Parliamentary questions

478. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection for the up-to-date position on his Department's engagement with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to remuneration and related matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46858/26]

479. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending the upper age limit for participation in the community employment (CE) schemes from 66 years of age to 70 years of age on a voluntary basis, recognising the important contribution CE participants make to local communities, the benefits these schemes provide in terms of social inclusion, …

480. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for job seeker allowance for a person (details supplied) will be determined by his Department; the reason for the delay in finalising the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46989/26]

481. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the total cost of increasing the income disregards for the carers allowance means test for single and married carers in Budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47001/26]

482. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the revenue raised by removing the 9.15% employer PRSI band. [47039/26]

483. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he would consider extending the domiciliary care allowance to those aged 16 and over in the case of type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47048/26]

484. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children being catered to by each of the five largest hot school meal providers, in tabular form. [47102/26]

485. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason no dedicated streamlined process exists to manage recurring jobseeker's claims arising from seasonal closures in the early years and Montessori sector; the reason workers must apply in the same manner as new applicants each summer despite the predictable, calendar based nature of this non employment period; and if he wi…

486. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost to date, and the estimated total cost, of the ‘My Future Fund’ advertising campaign on television, radio, newspapers; and the amount spent to date on advertising on RTÉ radio or television. [47214/26]

487. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will facilitate a meeting (details supplied) to discuss the vital role of social welfare branch offices in rural communities particularly regarding the accessibility of services in Kerry. [47258/26]

488. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will facilitate a meeting (details supplied) to discuss the vital role of social welfare branch offices in rural communities particularly regarding the accessibility of services in Kerry. [47260/26]

489. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of any recognised cross-border pension arrangements, policy provisions, or upcoming reforms that would support Irish citizens in maintaining retirement in Ireland whilst currently working and living in UAE but wanting to retire to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47271/26]

490. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the policy in relation to overpayments of social welfare; if it is mandatory to repay all social welfare overpayments or if it can be written off; if so, in what circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47298/26]

491. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection if the database of personal information associated with those who hold a public services card, and accompanying biometric data, has been used as part of any application of artificial intelligence, either as training data or as a subject for analysis; and the safeguards he has put in place for the application of artificial intelligence…

492. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the total landholding of his Department, broken down by county, including the amount currently unused or vacant, the portion zoned for development, and the number of sites that include vacant or derelict properties. [47632/26]

493. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has been made aware of the case of a person (details supplied); if he will intervene to seek a prompt resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47648/26]

494. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available when a person cannot afford the necessary GP fees to fulfil criteria for a given social welfare payment when the person does not qualify for a medical card or GP-visit card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47657/26]

495. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47661/26]

496. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Social Protection if a pensioner and former coal miner can now apply for the disablement benefit payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47676/26]

1. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans to address the high rates of domiciliary care allowance, DCA, appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46280/26]

2. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will immediately abolish the income limit for carer’s allowance in view of the 2024 general election promises and the recent report regarding the difficulties experienced by carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46523/26]

3. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he plans to address barriers - administrative, financial and others - to accessing social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46287/26]

4. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the plans his Department has to reverse the trend of increasing levels of poverty amongst older people living alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46289/26]

5. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he plans to change the fuel allowance thresholds for those over the age of 66 that are a single income household; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46491/26]

6. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Protection for a report on his attendance at the annual carers’ forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46023/26]