51. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he is satisfied that the eligibility criteria for the rural social scheme continues to reflect the needs of rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67556/26]
Parliamentary questions
Questions
TDs ask ministers questions to get answers on the record, most of them in writing. Here is every one asked in the 34th Dáil, by the department it went to and the subject heading it was filed under. How questions work
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433 questions match, newest first.
52. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider allowing persons aged 66 years and over who continue to provide full-time care to retain a full-rate carer’s allowance alongside their State pension, rather than being restricted to a half-rate payment; and his views that a carer’s responsibilities and the cost of providing care do not reduce on reaching pension age. [63782/26]
53. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection the arrangements and supports available to families caring for a person with a disability who will require lifelong care, in circumstances where the principal family carer dies, becomes seriously ill or is otherwise no longer capable of providing that care; the advance planning mechanisms that are available to such families; whether his Department works …
54. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures being taken to ensure that families who may previously have been ineligible for carer’s allowance are aware of the significant increase in the income disregard introduced in July 2026; whether targeted communications are being issued to previous applicants; and if he will consider a further public information campaign on the revised elig…
55. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to further reform the means test for carer’s allowance, including whether he will consider its full abolition and the introduction of a non-means-tested family carer payment, in recognition of the fact that eligibility for support should reflect the significant caring responsibilities undertaken by full-time family carers. [63776/26]
56. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department has reviewed the processes of eligibility assessments, appeals, and administration which disabled people must undergo to access supports. [67516/26]
57. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on any review carried out by his Department of social protection supports aimed at reducing energy poverty among older persons, people with disabilities and those living alone ahead of Budget 27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67563/26]
58. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in Dublin Bay North who availed of the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments this year. [67542/26]
59. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the dietician report into the nutritional standards of the hot school meals scheme, including recommendations for improving the nutrition. [67250/26]
60. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the supports in-place for self-employed people who must reduce their hours; the adequacy of these supports in the context of the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67568/26]
61. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason exceptional needs payments for boiler replacements are being refused by DSP when local authority schemes do not cover replacement boilers, when SEAI warmer homes schemes and similar grants are taking 24-36 months to complete and people are left without heating or hot water when their boiler breaks down. [67421/26]
62. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the implementation of the Programme for Government commitments to support pensioners. [67416/26]
63. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to increase the weekly rate of Carer's Allowance Benefit to €325 to recognise the additional cost of providing fulltime care in a cost of living crisis. [67385/26]
64. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has engaged with public transport operators in relation to these operators charging free travel pass holders booking fees for free travel journeys. [66483/26]
65. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection whether, given the Government's stated ambition to support entrepreneurship and small business growth, he believes that the Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) scheme and the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance remain fit for purpose in the modern economy; and whether a review of both schemes will be undertaken. [66710/26]
66. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on MyFutureFund following the recent opt out window. [67284/26]
67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number and percentage of Disability Allowance application refusals overturned on appeal in 2025 and to date in 2026. [66589/26]
68. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the level of service his Department already provides within the town of Shannon in County Clare; the way in which his Department proposes to address any deficiencies or expand their service offering in the town. [67218/26]
69. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether, in the context of Budget 2027, he intends to introduce a permanent cost of disability payment to recognise the additional and ongoing costs faced by people with disabilities; the estimated annual cost of introducing such a payment at different weekly rates; and the number of people who would potentially qualify. [67386/26]
70. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons claiming job-seekers allowance who are new to Ireland and have never worked in Ireland prior to claiming the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67175/26]
71. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households that will receive the fuel allowance in the 2026/2027 season, by county. [67287/26]
72. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on the impact to date of the change in income disregards for the carer’s allowance which came into effect in July 2026. [67290/26]
73. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will amend the current weekly means limit for the increase for qualified adult allowance for recipients of the State pension and increase the current means limit of €100 which has been in place since 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66608/26]
74. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps his Department is taking to ensure that the current State pension provides an adequate income for older persons in view of the cost of living pressures that pensioners are reporting, particularly for pensioners living in rural areas; and if he will make a full statement on the matter. [67626/26]
75. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress his Department has made in reducing the waiting times for processing social welfare appeals. [67654/26]