Social Welfare Schemes

1392. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the structure of the State maternity benefit to consider moving to a pay-related model similar to jobseekers pay related benefit, in order to better reflect prior earnings and contributions and reduce the long-term financial disadvantage faced by women, particularly in light of the long-term impact on pension enti…

1395. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider amending the rules on carer’s allowance in order that a person who is in receipt of a State pension would also be eligible to qualify for the full rate of carer’s allowance, as many older people are providing full-time care for a loved one in need, this care is crucial to the State; and if he will make a statement…

1396. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of international protection applicants in receipt of the daily expenses allowance who are also in employment; the measures in place to prevent double payment or welfare dependency; and the policy rationale for continuing the allowance when applicants have income from work. [46533/25]

1397. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the total cost to the Exchequer of the daily expenses allowance provided to international protection applicants in each of the past three years, broken down by those in employment and those not in employment. [46534/25]

1399. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the responsibility that is on his Department to ensure that citizens are appropriately educated and informed about the terms of individual social welfare payments and the potential implications of availing or not availing of a particular payment, for example that some count as credits for a State pension and others do not; and i…

1401. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46594/25]

1402. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the bereaved partners grant only applies to those whose partner’s death occurred on or after 21 July 2025; to confirm that consideration would be given to extending this grant to those whose partners died before this date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46673/25]

1405. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports or schemes available to qualified post primary teachers who are currently unemployed, particularly in cases where there are no suitable vacancies in their local area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46737/25]

1409. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection given the 1.8 per cent rise in inflation and its disproportionate impact on low-income families, if he will commit to indexing core social welfare schemes and supports in Budget 2026, to protect against further cost-of-living erosion. [46808/25]

1410. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the logistics and communication plans to ensure timely delivery of the scheduled fuel allowance payments beginning week of 22 September 2025 particularly for older and vulnerable households in Cork and surrounds. [46821/25]

1414. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on his plans to abolish the means test for carers; if there is a timeline for this; if considerations for this will be made in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46927/25]

1429. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to remove the means test for carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47439/25]

1430. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to facilitate those with disabilities into the workforce through various schemes; his plans to update them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47440/25]

1433. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the work and access scheme; the number that are using it; his plans to increase this number and improve the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47453/25]

1434. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the wage subsidy scheme; the number that are using it; his plans to increase this number and improve the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47454/25]

1436. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection if he plans to improve processing times for those who do not have year-long contracts and must avail of social protection payments during holiday periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47456/25]

1437. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to reduce and remove the means test for carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47457/25]

1749. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people receiving full or half rate carer's allowance that have had a review of their claim twice in eight months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40812/25]

1757. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will increase the index-link of the income disregard for the one-parent family payment and jobseeker’s transitional payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41046/25]

1765. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will fulfil the commitment in the programme for Government and extend the fuel allowance to recipients of the working family payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41209/25]

1772. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated timeframe for completion of reviews of applications for carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41396/25]

1774. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans his Department has to make those carers in receipt of a State pension eligible for the full rate of carer’s allowance, rather than the present half rate, if he will acknowledge that many pensioners who are providing care to a family member 24/7 are struggling financially; and if he will make a statement on the matt…

1776. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected cost in 2026 of increasing the income disregard for carer’s allowance to €750 (single) and €1,500 (couple); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41415/25]

1777. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Social Protection if a more efficient system could be considered for seasonal workers who are temporarily laid off for the summer months and need to avail of jobseeker’s benefit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41430/25]

1779. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare payments available without habitual residence as a stipulation. [41489/25]