Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 1 of 100
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Cian O'Callaghan
299. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a privately run service (details supplied) is obligated to recognise the State travel pass for older people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20803/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Departmental Staff
Darren O'Rourke
300. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE medical officers working in her Department in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [20157/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Pension Provisions
Catherine Connolly
301. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 20 February 2024, to provide an update on the long-term carers’ contribution scheme; the number of applications received to date; the number approved; the number rejected; the number pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20174/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Eligibility
Seán Canney
302. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has plans to address the current legislative anomaly where people who were forced to retire from work on health grounds have been refused free travel as they are not getting a disability payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20175/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Eligibility
Bernard Durkan
303. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) against the decision to reduce his wife's payment, with particular reference to their high outgoings on medical costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20179/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Eligibility
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
304. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person will be permitted to have credits applied to their welfare application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20228/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
John McGuinness
305. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) has been approved. [20261/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Departmental Staff
Carol Nolan
306. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employees within her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20322/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Brendan Griffin
307. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a training support grant by a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20345/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
European Union
Matt Carthy
308. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20363/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Code
Sean Fleming
309. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the position if people can apply to have credits towards their pension while they were in receipt of carer's allowance for many years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20386/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Code
Richard Bruton
310. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been brought to the anomaly that public sector workers can work to 70 years of age but illness benefit cannot be claimed by those working beyond the age of 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20433/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Frankie Feighan
311. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person from County Leitrim (details supplied) was not awarded jobseeker’s benefit despite working for a long number of years before her redundancy; the reason her Department has failed to communicate with the person, despite their best efforts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20485/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
State Pensions
John McGuinness
312. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for the State pension (non-contributory) will be approved for a person (details supplied); if they are entitled to the State pension (contributory); and if they will be paid supplementary allowance as they have no income. [20492/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Michael Healy-Rae
313. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection about an application for a carer’s allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20543/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Peadar Tóibín
314. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of times persons living in County Galway in receipt of carer’s allowance had their allowance stopped, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [20546/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Peadar Tóibín
315. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Galway, who, having been refused the disability allowance, were successful in their appeals of her Department’s decision to refuse, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [20547/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Departmental Expenditure
Eoin Ó Broin
316. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the total expenditure on rent supplement in 2022 and 2023, and the allocation for 2024. [20550/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Seán Sherlock
317. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is discretion on the part of the deciding officer for a late application for paternity benefit (details supplied). [20559/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Eligibility
Brendan Griffin
318. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in County Kerry (details supplied) can requalify for carer’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20561/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
State Pensions
Robert Troy
319. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate why a person (details supplied), who now qualifies for a higher rate non-contributory pension, did not qualify for a similarly high rate when she first applied, and if this can be rectified. [20610/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
School Meals Programme
Michael Lowry
320. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the status of an application for the school meals programme (details supplied); the reason this school did not receive approval in the latest expansion of this initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20614/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Code
Pádraig O'Sullivan
321. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the recent extension of child benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education or those with a disability also includes those who are home-schooled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20624/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
School Meals Programme
Louise O'Reilly
322. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection how the nutrition standards for school meals are being monitored, implemented and enforced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20627/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
School Meals Programme
Louise O'Reilly
323. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection what safeguards have been put in place to ensure that the hot school meals programme is being rolled out in accordance with the nutrition standards for school meals; what resources are in place to ensure the standards are being met; if further resources are needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20628/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Eligibility
Bernard Durkan
324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for a carer’s support grant in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20695/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Paul Kehoe
325. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if assistance can be offered to a person (details supplied) so the review of his jobseeker's benefit claim can be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20739/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Catherine Murphy
326. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will re-examine an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person based on the new information provided (details supplied). [20740/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Appeals
Darren O'Rourke
327. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of section 317 appeals with the appeals office; the average and median time for a decision on section 317 appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20744/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
International Protection
Carol Nolan
328. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding provided to beneficiaries of temporary protection to reimburse them for taxi-related fees through the social welfare system from March 2022 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20782/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
International Protection
Carol Nolan
329. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding provided to beneficiaries of international protection applicants to reimburse them for taxi-related fees through the social welfare system from 2019 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20783/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Code
Cian O'Callaghan
330. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reassess the means test threshold for carer’s allowance, where people who are providing care are at risk of falling below the poverty line and require higher support from Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20799/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Educational Disadvantage
Cian O'Callaghan
331. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason schools that have recently been designated as DEIS schools are not being included in the hot school meals scheme; if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) is granted eligibility for the scheme as soon as possible, as it requires the same support as other DEIS schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20801/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
School Meals Programme
Sorca Clarke
332. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans she has in place to ensure that children with coeliac disease are properly catered for in the school meals programme; if she will provide additional funding to ensure same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20830/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Michael Healy-Rae
333. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 454 of 30 April 2024. if he will review the matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20858/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Appeals
Thomas Pringle
334. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity pension appeal (details supplied) which has been in processing for a number of months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20894/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Bernard Durkan
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which payment has been refused in respect of carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); if her case can be fully and independently examined without reference to previous decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20123/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Paul McAuliffe
186. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review of the entitlements of a person (details supplied) could be reviewed. [19952/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
Departmental Policies
David Stanton
187. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered classifying Covid-19 as an occupational illness or as an accident at work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19985/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Mattie McGrath
188. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the grant for people who suffer hair loss due to illness to reflect the rising costs of materials; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20032/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
Pension Provisions
John McGuinness
189. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if retired nurses who paid a D stamp all their working life and were not allowed to opt for paying an A stamp will have their pension entitlements reviewed to allow them to qualify for a maximum pension rather than the reduced pension they are currently in receipt of; and if she will explain the rationale of the decision that has led to this anomaly. [20041/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
Departmental Policies
Seán Canney
190. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a copy of the rules, regulations and procedures in place to guide the fitting, replacement and ownership of hand controls being fitted to car for people with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20074/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
State Pensions
Niamh Smyth
191. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the State pension for a person (details supplied) who worked in the Civil Service from 1968 to 1975; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20077/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Eligibility
Bernard Durkan
192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether family income supplement might be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20120/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Bernard Durkan
193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when a basic social welfare payment will be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20127/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Bernard Durkan
194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she and her Department have examined the full circumstances of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20129/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Public Transport
Carol Nolan
177. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider addressing the inequality that still exists regarding the availability of transport in rural areas by making changes to the free travel scheme whereby pensioners could be given the option of obtaining a lump sum payment to cover the cost of taxis or hackney services in rural communities where there is either no public transport or no frequent public transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19604/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Eligibility
Michael Healy-Rae
178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be urgently reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19538/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Citizens Information Services
Pádraig O'Sullivan
179. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that staff in the citizens information service have not received a wage increase since 2008; if there are plans to implement a wage increase; if there is a timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19543/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Departmental Staff
Cormac Devlin
180. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection to detail the arrangements in place for where an employee of the Department and each organisation under its aegis, becomes elected or co-opted to a local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19571/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Appeals
Colm Burke
181. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a person's (details supplied) appeal; 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. [19578/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
State Pensions
Darren O'Rourke
182. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the anomaly that some people with less contributions are receiving greater State pensions due to the method of calculation (details supplied); if she has assessed this anomaly; if she intends to address it, perhaps by moving away from the ‘first date of contribution’ criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19616/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Social Insurance
Leo Varadkar
183. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on her plans to introduce pay-related social insurance benefits for jobseekers; the estimated cost of same; and the estimated the cost to extending this approach in case to maternity benefit, paternity benefit, parents benefit and illness benefit. [19664/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Gender Recognition
Leo Varadkar
184. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social Protection when she received the review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015; whether it has been presented to Cabinet or to a Cabinet Sub-Committee; when she will make a recommendation to Government on the matter; and the process that is being followed to aid her to do so. [19665/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Gender Recognition
Leo Varadkar
185. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to make provision for people who are medically determined to be intersex due to their chromosomes or characteristics to be recognised in law. [19666/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Citizens Information Services
Pádraig O'Sullivan
186. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will engage with members of the Citizen Information Board regarding pay equality concerns; if she will outline the engagement her Department has had to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19683/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Postal Services
Michael Healy-Rae
187. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the section of the regulations outlining the penalties that can be given to post masters (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19742/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Oireachtas Committees
Brendan Griffin
188. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the evidence submitted to an Oireachtas Committee by a person (details supplied) concerning activities in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19856/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
State Pensions
John McGuinness
189. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a State pension (non-contributory) will be approved immediately for a person (details supplied); if pension benefit is being paid to their husband is respect of the person; and if the application will be expedited. [19892/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
General Register Office
Richard Bruton
434. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that the research room for the general records is now only open one day a week, down from five, which is considerably hampering research; and if she will consider arrangements to make it more accessible. [19415/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Correspondence
Fergus O'Dowd
435. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18733/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Paul McAuliffe
436. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will carry out a review of a disability allowance for a person (details supplied). [18762/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Carer's Leave
James Lawless
437. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine the current criteria regarding carers leave/benefits (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18784/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Schemes
Bríd Smith
438. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the available State supports for people with disabilities seeking work or already working; if she plans to improve supports; if there are proposals to change these supports in any way in the foreseeable future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18800/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Michael Fitzmaurice
439. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection with reference to the Departmental contract with An Post, if her Department has put in a penalty clause on any welfare overpayment, given it was always paid back by postmasters who are now being informed of a €500 penalty per overpayment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18824/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Broadband Infrastructure
Denis Naughten
440. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of copper communication lines within her Department that are currently in active operation and for which her Department is paying for on a monthly basis, inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18844/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
School Meals Programme
Mairéad Farrell
441. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if a DEIS school (details supplied) will receive funding for hot school meals; if so, when this will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18879/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Eligibility
Seán Canney
442. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if people receiving a disability payment and who transfer to the State pension will still be eligible for any additional one-off cost-of-living payments which are made to a person with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18890/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
State Pensions
Catherine Murphy
443. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for State pension (contributory) that were refused by her Department in each month of 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [18899/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Eligibility
Michael Lowry
444. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the current status of the application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of an individual (details supplied) who was previously unsuccessful; to confirm if the diagnosis of 'Classic PKU - Non-Responsive to Kuvan' (Phenylketonuria) fulfils the qualifying medical criteria for payment of domiciliary care allowance, given that the child does not respond to Kuvan treatment and requires a very specific diet and continuous monitoring on a daily basis for a lifetime; the reason some parents of children diagnosed with this condition qualify for domiciliary care allowance, while others with the same diagnosis do not; to specifically clarify the reason that this applicant was unsuccessful in their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18927/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Schemes
Seán Canney
445. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the anomaly whereby people who are wheelchair users and who are receiving a civil service pension and who are not in receipt of a disability allowance cannot access free travel while under 66 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18965/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Widow's Pension
Peter Fitzpatrick
446. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection if the State plans to open eligibility to widow's pension to those who were not legally married but in a long-term committed relationship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18978/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
State Pensions
Robert Troy
447. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a contributory pension investigation (details supplied). [18979/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
State Pensions
Robert Troy
448. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a contributory pension investigation (details supplied). [18980/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Data
Thomas Pringle
449. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of disability allowance applications which were submitted in the period 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of applications which were successful on first processing; the number which were eventually successful following a review; the number eventually successful following an appeal, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19000/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Data
Thomas Pringle
450. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of carer's allowance applications submitted in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of applications which were successful on first processing; the number which were eventually successful following a review; the number which were eventually successful following an appeal, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19015/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Data
Thomas Pringle
451. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of invalidity pension applications which were submitted in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of applications which were successful on first processing; the number which were eventually successful following a review; the number which were eventually successful following an appeal, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19019/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Niamh Smyth
452. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection what protocols are in place for people who refuse the offer of work while in receipt of jobseeker’s payments; if employers are being liaised with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19027/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
John Lahart
453. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is considering any measures that would assist in the reduction of the cost of bin charges for older persons (details supplied). [19043/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Michael Healy-Rae
454. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; if her Department will contact the person in relation to the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19074/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
School Meals Programme
Ivana Bacik
455. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 400 of 23 April 2024, if the national standards for school meals stipulates that produce which is delivered under the school meals programme must or should be sourced in Ireland; and the proportion of foods provided under the programme with a country of origin which is not Ireland. [19084/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
John McGuinness
456. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full payment of child benefit will be approved for a person (details supplied) and their partner, as both are in the process of establishing their home again in Ireland, having spent several years abroad; and if she will expedite a positive decision. [19086/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
EU Directives
John Paul Phelan
457. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection to list all Acts and Statutory Instruments sponsored by her Department which became law from 20 February 2020 to date in 2024 and which were necessitated, either in whole or in part, to transpose or give effect to regulations, directives or other measures passed at European Union level. [19173/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Widow's Pension
Thomas Pringle
458. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the actions her Department has taken in relation to the entitlement of an unmarried co-habitant to a widows, widowers or surviving civil partner’s contributory pension following on from the recent Supreme Court judgment of 22 January 2024 including the legislative changes required; the timeline to respond to this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19179/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Holly Cairns
459. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the jobseeker’s benefit application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19226/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
460. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the proposed jobseeker’s benefit pay related scheme; when in particular it is expected to be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19247/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Seán Sherlock
461. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of payments made, per county, for each month of 2024, for additional needs payments and exceptional needs payments, by category, in tabular form. [19271/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Expenditure
Seán Sherlock
462. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount paid out to all consultancy firms for any services rendered; and the cost per contract in 2023 as a whole and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [19273/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Seán Sherlock
463. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of exceptional needs payments under the supplementary welfare allowance paid in each month; the total and individual value of each payment; and the total expenditure, by category and month, from January 2021 to April 2024 inclusive, in tabular form. [19274/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Seán Sherlock
464. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of heating supplement payments that were paid under the supplementary welfare allowance for each month from January 2021 to April 2022 inclusive, in tabular form; the number of persons who were in receipt of the fuel allowance; the number who were not in receipt of fuel allowance; the value of each monthly heating payment under the category; and if the payment was made directly to the person or to the energy company. [19275/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Mick Barry
465. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection if those who are on disability allowance and therefore in receipt of a qualifying payment for the free travel scheme who have a child and are therefore temporarily moved to maternity allowance if they should then lose access to the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19304/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Jackie Cahill
466. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if an individual applies for the additional needs payment, if this can be used for hospital transportation where the individual has no other means of transport available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19317/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Duncan Smith
467. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for fuel allowance was refused for a person in receipt of disability allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19332/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
School Meals Programme
Aindrias Moynihan
468. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of school children now in receipt of hot meals, by county, in tabular form. [19340/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Funding
Catherine Murphy
469. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the amount of grant-aid returned and or surrendered to her Department, by local authority in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, to include the heading of which it was intended for. [19368/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Personal Public Service Numbers
Ivana Bacik
470. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on delays experienced by returning emigrants in obtaining a PPSN; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19383/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
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Social Welfare Eligibility
Marc MacSharry
471. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a response to their enquiry regarding the methodology for the calculation of means in the case of their application for a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19386/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Schemes
Peadar Tóibín
472. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of applications for the long-term carer contributions scheme; the number of successful and unsuccessful applications since the commencement of the scheme; and the current waiting time for applications to be assessed, in tabular form. [19428/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Widow's Pension
Noel Grealish
473. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection when people who have lived with long-term partners that have passed away will be entitled to apply for widow’s pension benefits (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19440/24]
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Neasa Hourigan
474. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale for the conditions for the PRSI contributions for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds; the reason a person would not be eligible for the benefit payment at 65 years old, even if they are eligible and have made enough PRSI payments to qualify for the State pension a year later; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19518/24]