Parliamentary questions

1404. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost if the living alone allowance increased to €25 per week. [18970/25]

1405. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18984/25]

1406. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures to support and promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities; the progress made under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities; and the new initiatives planned to improve access to the workforce for individuals with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. …

1407. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of an appeal for a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and serious consideration be given to granting the appeal due to his circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18997/25]

1408. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal for an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19007/25]

1409. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will address an issue regarding public service cards (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19010/25]

1410. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the public and private financial resources required and available to support his Department’s plans to meet Ireland’s climate targets by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19104/25]

1411. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of all services, grants, loans and payments available to individuals or households funded by his Department and agencies under his remit; the eligibility requirements and any conditionality for receiving the service, grant, loan or payment (details supplied); and the monetary value, or range of values, of the se…

1412. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a report on the inspections which took place in 2024 of schools participating in the Hot Schools Meals Programme; if he will provide a representative sample of lunches provided, with an ingredient and preparation method breakdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19236/25]

1413. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection the process by which his Department will contact all those aged 70 years or over in receipt of free travel; the way they will receive a FREE TRAVEL COMPANION PUBLIC SERVICES CARD; if his Department has commenced same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19261/25]

1414. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to take rent and mortgage costs into account when a person is applying for supplementary welfare allowance weekly payment as not allowing for same is placing people in financial hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19263/25]

1415. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of contracts currently held by his Department with a company (details supplied); the details of contracts currently held by the Department with the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19352/25]

1416. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on a humanitarian assistance scheme application submitted by a person (details supplied); if all required documentation has been received and assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19389/25]

1417. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the text of correspondence (details supplied) from a school to parents that disclosed that children in challenging circumstances such as homelessness, refugee status, socioeconomic difficulty and other challenging circumstances will be put in a draw for the free lunch scheme; the steps his Department will take to rectify …

1418. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection , further to Parliamentary Question No. 293 of 10 April, the maximum age of an adoptee on their date of placement by which their parents or guardians are still eligible to receive the new baby grant; the exact definition of baby as pertains to the new baby grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19427/25]

1419. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider establishing an independent employment support service, separate from the HSE, for people with disabilities and those with mental illness, focused on providing local, meaningful and fairly paid opportunities; if he acknowledges the impact that prolonged unemployment can have on mental health, confidence and se…

1420. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial supports that exist for self-employed people who pay PRSI class S who are diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19495/25]

1421. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria for the invalidity pension; the length of time the applicant must be out of work to apply; the period of absence by which will be out of work to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19496/25]

1422. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full review of the social welfare entitlements of a person (details supplied) will take place. [19512/25]

1423. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to cases whereby schools that have been selected for the hot school meals programme but wish instead to provide cold food options only, including salads and sandwiches; if there is a provision to allow for that; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19579/25]

1424. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of the inequitable treatment of young widowed people in Ireland, particularly in the areas of taxation, financial supports, and access to essential benefits under current social protection policy; if he will consider retaining dual tax credits and rate bands for widows, widowers and surviving civil partners, exten…

1425. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will advise of the difference between a solemniser and a celebrant for the purpose of officiating at weddings and other services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19582/25]

1426. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the difference between a solemniser and a celebrant for the purpose of civil ceremonies; if both have to be registered in order to perform a ceremony; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19583/25]

1427. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) and provide support for this person to access their full entitlements to social welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19584/25]

1428. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available for an older person who needs a new roof but does not have insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19614/25]