Parliamentary questions

1332. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of instances where large multinational employers have historically implemented a pension vesting policy whereby employees with less than five years of service that accrued a defined benefit pension entitlement have had this service disregarded for the purposes of calculating final pension entitlement at retiremen…

1333. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are grounds under current law to restrict the usual practice of public access to birth certificates in cases where to do so would place a victim of domestic violence and their children at risk of discovery; if not, if he will consider examining this matter in conjunction with the Minister for Justice; and if he will ma…

1334. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of a case of an individual who has not been awarded the bereaved partner’s (contributory) pension and who believes this to be an error (details supplied); if he will instruct his officials to re-engage with the individual concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44738/25]

1335. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has given consideration to removing the means test on jobseekers payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44820/25]

1336. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will address as a matter of priority and end the discrimination that currently exists in regard to the fuel allowance payment in respect of senior citizens (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44926/25]

1337. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to urgently investigate a disability allowance application (details supplied); the reason this person is being deprived of their payment; if the information submitted will be accepted and payment issued to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44927/25]

1338. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to urgently review and disability allowance case of a person (details supplied) and take all circumstances into consideration by reinstating the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44931/25]

1339. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection for clarification in relation to back-to-school allowance which does not appear to encompass all children for whom foster care allowance as the understanding is that it is means-tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44949/25]

1340. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the fact that means-testing, actual or prospective of the back-to-school allowance is misaligned (details supplied). [44950/25]

1341. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason widows who work full-time and are in receipt of a widow's pension and pay PRSI and all other taxes are not eligible for normal illness benefit. [44954/25]

1342. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a second carers allowance application for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44969/25]

1343. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to provide an additional level of child benefit to a remaining parent in circumstances where the other parent has passed away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44984/25]

1344. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the situation where a State funded organisation (details supplied) is not given the same flexibility in its temporary flexible working arrangement compared with other State funded organisations; if he will ensure that there is consistency of approach regarding the arrangements available in such State funded organisatio…

1345. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the PRSI threshold for employers in line with a minimum wage increase of €1.35; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45026/25]

1346. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if the fuel allowance thresholds will be increased for those in receipt of the State Pension contributory and the State Pension non-contributory in the upcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45032/25]

1347. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer's allowance application for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45047/25]

1348. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the contributory widows pension is taken into consideration as an criteria for eligibility for widows seeking a social benefit such as illness benefit; and if there are plans to remove the contributory pension from being considered when seeking said benefits. [45069/25]

1349. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the contributory widows pension is taken into consideration as an criteria for eligibility for widows seeking back to school clothing and footwear allowance; and if there are plans to remove the contributory pension from being considered when seeking said benefits. [45070/25]

1350. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the disparity whereby from budget 2026 the flat rate maternity benefit of €289 per week will be lower than the new jobseeker’s pay related benefit, which can provide up to 60% of previous earnings; if he will introduce a pay-related maternity benefit to ensure fairness, gender equality, and protect women’s pension…

1351. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a list of all unused properties, lands and buildings, under the ownership or control of his Department within County Kerry; the length of time they have been idle; the plans in place, if any, for future use; if these unused properties, lands and buildings can be used for affordable and social housing and low cost sites…

1352. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will extend the back-to-school allowance to all children in State care by removing means testing for foster families, including the requirement to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, in recognition of children's rights under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and Equal Status Acts 2000-2018, and …

1353. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 644 of 15 July 2025, if Department officials will engage with a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45253/25]

1354. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an estimate of the cost of increasing the capital disregard for the jobseeker’s allowance means test from €20,000 to €30,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45330/25]

1355. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline whether any additional supports are currently available to parents who give birth to twins, or other multiple births; if there are any plans to expand these supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45402/25]

1356. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider expanding child benefit for parents who give birth to twins or other multiple births; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45404/25]