14835/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

9. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department is monitoring the impact of recent cost-of-living measures with a view to their effectiveness, given both inflation and increases in energy prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14569/22]

Care Services

Colm Burke

10. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the supports for carers to help them to take up training, education or employment while continuing to care for a person. [14840/22]

Rural Schemes

Claire Kerrane

11. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of her Department’s planned review of the rural social scheme; if Tús will also be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14843/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Thomas Gould

12. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expand the eligibility for the fuel allowance payment. [14837/22]

Pensions Reform

Dara Calleary

13. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection her strategy to address any decrease in income arising from a removal of an exemption to pay PRSI on supplementary pension income, occupational and personal pensions, and public sector pensions as contained in the Commission on Pensions report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14818/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Neale Richmond

14. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that are being taken to ensure that Ukrainian refugees can access the supplementary welfare allowance and child benefit quickly upon their arrival in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14468/22]

Pension Provisions

Richard Bruton

15. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the projections for the annual collection of funds under an auto enrolment pension scheme; if it is proposed to deploy these funds for specific purposes; and if not, will they be managed in a particular way. [14875/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

16. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to review the means testing of carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14824/22]

Ukraine War

Pádraig O'Sullivan

17. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures that her Department is taking to support Ukrainians arriving in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14761/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Sherlock

18. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will amend the eligibility criteria for the fuel allowance to take those with occupational pensions into account. [14856/22]

Ukraine War

Aindrias Moynihan

19. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the response of her Department to the Ukrainian war crisis; the measures that are being taken to ensure that all applications to her Department will not incur undue delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14852/22]

Social Welfare Rates

Claire Kerrane

20. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to address the rate of jobseeker’s allowance for young people following her Department’s report on the issue considering that the payment is currently set well below the poverty line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14844/22]

Domestic Violence

Cathal Crowe

21. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications, grants and refusals under new measures to assist victims of domestic violence to access rent supplement; the average processing time for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14833/22]

Ukraine War

Jennifer Whitmore

22. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the resources that are being made available to local Intreo offices to help host families of Ukrainian individuals coming to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55 EC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14884/22]

Departmental Reports

Michael Moynihan

23. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the recommendations relevant to her Department within the Cost of Disability in Ireland report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14831/22]

State Pensions

Brendan Smith

24. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the timescale for the Government response to the recommendations of the Pensions Commission with particular reference to an essential ending of forced retirement at 65 years of age; the consultations that have been carried out to date by her Department with relevant interest groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14664/22]

Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

25. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the companies that have won the tenders for the provision of local employment services to date in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14867/22]

School Meals Programme

Gary Gannon

26. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the hot school meals programme. [14878/22]

Ukraine War

Alan Dillon

27. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection the additional supports that will be allocated to each Intreo office for those arriving from Ukraine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14846/22]

Employment Support Services

Dara Calleary

28. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the tender process for all public employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14819/22]

Ukraine War

Fergus O'Dowd

29. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the social welfare supports offered and accessed by persons and families that are fleeing the Ukrainian crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14570/22]

Employment Schemes

David Stanton

30. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures her Department is taking to assist and support migrants to access employment; the way in which such measures are evaluated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14683/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Christopher O'Sullivan

31. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons applying for assistance with energy costs under the exceptional needs payments scheme by applications, grants and refusals, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14832/22]

Employment Schemes

Paul Kehoe

32. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of companies and employers that registered and took part in the Jobs in Ireland 2022 event which her Department organised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14572/22]