Parliamentary questions

1379. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications registered per operational scheme for the period of 2020 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18613/25]

1380. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of claims per operation scheme awarded for the period of 2020 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18614/25]

1381. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications refused, per operational scheme, for the period of 2020 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18615/25]

1382. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of decision reviews requested, per operational scheme, for the period of 2020 to 2024, in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18616/25]

1383. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of decisions upheld upon review, per operational scheme for the period 2020 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18617/25]

1384. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of social welfare appeals, requested per operational scheme for the period of 2020 to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18618/25]

1385. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of appeals completed, decisions upheld, and decisions overturned, per operational scheme, for the period of 2020 to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18619/25]

1386. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the average appeals processing time, per operational scheme, for the period of 2020 to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18620/25]

1387. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the assessment guidelines for exceptional needs payment issued by community welfare officers, specifically in relation to income and savings; the details of the levels of discretion to each deciding officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18621/25]

1388. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if the travel payment received by a cohort of HSE-employed home carers, which sees their working hours increased by one hour for every 60 km travelled, is treated as legitimate working hours when determining eligibility for carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18652/25]

1389. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to address issues pertaining to the hot meals programme for special schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18665/25]

1390. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to amending the eligibility criteria for the living alone allowance, to allow individuals who do not qualify for the State pension (contributory or non-contributory) to access the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18747/25]

1391. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to making the authorisation for dependent spouse dental benefits permanent rather than requiring renewal every three months, in order to reduce administrative burden and prevent repeated efforts for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18749/25]

1392. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that all forms related to social welfare benefits, including the dependent spouse dental benefit application form, are made available for download online to improve accessibility and convenience for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18750/25]

1393. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the additional costs of disability for older people aged 65 years and over; if consideration has been given to extending the proposed annual cost of disability payment to those on the State pension with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18763/25]

1394. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection for a proposed timeline for reviewing the carer’s allowance means test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18764/25]

1395. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reply to correspondence regarding means testing of the carer’s allowance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18765/25]

1396. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost if the lower rate of employer's PRSI rate of 8.8% was reduced by 0.5%. [18841/25]

1397. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the comments of the Taoiseach in May 2022, regarding examining the potential introduction of paid maternity and pension benefits for women working on farms; if he will outline the examinations that were carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18867/25]

1398. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review a pension application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18869/25]

1399. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of times a person working part time can be required to attend a Local Area Employment Service for a duration of 52 weeks (details supplied). [18911/25]

1400. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale for aligning the rate of disability allowance with jobseeker’s payments, particularly given that many people with disabilities face ongoing medical and personal care costs not covered by existing supports. [18922/25]

1401. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection what safeguards are in place to prevent administrative errors in social welfare payments and taxation, particularly in cases where individuals are recorded as receiving supports they have not applied for, or been eligible to receive. [18923/25]

1402. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available to single adults with disabilities who are living independently, with limited or no family supports; and the measures being taken to address gaps in housing provision and long-term income stability for this cohort. [18924/25]

1403. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost if the fuel allowance increased to €39 per week. [18969/25]