Parliamentary questions

359. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection whether it is intended that individuals who contribute to pay full PRSI contributions after age 66, while deferring their State pension, may be excluded from treatment benefit due to the operation of the ‘relevant tax year rule’; and if his Department plans on addressing this inconsistency; and if he will make a statement on the matt…

360. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for urgent needs payments in each county in the first three months of each of the years 2019, 2025 and 2026 respectively, by category of application; and the number approved, in tabular form. [33758/26]

361. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which he intends to project demand for the emergency response payment for future budget allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33843/26]

362. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if renters whose essential personal items needed for immediate use (as per Stage 1) are destroyed as a result of weather events must rely on their landlord to make the ERP application on their behalf within the seven day time limit; if he will clarify the procedure for renters and landlords as regards stage 1, 2 and 3; if he will…

363. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are categories for family composition and circumstances beyond the categories of single, couple and dependent child; if he will give consideration to the additional cost of disability or costs incurred on a household when there is a member unable to work due to illness, injury or disability; if consideration will be give…

364. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection for a clear and comprehensive definition of the 'reduced and tapered level of support'; the way in which amounts will be calculated; the way in which it will be accessed; the protocols used to determine where and when they will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33846/26]

365. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will elaborate on the note provided to members as regards the emergency response payment; if he will give clear examples of the protocol outlined when the person has opted not to insure the property; the way in which this protocol is applied in different scenarios; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33847/26]

366. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection to share his protocol as to what does and does not count as an inessential or luxury item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33848/26]

367. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if any support will be provided to those who apply for stage 2 or 3 of the scheme but whose dwellings are deemed 'beyond repair'; if he has given consideration to relocation support payments in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33849/26]

368. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has given consideration to extending the seven calendar day deadline to apply for Stage 1 of the ERP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33851/26]

369. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance, particularly in cases where an applicant is an adult in receipt of disability allowance but is assessed on a household means basis due to living with parents and the person is financially independent but cannot live alone due to the impact of a disability; and if he…

370. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given in Budget 2027 to the introduction of greater flexibility or individual means assessment in cases where the person is financially independent but cannot live alone due to the impact of a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33937/26]

371. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline any plans to ensure that individuals in circumstances where the person is financially independent but cannot live alone due to the impact of a disability are not excluded from supports intended to address fuel poverty and vulnerability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33938/26]

372. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of civil and public servants employed by his Department in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [33958/26]

554. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection to consider extending the eligibility criteria for the fuel allowance scheme to include people on short-term payment schemes such as jobseekers benefit.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31810/26]

555. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection when he plans to compile and publish a pre-approved list of suppliers for schools participating in the Hot School Meals Programme (details supplied); if he will ensure that, in developing these county-based supplier lists, priority is given to local suppliers using locally sourced produce, in order to support sustainable food syste…

556. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures he will put in place to ensure that the Hot School Meals Programme supports local employment, delivers freshly prepared meals on a daily basis and ensures the programme supports sustainability and local economic development across all eligible providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31904/26]

557. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available to households where a family member requires continuous electrically powered medical equipment, including oxygen machines, resulting in substantially increased electricity bills; if additional supports are available through the exceptional needs payment system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31…

558. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility criteria for the electricity allowance under the household benefits package; if medical dependency on electricity is considered in eligibility decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31913/26]

559. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of exceptional needs payments issued in each of the past three years to assist households with electricity costs; the total expenditure incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31914/26]

560. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider the introduction of a dedicated support payment or allowance for households where a person is medically dependent on continuous electrically powered medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31915/26]

561. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will arrange for an official from the NSSO to meet with a person (details supplied) to discuss any under or over payment in their pension calculation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32003/26]

562. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to change the eligibility criteria for the back-to-work enterprise allowance scheme to include individuals who are signing on for PRSI credits but who do not receive a payment due to means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32034/26]

563. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been engagement with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment to examine the way in which energy retrofit and solar supports can better assist older persons on fixed incomes, including those in receipt of the State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32040/26]

564. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a worker who paid Class A PRSI contributions up to 2022 (details supplied) before becoming self-employed, is excluded from illness benefit during a short term illness despite having a substantial contribution record; if he accepts that this creates a gap in income protection for self-employed individuals; and if he will…