Social Welfare Benefits

593. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of people in receipt of carer’s allowance that are caring for someone under 18 years of age. [26802/25]

278. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an appeal for a person (details supplied) has been ongoing for over a year and has not been assigned to an appeal officer yet, despite all documentation having been submitted. [26439/25]

279. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an application for carer’s allowance will issue for a person in County Mayo (details supplied). [26477/25]

84. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on plans to introduce pay related parents benefit; for an estimated cost for this extension if it was modelled on the same payment rates which apply to jobseekers pay related benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26213/25]

85. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the roll out of the companion pass to all over 70s from September 2025; when his Department will be engaging with over 70s on how they can obtain the pass; if the pass will be issued automatically to persons over 70; if he will provide an estimate on the number of people by county who will benefit from this exten…

87. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the reasonable accommodation fund and disability awareness scheme. [26251/25]

601. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the scheme or benefits introduced to replace the former jobseekers benefit which enabled a person who had lost their employment to draw a social welfare payment, while out of work, based on their insurance contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25482/25]

631. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated first-year and full-year cost of introducing a long-term carer’s pension [25920/25]

255. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of working family payment applications received; the number of working family payment applications awarded; the number of working family payment applications withdrawn; the average time in weeks from date of application submission to award in the first instance; the number of working family payment applications that we…

120. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the application process for educational sector workers; the length of time the current process is in place; if he plans to expedite this process for future applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24520/25]

124. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that exceptional needs payments could be used towards the purchase of a new disability friendly vehicle since the abolition of the motorised transport grant; the supports available for disabled citizens who require a new vehicle;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24693/25]

127. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider the introduction of a cost of disability allowance or supplement to address the additional living expenses faced by people with disabilities; and if he will outline any plans to increase existing disability payments to meet minimum essential living standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2480…

129. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an assessment of the extent to which current supports such as the household benefits package, fuel allowance, and free travel scheme alleviate the additional living costs incurred by people with disabilities; and if he will outline any plans to expand or enhance these supports; and if he will make a statement on…

132. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he is aware of cases where people with passes under the free travel scheme are being charged booking fees for some public transport services (details supplied); what actions his Department is undertaking to address these hidden booking costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24860/25]

785. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons no increases for child or adult dependants are paid with jobseeker's pay-related benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23175/25]

796. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23562/25]

92. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider amending the rules of the domiciliary care allowance so that the payment is extended for the care of children up to 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21390/25]

94. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who have applied for the jobseeker’s pay-related benefit since its introduction, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21744/25]

97. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if an examination of improvements to key ancillary benefits such as the fuel allowance, household benefits package and living alone allowance to support vulnerable groups has occurred as per the programme for Government; if not, when this examination is to occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21297/25]

102. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who have qualified for the full amount of the jobseeker’s pay-related benefit; the proportion of the total number of recipients this is, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21745/25]

126. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if recipients of carer’s allowance will be notified prior to the new household increase in income thresholds provided for in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21692/25]

127. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on the proposed permanent annual cost of disability support payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21718/25]

130. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection to comment on the number of domiciliary care allowance applications that have been rejected from 2023; to outline the appeal process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21377/25]

133. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to examine improvements to key ancillary benefits, such as the fuel allowance, household benefits package and living alone allowance, to support vulnerable groups. [21603/25]

138. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify how the new pay-linked jobseeker's benefit will be applied to someone who is working in the North of Ireland and is made redundant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21654/25]