Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Social Welfare Payments

Neale Richmond

402. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of domiciliary care allowance by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44642/21]

Rental Sector

Eoin Ó Broin

403. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of active rent supplement payments that are currently in place. [44644/21]

Birth Certificates

Jim O'Callaghan

404. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the relevant section of the Civil Registration Act 2014 will commence whereby it becomes obligatory for a father’s name to be on a birth certificate when the birth is being registered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44689/21]

Rental Sector

Bernard Durkan

405. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when assistance applied for via an application for rent supplement will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44700/21]

Pension Provisions

Niamh Smyth

406. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) cannot have an invalidity pension awarded to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44731/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

407. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if payments in respect of an overpayment can be reduced in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44735/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Chris Andrews

408. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter regarding community employment schemes (details supplied). [44847/21]

Departmental Properties

Holly Cairns

409. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the locations of all offices and buildings either owned or used by her Department or by public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit which are usually open to the public to access services. [44920/21]

School Meals Programme

Gino Kenny

410. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of providing free school meals for all primary school pupils. [44940/21]

School Meals Programme

Gino Kenny

411. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of providing free school meals for all post-primary school pupils. [44941/21]

Gender Recognition

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

412. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection when the draft legislation in relation to gender recognition for transgender persons aged 16 and 17 years will be brought before Dáil Éireann recognising the delay due to the dissolution of the last Dáil; the progress made to date in relation to the other matters set out in the Programme for Government relating to this issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44980/21]

Departmental Communications

Carol Nolan

413. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has deleted text messages or email correspondence related to Government or official communications at any point since January 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45044/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Catherine Murphy

414. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the community employment scheme that had been extended from 2020 to 31 October 2021 will be extended further due to the continued public health restrictions that were imposed on many aspects of the operations of her Department. [45102/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Cathal Crowe

415. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) and persons like them can be considered for a form of social welfare income given the unusual circumstances surrounding their case. [45196/21]

Departmental Reports

Ivana Bacik

416. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of research into the cost of disability here which was commissioned by her Department (details supplied); and when it is expected to be published. [45207/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

417. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason Irish-born children of mothers who are seeking international protection are prohibited from access to any social protection benefits in Ireland. [45250/21]

Social Welfare Code

Catherine Murphy

418. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the process in respect of part-time workers who during the academic year require the support of jobseeker’s benefit on weeks in which the school or college is closed (details supplied) will be examined; if consideration will be given to a specific school staff streamlined way to support part-time workers who work around the school academic calendar and have no income when the school or college is not open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45253/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Peadar Tóibín

242. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of domiciliary care allowance applications that have been made for phenylketonuria; and the number of applications that have been rejected in each of the past five years. [44284/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Bríd Smith

243. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the decision to reduce or phase out the pandemic unemployment payment over the coming months with recipients moving to a more traditional social welfare payment, is causing significant anxiety particularly among low income families who are fearful of a marked decrease in income coming up to Christmas; if she will give compassionate consideration in view of the very difficult past 18 months to delaying the reductions in the pandemic unemployment payment and transition to other payments until after the holiday period in order that families can enjoy Christmas without additional financial stress during this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44292/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

244. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a child benefit or family benefit application dating back to 2014 which is now under appeal with a request for an oral hearing will be expedited and approved for a person (details supplied). [44316/21]

State Pensions

Kieran O'Donnell

245. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full review will be undertaken of the social insurance record of a person (details supplied) with a view to awarding a higher rate of pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44331/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Éamon Ó Cuív

246. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if with the partial but incomplete opening of the performing arts sector and the uncertainty in relation to the sector she intends temporarily increasing the earnings cap for persons in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment from the performing arts industry until the sector is totally reopened, particularly in view of the importance of the industry for mental health reasons and the number of planned but constrained autumn festivals that are also planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44334/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Denis Naughten

247. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons with enhanced illness benefit for Covid-19 that were transferred over to disability allowance after the ten week payment period had expired; the number of these claims that were in payment for more than two weeks; the number of such claims that were rejected or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44365/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Holly Cairns

248. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that all staff in her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit who, by necessity of their work have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or members of the public are provided with medical grade masks in the EN14683 category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44381/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Willie O'Dea

458. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding efforts to resolve the issue of providing a pension scheme for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44164/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Kathleen Funchion

459. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing more flexibility for participants over 55 years of age that are currently engaged in a community employment scheme given that at present they are unable to have their contracts renewed. [43207/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Seán Haughey

460. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the eligibility criteria for jobseeker’s allowance in order that adult children living with their parents can be assessed as individuals regardless of household income in order for them be eligible for the workplace experience programme and similar schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43216/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

461. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has utilised the services of organisations (details supplied) at any time from 1 January 2015 to date; if so, the expenditure costs related to same; the purpose of any such engagements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43246/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

462. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment will be reinstated in the case of a person (details supplied) who received no payment this week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43253/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael McNamara

463. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer’s allowance review application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43270/21]

Social Welfare Code

Róisín Shortall

464. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position for mature students returning to full-time education who wish to also keep claiming for social welfare credits towards their pension as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43278/21]

Civil Marriages

Éamon Ó Cuív

465. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason State registry offices are only allowing ten guests at civil ceremonies in view of the current health guidelines allowing 100 guests at weddings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43285/21]

Government Communications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

466. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of meetings she has had with businesses, workers, and representatives of the events industry since July 2020; and the dates of each meeting. [43288/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Brendan Griffin

467. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a free travel companion pass by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43302/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

468. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43320/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Louise O'Reilly

469. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount allocated towards the work placement experience programme. [43328/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

470. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a domiciliary care allowance backdating appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43343/21]

Budget 2022

Brendan Griffin

471. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter in relation to the upcoming Budget 2022 and pensioners who have not received an increase in their payments in the past few budgets or during the pandemic for fuel (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43365/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Joe Carey

472. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the interdepartmental review of community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43412/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Alan Farrell

473. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons still receiving the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43427/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Róisín Shortall

474. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Social Welfare Appeals Office will recommence in-person oral hearings with appropriate Covid-19 safety measures in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43535/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

475. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for jobseeker’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); the reason a HRC1 form is again being requested when they have been issued this payment previously and has been continually living in Ireland for the past nine years; when payment is likely to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43561/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

476. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a transfer from disability allowance to invalidity pension can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); if the recovery level on the overpayment can be reduced given that it is causing hardship and the applicant is in poor health and on regular dialysis; if the matter will be addressed as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43625/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Michael Ring

477. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which an overpayment assessment was reached in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the weekly breakdown of her Department’s reviews and assessments and any other documents that may be relevant to an appeal of this decision by her Department. [43647/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Ivana Bacik

478. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address the disparities (details supplied) inherent in payments between the blind pension and disability allowance, which may leave blind persons significantly worse off than those with other disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43685/21]

Social Welfare Code

Ivana Bacik

479. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be examined. [43695/21]

Legislative Process

Ivana Bacik

480. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Bills prepared by her Department since 27 June 2020; the number and title of those Bills that included a regulatory impact assessment; the title of the regulatory impact assessments that have been published by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43714/21]

Social Welfare Code

Jackie Cahill

481. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to establish a welfare payment for those who have been forced to work reduced hours due to medical reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43852/21]

Social Insurance

Darren O'Rourke

482. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated additional revenue that would be generated if the higher rate of the employer social insurance contributions rose by 2%, from 11.05% to 13.05%, on earnings in excess of €140,000 per year. [43880/21]

Employment Support Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

483. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will respond to the appeals of staff in local employment services to immediately halt the tendering out process currently under way and to establish a stakeholder forum which allows for meaningful engagement with all stakeholders in the sector with Government to establish the best way forward for the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43925/21]

Public Services Card

Bernard Durkan

484. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a public services card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43961/21]

State Pensions

Paul McAuliffe

485. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the non-contributory pension application by a person (details supplied); and if a supplementary welfare allowance can be awarded in the interim. [43971/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Denis Naughten

486. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend existing community employment schemes that were previously extended to October 2021 in view of the effect Covid-19 has had on participants and the training provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43977/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Catherine Murphy

487. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount paid in late interest payments and penalty payments by her Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 in respect of late payments being made to suppliers, service providers and contractors in tabular form; and the measures she has put in place and or is implementing to reduce late payment interest and penalty payments. [44011/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

488. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility for the back to education allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44026/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

489. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for an exceptional needs payment can be received in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44035/21]

State Pensions

Seán Sherlock

490. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if a backdated allocation can be awarded to a person (details supplied). [44051/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Denis Naughten

491. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims submitted and the number of persons who have received enhanced illness benefit for Covid-19; the number of claims that were in payment for two, four, six, eight and ten weeks, respectively; the number of claims that transferred over to illness benefit after the ten-week payment period had expired; the number of these claims that were in payment for more than two weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44081/21]

State Pensions

Michael Healy-Rae

492. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was means tested twice within a year; if the person is receiving the correct pension amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44084/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Gary Gannon

493. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of one parent family payments that were referred to social welfare inspectors for further investigation or which required further information in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form; and the number of payments that were disallowed as a result in 2018, 2019 and 2020. [44197/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Gary Gannon

494. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of working family payments that were referred to social welfare inspectors for further investigation or which required further information in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form; and the number of payments that were disallowed as a result in 2018, 2019 and 2020. [44198/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Gary Gannon

495. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of social protection reviews and applications by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44199/21]

Departmental Data

Holly Cairns

496. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the number of nationals (details supplied) who are recorded as departing Ireland between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021, inclusive in tabular form. [44212/21]

Employment Support Services

Niamh Smyth

650. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding schemes under the remit of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41425/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Seán Canney

651. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has had their disability allowance reduced when they got married and is now relying on their spouse to support them financially; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41466/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Anne Rabbitte

652. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a conclusive response to their application for a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41467/21]

Employment Support Services

Martin Browne

653. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis for Turas Nua keeping files open on persons after they begin full-time employment even in cases in which persons have taken-up employment in circumstances (details supplied); her views on whether a person who had minimum to no engagement with Turas Nua should be on file for a year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41516/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Réada Cronin

654. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the case of a couple (details supplied) who have been without their pension due to an administrative error; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41517/21]

Departmental Schemes

Paul Murphy

655. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the vetting procedure that is carried out on positions submitted by an employer to the work placement experience programme before it is advertised publicly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41532/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Dessie Ellis

656. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria for qualifying for the short-term enterprise allowance; if previous experience in Ireland or abroad disqualifies persons from qualifying for the allowance; if an applicant can appeal a decision should their application for the allowance be rejected; if so, the grounds on which an appeal can be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41534/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

657. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41550/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

658. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in her Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of her Department; the disability quota of her Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41601/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

659. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a weekly payment will be backdated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41609/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Rose Conway-Walsh

660. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the unfair situation in which parents of children with disabilities and in receipt of a disability payment are excluded from the back to school clothing and footwear allowance and either allow parents to continue to collect the allowance or allow children in receipt of a disability payment apply for it independently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41654/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

661. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the living alone allowance given that the person has a UK pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41658/21]

Freedom of Information

Catherine Murphy

662. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of occasions since 2014 her Department has refused to process a request under freedom of information using section 15(1)(g) of the Act; and the number of persons this has applied to since January 2014. [41662/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Michael Healy-Rae

663. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions taken with regard to commitments made to community employment supervisors (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41671/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

664. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41721/21]

Departmental Funding

David Cullinane

665. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost to increase funding to the National Advocacy Service for persons with disabilities by 10%. [41772/21]

Departmental Data

Bríd Smith

666. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of passenger journeys for which her Department compensated the licensed transport operator under the free travel scheme in respect of each year from 2015 to 2020 and during the period January 2021 to June 2021 in respect of licensed routes numbers 481 and 482 and licence numbers 01019 and 99070. [41813/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Michael Healy-Rae

667. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing persons with certain disabilities (details supplied) to continue to receive the fuel allowance during the summer months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41845/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

668. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41890/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

669. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in 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. [41891/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

670. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for a disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); when the appeal is likely to be brought to a conclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41892/21]

Public Services Card

Mark Ward

671. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to put applications for the public services card online; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41894/21]

Public Services Card

Mark Ward

672. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if having a public services card is mandatory or compulsory for applying to get social protection payments, State pension payments or a driver licence; the difference between mandatory and compulsory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41895/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Brendan Griffin

673. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if previous recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment who have returned to work can requalify for the pandemic unemployment payment after 8 July 2021 if their employment ends; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41930/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Griffin

674. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a review of a decision on a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41934/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Niamh Smyth

675. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons living alone over the age of 80 years receive an increased living alone allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41941/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Griffin

676. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41944/21]

Flexible Work Practices

Carol Nolan

677. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she is taking to promote or facilitate remote working for staff in her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department; the costs this has generated in terms of the provision of laptops, desktop computers or contributions to wi-fi costs or phone-related expenses; the number of staff who have applied for permission to work from home on a permanent or hybrid-model basis (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41960/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Sean Fleming

678. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding finalising negotiations in respect of community employment supervisor pensions and gratuity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42002/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Sean Fleming

679. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the position in circumstances in which a person who has been on disability allowance for a number of years, is a single parent and after a long number of years the former spouse is now agreeing to pay maintenance for their child; the implications of this in terms of means testing the disability allowance; if the matter is treated separately if the payment is for the benefit of the child as opposed to the benefit of the mother; if a payment for the benefit of the child can be separated from the child’s mother’s disability allowance for the means test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42005/21]

Rural Schemes

Dara Calleary

680. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the implications of the six-year rule which was introduced in 2017 that will see participants forced off the rural social scheme in 2023; if she will reconsider this rule and allow these participants continue on the scheme; if not, the alternatives her Department is proposing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42021/21]

Departmental Data

Joe Flaherty

681. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the Widow and Widowers’ pension. [42039/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Healy-Rae

682. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42048/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Healy-Rae

683. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42049/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Sean Fleming

684. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the operation of the recovery and benefit assistance scheme in cases in which payments by an insurance company to a person take into account payments that her Department would have made to the person arising from the original injury or claim; if such recovery arrangements are in place in respect of a category of payment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42077/21]

Public Services Card

James Lawless

685. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the difficulties a person (details supplied) is having with obtaining a public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42127/21]

Employment Support Services

Neale Richmond

686. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to concerns raised by the Local Employment Services Network regarding the new Pathway to Work Strategy; if she will meet the group to discuss its concerns; if her attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to the payment by results model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42135/21]