Parliamentary questions

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Willie O'Dea

114. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of requests for payments of additional rent supplement, over and above the standard rate approved in each local authority, under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme; the number approved, refused, in 2015 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40041/15]

Social Welfare Code

Willie O'Dea

134. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if lone parents who are in full-time education and who are in receipt of the maintenance grant and the jobseeker's allowance transition payment will be worse off financially when their youngest child turns 14 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40255/15]

Community Employment Schemes Data

Willie O'Dea

60. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the budget cost and the actual cost of the community employment programme, by allowances, supervision, materials and training to 30 September 2015, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39923/15]

Disability Allowance Payments

Willie O'Dea

148. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment of arrears to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be made; the amount payable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39297/15]

Local Authority Funding

Willie O'Dea

513. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 187 of 30 April 2015, the reason his Department has not advised on funding to establish a community centre in the Garryowen area of Limerick, despite the reply to the parliamentary question; when the Department intends to respond to the community in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39078/15]

Sports Capital Programme Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

594. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the sports capital grant application submitted by a school (details supplied) in County Limerick was deemed invalid due to a missing date on a page from the tender submitted; if this is the case, the reason the applicant was not permitted an opportunity to amend same before a decision was made on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39327/15]

Social Welfare Overpayments

Willie O'Dea

81. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the issue of social welfare repayments for a family (details supplied) in County Kildare who are under severe financial pressure and cannot afford to repay at the current rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38871/15]

One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

160. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason determination orders issued by the maintenance recovery unit were not catered for in the legislation for the jobseeker's transitional payment; the reason her Department is failing to pursue liable relatives; if consideration has been given to amending the legislation, in view of this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37179/15]

Jobseeker's Benefit Payments

Willie O'Dea

189. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cause of the delay into the investigation of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who has sought to have a spousal dependant included in payment from her Department in Limerick; when will the payment issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37568/15]

One-Parent Family Payment Expenditure

Willie O'Dea

210. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost in 2016 of increasing the maximum child age of the one-parent family payment from its current threshold of seven years to 14 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37802/15]

Community Employment Schemes Data

Willie O'Dea

219. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of community employment projects that are sponsored by local authorities, Údarás Na Gaeltachta, citizen information centres, educational institutions, town councils, partnerships, vocational education committees, and the Health Service Executive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37879/15]

Carer's Allowance Data

Willie O'Dea

269. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons under 66 years of age who are in receipt of the carer's allowance in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38306/15]

School Transport Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

910. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the transport measures that will be put in place to assist a child in County Laois (details supplied) to attend school; the reason for the delay in organising appropriate transport; the timeframe within which the transport will be organised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38091/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie O'Dea

17. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when he expects to see an improvement in services at University Hospital Limerick, especially in the emergency department and in the numbers on waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36570/15]

Social Welfare Appeals Data

Willie O'Dea

166. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in 2015 in receipt of the disability allowance; the blind pension, the invalidity pension; and the carer's allowance. [36235/15]

Disability Allowance Payments

Willie O'Dea

187. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment of a disability allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who is in urgent need of financial assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36441/15]

Qualified Child Increase Payments

Willie O'Dea

206. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the full-year cost in 2016 of increasing the qualified child increase by €5; by €10. [35950/15]

Qualified Child Increase Payments

Willie O'Dea

4. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the qualified child increase payment by €5; €10; €15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35676/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Willie O'Dea

8. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason the board of the Citizens Information service remains incomplete since spring 2015, following the end of tenure of several board members; if she is aware of this situation; if she will explain the way board decisions have been made, without the appropriate quorum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35211/15]

Family Income Supplement Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

24. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection how the proposed increase in the national minimum wage from €8.65 per hour to €9.15 per hour will affect family income supplement; if the income thresholds for the supplement will be raised as a result of this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35479/15]

Disability Allowance Payments

Willie O'Dea

176. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when arrears of a disability allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34021/15]

Child and Family Agency Funding

Willie O'Dea

452. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he has received representations from the Family Resource Centre National Forum seeking to discuss recent changes by Tusla-Child and Family Agency to structures and funding; if he will grant these requests, given the invaluable service these groups provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34304/15]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

55. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost in 2016 of a €5 increase in the monthly rate of child benefit. [33903/15]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

1. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to expand social welfare entitlements for self-employed persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33329/15]

Poverty Data

Willie O'Dea

4. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to reduce relative and absolute poverty rates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33330/15]

Back to Work Family Dividend Scheme

Willie O'Dea

26. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of the one-parent family payment who have transitioned to the back to work family dividend since July 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33033/15]

Water Conservation Grant

Willie O'Dea

35. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on her Department's administration of the water conservation grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33031/15]

Pension Provisions

Willie O'Dea

45. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to introduce auto-enrolment for pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33032/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Willie O'Dea

47. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to raise the cap for rent allowance and the housing assistance payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33034/15]

Schools Building Projects Applications

Willie O'Dea

149. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an extension has been approved for a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33513/15]

Water Conservation Grant

Willie O'Dea

193. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of water conservation grants her department has administered to date. [33174/15]

Departmental Legal Cases

Willie O'Dea

332. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received a notification from the IMPACT trade union, in relation to a retired Department of Agriculture official (details supplied); if he will re-examine the files pertaining to this case given that the ex-official has discontinued all legal proceedings due to lack of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33005/15]

Social Welfare Benefits Expenditure

Willie O'Dea

81. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2016 of increasing the weekly rate of all working age benefits by €5, and by €10; and the full-year cost of each rate of increase. [32696/15]

Social Welfare Benefits Expenditure

Willie O'Dea

82. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2016 of an increase in the weekly rate of the State pension by €5; by €10; and the full-year cost of each rate of increase. [32697/15]

One-Parent Family Payment Expenditure

Willie O'Dea

83. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2016 of allowing lone parents to receive the one-parent family payment; in the case of lone parents with children aged eight and under; nine years and under; ten years and under; 11 years and under; 12 years and under; 13 years and under; 14 years and under; and the estimated full-year cost of each change. [32698/15]

Teaching Qualifications

Willie O'Dea

698. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a contract of indefinite duration employee (details supplied) of the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is unable to apply for a delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, post which has become a core subject having been informed he does not have the academic qualifications, despite having taught the subject to the students of the LCETB since November 2001, holding full membership of the Teaching Council and holding a contract; the reason the employee with such experience cannot be considered eligible for a DEIS permanent post, which would improve this teacher's income and standing within the educational establishment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30377/15]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Willie O'Dea

457. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 303 of 10 March 2015, the reason a decision has not been reached regarding Garda Síochána vetting of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who now faces the real possibility of losing his business; if she considers this timeframe to be appropriate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28676/15]

Invalidity Pension Payments

Willie O'Dea

51. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason arrears are not payable in regard to invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick, having been awarded through the appeals office; the way her Department arrived at its figures; if arrears owed can be repaid at a reduced amount to assist with the financial situation of the family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27117/15]

Disability Allowance Payments

Willie O'Dea

60. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when arrears of an approved disability allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27199/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie O'Dea

82. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27437/15]

Services for People with Disabilities

Willie O'Dea

514. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to applicants under the disability access route to education, who are in genuine need of this access to third level, and who have been clients of child and adolescent mental health services and of the Health Service Executive for some years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27458/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie O'Dea

209. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment of a carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26369/15]

Register of Lobbyists Legislation

Willie O'Dea

288. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 will be the primary source of reference for designated public officials on the way they interact with lobbyists; if compliance with this legislation will take precedence over any international recommendation on lobbying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26427/15]

Data Protection

Willie O'Dea

557. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the communication she has had with an association (details supplied) in County Limerick regarding the installation of covert closed-circuit television cameras within a school; her views on whether this conduct is acceptable; the actions she proposes to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26277/15]

Family Income Supplement

Willie O'Dea

39. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason there is no option given on the application form for the family income supplement to have payment paid via the post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25468/15]

One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

1. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the social impact assessment her Department has undertaken of her changes to the one-parent family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24850/15]

Social Welfare Overpayments

Willie O'Dea

4. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide for each of the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive, and to date in 2015, the total overpayments made by her Department in each year, indicating the amount due to error by her Department, due to error by the applicant, and due to fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24851/15]

Disability Support Services

Willie O'Dea

7. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will extend all Intreo services to persons with disabilities, including all the voluntary activation schemes, including the Youth Guarantee and MOMENTUM, regardless of payment type that the disabled person is on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24678/15]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

12. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is in favour of extending social welfare entitlements to the self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24674/15]

Pension Provisions

Willie O'Dea

30. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the measures she has introduced to provide greater clarity and transparency on pension charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24675/15]