Parliamentary questions

415. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he intends to increase and benchmark the fuel allowance to restore purchasing power at 2020 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73017/25]

416. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures being taken to reduce waiting times for appeals within the social welfare appeals office; his plans to improve communication with appellants during the appeals process, including the provision of timely updates on the status of their appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1782/26]

417. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for proposing restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs and the objectives these changes are intended to achieve. [2921/26]

418. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if the proposed changes to PRSA investment options are linked to compliance with EU directives or domestic policy priorities; and to outline the relevant requirements. [2922/26]

419. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the evidence or analysis that has informed the decision to review or restrict investment options for self-directed PRSAs. [2923/26]

420. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the assessment that has been carried out on the potential impact of the proposed changes on the pension market, including saver choice and competition among providers. [2924/26]

421. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if an analysis has been conducted on the potential effect of the proposed restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs on housing supply, particularly in relation to residential property investment by pension schemes. [2925/26]

422. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if modelling or forecasting has been undertaken to estimate the number of rental units that could be lost annually as a result of the proposed restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs, and to provide details of that analysis. [2926/26]

423. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has considered the potential impact of the proposed restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs on small business owners and self-employed individuals who rely on self-directed pensions for flexibility and control. [2927/26]

424. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement that has taken place with representative bodies for pensions in Ireland regarding the proposed changes to PRSA investment options. [2928/26]

425. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if a public consultation process will be undertaken before any legislative changes are introduced for restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs; and the timeline and process for that consultation. [2929/26]

426. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has engaged with stakeholders in the housing sector to assess the potential implications of the proposed restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs changes for housing supply and affordability. [2930/26]

427. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will seek a review of the means-testing arrangements affecting farm families where one parent is a full-time unpaid carer and the sole farm income marginally exceeds thresholds, despite high costs associated with third-level education and caring responsibilities; and if measures will be considered to alleviate this hardship; an…

428. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection the current means-testing system for farm households to ensure that depreciation of machinery and equipment is properly accounted for when assessing farm income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66665/25]

429. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date on the introduction of a permanent annual cost of disability support payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2938/26]

430. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will introduce any immediate financial measures to address the increased cost of living faced by people in receipt of disability allowance; the step he intends to take to reduce the gap between current disability allowance income supports and the at-risk-of-poverty threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29…

431. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has completed any updated analysis on the additional, recurring costs faced by people with disabilities; if he will publish the evidence base informing future disability-related income supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2940/26]

432. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to review the core rate of disability allowance in light of inflation, increased living costs, and the findings of the Cost of Disability Report; the timeline for any such review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2941/26]

433. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount his Department, or agencies under its remit, spent on advertising on a social media platform (details supplied) in each of the years 2024 and 2025 respectively; to outline any expenditure on verification or premium accounts on the platform in those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3110/26]

434. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the current treatment of part-time school bus drivers under the social welfare system; the reason drivers who are in continuous employment during the school term do not receive equivalent supports, such as the two-week break payment and the Christmas bonus; the measures being considered to ensure fair recognition o…

435. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the feasibility of establishing a non–means-tested audiology support pathway for people born deaf, in recognition of the substantial recurring cost of hearing aids which is not met by the current treatment benefit scheme approximately €5,800 per person every five to seven years; if his Department will consider exp…

436. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will introduce an emergency winter payment for people with disabilities in 2026, in light of the withdrawal of once-off supports such as the €400 disability support grant and energy credits in Budget 2026; if he has assessed the impact of these withdrawn supports on people with disabilities who may now be up to €1,400 worse of…

437. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection to amend the fuel allowance eligibility criteria for recipients over 66 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3138/26]

438. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to enhance and expand social welfare and Intreo services in County Laois to ensure timely access for claimants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3139/26]

439. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the uptake of back to work enterprise allowance, community employment, and other activation programmes in County Laois; and the steps being taken to increase participation among long-term unemployed individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3140/26]