Written Answers Nos. 435-459
436. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of invalidity pension application rejections that are overturned during the appeals process in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5368/13]
View answerThe number and percentage of the invalidity pension appeals finalised in the past five years, including those which had a favourable outcome for the appellant is given in the Table.
The appeals process has a statutory basis in both primary and secondary legislation. Appeals Officers are quasi-judicial officers and are required to be free and unrestricted in discharging their functions. The high level of invalidity appeals with favourable outcome for appellant (75.8% in 2012) is evidence of the independence of the process.
Outcome of Invalidity Pension Appeals 2008-2012
|
Year |
Allowed |
Partially Allowed |
Revised D.O. Decision |
Total with favourable Outcome |
Disallowed |
Withdrawn |
Total Appeals
|
|
2008 |
23346.0% |
10.2% |
7815.4% |
31261.6% |
16031.6% |
346.7% |
506 |
|
2009 |
24350.1% |
10.2% |
8216.9% |
32667.2% |
13628.0% |
234.7% |
485 |
|
2010 |
34138.8% |
60.7% |
18521.0% |
53260.5% |
31435.7% |
333.8% |
879 |
|
2011 |
40831.0% |
60.5% |
34526.2% |
75957.7% |
48937.2% |
675.1% |
1,315 |
|
2012 |
1,03151.8% |
40.2% |
47423.8% |
1,50975.8% |
43021.6% |
522.6% |
1,991 |
437. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of all funding programmes in her Department that community, voluntary and sporting organisations may apply to for funding; if she will provide a brief overview of each programme; the opening and closing dates of each programme; the minimum and maximum amounts of funding that may be applied for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5389/13]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection operates a number of programmes and initiatives that provides both direct and indirect support to community, voluntary and sporting organisations to underpin the provision of a very broad range of services. The Department does not provide direct funding other than in specific circumstances related to the nature of the programme/initiative, such as is the case of the community services programme where funds are provided under contract for the provision of agreed services to the general community which have a revenue raising potential. The table under provides a brief overview of each programme and initiative and the nature of the supports available.
|
Programme/Initiative |
Nature of Support |
Funding Provided to C&V organisation |
Application Process & status |
|
Community Employment |
Activation, Training and work placement |
Contribution to wages and material costs |
Via Department divisional offices Open |
|
Tús – community work placement |
Activation and work placement |
None |
Via local development companies Open |
|
JobBridge |
Internship |
None |
Via JobBridge website Open |
|
Job Initiative |
Training and work placement |
Contribution to wages, training and material costs |
Suspended |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
Work placement |
None |
Via local development companies Open |
|
Community Services Programme |
Community business and service support |
Contribution to wages costs and limited operational costs in certain cases. |
Directly to Department Open applications suspended – limited opportunity for new applications |
|
Public Awareness Funding Initiative |
United Nations day for the eradication of poverty |
Small grants to related to promotional of the UN event |
This initiative has not yet been advertised for 2013 |
|
The EU PROGRESS programme |
Financial support to help reach EU aims in the area of employment, social affairs and equal opportunities |
Value of grant dependant on nature of proposals and available EU and matching national funds. |
The Department’s 2013 allocation for this purpose is €75,000. No opening/closing dates are set for applications. |
438. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of Parliamentary Questions that were received by her Department in 2012; the number where a direct reply was issued to a Deputy in advance of the question being answered by her and the Deputy subsequently withdrew the question; the number that were answered in full by her within the usual timeframe; the number that were not possible to answer within the usual timeframe but where a reply was subsequently sent to the Deputy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5392/13]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection received approximately 13,321 parliamentary questions in 2012. Of these, approximately 7,851 direct replies were issued and subsequently these PQs were withdrawn. 5,470 parliamentary questions were answered in full. There are no data available to quantify how many PQs were not answered within the timeframe.
439. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to deal with an issue relating to disability payments (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5421/13]
View answerI should state at the outset that it is important that, as a Government, we are committed to protecting and supporting the most vulnerable sectors of Irish society – through income and employment supports and through the provision of quality services. However, the steady increase in the numbers availing of illness and disability related income supports is clearly a matter for concern, in view of the fact that my Department will spend over €2.5 billion in this area in 2013.
I am satisfied that there is little basis for suggesting that the rise in the numbers can be attributed to any easing of access to illness and disability-related income support schemes - beyond some minor changes to the means-test associated with disability allowance scheme and the extension of entitlement to that payment to persons resident in institutions, the medical criteria governing entitlement to illness and disability related schemes have not been changed - but it has been evident to me since coming into office that a greater focus is required on addressing the drift from short-term illness into long-term disability.
The capping of entitlement to Illness Benefit to a maximum of two years, a measure introduced in 2009, was an important step in this regard. The impact of this measure is not reflected in the data cited in the article referred to by the Deputy which relies largely on data from 2010. Measures such as the Renaissance project, which provides for intervention by the Medical Assessors in my Department in cases of lower back pain, are also proving effective at encouraging people to return to work and this approach has been extended to claimants presenting with mild anxiety and depression.
More generally, it is my belief that for all claimants, the welfare system must always have a strong focus on activation and employment where that is a feasible option. The partial capacity benefit scheme, which I introduced in 2012, enables claimants of invalidity pension and illness benefit to take up some work while continuing to receive income support from the State. Similarly, the earnings disregard available under the disability allowance scheme is designed to facilitate claimants of that payment to avail of employment opportunities. My Department also funds the EmployAbility service, which provides a dedicated job-coaching service for people with disabilities as well as providing a range of supports to employers who employ people with disabilities. Finally, I should mention also that I was pleased to announce recently the allocation of over €7 million to 14 projects across the Border Midlands and West (BMW) region as part of the Disability Activation Project (DACT). These projects will run until early 2015. The DACT Project is jointly funded by the European Social Fund and my Department and addresses four strands: (i) Improving Access to Employment, (ii) Progression Programmes for Young People, (iii) Support for Progression and Retention of People with an Acquired Disability and (iv) Innovative Employer Initiatives. These projects will, I am confident, provide invaluable guidance and learning on how best to ensure that the untapped potential of people with disabilities is allowed to flourish and that they are enabled to participate fully in the labour market. They reflect also my key objectives as Minister for Social Protection which are to ensure that those in most need of the support of the Department are protected and that we do everything possible to get people back to work.
442. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if the application for a place on a momentum course by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 will be reconsidered, taking into account that they have been unemployed since December 2010, apart from March to October 2012, when they received illness benefit, and in view of the fact that their eligibility would not be in doubt if they had not been sick for several months [5436/13]
View answerTo qualify for the Momentum scheme, a customer must
- Be unemployed and on the Live Register for 12 months (312days) or longer, and
- Be in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance/Benefit or credited contributions for 12 months or longer, and
- Be actively seeking work.
Periods spent on JobBridge, Back to Education Allowance, VTOS, full time FÁS/Fáilte Ireland Training courses, Youthreach, Community Employment Schemes, Tús, the Rural Social Scheme, Back to Work Scheme, Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Job Initiative or Job Assist may count towards meeting the eligibility for MOMENTUM, provided the customer has completed the Scheme/Programme in question and returned to the Live Register. It should be noted, however, that such customers - having had the benefit of an intervention – would not necessarily be prioritised for referral to Momentum.
In order to satisfy the qualifying period of 312 days, consideration and approval may be given to a customer who meets the 312 days condition on JA/JB out of the previous 18 months at the start date of the course.
The person in question will not meet the qualification criteria for the Momentum scheme due the period he spent on Illness Benefit.
443. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection with regards to the obstacles that are being put in the way of the mobility labour, that its persons are very unwilling to hire labour for a short period of time, her plans to deal with these difficulties [5523/13]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection has many supports in place to encourage the mobility of jobseekers back into the workforce. The Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme (PTJI) is intended as a stepping stone into full-time work. It allows long-term unemployed people to take up part-time work and get a special weekly allowance instead of their jobseeker’s payment. The Department also operates a fast-tracking system for people who sign off a jobseeker's payment to take up work for short periods. This ensures that the jobseeker’s payment is re-instated without delay.
In addition, the Family Income Supplement (FIS) payment is designed to provide income for employees with families who are on low earnings. The payment preserves the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if he/she was unemployed and claiming other social welfare payments. To qualify for payment of FIS, a person must be engaged in insurable employment which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight or 19 hours per week. The applicant must also have at least one qualified child who normally resides with - or is in a family which is supported by - him/her.
444. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of determination of an appeal for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); when this appeal is likely to be determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5528/13]
View answerInvalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.
This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 27 January 2012. The claim for invalidity pension was disallowed by a deciding officer on 28 September 2012 on the ground that, based upon the medical evidence supplied in support of the claim, the person in question did not satisfy the medical criteria for receipt of invalidity pension. The applicant was notified of this decision and of his right to request a review of the decision and also of his right to lodge an appeal with the social welfare appeals office.
The person concerned appealed the decision and submitted further medical evidence which has been referred to a different medical assessor for evaluation. If, following this review, it is decided that he still does not satisfy the medical criteria, his file and all relevant papers will be prepared and forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination. If the claimant is deemed to satisfy the medical criteria, a revised decision will be made by a deciding officer and he will be notified of same.
445. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5543/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 12th December 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 case in question 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.
446. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals for decision that have been waiting for three months, six months and more than 12 months respectively for each of the following payments: disability allowance; invalidity pension; rent supplement; and mortgage interest supplement, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5621/13]
View answerThe number of appeals on hands that have been waiting for three months, six months and more than 12 months respectively for disability allowance; invalidity pension; and supplementary welfare allowance at 1st February 2013 is given in the Table. The figures for supplementary welfare allowance refer to all supplementary welfare allowance appeals, including the issues of rent supplement and mortgage interest supplement. The issue under appeal is recorded when an appeal is decided by an Appeals Officer.
Processing times of Appeals are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation and include all activities during this period including time spent in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant and any further investigation, examination or assessment by the Department’s Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary. A considerable period of time is added to the process when an oral hearing is required because of the logistics involved in this process.
Significant resources and efforts have been put into reducing backlogs and improving processing times for appellants, including the assignment of 15 additional Appeals Officers, improving business processes and implementing a new operating model.
- The Chief Appeals Officer expects to finalise 6,000 more cases in 2013 than in 2012.
- There is a major programme of process redesign and modernisation currently underway in relation to many scheme areas which will reduce backlogs and will also reduce the time taken for the Department to respond to requests from the SWAO for submissions in relation to appeals;
- It is planned to recruit additional Medical Assessors in 2013.
All these measures together will reduce the waiting time for appellants.
However, by its nature and because it is a quasi-judicial process, the processing of appeals takes time even at the best of times and reflects the fact that while every effort is made to deal with appeals as fast as possible this cannot be at the expense of fairness of due process.
Appeals Pending
|
SCHEME |
> 3 months |
> 6 months |
>12 months |
|
Disability Allowance |
1,115 |
1,244 |
236 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
1,135 |
1,166 |
548 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
237 |
271 |
165 |
447. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline in tabular form the total cost of all conferences and seminars attended by her Department in 2012; the purpose of each conference/seminar; the location; the number of delegates that attended from her Department/agencies or otherwise that were represented; the total cost of each conference/seminar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5642/13]
View answerThe information requested is not immediately available in my Department but is being compiled at present and my officials will write to the Deputy shortly.
448. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for the future of child benefit; if she intends to tax or means test same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5727/13]
View answer496. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is in a position to provide an update on possible reform of the child benefit system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5809/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 448 and 496 together.
Child benefit is a universal payment that assists parents with the cost of raising children and it contributes towards alleviating child poverty. The estimated expenditure on child benefit in 2013 is around €1.9 billion and it is currently paid to around 609,000 families in respect of some 1.16 million children.
The Government is conscious that child benefit, as a universal payment, can be an important source of income for all families, especially during a time of recession and high unemployment. The social protection system also provides assistance to low income families with children through the payment of qualified child increases on primary social welfare payments and through the family income supplement payment. Both of these provide a level of assistance which is directly or indirectly linked with a household’s income situation.
Issues relating to changes in taxation policy are primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance. However I can confirm that the Government has not announced any plans to implement means-testing or taxing child benefit at this time. Neither taxing child benefit nor means testing the payment are simple solutions as there is a range of policy, legal and operational issues that would have to be addressed if a decision was made to proceed along the lines of either approach. In terms of means testing there would be a need to ensure that systems are in place to ensure that households only claimed benefits to which they were entitled, as the scale of means testing approximately 600,000 families would be significantly greater than anything required by the current social protection system in terms of means tested payment. In terms of taxing the payment there are questions relating to the ownership of the benefit and the effects of taxing the payments in the context of the treatment of married and co-habiting couples. Both approaches would also require major development work to enhance Department of Social Protection and Revenue systems.
On a more general level, achieving a better design of the overall system of child income supports, including child benefit, raises complex issues about the effectiveness and efficiency of the full range of income supports currently provided to families and their children. In this context and in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, I established in 2011 an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare, which has been tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be improved and better poverty outcomes achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes. The Advisory Group prioritised the area of family and child income supports and has completed its work on this area. Their report is currently receiving my consideration and will be published in the near future. Given that the issues involved in this area are quite complex further consideration will be required as to how reform in this area might be progressed.
449. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of jobseeker's benefit in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total cost of the payment in 2010, 2011 and the estimated cost in 2012; her plans for the future of this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5728/13]
View answer450. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of child benefit in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5729/13]
View answer451. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the jobseeker's allowance in 2010, 2011 and currently, the current number in receipt broken down county by county, the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012, her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5730/13]
View answer453. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the disability allowance in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5732/13]
View answer454. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the illness benefit in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5734/13]
View answer455. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the invalidity pension in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5735/13]
View answer456. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the blind pension in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5736/13]
View answer457. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the injury benefit in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012, her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5737/13]
View answer458. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the disablement benefit in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012, her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5738/13]
View answer459. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5739/13]
View answer461. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the carer's allowance in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5741/13]
View answer462. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the carer's benefit in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5742/13]
View answer463. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the respite care grant in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5743/13]
View answer464. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the State pension contributory in 2010, 2011 and currently; the current number in receipt broken down county by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5744/13]
View answer465. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the state pension non-contributory in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5745/13]
View answer466. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the maternity benefit in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5746/13]
View answer467. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the one parent family payment in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5747/13]
View answer468. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the health and safety benefit in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5748/13]
View answer470. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the family income supplement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5750/13]
View answer471. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the back to school clothing and footware allowance in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5751/13]
View answer472. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the widow's, widowers or surviving civil partners non-contributory pension in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5752/13]
View answer473. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the widow's, widowers or surviving civil partners contributory pension in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5753/13]
View answer475. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the widow's, widowers or surviving civil partners non-contributory pension in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5755/13]
View answer476. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the guardian payment in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5756/13]
View answer478. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the family income supplement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5758/13]
View answer479. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the back to work allowance in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5759/13]
View answer480. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the back to work enterprise allowance in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5760/13]
View answer481. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the farm assist in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5761/13]
View answer483. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the back to education allowance in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5764/13]
View answer489. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection total number of people in receipt of the rent supplement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5773/13]
View answer490. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the supplementary welfare allowance in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5774/13]
View answer491. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the mortgage interest supplement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5775/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 449, 450, 451, 453 to 459, inclusive, 461 to 468, inclusive, 470 to 476, inclusive, 478 to 481, inclusive, 483 and 489 to 491, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of 2010 and 2011 remains unchanged from that which was forwarded to him in reply to Questions Nos. 464, 465, 466, 468, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 486, 487, 488, 489, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 498, 506, 507 and 508 on 6 November 2012.
With regard to the number of recipients of Social Welfare, a county level breakdown is collated by my Department annually for inclusion in the Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services report. Work has commenced on the compilation of data for the production of the 2012 report which will be laid before the Dáil when it is published.
However, I enclose for the Deputy’s information, in tabular format, the total number of recipients in each of the schemes referred to along with provisional expenditure at the 31st of December 2012.
|
Scheme |
Number of Recipients |
Provisional Outturn €000 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
96,126 |
964,513 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
312,314 |
3,801,995 |
|
Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension |
116,751 |
1,343,293 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
294,442 |
3,053,369 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
87,918 |
1,057,446 |
|
Widow/er’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension |
1,854 |
17,659 |
|
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
32,358 |
180,299 |
|
Farm Assist |
11,162 |
108,168 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
80,291 |
737,249 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
22,850 |
303,138 |
|
Health &Safety Benefit |
60 |
519 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
25,033 |
199,058 |
|
Back to Work Allowance |
18 |
|
|
Back to Enterprise Allowance |
10,810 |
127,156 |
|
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance |
184,770 |
65,689 |
|
Disability Allowance |
101,784 |
1,095,992 |
|
Blind Pension |
1,453 |
16,845 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
52,209 |
509,612 |
|
Illness Benefit |
64,429 |
773,713 |
|
Injury Benefit |
671 |
15,860 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
50,053 |
600,482 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
14,202 |
75,626 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
1,710 |
24,448 |
|
Respite Care Grant |
4,301 |
136,376 |
|
Domicilliary Care Allowance (Families) |
24,699 |
102,189 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
32,630 |
223,281 |
|
Child Benefit (Families) |
608,733 |
2,046,987 |
|
Guardian’s Payment(Non-Contributory) |
433 |
4,986 |
|
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) |
938 |
10,840 |
|
Rent Supplement |
87,684 |
422,721 |
|
Mortgage Interest Supplement |
14,597 |
55,102 |
The number of recipients of Respite Care Grant above are those who are not in receipt of any other Carer's payment, (Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance). There are approximately a further 65,000 Respite Care Grant recipients who qualify for payment automatically under the terms of the relevant scheme.
452. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the jobseeker's allowance aged 18-19, 20-21,22-24; the number aged 18-19, 20-21,22-24 broken down county by county; the total amount spent on jobseeker's allowance on 18-24 year olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5731/13]
View answerThe total number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance at the end of December 2012 was 57,776. A detailed breakdown of this number by county and age is contained in the attached tabular statement.
The cost of young persons in receipt of jobseeker's allowance is not segregated from the scheme expenditure.
Jobseeker's Assistance Recipients at end of December 2012
|
County |
Aged 18 |
Aged 19 |
Aged 20 |
Aged 21 |
Aged 22 |
Aged 23 |
Aged 24 |
|
Carlow |
76 |
115 |
183 |
143 |
154 |
191 |
182 |
|
Cavan |
63 |
124 |
161 |
162 |
179 |
224 |
184 |
|
Clare |
92 |
166 |
175 |
197 |
245 |
255 |
245 |
|
Cork |
221 |
499 |
585 |
593 |
855 |
870 |
926 |
|
Donegal |
261 |
424 |
482 |
526 |
618 |
644 |
613 |
|
Dublin |
1,109 |
1,832 |
1,990 |
2,028 |
2,337 |
2,504 |
2,458 |
|
Galway |
99 |
262 |
329 |
359 |
482 |
491 |
503 |
|
Kerry |
89 |
209 |
236 |
293 |
348 |
381 |
342 |
|
Kildare |
166 |
304 |
331 |
337 |
398 |
382 |
393 |
|
Kilkenny |
49 |
94 |
146 |
147 |
167 |
174 |
187 |
|
Laois |
116 |
165 |
163 |
194 |
234 |
224 |
207 |
|
Leitrim |
29 |
44 |
66 |
60 |
84 |
94 |
96 |
|
Limerick |
122 |
274 |
360 |
358 |
489 |
507 |
498 |
|
Longford |
52 |
78 |
104 |
106 |
142 |
122 |
131 |
|
Louth |
167 |
306 |
373 |
382 |
486 |
452 |
464 |
|
Mayo |
81 |
155 |
231 |
259 |
303 |
374 |
339 |
|
Meath |
55 |
145 |
190 |
204 |
218 |
237 |
210 |
|
Monaghan |
41 |
82 |
99 |
117 |
154 |
151 |
149 |
|
Offaly |
99 |
181 |
219 |
227 |
248 |
262 |
230 |
|
Roscommon |
35 |
56 |
57 |
68 |
113 |
93 |
98 |
|
Sligo |
41 |
80 |
102 |
96 |
137 |
170 |
140 |
|
Tipperary |
169 |
314 |
333 |
360 |
416 |
447 |
418 |
|
Waterford |
91 |
197 |
230 |
276 |
299 |
367 |
341 |
|
Westmeath |
88 |
176 |
201 |
213 |
240 |
235 |
231 |
|
Wexford |
164 |
354 |
339 |
404 |
483 |
429 |
459 |
|
Wicklow |
111 |
202 |
235 |
211 |
280 |
287 |
292 |
|
Total |
3,686 |
6,838 |
7,920 |
8,320 |
10,109 |
10,567 |
10,336 |
