Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Payments

Peter Fitzpatrick

374. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the recent cost-of-living bonus paid to those in receipt of certain social welfare payments; the amount the Government saved by not allowing those on adult dependant payments to receive this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23943/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

375. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing each weekly social welfare scheme by €1 per week, in tabular form. [23951/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

376. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the qualified child payment by €1 for children under the age of 12 years, and €1 for children over the age of 12 respectively. [23952/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

377. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of including carer's allowance as a qualifying payment for fuel allowance. [23953/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

378. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending the current rate of fuel allowance by €1 per week. [23954/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

379. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending the fuel allowance for one additional week. [23955/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

380. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of including working family payment as a qualifying payment for fuel allowance. [23956/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

381. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the carer’s support grant to €2,000. [23957/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

382. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of bringing the current young jobseeker’s rate of €129.70 per week up to the full rate of €220. [23958/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

383. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the current young jobseeker’s rate of €129.70 per week by an additional €5 per week. [23959/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

384. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the jobseeker’s transitional payment scheme age cut-off to 18 years of age. [23960/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

385. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the one-parent family payment scheme age cut-off to 14 years of age. [23961/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

386. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of recipients of the benefit for over-65s; the full year cost of this scheme in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23962/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

387. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the weekly payment rate for carer’s allowance and carer’s benefit to €325 per week, by payment in tabular form. [23963/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

388. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending child benefit to 18-year-olds still in secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23964/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

389. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of providing an additional €10 per week payment to all recipients of disability-related social welfare payments in total, and by payment type, in tabular form. [23965/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

390. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate on what basis a deciding officer has ruled that a person (details supplied) does not qualify for disability allowance despite his continuous medical condition over the past ten years and likelihood for this to continue; if the matter can be referred for full appeal and an oral hearing as per this parliamentary question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24004/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

391. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection If bereavement/funeral payment/death benefit grant is available to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24005/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

392. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis for the intended cessation of OPFA in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24009/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

393. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current position in respect a carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24010/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

394. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the maximum possible rate for carer’s allowance was not approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24011/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

395. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason non-contributory pension is not payable or will it be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24012/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Ring

154. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance claim in view of the circumstances in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23361/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Mick Barry

155. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing those who are paying Class S PRSI to make additional voluntary contributions to allow them access to illness benefit, given the increased awareness and necessity for persons to isolate when ill from many illnesses, and the increasing number of persons in this group who are on low or middle incomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23381/23]

Departmental Contracts

Catherine Murphy

156. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to her Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23414/23]

Citizens Information Services

Jim O'Callaghan

157. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Citizens Information Board will publish its Citizens Information Service Advocacy Annual Report for 2022; when the CIB will publish its new strategic plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23472/23]

Departmental Funding

Catherine Murphy

158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by her Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23589/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aindrias Moynihan

436. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend child benefit to children who are 18 years or over and attending full-time post-primary education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22405/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Mairéad Farrell

437. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for disability allowance in each year since 2018; the number of these which were considered long-term/whole-of-life disabilities; the number considered rehabilitation appropriate applications; the number of successful applications under both categories, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22409/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Mairéad Farrell

438. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are operational guidelines for medical assessors and social welfare inspections to allow for assessment of applications for disability allowance with a view to rehabilitation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22410/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Colm Burke

439. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration would be given to review the reasons that a person (details supplied) was unsuccessful in their carer's allowance appeal despite having acted upon the reasons for their initial refusal and providing sufficient documentary evidence as confirmation of their new circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22434/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

440. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22447/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Carol Nolan

441. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a public services card or other photographic identification is required to be presented in order to collect a social welfare payment from a post office; if so, the reason for this requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22450/23]

State Pensions

Carol Nolan

442. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons currently claiming the State pension (contributory) and (non-contributory), respectively; the total estimated number of these people who have been issued with a public services card at any time since the introduction of the card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22451/23]

State Pensions

Carol Nolan

443. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons currently in receipt of any disability payment at present; the estimated number of them who have been issued with a public services card at any time since the introduction of the card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22452/23]

State Pensions

Carol Nolan

444. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons currently in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit or jobseeker’s allowance; the number of these recipients who have been issued with a public services card at any time since the introduction of the card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22453/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Willie O'Dea

445. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to increase the levels of disability payments and allowances to reflect the very different costs of disability by severity and type of disability as outlined in 'The Cost of Disability in Ireland' report which was published by her Department last year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22455/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Kathleen Funchion

446. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider writing off, on compassionate grounds, the debt of a person (details supplied). [22513/23]

Pension Provisions

Seán Canney

447. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if the practice of reducing the State pension (non-contributory) due to the decision of the householder to rent their home whilst in long-term residential care will be discontinued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22543/23]

Cost of Living Issues

Aindrias Moynihan

448. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for non-payment of the €200 cost-of-living lump sum payment commencing 24 April 2023 to an individual (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22559/23]

Pension Provisions

Michael Healy-Rae

449. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22578/23]

Tax Code

Seán Canney

450. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the sale of residence disregard is not applicable to a person who is not a burden on the State at the date of disposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22579/23]

Tax Code

Seán Canney

451. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the investment of a person (details supplied) for the benefit of their children is being taken as being savings in the person’s name; how this is deemed fair and reasonable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22580/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

452. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of a disability allowance application in the case of a person (details supplied) who applied for same in April; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22601/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

453. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of a supplementary welfare allowance application in the case of a person (details supplied) who applied for same and a disability allowance in April; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22603/23]

Social Insurance

Cormac Devlin

454. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm the number of public servants who were transferred from a class A to Class D stamp (public servants recruited before 6 April 1995); the entitlements these individuals have; if there are any plans to expand eligibility for the State pension for persons who paid class D PRSI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22606/23]

Social Insurance

Cormac Devlin

455. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm the number of public servants who were transferred from class A to class D stamp pre-1995; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22607/23]

Budget Process

Cormac Devlin

456. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider bringing forward supports, including tax relief, for the non-custodial parents/guardians of children, as part of Budget 2024, as a way of supporting their care of children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22614/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Peter Burke

457. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise on a payment for a person (details supplied). [22679/23]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Lowry

458. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a school (details supplied); if she is aware that this school now has a funding shortfall because the breakfast club is funding capped at 150 pupils; the additional funding that will be provided to this school to supplement this financial shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22708/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Pearse Doherty

459. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person applies for the additional needs payment to purchase a household appliance such as a cooker, fridge or washing machine, if the store refuses to supply an invoice if the community welfare officer will accept an online quote from a store; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22766/23]

Irish Sign Language

Neasa Hourigan

460. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the progress made to date in respect of implementing the recommendations specific to her Department outlined in the Report on the Operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 to improve the functioning of the ISL Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22773/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

461. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection what assessable property was used by a deciding officer in County Donegal to carry out a means assessment for a jobseeker's allowance claim by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22833/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Smith

462. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will review the PRSI contributions system in order that adult dependents who have worked in the home may be entitled to full future social welfare benefits such as the recent €200 cost-of-living support payment; if she will provide a full explanation for the rationale for why adult dependents and others with insufficient PRSI contributions who have worked in the home were not entitled to the recent €200 cost-of-living support payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22970/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Cian O'Callaghan

463. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a jobseekers application for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22976/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Brendan Griffin

464. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a payment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22999/23]

Social Media

Holly Cairns

465. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of social media posts made on each of her Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, inclusive; the percentage of same that feature bilingual translations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23037/23]

Equality Issues

Holly Cairns

466. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection how her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under hers remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [23055/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Robert Troy

467. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection when an applicant (details supplied) can expect a decision on their invalidity pension appeal. [23059/23]

Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

468. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to increase the rate of pay for those working on jobs initiative schemes in light of significant increases in the cost of living, given that most of these workers are doing substantial work in their communities and are struggling to make ends meet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23082/23]

Departmental Schemes

Paul Donnelly

469. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications made for invalidity pension in 2022 and to date in 2023; and the number of applications made that were refused, in tabular form. [23099/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Róisín Shortall

470. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability payment for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23166/23]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

471. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the programmes, further supports and initiatives for enterprise and business community that are funded under her Department; the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for enterprise under her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23178/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Gary Gannon

472. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of international protection applicants not offered accommodation by IPAS who have been issued any payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, exclusive of the daily expenses allowance or equivalent payment, to date in 2023, broken down by month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23285/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Gary Gannon

473. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of international protection applicants not offered accommodation by IPAS who have been granted the daily expenses allowance or equivalent payment, to date in 2023, broken down by month of application for the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23286/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Paul McAuliffe

219. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of reviews of carer's allowance that took place in 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22186/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Niall Collins

220. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans, if any, to address the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22232/23]

Cost of Living Issues

Jackie Cahill

221. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the most recent €200 cost-of-living payment was not also paid to dependents on other’s social protection payments, when other payments such as this previously had been (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22249/23]

Pensions Reform

Joan Collins

222. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has considered any other proposal for an auto-enrolment pension system where one system could be up to 70% better value than that currently being designed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22112/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the adult dependent allowance is outstanding is the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22345/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which household benefits are outstanding in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22346/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the fuel allowance is outstanding is the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22347/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current entitlement in respect of appropriate social welfare support in the case of a person (details supplied) who was previously in receipt of benefit which was transferred to an allowance, and who was previously employed under RCT but has not worked for some time; if payment will be restored as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22348/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) might be approved for payment of guardian’s payment (non-contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22352/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if extra payment support or bonus is likely to be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of those recently paid to social welfare recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22353/23]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when favourable consideration might be given to an application for a State pension (non-contributory) in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22359/23]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a person (details supplied) might qualify for the State pension (contributory); if their case might be considered as a matter of urgency given their work record; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22360/23]

Cost of Living Issues

Robert Troy

125. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the reason that a cost-of-living payment was not awarded to a person (details supplied). [21877/23]

Cost of Living Issues

Mick Barry

126. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection the action she will take to ensure that the €200 cost-of-living payment that was due in April will be extended to State pension-qualified adults; if it is not to be extended, whether the disproportional impact on women has been factored in by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21883/23]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Michael Creed

127. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to rent assistance. [21890/23]

Cost of Living Issues

Michael Creed

128. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons in receipt of the adult dependent allowance are entitled to payment under the recent cost-of-living social welfare initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21891/23]

Care Services

Pauline Tully

129. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 868 of 18 April 2023, if she will provide the specific developmental milestones which a deciding officer uses to compare and contrast an applicant for domiciliary care allowance against a child of the same age without their disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21937/23]

Pension Provisions

Fergus O'Dowd

130. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any mechanism that allows a person in receipt of a civil service or local authority pension and also in receipt of a widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension who wishes to remarry to maintain their survivor's pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21939/23]

Disability Services

Michael McNamara

131. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection the current situation regarding a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21980/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael McNamara

132. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21990/23]

Cost of Living Issues

Robert Troy

133. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the cost-of-living payment can be awarded to a person (details supplied). [22000/23]

Cost of Living Issues

Eoin Ó Broin

134. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the recently issued €200 cost-of-living payments were not made to qualified adult dependents whose spouse was in receipt of a State pension; and if she will review the matter in the interests of fairness. [22015/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Healy-Rae

135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22047/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael McNamara

136. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an invalidity pension appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22051/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Pearse Doherty

382. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if a disability allowance payment will be reinstated for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21060/23]

Domestic Violence

Richard Boyd Barrett

383. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if hardship funds are available for victims of domestic violence who are left in financial trouble after leaving their abusive partner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21076/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

384. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection how An Post will rectify deductions made in errors to the extra cost-of-living Department of Social Protection payment of €200 for some recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21083/23]

Information and Communications Technology

Ciarán Cannon

385. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if officials from her Department are using an application (details supplied) to conduct business; if her Department has had official meetings regarding the use of the application by officials; if her Department has assessed the risk of using the application by Department officials and the input of Government-related data into the application; if her Department is using or is considering using other forms of artificial intelligence; if her Department is considering banning the use of the application by Department officials; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21097/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Fergus O'Dowd

386. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons qualified adults on partner’s State pensions did not receive the €200 lump-sum cost-of-living payment in April; if she will consider including this cohort in future rounds of payments given that many of those impacted have little or no access to any other income in their own right; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21117/23]

Social Welfare Rates

Patrick Costello

387. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will amend the operational guidelines of jobseeker's allowance relating to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, to remove the payment differential for those aged between 18 and 24 years and those above the age of 24 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21121/23]

Community Employment Schemes

Cian O'Callaghan

388. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to a community employment scheme sponsored by an organisation (details supplied) that is currently being delayed in its finalisation; if her Department will engage with the relevant parties in order for the scheme to be finalised and audited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21124/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

389. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to the fuel allowance, given they were informed by her Department on 12 November 2022 that their application would be reviewed on 1 January 2023. [21159/23]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

390. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a disability payment will be approved for a person (details supplied). [21160/23]

Legislative Reviews

Carol Nolan

391. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will list all reviews of Acts carried out by her Department in line with the provisions of the Act in question from 2000 to date; if a summary will be provided of any substantive amendments of the Act in question that occurred on foot of each review and the amending legislation, if any, in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21191/23]

Gender Recognition

Carol Nolan

392. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of male applicants for a gender recognition certificate to change their gender to female who had previously been convicted of sexual offences or had previously been on the sex offenders register; the number of such applications accepted or rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21210/23]