Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Appeals

Colm Burke

274. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be received, as this has been pending for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3437/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Paul McAuliffe

275. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection what social protection entitlement a person (details supplied) is entitled to while an appeal of their disability allowance is ongoing. [3445/24]

Departmental Data

Sorca Clarke

276. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of individuals and couples in Westmeath and Longford who are in State-supported homeless accommodation via their local authority but also on reduced rate of jobseeker's. [3457/24]

State Pensions

Paul Kehoe

277. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm if a person (details supplied) has enough paid contributions to make an application for a contributory pension from before she left Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3513/24]

Departmental Data

Richard O'Donoghue

278. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of adults in receipt of disability payments from her Department as of 31 December 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3540/24]

Social Welfare Code

Éamon Ó Cuív

279. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection whether people who were employed for many years and were farming in a very small way at the same time and then went on illness benefit for a year and a half, are entitled to job seeker's benefit on recovery from the illness affecting them, subject to the normal conditions; and if not the reason they are not entitled to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3546/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

280. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance now under review and appeal will be expedited and approved in the name of a person (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3547/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Seán Canney

281. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if the credit scheme for electricity users will also cover consumers who have a credit built up on their account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3563/24]

Social Welfare Code

Patrick Costello

282. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will liaise with the relevant authorities to introduce a school pupils free travel scheme bus pass, similar to the free travel scheme for adults, recognising that children in rural areas can avail of free travel, but not those in urban areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3608/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Violet-Anne Wynne

283. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will comment on a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3624/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when a one parent family allowance and any other outstanding payments will be made available to a person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3657/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance might be approved and paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3658/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3665/24]

Social Welfare Code

Bernard Durkan

287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if entitlement to ENP might be examined and approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3670/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the household benefits package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3672/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

142. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection for details of the average social welfare appeals processing times in weeks for summary decisions and oral hearings, by scheme. [3101/24]

School Meals Programme

Brendan Griffin

143. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the school meals programme will be extended to a school (details supplied) as a matter of urgency. [3105/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Paul Kehoe

144. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection when the arrears of the living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3150/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

145. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance payment will issue to a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3151/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

John Lahart

146. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the threshold for fuel allowance for a single person is the same for a couple; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3169/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which any outstanding payments/balances are due in respect of carer's benefit/allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); if their case can be reviewed as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3185/24]

Departmental Staff

Ged Nash

148. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in her Department who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in her Department work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if they will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3245/24]

Departmental Staff

Ged Nash

149. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in agencies and bodies directly under her aegis who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in relevant agencies and bodies work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if she will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3263/24]

Pensions Reform

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

150. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the proposed auto enrolment scheme. [3306/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

151. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the actual number and the percentage of working family payment claimants, respectively who are also claiming the one parent family payment. [3307/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

152. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of claimants over each of the past five years of claimants who lose the working family payment due to the claimant moving from the one parent family payment to the jobseeker’s transitional payment when their youngest child reaches seven years of age. [3308/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

153. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection for a breakdown of the average wait time for a decision on an appeal, for each social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3309/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Paul McAuliffe

154. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the qualified adult case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3321/24]

Irish Sign Language

Neasa Hourigan

155. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of social media videos posted on her Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, inclusive. [3371/24]

Departmental Schemes

Neasa Hourigan

156. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Review of the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3376/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Paul Murphy

371. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection to request her Department to offer a solution to the issue outlined (details supplied), ensuring that this person is given access to their weekly allowance entitlement. [2439/24]

Equality Issues

Louise O'Reilly

372. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the unemployment levels amongst social groups, that is, men, women, young people, people with disabilities, and migrants; what specific plans her Department has to support these groups and increase employment across all; the success of these plans to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2842/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Canney

373. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection what percentage of people on partial capacity benefit are in receipt of the benefit at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2351/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

374. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent of required social welfare contributions to qualify for ophthalmic benefit in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2352/24]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

375. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE network cyber security- ICT specialist at the grade of executive officer working in her Department as of 15 January 2024; if she will provide same figures as of 31 December 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2368/24]

Social Insurance

John Paul Phelan

376. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated revenue which will be generated in 2024 and 2025 by the increases in PRSI which were announced as part of Budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2377/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Robert Troy

377. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a domiciliary care allowance appeal for a person (details supplied). [2379/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Eoin Ó Broin

378. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the process through which a person (details supplied) can defer their pension and extend their employment. [2388/24]

Civil Marriages

Michael Creed

379. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection how a person can become registered as a marriage solemniser; if such positions are open to non-Departmental staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2411/24]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

380. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the history of contributions made by a person (details supplied) is sufficient to qualify the person for invalidity pension. [2425/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Fitzmaurice

381. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a working family payment application submitted by a person (details supplied) in September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2430/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Fitzmaurice

382. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a jobseeker's application submitted by a person (details supplied) in September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2431/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Michael Creed

383. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) had their rent allowance withdrawn and if she can make arrangements for the reinstatement of same. [2448/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Howlin

384. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is considering the excluding of maintenance payments made by social welfare recipients in the calculation of weekly means in determining eligibility for the free fuel allowance; if she considers it fair and reasonable to include such regular outgoing payments as means; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2453/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

385. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a domiciliary care allowance review in respect of a person (details supplied) a in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2522/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

386. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of appeal for carers allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2534/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Niamh Smyth

387. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the working family payment application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2565/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

388. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for full payment of disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2567/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Niamh Smyth

389. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the working family payment application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2579/24]

Departmental Data

John McGuinness

390. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a history of contributions will be provided for a person (details supplied). [2583/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

391. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2586/24]

Departmental Policies

Éamon Ó Cuív

392. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection what arrangements, if any, she has made with private bus operators such as CityLink to ensure that there are no charges, such as booking on-line charges to be paid by passengers with free travel passes form her Department and to ensure that a free travel pass means “free travel”; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2630/24]

Official Travel

Catherine Murphy

393. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a schedule of official flights and costs of same taken by her in 2023; if a schedule will be provided of all hotels she stayed in in 2023, including hotel name and cost per night while on official State business; and if the same information will be provided in respect of all accompanying staff and advisors. [2651/24]

School Meals Programme

Steven Matthews

394. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the rollout of hot school meals to all DEIS schools; the percentage of DEIS schools that have applied and have programmes up and running; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2655/24]

School Meals Programme

Steven Matthews

395. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the rollout of hot school meals to non-DEIS schools; if it is on schedule to commence in April 2024; how schools can apply to be included in the rollout once it is operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2656/24]

Departmental Staff

Niamh Smyth

396. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review correspondence (details supplied); if she will provide an update on this case and ensure parking is provided for staff in her local Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2666/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Bruton

397. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has undertaken any assessment of the number of families who may be eligible for the working family payment, but who fail to apply and if she has considered making arrangements with the Revenue Commissioners to transform this payment into a form of credit which could be more easily claimed or automatically accrued by an eligible family. [2692/24]

Departmental Data

Richard Bruton

398. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the number of people who qualify for the carer’s support grant and how many of these receive it automatically because they are already in receipt of a carer’s payment or domiciliary care allowance; how many qualify through a specific application for the grant and whether she has made any estimate of the numbers of eligible families who may overlook applying for this entitlement. [2693/24]

Departmental Data

Richard Bruton

399. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the number of persons in receipt of the household benefits package who receive this along with their social welfare entitlement and the number who apply separately for them without having an entitlement to a weekly social welfare payment; if she has any estimate of the numbers over 70 years of age on non-social welfare payments who may be entitled to the payment, but do not apply. [2694/24]

Departmental Data

Denise Mitchell

400. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection for further information regarding the case of a person (details supplied [2720/24]

Departmental Data

Paul Kehoe

401. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the disability allowance means review for a person (details supplied), and when she could expect the payment to increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2811/24]

Equality Issues

Louise O'Reilly

402. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the underemployment levels amongst social groups, that is, men, women, young people, people with disabilities, and migrants; what specific plans her Department has to support these groups and increase employment across all; the success of these plans to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2841/24]

Departmental Data

Violet-Anne Wynne

403. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a child was refused to domiciliary care allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2859/24]

Departmental Data

Alan Kelly

404. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of disability allowance and State pension (contributory) as of December 2023; and the total spend on each payment in December 2023. [2951/24]

Waste Management

Frankie Feighan

405. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered providing a reduction or payment assistance in relation to domestic waste charges for disabled people particularly to persons who have excess charges because they suffer from incontinence or other similar issues that incur extra waste disposal charges. [2954/24]

Departmental Data

Brendan Griffin

406. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on the review of an invalidity pension application in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2967/24]

Departmental Data

Kathleen Funchion

407. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting 14 weeks for a decision on their invalidity pension claim. [3062/24]

Departmental Data

Catherine Murphy

408. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify whether the transfer of data and/or records from her Department that is transferred to other departments, State bodies and local authorities is in aggregated form or on an individual basis; and the reason the data and/or records are provided. [3089/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

223. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2147/24]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Emer Higgins

224. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of women who have been affected by the change from the old 'W' PPS to a new PPS format; and the steps her Department has taken to ensure these women, particularly older adults, are notified and assisted during this transition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2156/24]

Pension Provisions

Willie O'Dea

225. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2170/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

226. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on an appeal for carers allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2175/24]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate the correct level of payment payable to persons (details supplied) in their particular circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2180/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

228. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount of financial aid paid out by the Department to date under the scheme to assist those affected by flooding in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2222/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Robert Troy

229. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will allow an appeal for domiciliary care allowance (details supplied). [2256/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

230. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for an exceptional needs payment to assist with hospital treatment travelling costs by a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2284/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate the extent to which an appropriate payment is in place and arrears paid up to date in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2303/24]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate the current position in regard to the appropriate pension entitlements in respect of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2304/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

233. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate if she might review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2310/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate if domiciliary care allowance may be deemed appropriate in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2314/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate the status of an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2315/24]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate in the case of persons (details supplied) the current position in respect of the family's most recent application for a State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2317/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate in the case of a person (details supplied), the reason for the refusal of the application for continuation of disability allowance; if the case can be urgently reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2318/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Peadar Tóibín

852. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection how many applications for aid have been received by the State for aid in east Cork since the flooding on 18 October 2023; and how much money has been paid out to date in aid to the residents of east Cork since the flooding. [2004/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Willie O'Dea

853. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a claim was cancelled after ten years, when the child (details supplied) in question still has the same diagnoses as they did ten years ago; if she will reinstate this claim immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56284/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Michael Ring

854. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be reached on an application for the one-parent family payment for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, in view of the inordinate amount of time it is taking to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56287/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

855. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has sufficient contributions to qualify for a non-means tested illness benefit.
[56311/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Jackie Cahill

856. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are available for a self-employed person who has to stop working for a period of time due to a diagnosed illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56326/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Ring

857. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56345/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Niamh Smyth

858. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56413/23]

School Meals Programme

Michael Lowry

859. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify the position regarding the hot school meals programme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56431/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Seán Canney

860. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal by a person (details supplied) will be supported. [56435/23]

Departmental Data

Michael McNamara

861. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a breakdown of the monies provided to people in receipt of temporary protection, in total and per month, since February 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56477/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Louise O'Reilly

862. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available to a person (details supplied) in a situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56480/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Niamh Smyth

863. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the review of an application (details supplied); what documents are being requested and are outstanding for this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56502/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Niamh Smyth

864. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied). [56598/23]

Departmental Data

Pauline Tully

865. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 544 of 14 July 2022, the number of persons currently in receipt of a disability-related social protection payment, by the type of payment, in tabular form. [56599/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Niamh Smyth

866. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of plans to extend child benefit for those continuing in secondary education but who have turned 18 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56614/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Colm Burke

867. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the household benefits scheme and additional needs payment scheme to heart failure patients, in light of the significant financial pressure faced by sufferers and the anxiety caused by a condition that results in the death of over one in three sufferers within five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56634/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Colm Burke

868. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to consider expanding the child benefit scheme to children over the age of 18 years in education experiencing economic disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56643/23]