Tuesday, 11 Jun 2013

Written Answers Nos. 378-393

Treatment Benefit Scheme Eligibility

Questions (378)

Finian McGrath

Question:

378. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare does not qualify for the treatment benefit scheme. [27110/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The contribution records of both the person concerned and her husband, indicate that neither satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions required to qualify under the treatment benefit scheme. In order to qualify as a dependant spouse, her husband would have had to have contributions either paid or credited in 1993/1994 or 1997/1998 or 1998/1999. As he has no paid reckonable contributions in these years, he cannot qualify under the terms of the treatment benefit scheme and consequently she does not qualify for treatment benefit.

Social Insurance Yield

Questions (379)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

379. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will set out in tabular form the income and expenditure to or from the social insurance for each of the past five years, the breakdown of income between the classes of PRSI contribution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27121/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The following table sets out the details of the income and expenditure to or from the social insurance fund for each of the past five years as requested by the Deputy. The breakdown of income between the classes of PRSI contributions is not available. The Deputy should note that the figures provided for 2012 are provisional.

SIF INCOME & EXPENDITURE	-	-	-	-	PROVISIONAL
-	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Income from Contributions	7,984,182,119.12	7,164,605,625.07	6,708,018,027.40	7,541,737,160.66	6,772,665,414.64
Income from Investments	160,209,357.39	132,976,717.32	1,643,797.37	2,127,295.31	623,971.89
Rent	19,046.08	19,046.08	19,046.08	19,046.08	19,046.08
Reciprocal Arrangements	0.00	0.00			190,326.84
TOTAL RECEIPTS	8,144,410,522.59	7,297,601,388.47	6,709,680,870.85	7,543,883,502.05	6,773,498,759.45
EXPENDITURE
Illness Benefit	852,305,436.44	919,783,138.62	942,570,836.17	875,548,749.10	773,132,186.59
Invalidity Pension	685,717,407.96	681,642,253.62	639,993,558.92	606,502,234.27	603,914,753.57
Partial Capacity Benefit	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	2,107,112.84
Occupational Injuries Benefits	112,011,443.78	112,335,664.33	104,844,376.62	102,261,167.59	100,151,447.75
Maternity Benefit	315,877,855.98	331,288,974.57	323,938,363.04	309,140,618.48	303,194,298.46
Health & Safety Benefit	575,915.66	618,801.62	587,516.73	642,975.53	518,276.39
Adoptive Benefit	1,644,317.87	1,247,036.61	890,537.06	1,075,012.49	465,239.53
Treatment Benefits	97,124,024.72	100,178,283.04	51,472,551.94	23,039,771.63	18,986,264.25
State (Con) Pension	3,117,855,219.39	3,367,733,203.31	3,451,503,485.15	3,622,746,259.03	3,800,447,826.43
State Pension (Transition)	92,088,658.77	104,976,088.09	108,193,926.87	132,395,789.58	146,467,965.42
Jobseeker's Benefit	928,843,826.42	1,733,816,095.10	1,285,437,944.57	926,900,143.15	735,572,792.34
Widows', Widowers' (Con) Payment	1,298,973,546.57	1,353,391,144.69	1,335,584,385.48	1,337,864,644.82	1,342,189,002.27
Guardians Payment	14,372,705.39	11,510,125.36	11,462,058.14	11,416,097.04	10,762,499.16
Widowed Parent Grant	5,542,651.98	5,616,382.72	6,455,109.22	6,228,474.00	5,967,539.48
Deserted Wifes Benefit	104,617,829.98	100,129,969.07	93,387,062.71	85,827,665.90	83,536,463.86
Carer's Benefit	33,665,509.40	30,203,776.92	26,288,064.98	24,474,338.85	24,453,438.23
Bereavement Grant	17,850,596.93	18,889,285.18	18,291,528.66	19,436,293.20	19,754,930.71
Free Schemes (Insurance)	260,562,306.67	279,038,685.90	288,852,111.86	311,574,900.57	291,654,899.04
Redundancy & Insolvency Payments	202,264,915.11	350,398,438.30	490,304,232.34	326,183,964.24	317,577,941.43
Equal Treatment	0.00	0.00	133.50	0.00	0.00
TOTAL SIF SCHEMES	8,141,894,169.02	9,502,797,347.05	9,180,057,783.96	8,723,259,099.47	8,580,854,877.75
SIF administration expenses	257,780,389.21	281,427,712.06	280,776,650.31	280,986,527.23	276,653,082.53
TOTAL EXPENDITURE	8,399,674,558.23	9,784,225,059.11	9,460,834,434.27	9,004,245,626.70	8,857,507,960.28
OVERALL SIF POSITION
SIF Income	8,144,410,522.59	7,297,601,388.47	6,709,680,870.85	7,543,883,502.05	6,773,498,759.45
SIF Expenditure	8,399,674,558.23	9,784,225,059.11	9,460,834,434.27	9,004,245,626.70	8,857,507,960.28
Excess of Income over Expenditure	(255,264,035.64)	(2,486,623,670.64)	(2,751,153,563.42)	(1,460,362,124.65)	(2,084,009,200.83)

Social Insurance Fund Deficit

Questions (380)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

380. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected deficit on the social insurance fund in 2013; her plans for closing the deficit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27122/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Insurance Fund “SIF” is a pay-as-you-go social insurance scheme that is financed by contributions from employees, employers, the self-employed and by a contribution or ‘subvention’ from the Exchequer when the cost of the benefits paid from the Fund exceeds the contribution income. The Exchequer is the residual financier of the Fund and such subventions were the norm for over 40 years. For example, in 1967, the State contribution was 38% of SIF expenditure and almost 29% in 1985.

From 1997 to 2007 inclusive, social insurance income exceeded Fund expenditure. In 2008, the current operating balance of the SIF moved into deficit with expenditure exceeding income by €255m. This deficit accelerated in 2009 when it reached €2.49 billion and further rose to €2.75 billion in 2010. In addition, the surplus carried forward from previous years was eliminated during 2010, giving rise to the need for Exchequer subvention for the first time since 1996. The Provisional Outturn for 2013 provides for a deficit of nearly €1.5 billion.

I have already indicated my concern about the deficit in the SIF. One of my key goals is to reform the system of social protection and to put it on a sounder financial footing for the future. Measures taken in recent Budgets have started the process of addressing the SIF deficit through reductions in expenditure on social insurance benefits or through implementation of measures to increase income to the Fund.

In Budget 2013, the Minister for Finance indicated that the income base on which PRSI is charged will be broadened. The exemption from PRSI on earned and unearned self-employed income of modified rate employees who pay PRSI at Classes B, C and D (a minority of the civil and public sector), is being abolished this year. The exemption from PRSI applying to self-employed unearned income of employees (all Classes) and those with occupational pensions under 66 years, which is available where they have unearned income only, will be abolished in 2014.

The payment of PRSI at 4% as a result of the abolition of these exemptions will not provide entitlement to social insurance benefits. These measures are estimated to yield €32m additional income for the Social Insurance Fund in a full year.

Any further proposals to address the sustainability of the Fund will have to be considered in a budgetary context.

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Questions (381)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

381. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make a comprehensive statement regarding the new rule where 520 contributions are required for the contributory pension; if where there is a discrepancy in the number of stamps, for example 500, if any discretion may be used; if her attention has been drawn to instances whereby people are not checking their stamps until they are in retirement whereby it transpires they come up short; if her Department is able to raise awareness among people to check their contributions more regularly; if her attention has been drawn to any confusion and inconvenience the issue is causing; if there is a helpline available to assist persons affected by the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27137/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The State pension is a very valuable asset and it is important, for sustainability reasons, that those who receive it have made a significant contribution towards it during a working life.

In order to qualify for a State pension contributory, a person must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions which include:

- commencing insurable employment at least 10 years before pension age;

- a minimum of 520 qualifying contributions and

- achieving a yearly average of at least 10 qualifying contributions, paid or credited, over their working life.

In April 2012, the qualifying conditions for State pension increased from 260 paid PRSI contributions to 520 paid contributions. This provision was provided for a number of years in advance and is contained in the Social Welfare Act, 1997.

The change to the number of contributions required to qualify for a State pension has featured in all of the Department’s relevant communications, information leaflets, booklets and on the Department’s website since 1997.

My Department has also taken a number of actions to increase awareness of changes to the State pension, including the increase in the contribution requirements, and to assist customers determine their entitlements:

- An information pack relating to a number of changes to State pension was published in March 2012 and circulated widely to the various representative groups and to all members of the Oireachtas;

- Presentations on the introduction of these changes were also made at the Department’s regular briefings with customer representative groups and to members of the public over the course of the year;

- A Frequently Asked Questions document on the qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory) has been published on the website. This document is also designed to help people work out their entitlement and is available at http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Qualifying-for-State-Pension-Contributory.aspx

It is open to anyone to contact to request a copy of their contribution record in order to assess their pension entitlement and request assistance in a number of ways, if needed. Questions about eligibility can be made by phone, or locally at a customer’s local Intreo Centre, social welfare office or Citizens Information Centre. Queries can also be made using the online enquiry form available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie or may be sent in writing to Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo.

In addition my Department provides a general information telephone service on LoCall 1890 66 22 44 where people can get information on the wide range of schemes and services operated by the Department.

For those who are unable to meet the 520 criteria, the means-tested State pension (non-contributory) may be available to people on low incomes who have not paid sufficient PRSI contributions to qualify for the contributory pension.

Farm Assist Scheme Statistics

Questions (382)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

382. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of farmers who are in receipt of farm assist payments; the corresponding figures for the same period in 2012; the number of recipients whose farm assist payment has been decreased since 1 January 2013; the total value of farm assist payments paid to farmers in the months January-April 2013; and the corresponding figures for the same period in 2012. [27124/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The total number of farmers who were in receipt of a farm assist payment at the end of April 2013 was 10,867 which compares to 11,158 at the same date in 2012. With regard to the number of recipients whose farm assist payment has been decreased since 1 January 2013; the total value of farm assist payments paid to farmers in the months January-April 2013 and the corresponding figures for the same period in 2012 this information is not collated by my Department.

I am however informed that at the 1st of January 2013 the average farm assist payment was €186.00 as compared to an average payment of €184.40 at the end of April 2013. The corresponding payment average for April 2012 was €191.80.

Public Services Card

Questions (383)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

383. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected cost of the full roll-out of the public services card, the way this has varied since the project was initiated, the number of PSCs issued to date, the projected number to be issued in 2013, the schemes that will be prioritised in the roll-out; the date for completion of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27132/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Department of Social Protection has developed, in conjunction with a number of other Government Departments, a rules based standard for establishing and authenticating an individual’s identity for the purposes of access to public services.

This programme of work, which is known as Standard Authentication Framework Environment, or SAFE for short, also provided for the introduction of a Public Services Card (PSC) to enable individuals to gain access to public services more efficiently and with a minimum of duplication of effort, while at the same time preserving their privacy to the maximum extent possible.

There are 4 main sub-programmes to the PSC Project:

1. PSC design and delivery: The projects to design, develop and deliver the PSC along with the capability to issue, interact with, manage and provide customer support for the card,

2. SAFE Registration development: The projects to develop and deliver the SAFE registration business processes and the ICT systems within the Department to support them and generate PSC requests,

3. DSP Deployment: The projects to deploy the functionality in the Department’s offices, register clients and issue cards to them, and

4. Future use: Projects to oversee the future development and use of the PSC and its infrastructure, including possible use for on-line and financial services both internally and in other public service bodies.

The first two programmes of work are complete with respect to the standard PSC. The Department is also engaged in a project to produce a Free Travel variant of the PSC compatible with the Department of Transport’s Integrated Ticketing System as well as a variant suitable for issue to juveniles. The projected cost of these programmes was some €24M (VAT excl.) There is no reason to believe that these estimates will be exceeded.

With regard to the third programme – DSP deployment: In Spring 2012, following a pilot deployment of registration, sanction was received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for 150 additional temporary staff to support customer registration and card roll-out. From that time, sourcing of these additional staff began and volume production of standard PSCs commenced in July 2012. The estimated cost associated with these staff in terms of salaries and training over the lifetime of the project is €10.9M.

Since then, the accelerated roll-out of SAFE Registration functionality across the country has continued. The Department has deployed two methods for SAFE registration – a ‘reduced process’ utilising data from other State agencies (e.g. data provided in the context of a Passport application) and a ‘face to face’ process involving personal attendance at a DSP Office.

To date, almost 240,000 PSCs have been issued. These cards have been issued, in the main, to people in receipt of Jobseekers payments and One Parent Family Payments from the Department and to applicants for Personal Public Service numbers. The projected number of cards to issue in 2013 is 600,000. The number of PSCs to be produced from 2013 onwards will be significantly increased. SAFE registration will be expanded to encompass all Departmental scheme customers as well as customers of other public sector organisations and across the general population of Ireland. In that context the Department is engaged with a number of other Public Service bodies about the use of the SAFE/PSC infrastructure in the delivery of services. The initial Public Services Card Roll Out project has a completion date of 31st December 2016.

Job Initiatives

Questions (384)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

384. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider measures to encourage and incentivise unemployed persons in this State to avail of employment opportunities across the Border in Northern Ireland by allowing them to retain their jobseeker's payment for the duration of any unpaid lying weeks they may have to serve and by subsidising them for the difference between the minimum wage in this State and Northern Ireland. [27102/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Minister currently has no plans to consider any such measures.

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Questions (385)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

385. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason it is necessary to stop a person's rent allowance when there is an existing contract with the landlord and the property they are living in has gone into receivership and the receiver has taken over this property; the reason rent allowance ceased immediately; and the reason there is such a huge delay in processing the new rent allowance application that has been submitted as this is causing undue hardship. [27103/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

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. Currently, there are approximately 86,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €403 million for 2013. Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement, the Department’s relationship is with the tenant. Rent supplement is specifically for the benefit of tenants to assist them with their accommodation needs. There is no direct relationship between the landlord and the Department in the administration of the scheme. For rent supplement the approach to tenancies where the landlord has entered receivership is similar to that adopted where a change of landlord takes place. A new tenancy has been created with the receiver now as landlord, a new rent supplement claim is opened and the receiver’s landlord Tax Reference Number or Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) are required in order to meet the Department’s legal requirements.

Section 888 of the Taxes Acts places an obligation on the Department to provide the Revenue Commissioners with payment details relating to rent supplement on an annual basis. Section 123 of the Finance Act 2007 Act places a further obligation on the Department to request a PPSN or Tax Reference Number from a landlord before payment of the supplement is made and obliges the landlord to comply with the request. Section 7 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2010 provides that rent supplement is not payable unless these details are provided.

The timescale for determining applications for rent supplement is dependent, among other things, on the availability of the required information in relation to the receiver. The provision of a prompt service is a major objective for the Department’s staff dealing with rent supplement applications and every effort is made to ensure that claims are processed in an efficient manner. If the Deputy has concerns in relation to a specific case he can provide the details to the Department for follow up.

Illness Benefit Appeals

Questions (386)

Noel Coonan

Question:

386. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for illness benefit will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27144/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 13th May 2013, 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.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals

Questions (387)

Jack Wall

Question:

387. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a supplementary welfare allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27165/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned 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.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (388)

Pat Breen

Question:

388. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27176/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 27th May 2013, 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.

Question No. 389 withdrawn.

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Questions (390)

Finian McGrath

Question:

390. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is receiving their full benefits. [27220/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned is receiving jobseeker’s benefit at the full rate of €188 per week. He should contact his Social Welfare Local Office or Citizens’ Information Centre whereupon he can discuss any possible further payments that he may be entitled to.

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Questions (391)

Robert Dowds

Question:

391. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the rules regarding social welfare benefits for persons who are forced to retire aged 65 years; and if persons in this category have to prove that they are seeking work in order to avail of jobseeker's benefit or allowance. [27230/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provides that state pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This will begin in 2014 with the abolition of the state pension (transition) thereby standardising state pension age for all at 66 years. The state pension age will be further increased to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 years in 2028. These changes apply to all fully insured employees. The main social welfare payment available to those who leave employment before pension age is jobseeker’s benefit. It is a fundamental condition of this scheme that a recipient must be available for and genuinely seeking full-time work. Persons who qualify for a jobseeker’s benefit who are aged between 65 and 66 years are generally entitled to receive payment up to the date on which they reach pensionable age (66 years).

It should be noted that until the 1970s, the standard age for receipt of State pension was 70 years of age. Increasing longevity and significant improvements in health status mean that people can work longer to support themselves in retirement. Raising State pension age and the abolition of the State pension (transition) is a necessary step in ensuring the sustainability of pensions into the future. The recently published OECD report on the Review of the Irish Pension System confirms that reforms are necessary if we are to continue to put pension provision on a sustainable footing given the changes in demographics, the deficit in the Social Insurance Fund, and the difficult fiscal situation.

State Pension (Non-Contributory) Appeals

Questions (392)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

392. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an appeal of the rate of non-contributory pension in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27233/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the persons concerned by way of summary decision. The persons concerned have been notified of the Appeals Officer decision.

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.

National Internship Scheme Administration

Questions (393)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

393. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exception may be made to the JobBridge scheme for an extension of an internship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27248/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Department’s policy position with regard to internships in the education sector is that applications for all internships in this sector must be made before certain dates in order that the internships are completed by the end of the academic year. Primarily, this is to protect interns, who should not undertake internships in circumstances where a high quality, real workplace environment will not be available for a prolonged period such as during academic holidays. The Department will however review the position in respect of the person referenced in the question.