55. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to further reform the means test for carer’s allowance, including whether he will consider its full abolition and the introduction of a non-means-tested family carer payment, in recognition of the fact that eligibility for support should reflect the significant caring responsibilities undertaken by full-time family carers. [63776/26]
Topics / Budget 2027
A subject heading for parliamentary questionsBudget 2027
178 questions from 69 TDs, between 21 May 2026 and 22 October 2026.
178
questions
167 written, 11 oral
69
TDs have asked
10
parties and groups
Independents counted together
15
departments asked
Questions per month
The record holds no questions for August, when the Dáil does not sit.
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| Month | Questions |
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| January 2025 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 0 |
| March 2025 | 0 |
| April 2025 | 0 |
| May 2025 | 0 |
| June 2025 | 0 |
| July 2025 | 0 |
| August 2025 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 0 |
| October 2025 | 0 |
| November 2025 | 0 |
| December 2025 | 0 |
| January 2026 | 0 |
| February 2026 | 0 |
| March 2026 | 0 |
| April 2026 | 0 |
| May 2026 | 5 |
| June 2026 | 20 |
| July 2026 | 14 |
| August 2026 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 59 |
| October 2026 | 80 |
Who asks, by party
The party each TD belonged to on the day, in alphabetical order. Parties differ a lot in size, and members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them, so this shows who raised it, not how much a party cares about it.
The TDs who asked most
Members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them. Each question counts once.
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Asked of
Debated under the same heading
Debates whose official heading is exactly these words.
The questions
81. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection his views in relation to the phasing out of the carers allowance means test as committed to in the Programme for Government; and the timeline for this commitment to be met. [66892/26]
91. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has had any engagement with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to Budget 2027. [67198/26]
94. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the Government's commitment to review the means test for carer's allowance; and whether he is considering the abolition of the means test in recognition of the vital role played by family carers. [67391/26]
105. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection in the context of Budget 2027, he will consider further reform of Carer’s Allowance, including increasing the weekly rate and further easing or removing the means test in recognition of the significant contribution made by family carers; and the estimated cost of each of these measures. [67387/26]
106. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection the targeted income supports in relation to those with disabilities he is considering as part of Budget 2027 negotiations. [67299/26]
108. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the timeline for the abolition of the carer’s means test. [66849/26]
110. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection following the increases in the income disregards for the carer’s allowance means test, the next steps his Department intends to take towards the Programme for Government commitment to phase out the means test; the further changes to the income disregards or qualifying criteria that are being considered; and the timeframe for their introduction. [67262/2…
115. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the added measures his Department hope to introduce in Budget 2027 to help families with the cost of living. [67635/26]
279. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if, in advance of any change to the rate of the e-liquid products tax in budget 2027, his Department has assessed the effect of a rate increase on the size of the illicit and cross-border market, having regard to the differential with the rate applying in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67930/26]
44. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to identify the actions being taken by Government to support indigenous Irish retailers operating in regional Ireland, many of whom are facing significant increases in employment and operating costs; and whether additional targeted supports will be considered in Budget 2027. [67456/26]
45. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if an assessment has been undertaken of the impact that continued increases in the living wage will have on labour-intensive sectors such as retail, hospitality and other consumer-facing industries; and if he will outline any planned supports to assist businesses in adapting to these increases. [67455/26]
49. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has carried out an analysis of the effect of rising labour costs on employment levels and investment decisions within the retail sector and how concerns regarding the future viability of jobs in regional retail businesses are being addressed. [67450/26]
50. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures are being considered in Budget 2027 to support the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of Irish-owned retailers, particularly those operating in regional towns and cities, in light of increasing labour costs and regulatory burdens. [67449/26]
29. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether an implementation plan will be published for the 63 recommendations contained in the Cost of Business Advisory Forum's final report, with clear timelines and measurable targets; and which recommendations he intends to prioritise in Budget 2027. [66923/26]
42. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his response to the Cost of Business Advisory Forum report. [66661/26]
586. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health her views on a pre-budget submission (details supplied). [66719/26]
705. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether provision will be made in Budget 2027 for 30 additional places under the Community Services Programme and an increase in the level of support for existing participants to reflect higher wage and operating costs; and if he will make a stat…
706. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the provision being made in Budget 2027 for the continued funding of Men's Sheds running costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66836/26]
707. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide, for each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, the total funding allocated to Men's Sheds running costs; the number of sheds funded; the average grant paid per shed; and if he will make a statement on the matter [66834/26]
708. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether running costs support for Men's Sheds in the current year is being provided through a dedicated Men's Sheds grant or through the Local Enhancement Programme; and the amount ring-fenced specifically for Men's Sheds as distinct from other community organisations drawing on the same fund; and if he will make a statem…
709. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to set out the current status of the dedicated Men's Sheds running costs grant for 2025/2026; including whether the scheme will open for applications this year; the total allocation; the maximum grant per shed; and the intended opening and closing dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66829/26]
184. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he has received a pre-Budget submission (details supplied); if he will give consideration to the asks therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65989/26]
247. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will give a commitment in the upcoming budget to eliminate and publish a definitive timeline to abolish the carer's allowance means test. …
761. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the Department is considering measures in Budget 2027 to address the impact of rising living costs on vulnerable households, including increases to core social welfare rates, enhanced supports for children, people with disabilities and one-parent families, improvements to the fuel allowance scheme, and other measures advocated b…