Naoise Ó Cearúil

Fianna Fáil · Kildare North

Activity on Social Protection — 55 events (2 lobbying · 53 questions · 0 votes) full profile →

• 2026-04-14
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any artificial intelligence tools or systems are currently being used within his Department or in agencies under its remit; the purposes for which these tools are being used; whether any departmental guidance or governance structures have been developed to support their responsible use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24464/26]
• 2026-04-14
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of civil and public servants in his Department and agencies under its remit who have received training in AI, data literacy, or digital skills in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25041/26]
• 2026-02-26
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the planned extension of the fuel allowance scheme to families in receipt of the working family payment; the expected number of beneficiary households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15632/26]
• 2026-02-26
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the timeline and expected impact of the increases to the carer’s allowance income disregards due to take effect later this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15631/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of new applicants aged 66 years and over who have been approved for the fuel allowance under the revised means thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2789/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected Exchequer cost of State contribution matching under auto-enrolment for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2790/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for proposing restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs and the objectives these changes are intended to achieve. [2921/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if the proposed changes to PRSA investment options are linked to compliance with EU directives or domestic policy priorities; and to outline the relevant requirements. [2922/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the evidence or analysis that has informed the decision to review or restrict investment options for self-directed PRSAs. [2923/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the assessment that has been carried out on the potential impact of the proposed changes on the pension market, including saver choice and competition among providers. [2924/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if an analysis has been conducted on the potential effect of the proposed restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs on housing supply, particularly in relation to residential property investment by pension schemes. [2925/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if modelling or forecasting has been undertaken to estimate the number of rental units that could be lost annually as a result of the proposed restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs, and to provide details of that analysis. [2926/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has considered the potential impact of the proposed restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs on small business owners and self-employed individuals who rely on self-directed pensions for flexibility and control. [2927/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement that has taken place with representative bodies for pensions in Ireland regarding the proposed changes to PRSA investment options. [2928/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if a public consultation process will be undertaken before any legislative changes are introduced for restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs; and the timeline and process for that consultation. [2929/26]
• 2026-01-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has engaged with stakeholders in the housing sector to assess the potential implications of the proposed restrictions on investment options for self-directed PRSAs changes for housing supply and affordability. [2930/26]
• 2025-11-18
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider increasing the means test threshold for the disability allowance in line with the changes made to carer's allowance in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62992/25]
• 2025-11-18
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the age cut-off of seven for the one-parent family payment, in light of the continued care and financial needs of one-parent households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62993/25]
• 2025-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding granted to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) by his Department over the past five years; and if the relevant NGOs have submitted reports or other documentation outlining the way in which the funding has been spent, in tabular form. [58000/25]
• 2025-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals submitted in County Kildare for disability allowance for each year from 2022 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58607/25]
• 2025-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals submitted in County Kildare for carer’s allowance for each year from 2022 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58608/25]
• 2025-10-22
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance in County Kildare each year from 2022 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57472/25]
• 2025-10-15
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures being taken to address delays in fuel allowance payments for persons who are in receipt of another welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55798/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process jobseeker's allowance applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51215/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process jobseeker's benefit applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51216/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process disability allowance applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51217/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process carer's allowance applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51218/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process carer's benefit applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51219/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process invalidity pension applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51220/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process child benefit applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51221/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process disability pension applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51222/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process maternity benefit applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51223/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process parent's benefit applications, per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51224/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process paternity benefit applications per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51235/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process domiciliary care allowance applications per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51236/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process supplementary welfare allowance applications per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51237/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe to process widowed parent grant applications per county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51238/25]
• 2025-09-25
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection to address delays in processing illness benefit and invalidity pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50783/25]
• 2025-09-25
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the eligibility criteria for the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50782/25]
• 2025-06-24
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to address long waiting times for appeals being dealt with by way of a summary decision or oral hearing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34311/25]
• 2025-06-19
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress which has been made to examine ways to lift more children in Ireland out of child poverty and the expected timeline for setting a new child poverty target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33128/25]
• 2025-06-19
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to expand and build on successful programmes like WorkAbility and Employability to support people with disabilities into employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33127/25]
• 2025-06-10
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the details of his Department's review of means testing across all social assistance schemes, with particular reference to the disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30567/25]
• 2025-05-28
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will address delays in social welfare payments for ECCE preschool staff and ensure timely processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27917/25]
• 2025-05-01
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to reform the disability allowance payment to remove the current means test for the payment, in line with Programme for Government commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21687/25]
• 2025-05-01
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools in county Kildare that are now eligible to receive hot school meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21686/25]
• 2025-05-01
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21812/25]
• 2025-04-29
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the additional costs of disability for older people aged 65 years and over; if consideration has been given to extending the proposed annual cost of disability payment to those on the State pension with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18763/25]
• 2025-04-29
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection for a proposed timeline for reviewing the carer’s allowance means test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18764/25]
• 2025-04-29
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reply to correspondence regarding means testing of the carer’s allowance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18765/25]
• 2025-04-29
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on extending the widowed parent tax credit beyond five years; his further views on extending financial supports for widows and widowers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21180/25]
• 2025-03-25
  LOBBY
  Polio Survivors Ireland Social Protection

  • PQ to extend cost of disability payment to those on the state pension with disabilities
• 2025-02-27
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of new baby grants that have been made to parents in Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8460/25]
• 2025-02-27
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans for ensuring that the social welfare system is progressive and empowers people with a disability to live full and independent lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8462/25]
• 2025-01-02
  LOBBY
  Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed Social Protection

  • Key General Election issues for people who are unemployed, distanced from the labour market, and people working on these issues, calling on all political parties and people standing in the forthcoming General Election to ensure adequate levels of income; improve welfare to work supports; provide quality training and education; enhance labour market programmes; accessible and decent jobs; supportive employment services; and inclusive technological change.