Parliamentary questions

School Transport

Marian Harkin

226. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education if she will consider an issue in regard to school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20775/24]

Departmental Properties

Cian O'Callaghan

227. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details on a squash club at the back of a school (details supplied); is this in the ownership of her Department; if there are any plans for its use, as it has been vacant for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20797/24]

Teaching Qualifications

Cian O'Callaghan

228. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will consider a scheme to acknowledge teaching years accrued abroad for the purposes of determining salary, in order to entice teachers who have emigrated to return; if this could be considered as a measure to increase trained teachers in Ireland and address the teacher shortage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20798/24]

School Staff

Cian O'Callaghan

229. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the measures she intends to take to address the shortage of 13 teachers due to recruitment difficulties at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20800/24]

Schools Administration

Paul Kehoe

230. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education for an update regarding the formal lease agreement documentation being issued by her Department to the patron of a school (details supplied) to be signed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20823/24]

School Staff

Catherine Connolly

231. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to extend the special education diploma allowance to include eligible teachers who started working post-2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20831/24]

Bus Éireann

Mairéad Farrell

232. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education if she will consider engaging with Bus Éireann to allow flexibility to secondary school students who take part in after-school activities to use regular Bus Éireann services with their school transport ticket; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20849/24]

School Accommodation

John Lahart

233. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if there is funding available for resourcing a sensory room in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20868/24]

School Funding

John Lahart

234. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education to explain the process in applying for funding for a four-teacher school (detail supplied); and any other advice she can offer in this matter. [20869/24]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

235. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide assistance to a school (details supplied); if she is aware that the delay in providing this additional accommodation will result in a large number of children being forced to be educated in overcrowded classrooms for September 2024; if she will expedite the processing of this school’s DES re: R1 Form on health and safety grounds; if she will ensure that all steps and processes are being considered to address the accommodation issues highlighted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20881/24]

Departmental Schemes

Sorca Clarke

236. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of HAA cards that are currently in existence. [20927/24]

Departmental Schemes

Sorca Clarke

237. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the annual cost of services provided under HAA. [20928/24]

Residential Institutions

Sorca Clarke

238. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of people excluded from the Caranua scheme. [20929/24]

Departmental Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

239. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has received the 2023 Annual Report and 2023 Audited Financial Statement from the National Concert Hall; and if not, when her Department expects to receive same. [20159/24]

Sports Funding

Gino Kenny

240. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are plans by her Department to increase public funding to League of Ireland academy development to support investment into development of youth football in Ireland, as currently Ireland lags behind the rest of Europe with only ten full-time academy staff and youth development is inadequate in regard to local community facilities for football clubs. [20169/24]

Departmental Staff

Carol Nolan

241. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of employees within her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20324/24]

European Union

Matt Carthy

242. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20365/24]

Sports Funding

Mattie McGrath

243. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an updated timeline on the sports capital funding allocation announcements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20389/24]

Sports Funding

Niamh Smyth

244. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on a sports capital application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20467/24]

Sports Funding

Niamh Smyth

245. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on a sports capital application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20468/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Matt Shanahan

246. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the expenditure in each of the individual Gaeltacht areas provided by her Department from 2018 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20518/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Matt Shanahan

247. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the expenditure in each of the individual Gaeltacht areas approved by her Department from 2018 to 2023 and to date in 2024 by Údarás Na Gaeltachta, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20519/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Matt Shanahan

248. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the expenditure by Údarás na Gaeltachta in each of the individual Gaeltacht areas from 2018 to 2023 and to date in 2024, and the individual expenditure headings to which this spending was allocated within each individual Gaeltacht area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20520/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Matt Shanahan

249. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a detailed charter of Údarás na Gaeltachta in terms of its mission statement, its governance structure, and the responsibilities and KPIs to which it is tasked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20521/24]

Departmental Funding

Michael Healy-Rae

250. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media about a funding request (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20568/24]

Departmental Funding

Michael Ring

251. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding that was allocated to a project (details supplied) was drawn down; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20622/24]

Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

252. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé i gceist aici ardú deontais a thabhairt do na teaghlaigh a choinníonn scoláirí faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge i mbliana agus an t-ardú ar an gcostas maireachtála le blianta beaga anuas agus na cúraimí breise a bhaineann le scoláirí a choinneáil á gcur i gcuntas; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20816/24]

Departmental Data

Michael Healy-Rae

253. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20828/24]

Broadcasting Sector

John Lahart

254. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the progress of a report on the financial health of the commercial radio sector that she requested from the BAI on 5 December 2022; if she will share the details of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20829/24]

Departmental Policies

Jennifer Whitmore

255. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what progress his Department has made in drafting and adopting of a statutory code of conduct for preventing the wilful and deliberate harassment of basking sharks in Irish territorial waters where they are now legally protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20924/24]

Housing Provision

Cian O'Callaghan

256. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new buy-and-renew homes delivered in each of the years 2016 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20173/24]

Waterways Issues

John McGuinness

257. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the programme of maintenance relative to the River Barrow, and the cost of work in each of the last five years; if there are any impediments on the river and canals section that prevent or hinder barges and boats from using the amenity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20198/24]

Departmental Data

Eoin Ó Broin

258. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of long-term social housing leases in place in 2023 and the total cost of these leases in that year. [20206/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

259. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of farm plan scheme applications that were received in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20210/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

260. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of farm plan scheme applications that were approved in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20211/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

261. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of farm plan scheme participants who had planners appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20212/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

262. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of farm plan scheme participants who had plans in place by the end of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20213/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

263. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of 2023 applicants to the farm plan scheme who received a payment in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20214/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

264. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average payment made in 2023 to all farm plan scheme participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20215/24]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

265. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail if any consideration has been given to the reintroduction of over the shop grants to compliment the croí cónaithe schemes to ensure the Government are doing all they can to reduce vacancies in towns and villages across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20269/24]

Homeless Accommodation

Cian O'Callaghan

266. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of families who have been in homeless emergency accommodation for over six months; the number who have been in homeless emergency accommodation for over one year; broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20285/24]

Housing Schemes

Cian O'Callaghan

267. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost to the Exchequer of the affordable homes delivered with the affordable housing fund in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20292/24]

Housing Schemes

Cian O'Callaghan

268. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people working in his Department's vacant homes unit. [20293/24]

Housing Provision

Cian O'Callaghan

269. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all stalled capital advance loan facility-funded social housing projects, indicating the local authority in which they are located and the number of homes involved in each location; the measures he intends to take to get these projects up and running; if he will ensure that other projects are not delayed due to excessive red tape imposed by his Department on social housing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20294/24]

Vacant Sites

Cian O'Callaghan

270. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount collected in the vacant sites levy each year from 2019 to 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20295/24]

Defective Building Materials

Cian O'Callaghan

271. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm whether a senior counsel was appointed to pursue accountability from suppliers of defective concrete blocks; if he will provide an update on the work of this appointed SC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20296/24]

Rental Sector

Cian O'Callaghan

272. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of minimum standards for private-rented accommodation inspections carried out by environmental health officers between 2020 and 2024; the number of improvement letters issued as a result; the number of improvement notices and the number of enforcement proceedings initiated, broken down by local authority and year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20297/24]

Departmental Staff

Carol Nolan

273. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of employees within his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20318/24]

Rights of Way

Steven Matthews

274. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the legal mechanism to establish a new right of way; the procedure in instances of disputes over rights of way; the process whereby rights of way are assessed and confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20327/24]

Housing Schemes

Steven Matthews

275. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the incremental tenant purchase scheme; if consideration is being given to including tenants of approved housing body housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20328/24]

Post Office Network

Holly Cairns

276. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department or the OPW has engaged with An Post in relation to buying the listed Skibbereen and Bantry post offices in order to keep them in community use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20343/24]

European Union

Matt Carthy

277. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20359/24]

Local Authorities

James Lawless

278. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine a matter (details provided); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20437/24]

Defective Building Materials

Ivana Bacik

279. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the safeguards in place to ensure that public monies committed to owners’ management companies under the defects remediation schemes will be spent in their entirety on remediation works. [20475/24]

Planning Issues

Seán Canney

280. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the development charge waiver and water charge waiver can be extended to cover cases where a house had commenced but planning had expired and a new planning permission was then granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20509/24]

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Réada Cronin

281. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will issue a compulsory purchase order for the lands at Castletown House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20541/24]

Defective Building Materials

Pearse Doherty

282. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a technical review will be completed for a defective block scheme application (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20542/24]

Housing Provision

Eoin Ó Broin

283. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of long-term social housing leases in place in 2021, 2022 and 2023; the annual cost of these leases; and the allocation for such leases in 2024. [20551/24]

Departmental Communications

Steven Matthews

284. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 421 of 30 April 2024, the actions he will take to ensure that a degree course (details supplied) is included in his Department’s ongoing review of the suite of current engineering qualifications declared under section 160 of the Local Government Act 2001. [20589/24]

Housing Schemes

Dara Calleary

285. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the details of funding applications from Mayo County Council for voids refurbishments in 2022, 2023 and 2024; the funding applied for and funding received; if his Department directs funding towards specific properties or if Mayo County Council has that discretion; and if he is aware there are 16 vacant local authority houses in the Ballina area that Mayo County Council ascertain they have not received funding to refurbish. [20621/24]

Energy Policy

Pádraig O'Sullivan

286. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or his officials have engaged with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications or his officials to use money collected through the carbon tax and through the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Act 2023 to help tackle energy poverty in social housing in Ireland through measures such as the EnergyCloud initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20626/24]

State Bodies

Cian O'Callaghan

287. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure the report conducted by a person (details supplied) into allegations of malpractice and conflicts of interest at An Bord Pleanála is made public as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20676/24]

Housing Policy

Mattie McGrath

288. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the local authority home loan is going to be amended to include home renovations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20677/24]

Defective Building Materials

Bernard Durkan

289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports made available for persons affected by defective concrete blocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20690/24]

Departmental Data

Eoin Ó Broin

290. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average all in cost to the Exchequer for social housing acquisitions purchased in 2023 via the social housing investment programme. [20750/24]

Departmental Data

Eoin Ó Broin

291. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average all in cost to the Exchequer fand the average full development cost for social housing acquisitions purchased in 2023 via the capital advance leasing facility. [20751/24]

Local Authorities

Mairéad Farrell

292. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department compiles data on the number of qualified tradespeople employed in each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20774/24]

Housing Provision

Mairéad Farrell

293. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes built directly by each local authority in each of the years 2021 to 2023, in tabular form, broken down by whether they were delivered by direct labour employed by the local authority or through subcontracting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20776/24]

Electoral Process

Catherine Murphy

294. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will use a statutory instrument to give effect to empower a returning officer of a local election the authority to witness and retain a candidate's home address in lieu of displaying it on a ballot paper on request by a candidate. [20804/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

295. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions taken by his Department and the NPWS on foot of complaints by an person in relation to damage caused at a national park; the details of the damage that was caused; whether the site has been restored to its former condition; whether his Department accepts that the report he made was accurate in its description and that a press release issued by it was incorrect and damaged the person’s professional reputation; if he is willing to meet the complainant to discuss this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20824/24]

State Properties

Alan Kelly

296. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cross departmental group which is reviewing the feasibility studies referenced in Parliamentary Question No. 430 of 16 April 2024. [20827/24]

Housing Provision

Brendan Griffin

297. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if will provide, in tabular form, Kerry County Council’s social housing targets, units delivered and by whom since the launch of Rebuilding Ireland in July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20843/24]

Housing Provision

Cathal Crowe

298. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a copy of a report (details supplied). [20847/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Cian O'Callaghan

299. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a privately run service (details supplied) is obligated to recognise the State travel pass for older people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20803/24]

Departmental Staff

Darren O'Rourke

300. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE medical officers working in her Department in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [20157/24]

Pension Provisions

Catherine Connolly

301. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 20 February 2024, to provide an update on the long-term carers’ contribution scheme; the number of applications received to date; the number approved; the number rejected; the number pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20174/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Seán Canney

302. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has plans to address the current legislative anomaly where people who were forced to retire from work on health grounds have been refused free travel as they are not getting a disability payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20175/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

303. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) against the decision to reduce his wife's payment, with particular reference to their high outgoings on medical costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20179/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

304. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person will be permitted to have credits applied to their welfare application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20228/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

305. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) has been approved. [20261/24]

Departmental Staff

Carol Nolan

306. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employees within her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20322/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

307. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a training support grant by a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20345/24]

European Union

Matt Carthy

308. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20363/24]

Social Welfare Code

Sean Fleming

309. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the position if people can apply to have credits towards their pension while they were in receipt of carer's allowance for many years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20386/24]

Social Welfare Code

Richard Bruton

310. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been brought to the anomaly that public sector workers can work to 70 years of age but illness benefit cannot be claimed by those working beyond the age of 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20433/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Frankie Feighan

311. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person from County Leitrim (details supplied) was not awarded jobseeker’s benefit despite working for a long number of years before her redundancy; the reason her Department has failed to communicate with the person, despite their best efforts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20485/24]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

312. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for the State pension (non-contributory) will be approved for a person (details supplied); if they are entitled to the State pension (contributory); and if they will be paid supplementary allowance as they have no income. [20492/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Healy-Rae

313. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection about an application for a carer’s allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20543/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Peadar Tóibín

314. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of times persons living in County Galway in receipt of carer’s allowance had their allowance stopped, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [20546/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Peadar Tóibín

315. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Galway, who, having been refused the disability allowance, were successful in their appeals of her Department’s decision to refuse, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [20547/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Eoin Ó Broin

316. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the total expenditure on rent supplement in 2022 and 2023, and the allocation for 2024. [20550/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Sherlock

317. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is discretion on the part of the deciding officer for a late application for paternity benefit (details supplied). [20559/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Griffin

318. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in County Kerry (details supplied) can requalify for carer’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20561/24]

State Pensions

Robert Troy

319. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate why a person (details supplied), who now qualifies for a higher rate non-contributory pension, did not qualify for a similarly high rate when she first applied, and if this can be rectified. [20610/24]

School Meals Programme

Michael Lowry

320. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the status of an application for the school meals programme (details supplied); the reason this school did not receive approval in the latest expansion of this initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20614/24]

Social Welfare Code

Pádraig O'Sullivan

321. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the recent extension of child benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education or those with a disability also includes those who are home-schooled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20624/24]

School Meals Programme

Louise O'Reilly

322. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection how the nutrition standards for school meals are being monitored, implemented and enforced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20627/24]

School Meals Programme

Louise O'Reilly

323. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection what safeguards have been put in place to ensure that the hot school meals programme is being rolled out in accordance with the nutrition standards for school meals; what resources are in place to ensure the standards are being met; if further resources are needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20628/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for a carer’s support grant in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20695/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Paul Kehoe

325. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if assistance can be offered to a person (details supplied) so the review of his jobseeker's benefit claim can be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20739/24]