John Halligan
Question:275. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding leeway in the means testing of jobseeker's allowance (details supplied). [41398/12]
View answerJobseeker's Allowance Applications
Questions (275)
Written answers
Jobseeker's Allowance is a means tested social assistance scheme operated by my Department. For means test purposes, account is taken of the income and assets of both the claimant and his or her spouse/partner including the earnings of the spouse. Where a spouse/partner has earnings from employment, earnings less PRSI contributions, pension contributions and trade union subscriptions are assessed as means. I understand that, in the case, the means assessed are derived from the spouse’s earnings from employment.
In the case of jobseeker’s allowance, a disregard of €20 per day is applied to the earnings for each day worked subject to a to a maximum of €60 per week and the balance is assessed at 60% where a person’s means are derived from their spouse / partner’s insurable employment. When determining the assessable income from employment, the average weekly earnings, are determined by reference to the earnings received in the 13 weeks preceding the date of claim or such other period the deciding officer may consider appropriate having regard to the circumstances of the case. There is no provision for discretion where a person’s means exceed the threshold appropriate for that family. However, if the claimant’s spouse/partner’s earnings have decreased (even to a very limited extent) since the original assessment, the claimant should contact the local office and seek to have his or means re-assessed.
Severe Weather Events Response
Questions (276)
Brian Stanley
Question:276. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of financial humanitarian assistance allocated as a result of severe flooding last autumn that has been allocated on a national and county wide basis; the amount of the average allocation; and if an appeal mechanism exists to challenge unsatisfactory allocations. [41399/12]
View answerWritten answers
In the immediate aftermath of the severe flooding experienced in October 2011, the Government put in place a humanitarian assistance scheme to assist households affected by that flooding. The scheme, which is means tested, is available to people whose homes were damaged in the flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair as a result of the flooding damage.
The counties mainly affected by the autumn 2011 flooding were Dublin and Monaghan. Payments to the value of €865,444 have been paid in respect of 945 claims in Dublin and €28,767 in respect of 46 claims in Monaghan. The average value of total payments made is €902.
The humanitarian assistance scheme is a non-statutory scheme and is not covered under social welfare legislation. It is one of a number of social welfare schemes which operates on an administrative basis. Administrative schemes are not appealable under social welfare legislation. However, where a person is dissatisfied with a decision they can request to have their case reviewed by another officer. This review will be carried out by an officer not involved in the original decision.
Any person who may experience hardship as a result of flooding should contact their local department representative administering the supplementary allowance scheme who may be able to offer assistance.
Departmental Staff Allowances
Questions (277)
Michael Creed
Question:277. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish details of all allowances paid to staff in her Department; the business case made by her Department in respect of these allowances to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; the cost of each individual allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41419/12]
View answerWritten answers
A list of allowances paid to staff in my Department and the expenditure on each allowance for the year 2011 are shown in the tabular statement. As part of the review of allowances undertaken by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department submitted business cases in respect of four allowances that are specific to my Department. Allowances which are paid across the civil service were dealt with by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Details of these submissions, redacted in respect of confidential operational information, are available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform website at www.per.gov.ie and go into Press Releases, Review of Public Service Allowances and Premium Payments, business cases and then into Social Protection.
http://per.gov.ie/review-of-public-sector-allowances-and-premium-payments-business-cases-submitted-for-review/
|
Allowance |
Payment Rates - € per week |
Total in 2011 - € |
Comments |
|
Child Allowance |
€2.17 |
43,233 |
|
|
Call out Availability |
€33.90 (class B); €35.67 (class A) (this amount can be shared between a number of people.) |
18,845 |
|
|
Private Secretary |
€376 for HEO grade; €199.41 for EO grade (retained on a sliding scale) |
125,549 |
|
|
Telephone Rental |
Varies (currently ranges from €2.54 – €4.46) |
3,085 |
|
|
Franking Machine |
€32.60 (class B); €34.30 (class A) |
85,763 |
|
|
Keyholder |
€33.90 (class B); €35.67 (class A) (this amount can be shared between a number of people.) |
117,091 |
|
|
Driving |
€43.05 |
2,486 |
|
|
Machine Duties |
€32.60 |
3,390 |
|
|
Service Officer Supervisory |
€54.08 – €61.06 |
20,055 |
|
|
Forklift |
€34.49 |
1,793 |
|
|
On Call |
Varies according to hours worked. |
200,191 |
|
|
Special Duty Allowance |
€148.55 to €358.71 (Depending on posting, retained on sliding scale after special duties cease) |
144,926 |
|
Allowance |
Payment rates - € per week |
Total in 2011 - € |
Comments |
|
Shift |
Varies according to duties and basic pay (currently ranges from €92.69 to €265.50) |
360,874 |
|
|
Paperkeeper |
€61.06 |
6,350 |
|
|
Benefit in Kind Mileage |
Varies (based on mileage accrued) |
7,479 |
|
|
Higher Duty |
Varies – (difference between current salary and what would be the salary payable on promotion) |
331,289 |
|
|
Gaeltacht |
Varies but equates to 7.5% of Salary: this applies only to former HSE staff |
12,462 |
Oct-Dec 11 |
|
Dual Responsibility |
€71.50 (former HSE staff only) |
2,498 |
Oct-Dec 11 |
|
Cleaning |
€65.95 (former HSE staff only) |
0 |
Not set up until 2012 |
|
Training |
Varies (currently ranges from €15.23 to €58.02: (former HSE staff only) |
4,523 |
Oct-Dec 11 |
|
Travel |
€29.32 (former HSE staff) |
13,421 |
Oct-Dec 11 |
|
Personal To Holder Allowance |
Varies (carried over to DSP by former Revenue staff) |
39,424 |
|
|
Special Investigation Unit |
€42.40 at Assistant Principal level and €114.31 at Higher Executive Officer / Executive Officer levels |
512,614 |
Farm Assist Scheme Appeals
Questions (278)
Michael Colreavy
Question:278. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for farm assist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41423/12]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 10 September 2012 and the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer decision when the appeal has been determined.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Applications
Questions (279)
Brendan Griffin
Question:279. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on supplementary welfare allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41436/12]
View answerWritten answers
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that, subject to qualifying conditions, it provides assistance to any persons in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. There are approximately 33,500 customers in receipt of a basic weekly SWA payment for which the Government has provided €160 million in 2012.
Basic weekly SWA payments are generally paid to customers who are awaiting a decision, or a decision following an appeal for a social welfare payment, or to those who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. While it was never the intention that basic SWA would be paid on a longer term basis there are approximately 9,600 customers in receipt of the payment for more than one year. Customers in this category include asylum seekers who do not have access to primary social welfare payments or those who are ill but do not qualify for a payment under the Department’s primary illness related schemes. There is no basis in social welfare legislation to deem this scheme as a long term payment for recipients of the payment for periods in excess of one year.
A key objective of the transfer of the Community Welfare Service from the Health Service Executive to my Department on 1 October 2011 was to provide a streamlined, consistent and enhanced service to the customer. This should, over time, reduce recourse to basic SWA.
The process of integration is on-going and significant progress has already been made with a unified service, the National Employment and Entitlements Service, now in the process of being delivered in four offices.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (280)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:280. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41440/12]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question. The application will be processed as quickly as possible and when a decision is made the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Rent Supplement Scheme Applications
Questions (281)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:281. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of persons (details supplied) in Kildare whose rent allowance was approved from a date six months after they had taken up occupancy of a residential unit and in a situation in which their father has been continuously included on the council's assessment of need since 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41453/12]
View answerWritten answers
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer.
The person concerned was awarded a rent supplement from 23 March 2012 in accordance with a Housing Needs Assessment from Kildare County Council which certified a housing need from that date. If Kildare County Council considers that a Housing Need existed for the family prior to that date, written verification will need to be provided to the Department.
Insolvency Payments Scheme Applications
Questions (282)
Billy Timmins
Question:282. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding minimum notice and holiday pay in respect of a person (details supplied in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41455/12]
View answerWritten answers
A claim under the insolvency payments scheme in respect of arrears of wages, holiday pay and minimum notice was submitted manually on 5 December 2011 in respect of the person referred to. The Department is currently processing manually submitted claims received in September 2011 so unfortunately it will be some weeks yet before this claim is processed. A claim for a redundancy payment was paid to the person concerned on 17 February 2012.
Invalidity Pension Eligibility
Questions (283)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:283. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of invalidity pension at the present time; the number of persons in receipt of invalidity pension since January 2011 who have been notified that they are no longer eligible for the payment on foot of a review by his Department's medical assessor. [41485/12]
View answerWritten answers
On 31 August 2012, there were 49,060 claimants in receipt of an invalidity pension.
The following detail the number of invalidity recipients who were notified that they are no longer eligible for an invalidity pension as a result of medical review.
2011 - 501 invalidity recipients
2012 - at 31 August, 705 invalidity recipients
Question No. 284 answered with Question No. 260.
Rent Supplement Scheme Applications
Questions (285)
John Lyons
Question:285. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an up-to-date position on an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied). [41507/12]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned applied for Rent Supplement on 25 May 2012 to the Community Welfare Service in the Ballygall Health Centre, Finglas, Dublin 11.
They were requested to provide relevant documentation in support of their application and bring it back to the Community Welfare Services (CWS) for their claim to be processed. To date, they have not provided the documentation and have not being in touch with the CWS.
An officer of the CWS tried to contact the person concerned directly on Thursday 27 September 2012 to discuss their claim but to no avail.
The person concerned needs to make contact with the Community Welfare Services in the Ballygall Health Centre, Seamus Ennis Road, Finglas East, Dublin 11 to make a rent supplement application.
The CWS will give them advice regarding their current accommodation options if their circumstances have changed.
Question No. 286 withdrawn.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (287)
Pearse Doherty
Question:287. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide in tabular form social protection spending both as a percentage of gross domestic product and in nominal terms by year from 1992 to 2011. [41522/12]
View answerWritten answers
In 2011, the expenditure on Social Protection was just under €21 billion, or 13.4% of Gross Domestic Product. Expenditure details for the years requested by the deputy are in the following tabular statement.
Total Welfare Expenditure as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product, 1992 to 2011
|
Year |
Total Social Welfare Expenditure €m |
Social Welfare Expenditure as a Percentage of Gross Domestic Product |
|
1992 |
4,358 |
10.9 |
|
1993 |
4,607 |
10.7 |
|
1994 |
4,775 |
10.3 |
|
1995 |
5,332 |
10.1 |
|
1996 |
5,558 |
9.6 |
|
1997 |
5,744 |
8.6 |
|
1998 |
6,046 |
7.8 |
|
1999 |
6,283 |
7.1 |
|
2000 |
6,713 |
6.5 |
|
2001 |
7,842 |
6.9 |
|
2002 |
9,517 |
7.3 |
|
2003 |
10,493 |
7.5 |
|
2004 |
11,291 |
7.6 |
|
2005 |
12,168 |
7.5 |
|
2006 |
13,586 |
7.7 |
|
2007 |
15,518 |
8.2 |
|
2008 |
17,809 |
9.9 |
|
2009 |
20,536 |
12.9 |
|
2010 |
20,850 |
13.4 |
|
2011 |
20,968 |
13.4 |
Carer's Allowance Application Numbers
Questions (288)
John O'Mahony
Question:288. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications received each month for the years 2011 and to date in 2012 for carer's allowance; the number of applications on hand waiting to be processed; the reason for the delay in processing these applications; the steps that are being taken to reduce the waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41681/12]
View answerWritten answers
Numbers of Carer's Allowance Applications received 2011 and 2012 (to date) are outlined in the following tables:
2011 - Number of Carer's Allowance Applications registered by month
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
1251 |
1321 |
1243 |
1908 |
1374 |
1074 |
1482 |
168 |
257 |
150 |
1341 |
890 |
Total Number of Carer's Allowance applications registered: 12459
2012 - Number of Carer;s Allowance Applications registered by month
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
|
1107 |
1182 |
886 |
1044 |
1829 |
740 |
2302 |
2112 |
Total Number of Carer's Allowance applications registered: 11202
The total amount of pending carer's allowance applications as of August 2012 is 10,137.
I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer’s allowance claims at present is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the Department is taking appropriate action to resolve the situation.
Carer’s allowance section has recently completed a major service delivery modernisation project to improve the efficiency with which it processes applications from clients for carer’s allowance. The project involved the development of IT functionality and associated business process re-organisation. Full deployment of the new system for Carer’s Allowance was completed in June 2012.
Following the completion of the modernisation project, an in-depth business process improvement (BPI) project commenced for the carer’s allowance scheme. This project focused on optimising output and customer service and the reduction of backlogs. The outcome of the review is the division of work into two streams. One concentrates on dealing with new claim intake and processes these without delay and the other on the backlog which is ring-fenced with a clear and targeted plan for its elimination. Implementation of the plan commenced on Monday 3 September and will be closely monitored and managed to ensure it achieves its objectives. However, it will take a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level. The allocation of available resources to this task continues to be monitored.
Social Welfare Appeals Status
Questions (289)
John O'Mahony
Question:289. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals received each month for 2011 and to date in 2012 for appeals to her Department; the number of appeals on hand waiting to be processed; the reason for the delay in processing these applications; the steps that are being taken to reduce the waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41682/12]
View answerWritten answers
The number of appeals received each month for 2011 and to date in 2012 is listed in the following Table. At the end of September 2012 there were 21,571 appeals on hand.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, from about early 2009 the number of appeals received by that Office has increased dramatically and by 2011 had more than doubled from an average of 15,000 pa to. 31,241 in 2011. A further 27,089 have been received for the period January to September this year.
By its nature and because of its quasi-judicial nature, the processing of appeals takes time even at the best of times and reflects the fact that, by definition, the appeal process cannot be a quick one.
In an effort to reduce the processing times for all appeals, the Department has appointed 13 additional Appeals Officers since 2010. In addition, a further 10 Appeals Officers, formerly employed by the Community Welfare Services (CWS) of the Health Services Executive joined the Office as part of the integration of the CWS appeals services into the Social Welfare Appeals Office, bringing the total number of Appeals Officers now serving in the Office to 40. In addition to this the Office has improved its business processes and IT support.
I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she is keeping the methods of operation by which the Social Welfare Appeals Office conducts its business under constant review, and that the processes are continuously being enhanced to reduce the backlogs in the Office and, overall, to reduce the processing times for dealing with appeals.
Appeals Receipts during 2011 and 2012
|
2011 |
2011 |
2012 (to 30/09/2012) |
2012 (to 30/09/2012) |
|
Month |
Total Appeals |
Month |
Total Appeals |
|
January |
2,490 |
January |
3,902 |
|
February |
2,428 |
February |
2,492 |
|
March |
3,384 |
March |
3,364 |
|
April |
1,956 |
April |
3,765 |
|
May |
2,396 |
May |
2,928 |
|
June |
2,106 |
June |
2,375 |
|
July |
2,324 |
July |
3,608 |
|
August |
2,807 |
August |
2,811 |
|
September |
2,353 |
September |
1,844 |
|
October |
3,317 |
October |
- |
|
November |
3,915 |
November |
- |
|
December |
1,765 |
December |
- |
|
Total |
31,241 |
Total |
27,089 |
Insolvency Payments Scheme Payments
Questions (290)
John McGuinness
Question:290. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a payment from the insolvency fund will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the payment will be expedited. [41686/12]
View answerWritten answers
A claim for arrears of wages holiday pay and minimum notice under the Insolvency Payment Scheme was received in this Department on 12 March 2012. This claim was disallowed as the arrears being claimed were in respect of a period greater than 18 months prior to the liquidation. Under the Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) Act 1984 arrears of wages, holiday pay and minimum notice can only be paid in respect of a period not in excess of an eighteen month period prior to the liquidation.
A further on-line claim under the Insolvency payment scheme for payment of a Rights Commissioner’s Decision was received in this Department on 11 September 2012 on behalf of the person concerned. This claim has recently been awarded and payment was issued to the liquidator on 21 September 2012.
Question No. 291 answered with Question No. 260.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Questions (292)
Tom Fleming
Question:292. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [41719/12]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8 March 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 19 June 2012 and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Social Welfare Code Review
Questions (293)
Pat Deering
Question:293. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the social welfare system for self-employed, including payment of PRSI contributions, as the fear of not being entitled to any social welfare payments is a deterrent to many entrepreneurs who are afraid to take the risk of starting a business or working for themselves. [41724/12]
View answerWritten answers
Self-employed persons are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4% which entitles them to access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory). Ordinary employees who have access to the full range of social insurance benefits pay Class A PRSI at the rate of 4%. In addition, their employers make a PRSI contribution of 10.75% in respect of their employees, resulting in the payment of a combined 14.75% rate per employee under full-rate PRSI Class A. (For employees earning less than €356 per week, the rate of employer’s PRSI is 4.25%).
Any changes to the PRSI system to extend the full range of social insurance benefits to self-employed persons would have significant financial implications and would have to be considered in the context of a much more significant rise in the rate of contribution payable.
The recently published Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund as at 31 December 2010 looked at the break-even contribution rates required to provide invalidity pensions and jobseeker’s benefit for self-employed workers. The report found that the effective annual rate of contribution, or the required contribution as a percentage of salary, needed to provide the core full-rate State pension (contributory), which is the benefit currently available to self-employed contributors, is approximately 15%. This compares favourably with the 3.7% effective rate currently paid by the self-employed. An incremental increase in contribution rates from approximately 15% to 16% would be required if jobseeker’s benefit in addition to core State pension (contributory) is provided. The average contribution rate required for the core State pension (contributory) plus the invalidity pension and jobseeker’s benefit is estimated to be in the region of 17.3%.
I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare last year and one of the issues that the Group is currently considering is the issue of providing social insurance cover for self-employed persons in order to establish whether or not such cover is technically feasible and financially sustainable. The Advisory Group’s overall method of working is based on producing modular reports on the priority areas identified in the Terms of Reference. Where possible, the aim is to provide recommendations that can be acted upon in time for the annual budget, estimates and legislative cycle and to allow the Government to best address its commitments under the EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support. The Group has been considering the issue of social insurance coverage for the self-employed and will submit its report once its examination of the various questions has been completed.
Any proposals to extend additional cover to the self-employed will have to be considered in a budgetary context, taking account of the finding of the Actuarial Review that the self-employed achieve very good value for money compared with the employed – when the comparison includes both employer and employee contributions in respect of the employed person.
Self-employed individuals may, however, establish entitlement to assistance-based payments such as the means-tested jobseeker’s allowance if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services. In general, their means will take account of the level of earnings in the last twelve months in determining their expected income for the following year and, in the current climate, account is taken of the downward trend in the economy. As in the case of a non-self-employed claimant for assistance-based payments, the means of husband/wife, civil partner or co-habitant will be taken into account in deciding on entitlement to a payment.
Social Welfare Appeals Status
Questions (294)
Jack Wall
Question:294. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social protection appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41728/12]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 23 August 2012 and will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.