Questions

365. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will provide the data relating to the number of applicants to the disability allowance whose applications were rejected on the basis of failing the means test component. [31789/26]

1861. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider removing the personal independence payment (PIP) paid in England from the means test for Disability Allowance in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24529/26]

1909. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department plans to extend the free travel companion scheme to all cases where a persons disability requires them to travel with a companion on public transport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25712/26]

326. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will reconsider an additional emergency winter payment for disabled people due to the current war on Iran and subsequent oil crisis which is causing very significant increases in fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23242/26]

202. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection when the cost of disability payment will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17465/26]

2. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on his engagement with disabled persons' organisations; the consultation he is undertaking on the cost-of-disability support payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15656/26]

10. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to combat poverty among disabled individuals and families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15363/26]

55. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the action being taken by his Department, in liaison with other Government departments, to increase the level of participation in the workforce of those with disabilities, including the WSS, work and access, employability, workability and other relevant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15518/26]

65. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in Dublin that are currently in receipt of disability allowance; if they will benefit from the planned new cost of disability payment; the work he is undertaking with regard to that proposed new payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14954/26]

83. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has engaged with the Minister for Public Expenditure; Infrastructure; Public Service Reform and Digitalisation regarding the fiscal implications of introducing a cost of disability payment; and if provision is being considered within future Estimates. [1616/26]

85. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which his Department will engage with stakeholders in the formation of a cost of disability payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15603/26]

87. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will urgently introduce an emergency €400 disability payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15629/26]

182. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions taken to improve retention and uptake of work for disabled employees and entrepreneurs. [12461/26]

764. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to introduce a cost of disability payment over the lifetime of the Government; and the way it will be calculated. [10362/26]

314. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on his recent meeting with disabled persons' organisations and advocates for the introduction of a permanent cost of disability support payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7036/26]

686. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employers, employees and average number of weekly WSS hours claimed for each individual strand 2 category, based on the number of disabled employees employed, for both 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3482/26]

687. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the work of a college (details supplied); if he will facilitate a meeting with the management to discuss their concerns related to the wage subsidy scheme and the way in which it is applied in their case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3603/26]

688. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the letter received by an organisation (details supplied); the actions he will take to address their concerns related to the wage subsidy scheme and the way in which it is applied in their case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3604/26]

689. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a review of the wage subsidy scheme that will allow for greater flexibility in the way in which it is applied by charitable organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3605/26]

5. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection his Department’s initiatives to assist persons with disabilities in accessing and sustaining employment, including any specific supports or schemes currently in place, plans for future measures to promote workforce participation, and the timeframe for implementation of these initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2946/26]

6. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection to explore the possibility of reducing the minimum hours of the wage subsidy scheme from 15 hours to ten hours (details supplied). [1439/26]