Written Answers Nos. 153-157
153. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50343/12]
View answerThis application was disallowed on 24 August 2012 on medical grounds, based upon the evidence supplied in support of the application. A letter issued on that date notifying her of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review or appeal. If the person in question has additional evidence in support of her claim, they should submit it to the department with a request for a review. Alternatively, she may appeal the decision in writing directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office clearly stating the grounds for appeal.
154. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection if any changes will be considered to the application of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill to take account of public servants who took early retirement prior to the changes to average yearly contribution bands but who do not turn 66 years before 2020. [50344/12]
View answerThe terms and conditions of employment for public servants, including pension rights, are outside of my remit and are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Therefore, the Social Welfare and Pension Bill will not include any special provisions regarding public servants who took early retirement
In relation to State pension which is within my remit, as the Deputy will be aware, the State pension is a very valuable benefit and therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives.
Recent changes to the rate bands payable for State Pension is one element of pension reform put in place to put State pension provision on a more sustainable footing.
Prior to the rate band changes on 1 September 2012, a person with an average of 20-47 PRSI contributions per year over their working life received a weekly State pension of only €4.50 less than a person with a yearly average of 48 or more PRSI contributions. This was not equitable. On 1 September 2012, additional rates bands for State pension (transition) and State pension (contributory) were introduced and while the maximum rate and the rate payable to people with an average of between 40 and 47 contributions per year remains unchanged, those who have fewer than 40 contributions per year will receive a lower rate of pension. The change to State pension rate bands means that pension payments will be more closely related to PRSI payments made over a working life. This ensures that those who contribute more during their working life will benefit more in retirement, thereby ensuring equity in the social welfare system. These changes apply universally for claimants with an eligibility date post 1 September 2012.
This change to rate bands moves somewhat closer to a total contribution approach, where benefits are paid in proportion to contributions made, i.e. those who pay more, benefit more. It is proposed to adopt a ‘total contributions approach’ to State pension to replace the current averaging system from 2020. This will replace the current system and remove the associated anomalies whereby those who pay less could in fact receive a higher payment. Under this system, the level of pension paid will be directly proportionate to the number of social insurance contributions made by a person over his or her working life.
If claimants have an income need they may, following a means test, qualify for a higher rate on the State pension (non-contributory).
155. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of participants by county currently on community employment schemes; if she will consider creating extra placements for CE schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50345/12]
View answerTable
|
County/Area |
12/11/2012 |
|
Dublin 1 |
570 |
|
Dublin 2 |
392 |
|
Dublin 3 |
173 |
|
Dublin 4 |
52 |
|
Dublin 5 |
224 |
|
Dublin 6 |
53 |
|
Dublin 7 |
149 |
|
Dublin 8 |
581 |
|
Dublin 9 |
214 |
|
Dublin 10 |
238 |
|
Dublin 11 |
403 |
|
Dublin 12 |
307 |
|
Dublin 13 |
49 |
|
Dublin 15 |
335 |
|
Dublin 16 |
54 |
|
Dublin 17 |
404 |
|
Dublin 18 |
16 |
|
Dublin 20 |
36 |
|
Dublin 22 |
288 |
|
Dublin 24 |
470 |
|
Dublin West |
14 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown |
359 |
|
Dublin North County/Fingal |
294 |
|
Kildare |
626 |
|
Meath |
417 |
|
Wicklow |
646 |
|
Cavan |
210 |
|
Louth |
762 |
|
Monaghan |
339 |
|
Carlow |
319 |
|
Kilkenny |
395 |
|
Tipperary (South Riding) |
550 |
|
Waterford City |
431 |
|
Waterford County |
273 |
|
Wexford |
847 |
|
Laois |
299 |
|
Longford |
290 |
|
Offaly |
357 |
|
Roscommon |
344 |
|
Westmeath |
534 |
|
Cork City |
1,087 |
|
Cork County |
1,017 |
|
Kerry |
971 |
|
Clare |
571 |
|
Limerick City |
623 |
|
Limerick County |
535 |
|
Tipperary (North Riding) |
390 |
|
Galway City |
311 |
|
Galway County |
1,136 |
|
Mayo |
741 |
|
Donegal |
1,117 |
|
Leitrim |
181 |
|
Sligo |
390 |
|
TOTAL |
22,384 |
The Department is committed to reforming CE to ensure delivery of service, value for money and the progression of the individual. The broad policy direction for CE in 2013 and future years will be based on the main action points coming from the CE Financial Review which has recently been completed and published by the Department. No determination has yet been made in relation to CE places for 2013.
157. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal for disability pension in respect of a person (details supplied). [50347/12]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 17 September 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the deciding officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be 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.
