Parliamentary questions

State Pensions

Richard Bruton

114. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if he plans changes to the pension provision for people who because of the nature of their work have earlier retirement dates, in order that they do not have large fall in living standards when they step down from those roles. [23259/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

368. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22340/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

369. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for exceptional needs payment can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22343/24]

School Meals Programme

Paul Donnelly

370. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a list of schools participating in the hot school meals programme in Dublin 15 and Dublin 7, and any schools in Dublin 15 and Dublin 7 that have requested to be on the list but are not included in this year’s programme. [22383/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Pauline Tully

371. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the diet supplement was discontinued; if she will detail the supports that currently exist to help people who have been prescribed a particular diet which frequently costs more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22388/24]

School Meals Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

372. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the challenges faced by many community pre-schools (details supplied) due to the fact that the school meals programme funding does not cover the costs associated with providing food and drink for children; the steps she is taking to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22393/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

373. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for carer’s allowance submitted on 16 October (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22394/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

374. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer’s allowance will be approved as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22398/24]

Departmental Circulars

Eoin Ó Broin

375. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection when the circular providing guidance to social welfare offices on the new rules regarding disregarding maintenance payments for existing JSA/transitional JSA claimants will be issued. [22402/24]

School Meals Programme

Richard Bruton

376. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she would consider establishing a review of the possibility of including more fresh fruit and vegetables in the school meals programme; and to develop measures to minimise waste from uneaten food or containers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22405/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Niamh Smyth

377. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a decision on their domiciliary care allowance application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22414/24]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

378. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for a contributory state pension and if their contribution record can be provided. [22431/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

379. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing each weekly social welfare payment to meet the minimum essential standard of living for 2024 as detailed by an organisation (details supplied) in tabular form. [22436/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

380. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing each weekly social welfare payment to meet the minimum essential standard of living for 2025 as detailed by an organisation (details supplied) in tabular form. [22437/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Niamh Smyth

381. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the appeal for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22439/24]

Departmental Websites

Seán Sherlock

382. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine a matter (details supplied). [22492/24]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Paul Kehoe

383. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people (details supplied) whose PPS number was active, by county that is, in receipt of benefits or paying taxes between 1 February and 1 April 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22496/24]

International Protection

Seán Haughey

384. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the payments made to an applicant seeking international protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22512/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Niamh Smyth

385. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that are being taken to assist self-employed persons in obtaining sick leave based on their contribution record in the event of their cancer diagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22513/24]

State Pensions

Claire Kerrane

386. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she remains committed to meet the formal benchmark target of 34% of average earnings for State pension contributory payments as per the Government's ‘Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023'; if she has a timeframe to meet this target; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22518/24]