Parliamentary questions

Child Benefit Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

166. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans on extending child benefit to be paid to 18 year olds who are still in full time education. [37208/15]

Personal Public Service Numbers Data

Robert Dowds

167. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will clearly outline the process for getting a personal public service number on her Department's website. [37330/15]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Michael Creed

168. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the entitlement to continue to receive a carer's allowance for a period of time after the care recipient enters a nursing home or dies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37351/15]

Farm Assist Scheme

Michael Creed

169. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department will facilitate the transfer of a farm assist payment for a farming couple; the issues involved in transferring the payment from one partner to another; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37353/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Catherine Murphy

172. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate, in respect of State boards under her Department's remit, the name of each appointee made from 7 March 2011 to date in 2015; the date of appointment; whether or not each appointee came through an advertised public application process; the number of vacancies which currently exist on State boards under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37368/15]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Tom Fleming

173. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine and expedite an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, as all relevant documentation has been submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37372/15]

Illness Benefit Eligibility

John McGuinness

175. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason payment on submission of medical certificates is not being made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if the claim will be reviewed as the person is being admitted to hospital this week and is in financial hardship, with arrears in a mortgage and the care of three children. [37458/15]

Illness Benefit Payments

John McGuinness

176. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in paying illness benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will expedite the matter. [37461/15]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

John Perry

178. Deputy John Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will intervene in the decision to remove the disability allowance of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37468/15]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Tom Fleming

179. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, as all relevant documentation has been submitted. [37417/15]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Michael Healy-Rae

180. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal in respect of an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37421/15]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

181. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37423/15]

Water Conservation Grant

Éamon Ó Cuív

182. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify a matter in relation to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; if her Department has received a valid application for a water conservation grant from the person; when payment will be made, or if she will confirm that all details are in order, as the person seems to be spending hours processing these matters on the telephone and online; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37500/15]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

183. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 who has been out of work since mid-August 2015 and who has been refused a jobseeker's payment because of his previous salary; if the matter will be re-examined as the person is currently living on savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37502/15]

Social Welfare Benefits

Joan Collins

184. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the Christmas bonus still applies to the same social welfare payments as in 2014; and if she will provide a list of the payments it applies to. [37518/15]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Michael Fitzmaurice

185. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing persons who have completed a six year term on a community employment scheme and who are approaching retirement age to be granted an extension to their participation in the scheme, in order that they can continue to work, if that is their choice, rather than receive a jobseeker's allowance in the intervening period, before they come to retirement age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37539/15]

State Pension (Non-Contributory) Eligibility

James Bannon

186. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for the reduction in a State pension to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37545/15]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

James Bannon

187. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine and expedite a decision on an appeal for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37547/15]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Noel Coonan

188. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a disability allowance will be finalised for a person in (details supplied) County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37557/15]

Jobseeker's Benefit Payments

Willie O'Dea

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

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Richard Boyd Barrett

190. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a disability allowance or other relevant payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37582/15]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Richard Boyd Barrett

191. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why her Department refused to grant a supplementary welfare allowancea to a person (details supplied) for the purpose of clothing and has requested the person to obtain medical letters in respect of the claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37583/15]

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

192. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for details of any groups which no longer qualify for the fuel allowance and the Christmas bonus announced in budget 2016. [37585/15]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Peter Mathews

193. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will commit to providing a service that will facilitate a social welfare payment to be made into the personal bank account of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who is in receipt of jobseeker's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37596/15]

Back to Education Allowance

Ruth Coppinger

194. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will revise the rules related to progression in the back to education allowance, to allow those persons undertaking teaching qualifications to become further education teachers, and receive the allowance, even where their teaching course is at a level below their highest qualification. [37615/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Noel Coonan

195. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37634/15]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Noel Coonan

196. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a domiciliary care allowance will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37635/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Noel Coonan

197. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37636/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Noel Coonan

198. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37637/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Peadar Tóibín

199. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she has considered postponing three-monthly and six-monthly community welfare reviews of rent supplement entitlements for tenants, which are providing landlords with the opportunity to increase the cost of the rent mid-lease; if she is aware that many persons are becoming homeless, having run into arrears, while their payments are suspended during these reviews. [37639/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Bernard Durkan

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review an application for rent allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, given the person's rent has now increased to €1,300 per month, and the person will be made homeless in the absence of assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37642/15]

Pension Provisions

Róisín Shortall

201. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department has sought legal advice in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who is 67 years of age, living alone and in receipt of a private pension only, as distinct from a single person in near-identical circumstances who is in receipt of a qualifying payment and a private pension; the reason why the scheme is set up so that in these circumstances, the person of higher means is deemed eligible, and the person with lower means is not; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37646/15]

Community Employment Schemes Operation

Paul Murphy

202. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if it is permitted to insist that community employment scheme workers work on Sundays against their will; and if not, the recourse these workers have to challenge such instructions received from their employer. [37650/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Paul Murphy

203. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the measures that will be taken to ensure that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 receives a higher level of rent supplement to prevent the family from becoming homeless. [37651/15]

Family Income Supplement Payments

Robert Troy

204. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if it is fair that persons who have been forced to switch from a lone parent payment to a family income supplement due to age restriction, will not receive a Christmas bonus this year, as the family income supplement is not included in such payments. [37714/15]

Family Income Supplement

Bernard Durkan

205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason the family income supplement to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been decreased by €300; if her Department is aware of the hardship currently being experienced due to the maintenance recovery policy currently being pursued in this case; if her Department will review this person's entitlement, with a view to restoring the original level of payment, with particular reference to the fact that the person will soon be made homeless, due to less income and increasing rent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37741/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Pat Breen

206. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a payment to a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37761/15]

Disability Allowance Applications

Robert Troy

207. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review an application for a disability pension by a person (details supplied) in County Longford, whose application was refused on the basis of means. [37769/15]

Private Security Authority Remit

Niall Collins

208. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a Private Security Authority licence in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37791/15]

Pension Provisions

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

209. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the changes made to the contributory State pension in the past five years; and the changes intended to take effect in the next five years. [37795/15]

One-Parent Family Payment Expenditure

Willie O'Dea

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

Income Data

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

211. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding cohabitating couples and income thresholds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37805/15]

Disability Allowance Payments

Pat Breen

212. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance payment to a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37821/15]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Payments

Pat Breen

213. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment of a domiciliary care allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be reinstated ; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37822/15]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Pat Breen

214. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of review of a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37823/15]

Disability Allowance

Bernard Durkan

215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Question No. 22 of 13 October 2015, if she will review whether the full amount of disability allowance is payable to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, given that the recipient is not self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37832/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Bernard Durkan

216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 13 October 2015, if all assistance possible has been provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose rent has recently increased to €850 per month, who has two dependent children, who has ongoing health issues, and who is at risk of homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37837/15]

Social Welfare Code

Maureen O'Sullivan

217. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views, that it is problematic for recipients of social welfare payments to provide proof to her Department of their actively seeking employment, when the vast majority of companies do not send acknowledgments of employment applications; that there should be a statutory requirement on companies to at least send an acknowledgement to persons applying for a position, regardless of their success in applying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37851/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Appeals

Mary Lou McDonald

218. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will request the appeals office to expedite an appeal by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3, given that the person's rent allowance has been suspended, and as a result the person may become homeless. [37867/15]

Community Employment Schemes Data

Willie O'Dea

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

Invalidity Pension Applications

Tom Fleming

220. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, as all relevant documentation has been submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37882/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Richard Boyd Barrett

221. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) who is working full-time, but who is at risk of becoming homeless due to not being able to afford a rent increase; if she will consider awarding a rent allowance which would ensure that the family could remain in their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37890/15]

Guardian's Payment Appeals

Martin Heydon

222. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an appeal in respect of a guardian's payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37897/15]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Pat Deering

223. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on an appeal in respect of a disability allowance. [37905/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Paul Murphy

224. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to alter legislation, as necessary, to permit persons (details supplied), who have surrendered their homes to the banks and are now compelled to live in private rented accommodation, to receive rent supplement. [37910/15]

Jobseeker's Allowance

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

225. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is not receiving the full jobseeker's allowance payment rate. [37919/15]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Michelle Mulherin

226. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo against the refusal of an application for an invalidity pension; if it will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37925/15]

Tax Code

Seán Fleming

227. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a couple who are not married but living together and where one person of the couple is working, and when it comes to claiming social welfare they are looked on as a cohabiting couple and treated as one unit for Department of Social Protection purposes, but they cannot claim tax credits in respect of the other person who is not working at the same time; her views that this different treatment by two Departments is fair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37935/15]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Michael Creed

228. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if persons (details supplied) in County Cork will be approved for a disability allowance and a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37967/15]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Colm Keaveney

229. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider a change to local community employment schemes to permit persons to continue participating in the schemes beyond 60 years of age, until they reach retirement age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37976/15]

Disability Allowance Applications

Michael Ring

230. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision regarding an application for a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37978/15]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Dara Calleary

231. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a social welfare appeal by a person (details supplied). [37980/15]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

John Browne

232. Deputy John Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position of persons who are receiving the back to education allowance, and how this affects their contribution record and future payment of jobseeker's benefit; if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 will be entitled to jobseeker's benefit, if required, after the course is completed, if the person's credits are used while on the allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38037/15]

Water Conservation Grant

Éamon Ó Cuív

233. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will accept a late application for a water conservation grant from a person (details supplied) in County Galway, given that her Department told this person that he could not apply for this grant due to not having a bank account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38041/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Joan Collins

234. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding rent supplement. [38047/15]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

235. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for an update on an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38050/15]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Tom Fleming

237. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the latest European Union labour force survey, which shows Ireland's youth unemployment level at 20%, which is twice what it was in 2008, and that at 15%, Ireland's share of youth who were not in employment, education or in training last year, was one of the highest in the European Union; the action she will take to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38059/15]

Social Welfare Rates

Colm Keaveney

238. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2016 of increasing the disability allowance; the blind pension; the invalidity pension; and the carer's allowance, by €5, €10 and €15 per week. [38061/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

John McGuinness

239. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a carer's allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [38063/15]

Illness Benefit Applications

John McGuinness

240. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason illness benefit and exceptional needs payments were not approved for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if these will now be approved. [38065/15]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Ciaran Lynch

241. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the supports available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is in receipt of an invalidity pension and who wishes to pursue a third level education course in a private college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38070/15]

One-Parent Family Payment Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the current position regarding an application for lone parents' allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38087/15]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

244. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for an update on the status of an appeal for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and when the person will receive a decision. [38092/15]

Disability Allowance

Jack Wall

245. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when the suspension of a person's (details supplied) disability allowance will be rescinded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38098/15]

Parliamentary Questions

Charlie McConalogue

246. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a recent parliamentary question submitted by this Deputy was not answered (details supplied), given that the content of a similar parliamentary question was answered in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38103/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Tom Fleming

247. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine and expedite an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied), as all relevant information has been submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38118/15]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Jack Wall

248. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the assistance available to the child of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare for eye care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38119/15]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

John O'Mahony

249. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person in County Mayo has not been able to receive an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38127/15]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Pat Breen

250. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38134/15]

Back to Education Allowance Appeals

Jack Wall

251. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider an application for a back to education allowance from a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38136/15]

State Pensions Reform

Brendan Griffin

252. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for details of reform measures in respect of the State pension introduced since 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38149/15]

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Thomas P. Broughan

253. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to ensure that women who spent a lengthy period of time on home duties, and subsequently worked for up to 25 years and paid social insurance, will be afforded an opportunity to obtain a State pension (contributory), which will fully recognise their work in the home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38164/15]

Departmental Offices

Brendan Griffin

254. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to a previous response, the level of liaison that has taken place regarding a case in Kerry (details supplied); if her Department has directly inspected the customer experience at this location; if it can express satisfaction with the facilities offered; if it will endeavour to improve the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38183/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Pat Breen

255. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38184/15]

Disability Allowance Applications

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

256. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a decision was made not to grant a disability allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if she is aware that this person has been deemed unfit to work by a doctor, due to a range of medial conditions; if the appeal recently made by this person will be successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38186/15]

Labour Activation Measures

Jerry Buttimer

257. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will take steps to ensure that all job activation measures are available to all unemployed persons, regardless of their live register status or their entitlement to receive payments from her Department or to sign for social insurance contribution credits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38199/15]

Labour Activation Measures

Jerry Buttimer

258. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she views restrictions on access to job activation measures and exclusion from the live register as potential human rights infringements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38200/15]

Exceptional Needs Payments

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

259. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the budget that has been allocated for exceptional needs payments in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38209/15]

Disability Allowance Applications

John O'Mahony

260. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an application for a disability allowance; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38255/15]

Dietary Allowance Applications

Pearse Doherty

261. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will have an adult diet supplement allowance reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38279/15]

Illness Benefit Applications

Michelle Mulherin

262. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for sick pay by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if it will be expedited due to financial hardship owing to ill-health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38282/15]

Respite Care Grant Applications

Dan Neville

263. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for an update on an application for a respite care grant for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [38285/15]

Social Welfare Code

Billy Kelleher

264. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider revisiting the rule whereby persons who are in receipt of the widow's pension, and who work and pay PRSI, could also be in receipt of illness benefit, even at a half-rate, similar to persons who can claim a half-rate carer's allowance while in receipt of another social protection payment. [38286/15]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

James Bannon

265. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38293/15]

Carer's Allowance Payments

James Bannon

266. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason payment of a carer's allowance is proposed to be suspended with effect from 5 November 2015, without an explanation to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38294/15]

Disability Allowance Applications

Jack Wall

267. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the up-to-date status of a social welfare appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38297/15]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Robert Dowds

268. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why the system of acquiring personal public service numbers for non-Irish citizens was changed recently, whereby such persons now have to pre-arrange an interview online; and the reason this change was not indicated beforehand on her Department's website. [38300/15]

Carer's Allowance Data

Willie O'Dea

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

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

James Bannon

270. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) in County Longford has been informed by a sector employer adviser that the person is unable to take up a position with a community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38316/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

James Bannon

271. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection If she will expedite an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38318/15]