Parliamentary questions

372. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for disability allowance; the number rejected; and the number of those rejected who were successful on reapplication, in tabular form. [53548/25]

373. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for carers allowance; the number rejected; and the number of those rejected who were successful on reapplication, in tabular form. [53549/25]

374. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will propose a policy change to allow for carers to be eligible for the fuel allowance without another person in the house having to be on a social welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53557/25]

375. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a bereaved partner's pension application for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53559/25]

376. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for carer's allowance in 2024 and 2025 to date; the number of applications that were awarded in 2024 and 2025 to date; the number that were refused, and number that were refused but then awarded on appeal, in 2024 and 2025 to date. [53686/25]

377. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of death benefits under the occupational injuries scheme can avail of the living alone allowance; if not, if he will consider such a request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53769/25]

378. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will respond to the recommendation of the Comptroller and Auditor General that his Department should examine the scope for receiving more complete information on the economic sectors, source and type of income giving rise to Class S PRSI contributions; the procedures and guidance he will put in place as a result; and if he …

379. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the Comptroller and Auditor General's recommendation that his Department should introduce a formal strategy for both the regular review of older outstanding debt, in particular for pre-2011 cases and for the targeted review of certain cohorts of debtors on a periodic basis; and if he will make a statement on the matt…

380. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update as to progress on refunds to a supplier following an overcharge of almost €786,000 uncovered by the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to 98 schools during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic periods; the reason refunds are being made on a phased basis as opposed to a lump sum; the timeline of these refund…

381. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that section 179(4) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005's criteria for when a relevant person shall be regarded as requiring full-time care and attention precludes many carers of neurodivergent people; if he is aware that this passage does not acknowledge the essential needs specific to neurodivergent peop…

382. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will enact the recommendations from the 2018 review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 and the former Minister’s report in response to that review, which set out proposals to address several recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53796/25]

383. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection to revise the approach to the income disregards for the means test for the carers allowance (details supplied). [53805/25]

384. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on a submission regarding Pathways to Work 2026-2030 (details supplied); if he is supportive of the proposals therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53791/25]

385. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether officials within her Department are authorised to share information received from members of An Garda Síochána seconded to the Department, particularly information relating to ongoing or potential criminal investigations, with other public bodies; whether such disclosures are governed by a specific legal basis under the gener…

386. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether her Department has a memorandum of understanding or any formal agreement in place with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions governing the transmission of case files or information from the Department to the DPP; whether officials within her Department are authorised, under any legislation, formal policy, or agree…

387. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2026 of increasing the income limit to be eligible for fuel allowance for persons aged over 66 to €560 per week for a single person or €1,120 for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53847/25]

388. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2026 if the living alone allowance increased to €26 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53848/25]

324. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department plans to extend financial supports for widowers who face financial challenges as sole caregivers supporting their children through school and college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52694/25]

325. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the school meals scheme, if a special school that has not yet availed of the scheme can apply for funding for snacks and drinks only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52815/25]

326. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated total costs of expenditure on State pensions based on increased life expectancies in the decades ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52639/25]

327. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the length of time it takes to hear a social welfare appeals case; the measures being put in place to reduce such time periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52640/25]

328. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if the living alone allowance will be increased in budget 2026 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52686/25]

329. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection to request an audit of a company’s (details supplied) 2023 declarations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52721/25]

330. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual figures since 2015 for appeals lodged with the social welfare appeals office querying a refusal based on the habitual residence condition, by Irish citizens and non-Irish nationals, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52778/25]

331. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if all special schools are part of the schools meals programme; if not, the names of special schools that are not part of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52799/25]