Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2005
344 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department plans to review the earnings disregard for persons with disabilities who are in rehabilitative employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3435/05]
View answerMy Department aims, through the provision of a range of supports, to encourage and assist people with disabilities and long-term illnesses who are in receipt of social welfare payments to identify and take up available employment, training and other self-development opportunities, where appropriate. This is achieved through a number of measures, which include: exemptions from the general "no work" conditions which apply to the contributory illness and disability payments. With the prior approval of the Department, a person may be exempted from these conditions so as to engage in employment or training of up to 20 hours per week which is considered to be rehabilitative or therapeutic in nature; earnings disregards in the case of means-tested payments, disability allowance and blind pension, for those engaging in rehabilitative employment or self-employment and rehabilitative training; participation in the back to work scheme, whereby people on long-term illness and disability payments can retain those payments on a sliding scale for three years where they take up full-time employment in the open labour market, four years where engaged in self-employment; the jobs facilitator network, which assists people to return to work, training and education by advising them of the options available, encouraging them to take up these options and providing supports, where necessary; and exemptions from liability for employer and employee PRSI contributions, in certain instances.
The earnings disregard for those in receipt of means-tested payments engaging in rehabilitative employment has been increased on a number of occasions since the transfer of the then disabled person's maintenance allowance, DPMA, from the health boards to my Department as disability allowance in 1996.
At that time, the disregard was £35.20, equivalent of €44.69, increased to £36.30, €46.09, from 4 June 1997 and to £50, €63.49, from 3 June 1998. It was then increased to £75, €95.23, from 5 April 2000 and also extended to self-employment and to its current level of €120 from 3 April 2002. Any further change to this disregard would have budgetary implications and would have to be considered in the context of overall available resources.
As part of the Government's expenditure review initiative, a working group established in my Department reviewed the range of existing illness and disability schemes and identified a number of areas where employment support could be strengthened within the social welfare system and across Departments generally.
The review considered that there is no single approach which could offer a complete solution to the barriers which people with disabilities may experience in finding and taking up employment , but rather that a combination of measures is required which should include: a recognition of the fact that some people's medical and other circumstances may mean that they have some capacity for work, but may never achieve full-time work. A review of the rehabilitative earnings disregard could be considered in this context; ensuring that whatever employment support measures are adopted do not act as a disincentive for people with disabilities and long-term illnesses in maximising their potential; retaining a range of employment supports for different client groups, and ensuring that clients are referred to the most suitable option, having regard to the nature of their illness-disability, age and social circumstances; and the introduction of early intervention measures which are aimed at re-integrating people who sustain serious illnesses, injuries and disabilities back into the workforce before they become long-term dependent on social welfare payments.
The review sets out a strategic direction for policy in relation to the illness and disability schemes and its recommendations will be taken on board in the context of future development of employment support activities. My Department is actively considering how the many recommendations of the report might be implemented.
345 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if, in the circumstances, the exemption will be continued for a further six months to allow the person to prepare for work. [3447/05]
View answerA person is not permitted, as a general rule, to engage in work while receiving disability benefit. Legislation provides, however, that a person may be granted an exemption from this rule where she-he is engaged in part-time work in the nature of rehabilitation or occupational therapy, with a view to return to full-time employment.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 20 January 2003. In March 2004, an exemption was approved for a period of six months from June 2004.
An extension to the exemption period was refused on 13 December 2004 following consultation with the Department's medical adviser who advised that the rehabilitative and occupational therapeutic value of the work had been exhausted, and that the exemption was unlikely to lead to return to full-time employment.
The person concerned sought a review of the decision and her case was sent to the chief medical adviser of the Department for his advice. The reviewing officer, after examining all the facts and taking into consideration the advice of the chief medical advisor, upheld the original decision.
If the person concerned wishes to continue with the part-time work, she will have to submit a final certificate to the Department. Alternatively, if the person concerned wishes to continue to claim disability benefit she could cease the part-time work but her entitlement to disability benefit would be subject to reassessment on medical grounds.
If the person concerned continues with her part-time job, she may be entitled to unemployment assistance but that is subject to her meeting the relevant conditions, including that she was seeking work either for those periods not covered by her current part-time job or an alternative full-time job. The person concerned may also claim supplementary welfare allowance on a short-term basis while awaiting a decision on a claim for unemployment assistance.
346 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of recipients of the carer’s allowance at the full rate, the carer’s allowance at a reduced rate and carer’s benefit; and if he will compare these figures with the total estimated number of carers. [3466/05]
View answerThere are now 23,915 people in total receiving either carer's allowance or carer's benefit. Some 21,001 of these are in receipt of carer's allowance at the maximum rate and another 2,233 are on reduced rates. A further 681 people are currently in receipt of carer's benefit.
The Central Statistics Office, CSO, included a question in the 2002 census to identify the number of persons providing unpaid personal care for a friend or family member with a long-term illness, health problem or disability. The analysis of this section of the census found that: 40,526 people provide 43 hours or more unpaid personal help per week, or over six hours per day; 23,366 people provide 15 to 42 hours unpaid personal help per week, or between two and six hours per day; and 84,862 people provide one to 14 hours unpaid personal help per week, or up to two hours per day.
There are currently approximately 24,000 carers in receipt of carer's allowance or carer's benefit. This equates to 59% of the 40,500 or so people found by the CSO to be caring for six hours or more each day. It equates to 37% of the 64,000 or so carers found by the CSO to be caring for more than two hours per day. People providing lower levels of care would not necessarily meet the qualifying conditions for receipt of a payment because the carer must be providing full-time care and attention and the care recipient must be in need of full-time care and attention. In the case of carer's allowance, the carer must also satisfy a means test.
Support of carers has been a priority of Government since 1997. Payments to carers have been greatly improved over that period and qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have been significantly eased, coverage of the scheme been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care payment have been introduced. The further development of support for carers continues to be a priority for me and for Government.
Provision has been made in successive budgets for substantial increases in the income disregards. From April 2005, the weekly income disregards will increase to €270 for a single carer and to €540 for a couple.
The effect of this increase will ensure that a couple with two children, earning a joint income of up to €30,700 can qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance while the same couple, if they had an income of €49,200, could still qualify for the minimum carer's allowance, the free schemes and the respite care grant. The carer's allowance means test is one of the more flexible tests in terms of the assessment of household incomes.
In addition and with effect from June 2005 I have made provision for the introduction of a universal respite care grant payment of €1,000 payable to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability subject to certain employment related conditions. This grant may be made in respect of each care recipient and is not subject to a means test. These measure will continue to enhance the provision of supports for carers.
348 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of recipients of the fuel allowance; the estimated annual cost of increasing the allowance to €12 and to €15; the estimated annual cost of extending the allowance to the remainder of the year; the estimated annual cost of paying a half-rate allowance for those months during which the allowance is not currently awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3555/05]
View answerThe estimated cost of social welfare fuel allowances in 2004 is €84 million, benefiting some 270,000 households. The estimated additional cost of increasing the allowance to €12 and to €15 per week for the 29-week winter heating season would be approximately €23 million and €47 million, giving a total scheme cost of €107 million or €131 million, respectively.
The estimated additional cost in 2005 terms of extending the fuel allowances to a full year would be approximately €66 million, giving a total scheme cost of €150 million. The estimated additional cost of paying half-rate allowance for those months during that the allowance is not paid currently would be approximately €33 million, giving a total cost of €117 million.
Fuel allowances are an assistance towards a person's extra heating expenses in the colder months, and have never been intended to cover the entire cost of fuel in that period. Significant real increases in recent years in primary social welfare payment pension, benefit and assistance rates have improved the income position for people who depend on the social welfare system to meet their day to day living costs, including heating. In addition, more than 300,000 households also qualify for electricity and gas allowances throughout the year under the household benefits package.
Any increase in fuel allowance payment levels or duration would have significant cost implications and is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.
349 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way in which means were assessed for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in regard to the carer’s allowance. [3557/05]
View answerUnder the legislative provisions that apply to carer's allowance all income which the claimant and his-her spouse have is assessable for means purposes. In the case of carer's allowance income disregards of €250 for a single person and €500 for a married couple apply. Any means in excess of the disregards are assessable.
The person concerned has been in receipt of carer's allowance since 2000. She applied for an increase in her carer's allowance in respect of a second carer on 29 July 2004. She was awarded carers allowance at €209.40 per week with effect from 15 July 2004. This represented the maximum personal rate payable to a person providing care to two persons. The means which, at that time, were derived from her spouse's earnings were below the disregard.
Due to a change in her spouse's employment and earnings two revised decisions have been made in respect of her entitlement. Income from her spouse's employment was re-assessed at €607.89 per week net of allowable deductions in respect of PRSI, superannuation, travel, etc.
Following the application of the €500 income disregard that applies, her weekly means were assessed as half of the balance, or €53.94 per week. Accordingly, her weekly rate of allowance was reduced to €161.90. She was notified of this decision and the reasons for it, including a breakdown of the means assessed.
Additional information regarding her spouse's employment was subsequently received by my Department on 1 February 2005. A further revised decision has been completed and income from employment was assessed as €703.92. Following application of the income disregard, the weekly means equate to €101.96. The rate of payment will be reduced accordingly from 3 March 2005 to €135.40.
Her case will, however, be automatically reviewed arising from improvements to the income disregards made in the context of the budget. These are being increased to €540 with effect from April 2005 for a married or co-habiting couple. In cases where there are no other changes in circumstances, this will result in an increase of €20 per week in the rate of carers allowance payable.
Under social welfare legislation decisions on claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
With effect from June 2005, I have made provision for the annual respite care grant of €1,000 to be payable in respect of each care recipient.
350 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to extend the free travel pass to cover all services operated by Dublin Bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3833/05]
View answerI understand that the Deputy's question refers to the possibility of removing the time restrictions from the free travel scheme.
Time restrictions have been a feature of the free travel scheme since its inception. The central issue in regard to time restrictions is that of capacity constraints and the pressure on the transport system from commuters travelling to and from work and school in the morning and evening.
Time restrictions do not apply on any transport services in the case of people with learning disabilities, people attending long-term rehabilitation courses or certain work experience programmes and certain other people with disabilities or visual impairment.
These people are issued with an unrestricted free travel pass which enables them to travel during the normally restricted travel times. Also, there are no peak time travel restrictions on Luas, DART, suburban rail services, and on services provided by private transport operators in other parts of the country.
In exceptional circumstances, where hospital appointments cannot be arranged out of peak travel time, my Department can issue a temporary unrestricted free travel pass. Requests for such passes are considered on a case by case basis.
I understand that any general lifting of the existing time restrictions at this time could cause capacity problems for transport operators. However, my officials are keeping the matter under review.
351 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the maximum rent allowance will be awarded in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Carlow; the reason these persons are being asked to repay his Department; and if a decision will be expedited in this case. [3834/05]
View answerSubject to certain conditions, including a means test, rent supplements are available through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme administered on my behalf by the community welfare staff of the Health Service Executive, HSE.
The southern region of the HSE has advised that an overpayment of rent supplement occurred in this case owing to the failure of the person concerned to notify the community welfare officer that he had taken up part-time employment. The HSE has further advised that the person concerned is no longer in part-time employment and that payment of the appropriate amount of rent supplement has been restored to him.
The HSE is obliged to make all reasonable efforts to recoup the overpayment. In doing so, it will have full regard to the circumstances of the couple concerned to ensure that no hardship occurs. The community welfare officer will notify the person shortly of the amount of the overpayment and will seek his proposals for repayment of the sum due.
