Parliamentary questions

133. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the approval for carers allowance for a person (details supplied) will be back-dated further; the rationale behind the decision; and if the applicant is entitled to the respite grant. [60317/25]

134. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average processing time for domiciliary care allowance applications and appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60339/25]

135. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE staff, by grade, that are based in both Dundalk and Drogheda Intreo offices as of 24 October 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60364/25]

136. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the payment options available to a person (details supplied); the reason Intreo has not followed up on a basic supplementary welfare payment; and when they can expect a basic supplementary welfare payment. [60421/25]

1145. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the correspondence (details supplied); if he will outline the agencies, institutions or supports that are available to assist a person in building a life here in Ireland with their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58468/25]

1146. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the feasibility of introducing a targeted PRSI rebate or similar relief to offset the rising wage and operating costs being reported by experience economy employers. [59627/25]

1147. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has evaluated the potential impact of cashless payment policies on people who are dependent on social welfare payments, particularly older persons and those without access to digital banking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57729/25]

1148. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the decision making process on setting the limit on the length of time a person can work while been in receipt of carer’s allowance or carer’s benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57777/25]

1149. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if the auto-enrolment pension will be classified as an occupational pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57778/25]

1150. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm if increased PRSI contributions for the self-employed to allow them to avail of social welfare entitlements, such as illness benefits, has been included in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57797/25]

1151. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of any legislation, circular or regulation limiting the approval of the exceptional needs payment for household goods to entry-level items in terms of cost (details supplied); whether his Department considers the life cycle costs, for instance the savings arising from the durability or energy efficiency of goods…

1152. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the data that is recorded on household goods purchased using the exceptional needs payment; and the estimated total annual value of these goods, by region and category. [57918/25]

1153. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection if income earned in a family home under the rent a room scheme is taken into account for the means test for the increase for qualified adult on the State contributory pension; if so, when this became the case; the reasoning for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57935/25]

1154. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households participating in the rent a room scheme in receipt of a State pension; the number of these households in which there is a recipient of the increase for qualified adult; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57936/25]

1155. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to the widow's pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57937/25]

1156. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children in primary schools in receipt of hot dinners; the number of children who have opted out of meals; the means by which companies are funded when children opt out; whether the provider will still receive payments for children who have opted to receive no meals; if his Department monitors the number of children…

1157. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review correspondence regarding a carer's allowance application for a person (details supplied); if the decision on the matter will be expedited given the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57952/25]

1158. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding granted to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) by his Department over the past five years; and if the relevant NGOs have submitted reports or other documentation outlining the way in which the funding has been spent, in tabular form. [58000/25]

1159. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if response will issue to matters raised in correspondence arising from the recent Budget (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58018/25]

1160. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the fact people on the job initiative scheme are not eligible to claim the fuel allowance; if this is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58025/25]

1161. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection to arrange for a review of the pension entitlement of a person (details supplied). [58031/25]

1162. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review correspondence regarding the decision to deny funding for a school breakfast club (details supplied); if he will address the concerns raised about the impact this decision may have on students' well-being and participation in education; if he will outline any alternative funding streams, grant opportunities, or for…

1163. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 663 of 14 October 2025, the reason the changes outlined in the procurement documents are prohibiting smaller schools from accessing school lunches (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58068/25]

1164. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports which are available to a parent/guardian when the second parent has passed away (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58189/25]

1165. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the case of a person (details supplied) regarding the working family payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58210/25]