Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Appeals

Kathleen Funchion

744. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an invalidity appeal (details supplied) is taking so long to obtain an answer [13990/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Michael McNamara

745. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a working family payment application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14066/24]

Employment Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

746. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a pay claim by RSS and TÚS supervisors that was lodged with the Department some time ago; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14069/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Michael McNamara

747. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to delays in the processing times of working family payment applications; what measures are being taken to have these times reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14080/24]

Community Employment Schemes

Michael Healy-Rae

748. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14137/24]

State Pensions

Paul McAuliffe

749. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection to carry out a review of the pension contributions of a person (details supplied). [14138/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Creed

750. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision will issue on a carer’s allowance application (details supplied). [14139/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Creed

751. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision will issue on a disability allowance application (details supplied). [14151/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Jim O'Callaghan

752. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of 18-year-olds that will now qualify for child benefit on foot of the recent changes introduced, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14154/24]

Departmental Advertising

Jackie Cahill

753. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department uses community radio for advertising and public awareness campaigns; if not, the reason, given the vital role community radio often plays in the dissemination of information to local communities; if her Department will consider using community radio for public awareness campaigns in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14173/24]

School Meals Programme

Sorca Clarke

754. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of students at primary and post-primary respectively provided with free school meals in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [14224/24]

School Meals Programme

Sorca Clarke

755. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated average cost of providing school meals per child in primary and post-primary schools respectively, in the academic years 2022-2023 and to date in 2023-2024, in tabular form. [14225/24]

Maternity Leave

Colm Burke

756. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the duration of paid maternity leave to facilitate more women to continue breastfeeding for longer than they otherwise would have had they returned to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14235/24]

Care Services

Louise O'Reilly

757. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection what options are available to a worker in a caring situation (details supplied). [14252/24]

Social Welfare Code

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

758. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection when the earnings disregard for disability allowance was last increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14263/24]

Social Welfare Code

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

759. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection when the capital disregard for disability allowance was last increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14264/24]

Departmental Contracts

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

760. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection what the remaining length of time is in respect of the Department's contract for JobPath and when the contractual obligations with Seetec and Turas Nua expire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14265/24]

Social Insurance

Pearse Doherty

761. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 463 of 12 December 2023, if the estimated revenue that would be raised in each of the years 2024 to 2030 for the rate increases specified are cumulative, for example, the revenue raised of €913 million in 2028 from a 0.2 percentage point increase in the Class A rate of Employers PRSI includes the revenue generated from rate increases in prior years); and, if so, to provide the same table with revenue generated in each year on a non-cumulative basis. [14278/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Catherine Connolly

762. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to widen eligibility to the long-term caring contribution scheme, to allow for caring periods under 20 years to be eligible for long-term caring contributions for the purposes of the State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14281/24]

Business Supports

Mairéad Farrell

763. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered providing a grant to businesses to increase accessibility in their premises for wheelchair users and other persons with mobility impairments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14360/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Michael Creed

764. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details provided) is entitled to a six-week payment after the death of their father. [14366/24]

Social Welfare Code

Pádraig O'Sullivan

765. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason foster carers are not acknowledged as being carers, and cannot claim for a stamp or credits towards a State pension (contributory) and other State supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14387/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Seán Canney

766. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the moving-in grant to €6,000 for new-build accommodation to reflect the reality of providing flooring, kitchen appliances, and bedroom and living room furniture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14395/24]

Social Insurance

Pearse Doherty

767. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 463 of 12 December 2023, the estimated revenue that will be raised in each of the years 2024 to 2030 by the proposed increases in all classes of PRSI, disaggregated by PRSI class, employer, employee and self-employed, in each scenario (details supplied), in tabular form. [14401/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

768. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to increase the current grant of €3,000 to cover costs such as flooring and white goods to help families moving out of homeless accommodation into new-build social homes which are often completely bare, in light of the increases in costs around the provision and installation of flooring, white goods etc.; if she will acknowledge that this amount is no longer adequate to provide the necessary items for families often leaving homelessness with nothing; if she will consider raising this grant substantially; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14402/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Creed

769. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm receipt of the necessary details in respect of an invalidity pension review (details supplied); and when a decision can be expected in this case. [14410/24]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Bernard Durkan

770. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when a PPS number will be issued in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14412/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

771. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in a review in the case of a person (details supplied); the extent to which they can qualify for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14414/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

772. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which arrangements can be made for the recovery of overpayment in the case of a person (details supplied) who is awaiting update of tax-free allowances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14418/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

773. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment of illness benefit will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14430/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Howlin

774. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlements to illness benefit for a person (details supplied); if their situation was addressed in the post-Brexit settlement between Ireland and the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14436/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Creed

775. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the current situation regarding an application for domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied). [14485/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Jackie Cahill

776. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the further options available to an individual (details supplied) who has had their IQA appeal disallowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14526/24]

Social Welfare Code

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

777. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection how a person who is expected to receive financial compensation due to having two faulty hip replacements implanted will be treated for their current social protection benefits mindful of the current means test for persons in receipt of disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14547/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Healy-Rae

778. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update with regard to a person (details supplied) who has applied for invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14561/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Thomas Gould

779. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection whether a diagnosis of myalgia encephalomyelitis would allow a person to access disability allowance. [14584/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Mark Ward

780. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants refused for the domiciliary care allowance on first application; how many first applicants appealed this decision; how many first-time applicants were successful on appeal; how many were successful on a second application in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14604/24]

Departmental Data

Carol Nolan

781. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of notifications her Department has received from international protection applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection in receipt of social protection payments who wished to leave the State for travel; in the case of IP applicants for each year from 2010 to date and for BOPT applicants from 2022 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14630/24]

State Pensions

Jackie Cahill

782. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection what options are available to an individual, who has retired after 30 years of service but does not yet meet the minimum age requirement to be in receipt of a pension and does not want to draw jobseeker’s payment; if she has any plans to not treat those who are retired after 30 years of service and are not aged 66 years as jobseekers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14662/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

783. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection how many increased qualified adult payments have been made to those living outside the State; how many recipients, the list of countries recipients are living in, and the total amount paid to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14718/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

784. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection how many living alone allowance payments have been made to those living outside the State; how many recipients, the list of countries recipients are living in, and the total amount paid to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14719/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

785. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection how many cost of living allowance payments have been made to those living outside the State; how many recipients, the list of countries recipients are living in ; the total amount paid to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14720/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Seán Haughey

786. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the move in supplementary welfare allowance for those moving from homeless accommodation into new-build bare style housing, which has been allocated to them by their local council, from €3,000 to €6,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14735/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Bruton

787. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the costs for a homeless family being rehoused in unfurnished accommodation; whether the present ceiling of €3,000 for establishment costs adequately reflects the true cost of a family setting up home; and if she would consider establishing a higher limit. [14742/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

788. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14752/24]

Departmental Contracts

Paul Donnelly

789. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount her Department paid each external security company for security personnel at INTREO offices in the years of 2023 and to-date in 2024; and when the contract with each security company is due to expire, in tabular form. [14790/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Joan Collins

790. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 29 February 2024, if a matter regarding a fuel allowance payment (details supplied) can be rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14799/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

791. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of applications made for increased qualified adult payment refused to applicants living in Ireland; the percentage of applications for increased qualified adult payment refused to applicants living outside of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14802/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Niamh Smyth

792. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the review/appeal for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14834/24]

State Pensions

Colm Burke

793. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection is she will give due consideration to raising the full rate of the State pension (contributory) in order to restore it to its 2020 spending power, as a further step towards benchmarking the rate at 34% of average earnings, which should be achieved by 2026 as a 'living pension' alongside the introduction of the new national living wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14862/24]

State Pensions

Colm Burke

794. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give due consideration to raising the income thresholds for the State pension (non-contributory) to take account of inflation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14863/24]

State Pensions

Colm Burke

795. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the maximum rate of the State pension (non-contributory) to bring it to the same level as the State pension (contributory) and benchmark both the contributory and non-contributory State pension against 34% of average earnings, to reduce gender pension inequality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14864/24]

State Pensions

Colm Burke

796. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will take the necessary steps to implement benchmarking and indexing of the State pension and reinforce this by commissioning a comprehensive analysis of the costs associated with ageing, and the cost-of-living for all older people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14866/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Colm Burke

797. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give due consideration to the provision of a €5 per week digital allowance to those older persons who cannot afford digital devices or internet subscriptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14867/24]

Pension Provisions

Cian O'Callaghan

798. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the position for employees who have recently set up pensions before the auto-enrolment scheme is introduced; if these people will be allowed to benefit from the scheme of employers matching contributions, and €1 Government contribution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14888/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Paul Murphy

799. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of an email she received (details supplied); if she will consider its contents and increase this grant payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14909/24]

Redundancy Payments

Brendan Griffin

800. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a redundancy liability will be waived in respect of a former retired employer in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15026/24]

Widow's Pension

Brendan Griffin

801. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision on a widower's pension application (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15039/24]

State Pensions

James Lawless

802. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15051/24]

Social Welfare Code

Danny Healy-Rae

803. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15170/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Niall Collins

804. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if grant assistance is available for a club (details supplied) to provide worker accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15203/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Violet-Anne Wynne

805. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal to her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15261/24]

Social Insurance

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

806. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available for self-employed persons paying a PRSI S Stamp but with underlying health issues for which insurance companies will not issue with income protection cover, meaning they have no sick pay cover in event of illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15288/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

807. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision on a child benefit application by a person in County Kerry (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15290/24]

Employment Support Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

808. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if all Ukrainian refugees who sought protection here and are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance are required to engage with Intreo in relation to seeking work, be available for work, and engage with activation services under the same conditions as all other JSA recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15309/24]

Social Welfare Code

Éamon Ó Cuív

809. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the checks that are in place to ensure all recipients of jobseeker’s allowance, including Ukrainian refugees, are still resident in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15310/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

810. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection how many people received the fuel allowance in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; the cost of the scheme in each of these years; the details of any improvements being considered for this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15334/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

811. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection how many people received the household benefit package in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; the cost of this scheme to the state in each of these years; whether consideration is being given to increasing the payment under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15335/24]

Social Welfare Code

Peadar Tóibín

812. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the criteria of the one parent family payment to include the entire duration of an undergraduate course in circumstances where a child is still in full time education beyond the age of 22 years such as undergraduate medicine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15341/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

813. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the full-year outturn on illness benefit in 2022. [15348/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Denis Naughten

814. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the full rate of carer’s allowance; the number in receipt of a reduced rate of carer’s allowance; the number in receipt of the half-rate carer’s allowance; the number of recipients of the carer’s support grant; the steps which she is taking to ensure that all full-time carers avail of the carer’s support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15481/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Alan Kelly

239. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise on the last review carried out by her Department with regard to lone parent allowance recipients; and if she will provide figures from review decisions, in tabular form. [13342/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Eoin Ó Broin

240. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the recently announced extension of child benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education or with a disability does not include a retrospective element; if this will be reconsidered given the impact on families who have been out of payment in the interim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13384/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Paul Murphy

241. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection regarding the recent decision to change the children's allowance payment policy that parents will not get child benefit for the months between their 18th birthday and 1 May 2024, if he will reconsider this policy change and implement a fair and equitable system that provides financial support to all students over 18 years who are still in school and will she ensure that payments are retrospective to the date when a student turned 18-years-of-age. [13400/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Peter Fitzpatrick

242. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine a recent rejection of a social welfare claim which the office of appeal has awarded (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13424/24]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

243. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 331 of 21 November 2023, if she will now expedite payment of DA and arrears which was approved months ago under appeal (details supplied). [13425/24]

Pension Provisions

Richard Bruton

244. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the target of income adequacy in old age; the contribution which she hopes that auto-enrolment will make to achieving that; and by what date she expects people retiring to have reached that target. [13551/24]

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

Richard Bruton

245. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the role, if any, which MABS plays in advising on pension and financial planning for old age; and if she has considered developing a programme in mid-career by MABS which would equip people to plan better for their retirement. [13552/24]

Social Welfare Code

Richard Bruton

246. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has systems for identifying and supporting more vulnerable carers, such as older parents caring for ageing children with disabilities, in order that extra supports could be developed in partnership with other Government agencies. [13553/24]

Departmental Correspondence

James Lawless

714. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13117/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Brendan Griffin

715. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for partial capacity benefit will be processed in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11520/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

716. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for illness benefit will be processed in respect of a person from County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11524/24]

Widow's Pension

Patrick O'Donovan

717. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an unmarried person can now claim the widow's pension entitlement following the recent judgement by the Supreme Court in relation to widow's pension eligibility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11528/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Sherlock

718. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if those children who turned 18 between January and now and had child benefit halted, but remain in full time education, will be reinstated when the child benefit changes for 18-year-olds come into effect in May. [11529/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

719. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the decision of an appeal's officer in the recent appeal case for carer’s allowance (details supplied) can reissue to the appellant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11581/24]

An Garda Síochána

Carol Nolan

720. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if their Department has had the need to contact An Garda Síochána due to verbal, written (including electronically) or physical threats being addressed to staff or Ministers, at any level, working within their Department during the period 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11602/24]

State Pensions

Brendan Griffin

721. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in County Kerry will be considered for a State pension (contributory) (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11683/24]

Disability Services

Claire Kerrane

722. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will roll out WALK employment across the State to ensure that young people with intellectual disabilities finishing post-primary school have opportunities for training and employment after school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11726/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Niamh Smyth

723. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for an appeal decision for a domiciliary allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11780/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Alan Dillon

724. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection what supports are in place for those suffering from long-Covid who are no longer able to continue in employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11831/24]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

725. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is in receipt of maximum benefit. [11896/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Colm Burke

726. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal (details supplied) by a person; when a decision is likely to be received, as this has been pending for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11922/24]

School Meals Programme

Paul Murphy

727. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether the Government has a duty to ensure that all children are treated equally and fairly in relation to the school meals programme and the need for gluten free meals for coeliac children, and that no child is left behind or excluded from the benefits of the programme; if she will make it compulsory for schools participating in the programme to cater to the needs of coeliac children if there is a demand for it (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11945/24]

Departmental Data

Mairéad Farrell

728. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 455 of 5 March 2024, the reason her Department requires the destination of a person's travel as evidence of travel in order to access the two week holiday entitlement under the disability allowance scheme; and in what case or circumstance would a signed letter from the recipient not be sufficient evidence. [11952/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Thomas Pringle

729. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider backdating child benefit payments for the intervening period from May 2023 to May 2024 for the small cohort of 18 year-olds that lost out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11965/24]

Departmental Data

David Stanton

730. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans, if any, to update the Code of Practice on Determining Employment Status which was published in July 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11990/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

731. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determining an appeal (details supplied); when a final determination is likely to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12028/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

732. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of review in the case of a person (details supplied) who has applied for an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12029/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

733. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision be made in relation to a disability allowance review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12046/24]

Departmental Reports

Catherine Connolly

734. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the independent external evaluation of the proposal that claims that higher financial returns can be achieved for automatic enrolment pension participants at lower costs; her plans to publish the report by the independent external evaluator; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12066/24]