Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael McNamara

393. 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. [58762/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael McNamara

394. 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) [58764/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Sherlock

395. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for additional needs payments and exceptional needs payments by county in 2021 in total; and the number of applications awarded in tabular form. [58766/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Sherlock

396. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for additional needs payments and exceptional needs payments by county to date in 2022; and the number of applications awarded in tabular form. [58767/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Sherlock

397. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown the waiting times in weeks for all additional needs payment and exceptional needs payment applications for the year 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form, broken down per numbers of week per application. [58768/22]

Social Welfare Schemes

Claire Kerrane

398. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to extending the free travel scheme to persons with epilepsy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58773/22]

Budget 2023

Charles Flanagan

399. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the various supports for persons with disabilities in Budget 2023; the way that this aligns with ongoing work on the Cost of Disability report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58863/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

400. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the fuel allowance was discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied); and if the income threshold for couples will be increased. [58864/22]

State Pensions

Róisín Shortall

401. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that foster parents and carers are not entitled to the State pension if she is giving consideration to addressing this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58871/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

402. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the maximum pension benefits including the increase for a qualified adult are now being paid in full to persons (details supplied). [58875/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

403. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the living alone allowance is being paid to a person (details supplied). [58876/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Niamh Smyth

404. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of working family payment applications that are in queue to be processed by her Department; if efforts are being made to clear the backlog for families that have applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58881/22]

Community Welfare Services

Niamh Smyth

405. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are being made available to community welfare officers in counties Cavan and Monaghan, given the increase in the additional needs' payment applications; the current turnaround times for applications to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58882/22]

State Pensions

Carol Nolan

406. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount of overpayments of contributory and non-contributory old age pension paid to persons following their death in each of the years from 2010 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the total amount that has been written off in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58901/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Ring

407. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); when the claim was received by her Department and when a decision issue on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58913/22]

Social Welfare Offices

Joan Collins

408. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection further to parliamentary question Nos. 614 of 5 July, 617 of 12 July, 1212 and 1259 of 26 July 2022, if she will provide an update on the status of the Navan Road social welfare office. [58925/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Matt Shanahan

409. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that persons on disability benefit were excluded from receiving the once-off payment of €500 cost-of-living measure announced in budget 2023; if she will consider including them in this payment; the other benefits that recipients were excluded from; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58946/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Peadar Tóibín

410. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated total amount in euro that was allegedly taken in fraudulent or suspected fraudulent pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, claims and payments. [58955/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Peadar Tóibín

411. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has conducted any investigations into alleged fraud in relation to the PUP; and if so, if she will share the details of such fraud. [58956/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Peadar Tóibín

412. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount of fraudulent PUP made to persons which have been recouped by the State; her views on a report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58957/22]

State Pensions

Paul Kehoe

413. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the State pension (non-contributory) for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59023/22]

State Pensions

Paul Kehoe

414. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the State pension (non-contributory) for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59025/22]

Public Services Card

Richard Bruton

415. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has feedback on the number of applications online to complete application for the public services card that result in failure; the number of follow-up calls which are not reached within a reasonable period; and if steps can be taken to make this process simpler for people. [59028/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael McNamara

416. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Clare in receipt of the fuel allowance at the end of 2020, at the end of 2021 and the figure as of November 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59031/22]

Dental Services

Brendan Griffin

417. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is eligible for dental services under the treatment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59059/22]

State Pensions

Pádraig O'Sullivan

418. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) has had their State pension (non-contributory) reduced; if this will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59062/22]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Thomas Gould

419. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who received a grant to purchase a hearing aid under her Department’s medical appliances scheme in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [59075/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael McNamara

420. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59080/22]

Irish Language

Mairéad Farrell

421. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is the option to engage with the Department through Irish under current legislation; and if so, if she will direct this Deputy to the relevant legal section. [59104/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

422. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59107/22]

Community Employment Schemes

David Stanton

423. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection when ex gratia payments to community employment supervisors are expected to be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59118/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Thomas Pringle

424. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection when a review of a decision for the carer’s support grant of a person (details supplied) will be decided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59161/22]

Community Employment Schemes

Robert Troy

425. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a former community employment, CE, supervisor (details supplied) who had to retire early on health grounds and whose sole income now is a disability payment is being advised that they will have to wait indefinitely for their entitled ex gratia payment as a retired CE supervisor and if this payment will be prioritised. [59191/22]

Social Welfare Code

Emer Higgins

426. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of domiciliary care allowance applications that are approved on first application, appeal and any subsequent appeal; and the number of these that relate to children with autism. [59194/22]

Social Welfare Code

Colm Burke

427. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if the long-term illness benefit is considered a qualifying payment for the fuel allowance and household benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59199/22]

Community Employment Schemes

Paul Kehoe

428. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that recipients of disability allowance, blind pension or invalidity pension who are on community employment schemes or undertaking further education and training have been excluded from the additional payment of €500; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59226/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

429. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for fuel allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59227/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

430. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the living alone allowance will be backdated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59234/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

431. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been made to date on the determination of an application for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59277/22]

Departmental Staff

Pauline Tully

432. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of access officers responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to people with disabilities accessing her Department's services who are employed in her Department as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005; the way that her Department makes its customers aware of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59299/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

433. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether departmental guidelines were not intended to have the adverse consequences that have occurred in the case of a person (details supplied); if she will intervene in this case to ensure that they are not pursued by the debt management section of her Department. [59303/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Maurice Quinlivan

434. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59315/22]

Social Welfare Schemes

Paul Donnelly

435. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if the proposal by an organisation (details supplied) for a free travel scheme for persons with epilepsy; and if further consideration has been given to the roll-out of the scheme. [59323/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

Éamon Ó Cuív

436. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal by a person (details supplied) that was lodged in respect of a domiciliary care allowance will be accepted given the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59324/22]

Community Employment Schemes

Peter Burke

437. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection when a community employment supervisor (details supplied) will receive their gratuity payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59331/22]

Community Employment Schemes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

438. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection her engagement with stakeholders regarding the provision of an occupational pension for community employment supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56442/22]

Community Employment Schemes

Emer Higgins

439. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures that are being taken to ensure that the CE scheme is working optimally. [53842/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Seán Sherlock

440. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of exceptional needs payments under the supplementary welfare allowance paid in October 2021 and October 2022; the total and individual value of each payment; and the total expenditure by category and month for October 2021 and October 2022, in tabular form. [59340/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

441. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which documentation, including medical evidence, has been furnished to her Department in connection with the disability allowance and or possible invalidity pension application in the name of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59349/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Seán Canney

442. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who has been living alone in Ireland for 19 years and who is in receipt of €215 per week in workman’s compensation from the United States of America can receive the living alone allowance and fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59350/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Anne Rabbitte

443. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on a disability allowance to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59372/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Anne Rabbitte

444. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on a fuel allowance application to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59373/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Anne Rabbitte

445. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on a carer's allowance application to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59374/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Anne Rabbitte

446. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on a carer's allowance application to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59375/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Anne Rabbitte

447. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on a review of a carer's allowance application to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59376/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Anne Rabbitte

448. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on a review of carer's allowance to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59377/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

449. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance application will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59411/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

450. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59440/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

451. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for fuel allowance by persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59451/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Anne Rabbitte

452. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a response in respect of a carer's allowance application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59454/22]

Departmental Correspondence

Thomas Pringle

453. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection when a substantive reply will issue to correspondence of 28 October 2022 with her office (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59457/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Marc MacSharry

454. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the anomaly whereby participants on social schemes who are eligible for the Christmas bonus but happen to be in receipt of illness benefit when the bonus is being paid out do not qualify for the bonus even though they have not ceased participation on the social schemes and, had they not fallen ill, would have received an extra week payment on the social schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59462/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Pádraig O'Sullivan

455. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance section 317 review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59467/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Pádraig O'Sullivan

456. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59468/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

457. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the appeal submitted by this Deputy on behalf of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved given the exceptional circumstances of the case. [59471/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Matt Carthy

458. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person applying for fuel allowance has to meet all four conditions in relation to who they reside with, or if satisfying any one out of the four conditions is sufficient in order to qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59478/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Matt Carthy

459. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) has been refused fuel allowance given that they only live with their spouse who is a person in receipt of carer's allowance as per the qualifying criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59479/22]

Community Employment Schemes

Robert Troy

460. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will request her officials to process the ex gratia payment for a retired CE supervisor (details supplied) who had to take early retirement on health grounds. [59481/22]

Social Welfare Code

Claire Kerrane

461. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to making the recent lump sum disability support payment an annual payment; considering commitments to addressing the additional cost of disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59509/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Marian Harkin

462. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the most recent figure for the number of carers in receipt of the carer's allowance excluding those on a half-rate carer's allowance; the number of carers who receive a reduced rate of carer's allowance due to means, categorised by recipients aged under 66 years caring for one person aged under 66 years caring for two or more persons, aged over 66 years caring for one person and aged over 66 years caring for two or more people; the breakdown of these rates by the number of person's receiving a reduced rate carer's allowance payment under €100, between €100 and €150, €151 and €200, €201 and €251, €252 and €302, €303 and €353, €354 and €392, in tabular form. [59510/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Marian Harkin

463. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the most recent figure on the number of carers receiving a half-rate carer's allowance; the number of carers who receive a reduced rate of the half-rate carer's allowance due to means, categorised by recipients aged under 66 years caring for one person, aged under 66 years caring for two or more people, aged over 66 years caring for one person and aged over 66 years caring for two or more people; the breakdown of these rates by the number of person's receiving a carer's allowance payment under €100, between €100 and €120, €121 and €141, €142 and €162, €163 and €183, €184 and €196, in tabular form. [59511/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

464. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which oral hearings in respect of appeals against disallowance for various payments are up-to-date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59538/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

465. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons currently in receipt of unemployment assistance on a short or long-term basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59539/22]

Departmental Policies

Bernard Durkan

466. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she and her Department continue to meet the requirements of persons with insufficient income to meet their ongoing requirements including cost-of-living requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59540/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

467. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which social welfare appeals by applicants can be expedited in order to ensure that hardship does not occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59541/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

468. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the return of funeral and bereavement grant might be envisaged other than by way of the exceptional needs' payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59542/22]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

469. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which self-employed or other contributions in respect of State pension applications to her Department have been refused on the grounds of an insufficiency of contributions in each of the past five years to date; if any consideration has been given to the awarding of pensions in such cases on a pro-rata basis, in line with their actual level of contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59543/22]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

470. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of pension applications for the contributory-related State pension received in each of the past three years to date; the number granted, refused and or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59544/22]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

471. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of situations in respect of which applications for the State Pension (Contributory) were refused during the past five years to date due to insufficiency of contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59545/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the waiting time for decision in respect of applications for various social welfare payments has been shortened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59546/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

473. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which waiting times for payments in respect of means-tested applications compare with contribution related payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59547/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

474. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a carer's support grant and a respite grant has not been paid in the case of a person (details supplied) who had previously received same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59550/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

475. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if eligibility for a carer's allowance will be re-examined in the case of a person (details supplied) who had previously received same in view of Budget 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59549/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Griffin

476. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the social welfare appeals office will confirm receipt of a domiciliary care allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59562/22]

Departmental Contracts

Jackie Cahill

477. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the names of all companies supplying private security and cleaning services in her Department, including the cost of private cleaning in her Department, the cost of private security in her Department; the number of private cleaners supplied to her Department to provide these duties as part of these contracts, and the number of private security personnel supplied to her Department on foot of these contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59739/22]

Ministerial Staff

Catherine Murphy

478. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a schedule of the employment status in the civil service of each civilian driver who has been replaced by an official Garda driver in her Ministerial driver corps; if VER payments have issued; and if any cases have been presented to the WRC to date on foot of the changes. [59774/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

243. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the date on which Covid-19 will be recognised as an occupational illness in Ireland. [58602/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

Niamh Smyth

244. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a review of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58481/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Imelda Munster

245. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to granting the cost-of-living disability support payment to those in receipt of partial capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58491/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Peter Fitzpatrick

246. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Government has any plans to remove the means test for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58497/22]

State Pensions

Brendan Griffin

247. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a State pension (non-contributory) will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58499/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which persons (details supplied) are likely to benefit from Budget 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58507/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

James Lawless

249. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine an issue regarding a gratuity allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58509/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Brendan Griffin

250. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her advice regarding a disability allowance payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58515/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Claire Kerrane

251. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications that have been received under the additional needs' payment to date in 2022; the number of applications approved and the number refused; and the current processing times in weeks in tabular form. [58532/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

252. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a fuel allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58533/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Paul Kehoe

253. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of the disability pension was not entitled to the bonus payment to help with the cost of living for those on long-term disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58535/22]

Programme for Government

Róisín Shortall

254. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeline for the establishment of the commission to examine care and supports for older people committed to in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58544/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

255. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a domiciliary care allowance will be approved and backdated for a person (details supplied). [58573/22]

Departmental Staff

Catherine Murphy

256. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community officers in her Department by county. [58600/22]