Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Eligibility

Seán Sherlock

219. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 416 of 5 May 2021, if matters raised by the person (details supplied) will be examined. [28828/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Seán Sherlock

220. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will have regard to correspondence and advise urgently (details supplied). [28830/21]

Social Insurance

Michael Creed

221. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent of protections available to the self-employed arising from their PRSI contributions in the event of illness and injury at work and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28834/21]

Widow's Pension

Brendan Griffin

222. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a Widow's, (Contributory) Pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28895/21]

Departmental Staff

Willie O'Dea

223. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29016/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Martin Browne

171. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a case in which an employee who is in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and has not been told when they will be returning to work back by their employer despite the business having reopened; her views on whether it is appropriate for an employee who has been left in limbo by their employer is now facing a cut to their pandemic unemployment payment despite being ready and willing to return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28397/21]

Driver Licences

Willie O'Dea

172. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider persons with epilepsy who lose their driver licence due to a diagnosis of epilepsy or breakthrough seizures should be automatically given access to a free travel pass; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28406/21]

State Pensions

Brendan Griffin

173. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a State pension (contributory) backdating appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28482/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Róisín Shortall

174. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare application by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28489/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Louise O'Reilly

175. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the case of person (details supplied); when they will receive a transition payment including arrears owed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28496/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

176. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will exclude arts grants and funding for artists from means testing for the blind pension and disability allowance to bring certainty to artists with disabilities and enable them to avail of funding without fearing loss of basic supports; and her views on whether the current means testing system causes unnecessary anxiety, stress and discouragement for artists with disabilities from reaching their full potential. [28518/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

177. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will end the practice of including the income of partners or spouses in the means testing of recipients or applicants for the blind pension and disability allowance and to address the impact of the current practice on diminishing the independence of persons with disabilities. [28519/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

178. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for the blind pension that were rejected in 2020 as a result of Arts Council grants or funding putting the applicant above the means test eligibility threshold. [28520/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

179. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for the disability allowance that were rejected in 2020 as a result of Arts Council grants or funding putting the applicant above the means test eligibility threshold. [28521/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

180. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for the blind pension that were rejected in 2020 as a result of the income of a partner or spouse putting the applicant above the means test eligibility threshold. [28522/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

181. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for the disability allowance that were rejected in 2020 as a result of the income of a partner or spouse putting the applicant above the means test eligibility threshold. [28523/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

182. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual administrative cost incurred to conduct means testing of blind pension and disability allowance applicants each year from 2010 to 2021. [28524/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

183. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual spending on both the blind pension and the disability allowance each year from 2010 to 2021, in tabular form. [28525/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

184. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the blind pension in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and the number of applications rejected due to means testing for the same time period in tabular form. [28526/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

185. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the disability allowance in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and the number of applications rejected due to means testing for the same time period in tabular form. [28527/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Pearse Doherty

186. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a lone parent application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28604/21]

Cybersecurity Policy

Bernard Durkan

187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to upgrade the IT system in her Department and bodies under her aegis with a view to maximising the protection against hackers. [28693/21]

Cybersecurity Policy

Bernard Durkan

188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if additional security measures will be taken to impede and prevent the intrusion of hackers in her Department’s IT system and to ensure an early warning system is in place which will trigger an ultimate defence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28711/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Gary Gannon

189. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Social Welfare Appeals Office expects to recommence oral hearings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28782/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

370. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if respite grants for the past two years are due to a person (details supplied). [27481/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

371. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider providing free travel cards for persons with epilepsy during the period in which they are disallowed from driving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27505/21]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Bernard Durkan

372. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when PPS numbers will issue to persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27506/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Holly Cairns

373. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on raising maternity benefit to €350 weekly over the lifetime of the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27514/21]

School Meals Programme

Holly Cairns

374. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the free hot school meals programme to all DEIS schools and all other schools that request to participate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27515/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Mary Butler

375. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the official State recognition of partners that have been long-term cohabiters but are not yet married; the position regarding financial assistance and tax credits available to a person in such a situation upon the death of partner prior to marriage; her plans to examine the issue further; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27529/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Jim O'Callaghan

376. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of visually impaired persons in receipt of the blind pension; and if consideration will be given to removing or amending the means test associated with the pension. [27569/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Jim O'Callaghan

377. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the way a visually impaired person can exist and contribute in the State as an artist; and the way a visually impaired person can develop, grow and live as a professional artist here. [27570/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Jim O'Callaghan

378. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of audits of visually impaired persons in receipt of the blind persons pension that were carried out in 2018 and 2019; and the reason these audits were necessary in circumstances in which all recipients of the pension have very limited financial means. [27571/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Patricia Ryan

379. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reintroduce arrangements in which persons on an invalidity pension could get permission to work part-time, known as an exemption, for rehabilitative or therapeutic purposes and keep their full social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27625/21]

Immigration Support Services

Neasa Hourigan

380. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to help vulnerable migrant job seekers, including asylum seekers, to access the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27665/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Mairéad Farrell

381. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the situation in which those that live in close proximity to wind farms and receive compensatory payments from the private operators then have these payments deducted from their pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27675/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Brendan Griffin

382. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if community employment schemes will be extended further beyond July 2021; if contract extensions will be provided to persons aged over 55 that are due to finish community employment placements in July 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27683/21]

Departmental Reports

Alan Dillon

383. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has received a report (details supplied) if so, the timeline for the publication of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27796/21]

Food Poverty

Louise O'Reilly

384. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the initiatives being undertaken in her Department in relation to addressing food poverty; the research or scoping exercises being undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27799/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Pat Buckley

385. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that children whose carers that have been allocated a free travel pass have not themselves being allocated a free travel pass; and the estimated cost for implementing such a process. [27827/21]

Employment Support Services

Jackie Cahill

386. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection when the work placement and experience programme announced as part of the July jobs stimulus is due to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27829/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

387. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools that provide school meals by county in tabular form. [27847/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

388. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of primary schools that provide school meals by county in tabular form. [27848/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

389. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of post-primary schools that provide school meals by county in tabular form. [27849/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

390. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of special schools that provide school meals by county in tabular form. [27850/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

391. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of alternative education settings including youthreach and related schemes that provide school meals by county in tabular form. [27851/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

392. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of schools that provide school meals. [27852/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

393. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of primary schools that provide school meals. [27853/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

394. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of post-primary schools that provide school meals. [27854/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

395. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of special schools that provide school meals. [27855/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

396. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of alternative education settings including youthreach and related schemes that provide school meals. [27856/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

397. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools that provide hot school meals by county in tabular form. [27860/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

398. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of primary schools that provide hot school meals by county in tabular form. [27861/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

399. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of post-primary schools that provide hot school meals by county in tabular form. [27862/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

400. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of special schools that provide hot school meals by county in tabular form. [27863/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

401. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of alternative education settings including youthreach and related schemes that provide hot school meals by county in tabular form. [27864/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

402. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of schools that provide hot school meals. [27865/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

403. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of primary schools that provide hot school meals. [27866/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

404. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of post-primary schools that provide hot school meals. [27867/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

405. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of special schools that provide hot school meals. [27868/21]

School Meals Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

406. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of alternative education settings including youthreach and related schemes that provide hot meals. [27869/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Thomas Gould

407. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons still awaiting pandemic unemployment payment arrears payments; the average time persons wait for a payment to be made; and the number of successful reviews upon request by month since April 2020, in tabular form. [27901/21]

Departmental Staff

Bríd Smith

408. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the position of employees in her Department who are seconded to other agencies during their work life; the way their salaries are treated for the purposes of pension contributions and entitlements; the reason a person (details supplied) who has been seconded from FÁS and then to her Department has had a high portion of their salary treated differently in relation to superannuation contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27904/21]

Departmental Staff

Bríd Smith

409. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if an employee (details supplied) in her Department who is on secondment to a separate agency for extensive periods of time still enjoys the benefits of being an employee of her Department; if they have the right to initiate the employee grievance procedures of her Department as do other employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27905/21]

Poverty Impact Assessment

Claire Kerrane

410. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the poverty impact assessment of reduced jobseeker rates for 18 to 24 year olds as committed to in the Social Welfare (No. 2) Act 2019; and when the assessment will be published. [27913/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Róisín Shortall

411. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an example of the way the disability allowance means test operates step by step in circumstances (details supplied); and the maximum figures for the spouse’s employment that are possible under the means test under such circumstances which would still entitle the disability allowance applicant to the maximum rate of disability allowance and at least €1 of disability allowance per week. [27930/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Robert Troy

412. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the avenues of assistance that are available to a self-employed person, paying S class contributions if they find themselves out of work for a period of time due to ill health or injury. [27937/21]

Community Welfare Services

Michael Ring

413. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is the community welfare officer who decides the location in which any item should be purchased following the assessment of quotations from applicants for funds; if the payment for any such items goes from the applicant or from the officer; if there is a recommendation and requirement that such items should be purchased locally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27962/21]

Departmental Reports

Thomas Pringle

414. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish a report by a company (details supplied) on the cost of disability before the end of May 2021; if not, the timeframe for publication given its importance to budget planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28013/21]

Departmental Reports

Neasa Hourigan

415. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection when research into the cost of disability in the State carried out by a company (details supplied) will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28014/21]

School Meals Programme

Paul Murphy

416. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a school (details supplied) is not included in the hot meals scheme unlike other schools in the area; if she will instruct her Department to include the school in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28017/21]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Creed

417. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if the negotiated proposals for gratuity payments for community employment supervisors and community employment assistant supervisors will also be available to supervisors on the rural social schemes who are also without pension provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28021/21]

Pension Provisions

Michael Creed

418. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is no longer eligible for an incapacity supplement as an increase to their disablement benefit pension; the reason this has resulted in such a significant reduction in their payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28023/21]

State Pensions

Brendan Griffin

419. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the rate of State pension (contributory) awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed following the award of home caring credits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28105/21]

Departmental Data

Seán Sherlock

420. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a policy of data back-up in the operations of her Department and all agencies under her remit. [28125/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Brendan Griffin

421. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will further extend community employment scheme placements that are due to end to allow participants to complete courses and training they missed due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28192/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Brendan Griffin

422. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if community employment scheme eligibility will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28193/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Éamon Ó Cuív

423. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the formal procedure in place for setting up a recovery plan over a period of time in respect of substantial Covid pandemic unemployment overpayments; the length of time customers have to repay the overpayment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28264/21]

Departmental Legal Services

Mairéad Farrell

424. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent by her Department on external professional legal services in 2014, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [28309/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

425. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance; and the number who are on a reduced rate. [28343/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

426. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing each weekly social welfare payment to meet the minimum essential standard of living as detailed by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will provide this information with regard to the current base rates and minimum essential standard of living rates by contributory and non-contributory social protection schemes, in tabular form. [28379/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Claire Kerrane

427. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the average revenue net weekly pay for current recipients of casual and short-time social welfare benefit schemes by scheme in tabular form. [28380/21]

Departmental Reports

Gary Gannon

428. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if a report (details supplied) has been completed and submitted to her Department; if the delay in receiving the report will cause a delay in the publication of the report; and the date the report will be made available. [28388/21]

Cybersecurity Policy

Peadar Tóibín

429. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the investment made by her Department and State agencies under its remit in each year in cyber security for the past ten years. [28850/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Paul Kehoe

280. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding community employment supervisor pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27129/21]

Public Services Card

Carol Nolan

281. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated number of persons resident in the State that have a valid public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27132/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Robert Troy

282. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the back to work enterprise allowance for new business that have effectively very little trading time over two years due to Covid-19 restrictions. [27144/21]

Legislative Measures

Gino Kenny

283. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the date section 68M(a) of the Social Welfare (Covid 19) (Amendment) Act 2020 came into effect. [27203/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

284. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and approved as a matter of urgency. [27263/21]

Cybersecurity Policy

Catherine Murphy

285. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a schedule will be provided of IT and email security costs incurred over the past five years to date; and the contractor engaged to deliver the services and or system. [27285/21]

Pension Provisions

Bríd Smith

286. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of times and the schemes involved in which the Pension Authority issued a section 50 order under the Pensions Acts to reduce benefits to ensure a scheme stays within the minimum funding standard for defined benefit schemes since 2010. [27288/21]

Public Transport

Paul Kehoe

287. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if an agreement is in place with Irish Rail to ensure that a free travel card will be accepted even if expired during Covid-19 restrictions on public services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27292/21]

Data Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

288. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department is fully compliant with GDPR EU requirements, the EU network and Information Security Directive and standards with respect to her Department’s IT infrastructure including Article 29 of GDPR which requires that data processors access only the data they need for their task; if ISO 27001 Annex 9 standards on privileged access are fully met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27346/21]

Data Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

289. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if any state or semi state bodies which report to her Department are fully compliant with GDPR EU requirements and the EU network and Information Security Directive and standards with respect to their IT infrastructure including article 29 of GDPR which requires that data processors access only the data they need for their task; if ISO 27001 annex 9 standards on privileged access are fully met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27365/21]

Domestic Violence

Brendan Smith

290. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if the existing domestic violence emergency rent supplement will be established on a permanent basis to ensure that such support is available post-Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27375/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an independent medical officer can assess the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27421/21]

School Meals Programme

Gary Gannon

292. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools with DEIS status that applied for the hot school-meal scheme but were not included through the process of random selection; and the estimated cost of including these schools within the scheme. [27444/21]

Departmental Staff

Matt Carthy

293. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of civil servant posts that were filled through open and internal panels, since April 2020, in her Department and the bodies under the aegis of her Department, by county and by month in tabular form. [27603/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Louise O'Reilly

148. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if the rules relating to requalify for jobseeker’s benefit and short-time payments will be suspended for workers, such as those at a company (details supplied), can have access to this support. [26733/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Claire Kerrane

149. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to extending short-time work support jobseeker’s benefit for those that are currently in receipt of this payment and are due to be taken off the scheme given the fact that many that are in receipt of this payment work in industries which cannot return to full-time work due to ongoing public health guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26741/21]