Parliamentary questions

533. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of instances that the additional needs payment was used to cover the costs of car repairs in each county or social welfare district for each month since January 2020, in tabular form; the total cost for each county or district for each month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14168/25]

534. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims under the additional needs payment for car repairs that were made in each 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; the number therein that were awarded payment and the average payment made for this purpose in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14169/25]

535. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if beneficiaries of temporary protection have had personal car repair works funded through any payment mechanism provided by his Department; if so, to provide details of costs and payment numbers from 2022 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/25]

536. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider extending the proposed permanent annual cost of disability support payment to individuals who are in receipt of the State pension, given that disability-related expenses do not cease at 66 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14207/25]

537. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of first-time applicants disallowed for the domiciliary carers allowance; the number of appeals on this decision; the number of domiciliary carers allowance awarded on appeal, the number awarded on second application, in 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14211/25]

538. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered addressing the disparity in benefits eligibility between individuals who have paid PRSI contributions at Class ‘D’ for the majority of their careers and those who have paid Class ‘A’ contributions for a shorter period; if any review is being conducted to ensure fairness in access to dental and optical benefits fo…

539. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason his decision to close stage 1 of the HAS following storm Éowyn on 19 February 2025 was not announced or publicised, informing people of the deadline; and if applications that have been refused on this basis will be reviewed in light of this. [14228/25]

347. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of PPS numbers that are still active in Ireland for people who have received deportation orders. [12973/25]

348. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the capital disregard of farm assist to €34,000. [12960/25]

349. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount in social welfare payments that have been paid out to people who have received deportation orders in each of the past five years. [12974/25]

350. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of copper communication lines within his Department currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12993/25]

351. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a disability allowance application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13017/25]

352. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the issuing of the home caring periods for a person (details supplied), if there is adequate contributions for a State pension (contributory) to be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13022/25]

353. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) who has a shortfall on their PRSI contributions will be examined; if there are schemes they should have been entered into as a result of their circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13108/25]

354. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost if the maximum rate of both State pension (contributory) and disability allowance increased by €13 per week. [13119/25]

355. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost if the island allowance increased to €24 per week. [13120/25]

356. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a carer’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13148/25]

357. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a disability benefit application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13152/25]

358. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of any secondments from consulting firms to his Department since 2020; the consulting firm involved; the purpose of the secondment; the durations of the secondments; who paid the salary of the individual seconded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13190/25]

359. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider expanding the eligibility criteria for domiciliary care allowance to include families with children who have severe food allergies, to help meet the financial costs associated with their condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13222/25]

360. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department, or any agency under his Department’s remit, have, since 1 November 2024, entered any contract in respect of a hotel (details supplied) or have had any discussions, or received any offers, in respect of using this premises for any reason; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13285/25]

989. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence regarding widows pension (details supplied); the alternative supports, if any, available to the person. [10591/25]

990. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason time spent on vocational training opportunities schemes are not considered as part of the required cumulative paid days for consideration for particular social protection bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10601/25]

991. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person, who has reached the age of 70, and is retired, must pay PRSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10617/25]

992. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of premises in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10633/25]