Parliamentary questions

687. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason his Department does not accept medical certificates issued by a private medical insurer (details supplied) for the purpose of an application for illness benefit; if he plans to change this rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62222/25]

688. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the carers allowance by two percent; in line with inflation; ten percent; 20 percent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62223/25]

689. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Laois who were in receipt of living alone allowance and subjected to a review by his Department in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62224/25]

690. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures his Department will take to support households facing increased energy and housing costs, particularly low-income and vulnerable groups; the number of persons that have benefitted to date from targeted schemes such as the fuel allowance and supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. …

691. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families which have received the child support payment and working family payment supports to date in Laois in 2025; the measures which are being taken to ensure that all eligible families, particularly in rural or disadvantaged areas, access the supports; the steps which are being taken to reduce administrative barrie…

692. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps his Department is taking to increase participation in the Activation and Family Support Programme, the Community Employment Programme, and other training and reskilling initiatives; the number of persons who have been assisted into employment to date in 2025; the way in which his Department is targeting supports to long-te…

693. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on his Departments plans to extend the eligibility for the rural social scheme to include people who are not involved in farming or fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55945/25]

269. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the application for disability allowance will be expedited for a person (details supplied) to allow access to further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60606/25]

270. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the income assessment for the non-contributory pension has been increased as part of budget 2026; and his views on whether the assessment should be increased in line with cost-of-living increases. [60608/25]

271. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60609/25]

272. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a carers support grant application for a person (details supplied) was not approved, following the award of carers benefit for a person with autism who is been cared for full-time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60611/25]

273. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will consider providing targeted employment and training supports for women who have left abusive relationships while residing in IPAS, recognising the role of economic independence in breaking cycles of coercive control. [60680/25]

274. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Social Protection if specific guidance and training will be issued to Intreo offices on the circumstances of women in IPAS who may require urgent supports due to domestic and sexual violence, including safeguards to ensure perpetrators cannot control access to welfare payments. [60681/25]

275. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full review of an application for carers allowance for a person (details supplied) will be undertaken. [60801/25]

276. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he intends to establish a register and baby loss certificates for parents who experience loss before 24-weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60882/25]

277. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people convicted of welfare fraud in the years 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60883/25]

278. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who have availed of paternity leave and benefit in the years 2024 and 2025 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60884/25]

279. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in each county that have received the new baby grant since it was introduced, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60885/25]

280. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people whose welfare payment has been stopped for refusing to engage with training and/or employment supports in the years 2020 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60886/25]

281. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people that have received the pay related job seekers benefit since it was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60887/25]

128. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will make changes to the farm assist scheme to allow credit contributions for the purposes of the contributory pension for those who received no credits while on the farm assist scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60221/25]

129. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the means by which charities, not-for-profits and community organisations, who have paid employees and who are funded by multiple Government Departments and agencies, will be able to make financial provision for their workers for the pension auto enrolment scheme commencing in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. …

130. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60225/25]

131. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Social Protection the requirements for an Irish citizen who has lived and worked in the United States and is now returning to Ireland to retire and wants to obtain a PSSN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60295/25]

132. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for the State pension (contributory) in the name of a person (details supplied); if their recent application under the homemaker's scheme makes a difference to their qualification for a State pension (contributory). [60314/25]