Parliamentary questions

Public Services Card

Duncan Smith

107. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any restrictions on a service (details supplied) that would result in public service card users only being allowed to book seats in a limited manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23128/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

108. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection who will be responsible for the review into payments for migrants both from Ukraine and elsewhere; the Departments or State bodies that will be represented at the meetings; the format it will take; the number of meetings that will be held; if the conclusions will be published; if it will consider international comparators as well as adequacy of payments; and if it will engage with any external bodies. [23035/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Seán Haughey

109. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the backlog of cases at the social welfare appeals office where appellants are being told that this office is currently working through submissions received from mid-February 2024; if she will take appropriate measures including staff changes to alleviate this backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23088/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Patricia Ryan

110. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied) was refused; the reason this has taken nine months for the person to be notified of the refusal. [23155/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Robert Troy

111. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the entitlement to illness benefit for those who are self employed. [23163/24]

Departmental Contracts

Paul Donnelly

112. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of each time her Department enlisted the services of consultants in 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the purpose and value of each contract, in tabular form. [23250/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Richard O'Donoghue

113. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if the household benefit package can be made available to all persons once they reach State pension age of 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23258/24]

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]

State Pensions

Claire Kerrane

387. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection to advise what percentage of average earnings the State pension (contributory) rate is currently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22519/24]

Departmental Funding

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

388. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of the funding allocation made available under the free travel scheme to all private transport operators. [22570/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Cathal Crowe

389. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a travel allowance for international protection applicants to attend medical appointments remote from their accommodation centre has been cut; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22572/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Francis Noel Duffy

390. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated yearly cost of increasing the rate of jobseeker's allowance for all young people aged under 25 in line with the maximum person rate for those aged over 25; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22573/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Francis Noel Duffy

391. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age who are in receipt of the full rate of jobseekers' allowance of €232 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22574/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Francis Noel Duffy

392. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age who are in receipt of the lower rate of jobseekers' allowance of €141.70 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22575/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Francis Noel Duffy

393. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age who are in receipt of a rate of a jobseekers' allowance other than €232 and €141.70 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22576/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Niall Collins

394. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22588/24]

School Meals Programme

Brendan Griffin

395. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an issue with a school (details supplied) in County Kerry has still not been resolved. [22718/24]

State Pensions

Michael Creed

396. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if an applicant (details supplied) will be approved for the maximum State pension (contributory). [22760/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

397. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of recipients for each social welfare scheme. [22796/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

398. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the average, median, maximum and minimum number of recipients for each social welfare scheme in 2023. [22797/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

399. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline, with regard to the jobseeker’s benefit pay related scheme, noting the revised estimates, what the full-year cost of the proposed scheme will be. [22798/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

400. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the qualified child increase by €1 for children under the age of 12 years and €1 for children over the age of 12 years, respectively. [22799/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

401. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of a €1 increase in each of the social insurance schemes, social assistance schemes, other weekly schemes and other scheme payments, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22800/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

402. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the current young jobseeker’s rate of €129.70 by €1 per week. [22801/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

403. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of introducing a child benefit double payment. [22802/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

404. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer of the JobPath scheme for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. [22803/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

405. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of including the working family payment as a qualifying payment for fuel allowance. [22804/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

406. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the annual carer’s support grant by €1. [22805/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

407. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending carer’s benefit to the self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22806/24]

Social Welfare Code

Richard Bruton

408. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection whether a person in receipt of disability allowance, who receives a bequest, can have a trust established, which would be administered on their behalf to provide for long-term secure accommodation, instead of being immediately assessed under a means test; and if she will outline the conditions if any which would have to be met. [22808/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Creed

409. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if all documentation (details supplied) was reviewed in the context of an application for carer’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22820/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

410. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be provided with a payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22866/24]

School Meals Programme

Thomas Gould

411. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of DEIS band 1 schools refused funding for a breakfast club for the school years 2023-24 and 2024-25, respectively; the number of these in each county, in tabular form; and the rationale for same. [22887/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

412. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of social welfare recipients, by social welfare type in 2023; and the projected number of social welfare recipients by social welfare type in 2024, disaggregated by social welfare type, in tabular form. [22908/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

413. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum weekly rates of social welfare payments, by social welfare type, in 2023 and to date in 2024; and the average payment received, by social welfare type in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22909/24]

Community Welfare Services

Pauline Tully

414. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE community welfare officers based in counties Cavan and Monaghan in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22949/24]

Community Employment Schemes

Michael Collins

415. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address several queries concerning the financial aspects of the community employment scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22958/24]

State Pensions

Richard Bruton

416. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if a foster carer of more than 20 years, but with less than 520 contributions, can access the new long-term carer's pension route to allow them access to a State pension in their own right and name; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22959/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

196. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if allowances such as domiciliary care allowance can be backdated prior to the date of application, such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22176/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

197. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection whether she has reviewed the Scottish Government’s benefit uptake campaigns as a model for matching individuals to their benefit entitlements; whether she intends to implement any similar campaigns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22177/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Howlin

198. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will personally intervene to assist in an appeal to her Department for a domiciliary care allowance and carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) to avoid severe hardship and allow the child to be discharged from hospital and return home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22184/24]

School Meals Programme

Michael Ring

199. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the funding to a preschool (details supplied) to enable it to provide lunch to children for the full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22189/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Pádraig O'Sullivan

200. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity pension application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22205/24]

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Pearse Doherty

201. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 469 to 471, inclusive, of 16 April 2024, and the correspondence with Department officials supplied (details supplied), when a response to the questions submitted will be received. [22224/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Paul McAuliffe

202. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review will be carried out of the social welfare entitlements of a person (details supplied). [22238/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

203. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer's allowance submitted in November 2022, which was refused in 2023 and then reconsidered and refused again under review in the name of a person (details supplied), will be approved based on the further information submitted being considered in far greater detail in the appeal process. [22244/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

204. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for invalidity pension in the name of a person (details supplied) has been fully processed. [22245/24]

Public Services Card

Carol Nolan

205. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of public services cards distributed to international protection applicants in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the expiry date on PSC cards that were distributed in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22265/24]

Departmental Schemes

Seán Canney

206. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that the fees paid to optometrists providing eyecare under her Department’s adult eyecare schemes are inadequate and do not reflect the cost of providing a modern eye examination; the steps being taken to address this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22294/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for the one-parent family allowance can be processed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22306/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Bernard Durkan

208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct rate of disability allowance or other allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22308/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment might be considered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22310/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Bernard Durkan

210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which a disability allowance was reduced in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22312/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Neasa Hourigan

63. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to expand the threshold for the domiciliary care allowance up to 18 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21923/24]

Widow's Pension

Brendan Griffin

64. 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. [21938/24]

School Meals Programme

Ged Nash

65. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if meal providers to schools are required to provide for the various dietary requirements of students, for example, coeliac; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21943/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Griffin

66. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will remove the means test for the carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21960/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Darren O'Rourke

67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is further leave to appeal after a section 317 appeal within her Department or elsewhere; if appellants are entitled to an oral hearing to challenge a section 317 appeal refusal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21993/24]

School Meals Programme

Catherine Murphy

68. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the provisions she has put in place to reduce food waste in the context of the school hot meals initiative; if she engaged with specialists in the area of nutritional value ahead of rolling out the initiative; and her views on whether the initiative is targeted appropriately. [22002/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Colm Burke

69. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the up-to-date status of a carers allowance application review (details supplied), given that further documentation was provided some time ago; when a decision will be reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22026/24]

Widow's Pension

Willie O'Dea

70. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the current stage of legislation that will allow for the enactment of the recent Supreme Court decision to allow a cohabitant to claim a widow's pension in certain circumstances; when she expects it to be in operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22131/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

396. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in County Kerry (details supplied) who has been deemed eligible for disability allowance will be transferred to an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21200/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Michael Fitzmaurice

397. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify if a person (details supplied) over 65 and on over-65 jobseeker’s benefit, not having to actively seek employment and at home on a full-time basis, would be entitled to carer’s support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21225/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Creed

398. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an appeal of carer’s allowance application is taking so long. [21237/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

399. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for invalidity pension, which is under appeal, will be approved for a person (details supplied). [21274/24]

Departmental Data

Leo Varadkar

400. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual cost of maternity benefit, paternity benefit and parents leave benefit; the initial cost estimate provided to the Minister and to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in the year the benefit was legislated for; his views on the discrepancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21279/24]

Equality Issues

Leo Varadkar

401. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether people medically determined to be intersex should be required to register as male or female; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21284/24]

Legislative Measures

Aindrias Moynihan

402. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection when legislation will be updated to reflect changes to qualifying measures for widow's, widower's and surviving partner's contributory pension on the Supreme Court ruling in relation to the entitlement of an unmarried cohabitant to widow's, widower's and surviving partner's contributory pension; how many applications have been received that are currently on hold due to the necessary legislation changes that need to be made; the timeline for application for a person (details supplied) to progress for decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21332/24]

Disability Services

Louise O'Reilly

403. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection what supports are in place under his/her Department to assist a person with a disability to get back to into work, including supports for entrepreneurs; and the organisations that might assist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21350/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Cormac Devlin

404. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21358/24]

Departmental Data

Violet-Anne Wynne

405. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of disability allowance applications that were received by her Department in 2023; the number that were from applicants in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21369/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Violet-Anne Wynne

406. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection how many disability allowance applications were disallowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21370/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Violet-Anne Wynne

407. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection how many carer’s allowance applications were received by her Department in 2023; how many applicants were in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21371/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Violet-Anne Wynne

408. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection how many carer’s allowance applications were disallowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21372/24]

Departmental Data

Violet-Anne Wynne

409. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection how many carer’s benefit cases will be administered in 2024, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21373/24]

Departmental Data

Violet-Anne Wynne

410. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection how many carer’s benefit cases will be administered in 2023, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21374/24]

Departmental Staff

Sorca Clarke

411. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE staff by grade working in the local debt recovery unit of her Department as of 7 May 2024. [21413/24]

Departmental Data

Pádraig O'Sullivan

412. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 976 of 17 January 2024, if it has an independent company with a service level agreement with the funder, the Citizens Information Board; if the Citizens Information Service has control to set and review their employees’ salary scales; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21473/24]

Pension Provisions

Cian O'Callaghan

413. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline, in relation to the pension auto-enrolment scheme, how maternity leave and people with caring responsibilities where they may be in part-time employment due to these responsibilities will be treated under the scheme; if there is provision to account for these people (the majority of whom are women) who will not reap the benefit of having a full-time employer under the scheme; if measures will be introduced to prevent people from being at a disadvantage for not being part of the AE scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21478/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Griffin

414. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an invalidity pension appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21544/24]

School Meals Programme

James O'Connor

415. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding inclusion of school (details supplied) in the hot school meals programme for the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21618/24]