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1429. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine the case of a person (details supplied); and the current status of this specific carer’s allowance case. [19688/25]

1437. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the carer's allowance entitlement for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19884/25]

1439. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be reconsidered for qualification for half carer’s allowance. [19911/25]

1458. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on their carer’s allowance appeal, given that the application has been submitted for some time; that serious consideration would be given to granting this allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20487/25]

1467. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider granting a person (details supplied) additional PRSI credits for the purposes of the State pension (contributory) for the period where they were caring for their parent full-time and in receipt of carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20702/25]

1470. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when carer’s allowance will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20805/25]

1491. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a carer’s allowance review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21295/25]

1492. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when will a decision will be made regarding a carers allowance review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21299/25]

293. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the new income disregard for the carer’s allowance that will come into effect on July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18202/25]

164. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the length of time appeals for carer's allowance are taking; and if he plans to implement any measures to ensure they are assessed quicker. [17751/25]

165. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17752/25]

659. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16553/25]

674. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he plans to abolish the means test for carer’s allowance; if so, if it will be done in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17037/25]

676. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the half-rate of carer's allowance; the corresponding social welfare payment they are in receipt of further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17111/25]

677. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made regarding carer's allowance for a person (details supplied) which has been under appeal since December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17296/25]

683. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is proposed to increase the means threshold for carer's allowance; the amount it will increase by; and the date on which the changes will come into effect. [17408/25]

685. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a carer’s allowance review requested by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17427/25]

255. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients currently in receipt of both the one parent family payment and the half rate carer’s allowance; the number of these recipients who will lose their entitlement to these payments in 2025 due to their child turning 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16328/25]

263. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the average time to process an application for carer's allowance, disability allowance, one-parent family allowance and invalidity pension; the average waiting time for a person who wishes to appeal a refusal of each of the above; the steps he proposes to take to shorten these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the ma…

191. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a carer’s allowance application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15998/25]

520. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he intends to review the means testing criteria for carer’s allowance during the current Government's term; if so, if he will provide details of the plan for this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15679/25]

314. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied). [14797/25]

481. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider changing the situation where a person in receipt of the old age pension (contributory) and caring full-time for their spouse would get the full rate carer’s allowance instead of only half rate (currently the situation) due to the fact that they are receiving the contributory pension payment; the estimated cost of s…

484. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer’s allowance in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved; if the correspondence from his Department to this Deputy will be reviewed given the person has not received any notification from his Department in recent times; and if an oral hearing will be arranged immediately gi…

532. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s allowance application will be expedited in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14155/25]

I might lean into that, to start in a moment of harmony. I genuinely join all Members in this House and people right across the country in supporting the Irish national soccer team tonight as they take on Czechia. At a time of real challenge in our country and our world, of turmoil and uncertainty, the Irish team have really lifted our spirits. There is a real sense of belief, from the youngest to…

I am anxious to get to the root of the numbers of respite beds not only available but also those required to bring us to a position whereby all families can avail of this vital service monthly. Respite is an extremely vital service and a survival requirement for many families, carers and patients. When dealing with patients with special needs, many carers and loved ones have to be available 24 hou…

Any government’s first budget is so important. It is a map for how it is going to act over the next five years. It allows the Government to take the initial steps in areas it says it is going to prioritise. What today’s budget tells us is that this Government has no sense of direction. The untargeted VAT cut will benefit the biggest food businesses but is delayed for the small cafés that need it. …

This Bill brings some long overdue relief to families, carers and pensioners but not much. Independent Ireland welcomes any move that puts an extra few euro in the pockets of those who are struggling to make ends meet. The €10 increase in weekly welfare payments, the higher working family payment threshold and the €20 rise in the domiciliary care allowance are steps in the right direction. Measur…

This do-nothing Government has stood back and watched while fuel and energy prices have spiralled out of control. Families, workers, carers, pensioners and people with disabilities are being squeezed from every angle while this Government refuses to act. People cannot afford to wait until the next budget to find out whether they will once again be left worse off like workers were in this year's bu…

I move: That Dáil Éireann: acknowledges: — the vital role played by carers and front-line healthcare workers in supporting older people, people with disabilities, and those with high care needs within their homes and communities; — the indispensable contribution of these workers in alleviating pressure on hospitals and long-term residential care facilities through early intervention, continuit…

I move amendment No. 10: In page 13, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: “Report on relief on medical expenses 5.The Minister shall, within one month of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the inability of persons without the adequate tax liability to benefit from relief on medical expenses, making reference to the substantial burden facing ind…

Every time I come in here, I look across the benches and see where we cannot get delivery. I then look at communities where any time something is wanted or somebody is in trouble, people ask what they can do to help, even if they have not got it themselves. Yesterday, I was in Limerick. It is a tradition in Limerick that Fossett's Circus comes there. Fossett's Circus does a charity night, every ti…

I thank the Minister for being here this evening to hear our requests. We need to thank him for the money that has been allocated. People will say there is a budget every day but the budget is about being fair. I know that Government has tried to do its best and to be as fair as possible. There is a complaint out there in a lot of people's minds that the working-class people, workers with rising …

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for the suspension of the powers, responsibilities and entitlements of guardianship in certain circumstances and for that purpose to amend the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 and to provide for related matters. The Social Democrats wish to introduce this Bill for the simple reason that there exists what the Minister fo…

I have a really important question to ask the Taoiseach on behalf of all the parents, carers and children across Ireland, especially my two children at home in Meath, Liam and Hannah. We have had lots of special and important visitors to Ireland throughout 2025 but our most important one will arrive here on 24 December, Christmas Eve. I would like the Taoiseach's personal assurances that our airsp…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. I want to acknowledge the work undertaken by the Department and the Courts Service to brief members of the disability matters committee on this legislation. We were provided with two detailed briefings to help us understand both the operational process involved in discharging wards of court and the urgency of the legislative amendment before us, with…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very pleased to introduce the Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025 to the House. I look forward to hearing the contributions of Deputies today, and to working with all Members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann to progress this important legislation through both Houses. Home support is a vital service that is delivered to th…

I do not think we should confine this to artists; that is my entire point. I also push back on the suggestion of renaming of it. The concept of a "basic income" is something that has been championed for many decades now as a way to provide certainty and a safety net for many people who live with precarious labour. I mentioned farmers. There are seasonal farmers who have to spend months of the year…

I welcome the debate and support the motion. When we hear the Department of Finance talking about it costing a certain amount if we were to get rid of the means test, if these carers decided to look at putting their loved ones into a nursing home, it would cost the State €1,100 every week. Those are the facts of it. They are actually saving the State about €800 to €900 every week. I have been in t…

I welcome this legislation and acknowledge the hard work of officials in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. I know the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Foley, will recognise that work as well. Work on this Bill has been ongoing for some time. I was involved in some of the drafting work relating to the Bill when I was in the Department. I hope that it transits quickly th…

Since the airing of the "RTÉ Investigates" programme on national television, families feel terrified. They do not know what way to turn. My constituency office in Killarney, County Kerry, is inundated with queries about home care. Those queries are asking what is available to families to look after their loved ones at home. Many of these would be under extreme pressure to be able to cope at home …

I join with the Deputy in extending sympathies to the family, friends and community of Moya Brennan. She was a musical icon, a unique voice of extraordinary talent and somebody who played no small part in bringing Irish music to an international audience. May she rest in peace. I thank the Deputy for the question. This has been a very challenging period of time for the people of this country. The…

I commend my colleagues on their work on this motion. Most importantly, I pay tribute to the various disability advocacy groups for their invaluable assistance. I worked as a carer for people with disabilities for 18 years in south Kilkenny. The most consistent thing I encountered over those years was that people with a disability want to live as independently as possible. The harsh reality is th…

I join the Deputy in recognising the great work of Family Carers Ireland. Spending on respite services for people with disabilities is about €134 million annually. Since 2020 there has been a significant increase in this funding, of 58%. The Deputy is quite correct to put it in the context of the upcoming budget negotiations that we need to do more in this space also. The HSE is about to undertak…

Many people have been focused on Tusla recently because, unfortunately, we have had a slew of tragic cases. I am talking about Kyran Durnin, Vadym Davydenko, Daniel Aruebose and Oisín Reddin. We also cannot forget the case of the ten-year-old who had been in Tusla's care and the heinous attack on her. The Child Law Project went through a number of other cases that are harrowing. I agree with Depu…

IFAC, the usually demure, dismal scientists, waded in last week. They usually keep their mouths shut on policy pronouncements. They said that every tax cut or tax foregone comes at a cost. They set out alternative homes for this cash. Over 11,000 nurses could be hired, or 7,800 teachers. Critically, tax bands could be moved by €3,000, saving an average worker €600. As far as the Labour Party is co…

We are exhausted by the number of reports, reviews and investigations into the cost of disabilities for individuals. We had the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities in 1996. We had Indecon's Report on the Cost of Disability in Ireland, which was published in 2021. We had a Green Paper on the cost of disability in 2023. We had an ESRI joint report with the Irish Human Rights and Eq…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the very important topic of dementia, an issue that touches so many people's lives, be it family, friends and neighbours. It reflects how we care for one another as a society, and how we support people to live with dignity, independence and security as they age. I look forward to a very engaging and constructive debate with Dáil colleagues. I know many are con…

In terms of foster care, we have had a very good discussion on the role and importance of foster carers and the contribution they make in terms of child welfare. I can inform the Deputy that 198 new foster carers came on stream in 2025, a 9% increase. Notwithstanding that, I want to do more in this space. I also recognise the demand for foster carers is increasing. We have a number of new children…