Written Answers Nos. 574 - 590
574. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the bilateral social security agreement between this jurisdiction and Australia and the social welfare payment to which it pertains; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34826/13]
View answerThe Bilateral Social Security Agreement between Ireland and Australia originally came into force on 8 April 1992. The agreement was revised with effect from 1 April 2006. The main purpose of the Agreement is to protect the pension rights of people who have worked and paid reckonable social security contributions in both Ireland and Australia. The Agreement does this by allowing social security contributions paid in one country to be counted towards qualifying for certain payments in the other country.
The Irish payments covered under the Agreement are: state pension (contributory), state pension (transition), widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s (contributory) pension, guardian’s payment (Contributory), invalidity pension, and bereavement grant. The Australian payments covered under the Agreement are: age pensions, disability support pensions, and pensions for widows and widowers. The Agreement also sets out arrangements for insuring workers assigned by their employer to work temporarily in each country. In those circumstances a worker can continue to pay social insurance in the home country for up to 4 years. An information booklet published by the Department with further details of this agreement can be found on the Department’s website at http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/sw87.pdf.
575. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been refused supplementary welfare allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34827/13]
View answerPayment of supplementary welfare allowance, to the person concerned, was disallowed by a Designated Officer of the Department on the grounds that she failed to disclose her means. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal in this case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 4 July 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
577. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for carer's allowance will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34837/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 4 July 2013. 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 these have been received from the Department, the case 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
578. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for the future of child benefit; if she intends to tax it or means test it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34857/13]
View answerChild benefit is a universal payment that assists parents with the cost of raising children and 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 613,000 families in respect of some 1.17 million children.
The Government is conscious that child benefit, as a universal payment, is an important source of income for families. While issues relating to changes in taxation policy are primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance, I can confirm that the Government has not announced any plans to implement taxing or means-testing child benefit at this time.
In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare. The first report of the Group makes important recommendations on how child benefit could be maintained as a universal payment while reforming the system of child and family income supports. While some members of the Advisory Group found that taxation of child benefit is an attractive reform option, there was a strong preference in the Group for an approach based on a two-tier payment which would encourage work participation and allow for better flexibility in the targeting of support for different family types.
Given the range of complex issues involved, the Government has made no decision at this time on the core recommendations of the report. It is intended that the report will now contribute to a wider policy debate on the matter. In considering the proposals to reform child and family income support payments I expect that Government will also take into account further work by the Advisory Group on the issue of social protection and taxation supports for working age persons and more general developments in the budgetary and fiscal situation.
579. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of jobseeker's 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34858/13]
View answer580. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of child 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34859/13]
View answer581. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of jobseeker's 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34860/13]
View answer583. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of disability 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34862/13]
View answer585. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of illness 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34864/13]
View answer586. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of invalidity 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34865/13]
View answer587. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of blind 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34866/13]
View answer588. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of injury 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34867/13]
View answer589. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of disablement 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34868/13]
View answer590. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of domiciliary care 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, 2012 and estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34869/13]
View answer592. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of carer's 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34871/13]
View answer593. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of carer's 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34872/13]
View answer594. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of the respite care grant 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013;her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34873/13]
View answer595. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of the State pension (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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34874/13]
View answer596. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34875/13]
View answer597. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34876/13]
View answer598. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons 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, 2012 and estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34877/13]
View answer599. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34878/13]
View answer601. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34880/13]
View answer602. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of the back to school clothing and footwear 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34881/13]
View answer603. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013, her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34882/13]
View answer604. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013, her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34883/13]
View answer606. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34885/13]
View answer607. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34886/13]
View answer609. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34888/13]
View answer610. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34889/13]
View answer611. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34890/13]
View answer612. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of the farm assist 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34891/13]
View answer614. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34894/13]
View answer620. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34903/13]
View answer621. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34904/13]
View answer622. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of 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, 2012 and the estimated total costs in 2013; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34905/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 579 to 581, inclusive, 583, 585 to 590, inclusive, 592 to 599, inclusive, 601 to 604, inclusive, 606, 607, 609 to 612, inclusive, 614 and 620 to 622, 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 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.
A copy of the 2012 Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services, that my Department laid before the Dáil and published on the website, contains the requested statistics in relation to 2012 and has issued to the Deputy under separate cover. I enclose for the Deputy’s information, in tabular format, the total number of recipients in each of the schemes referred to at the end of May 2013 along with the estimated scheme expenditure for 2013.
|
Scheme |
Number of Recipients as on 31/05/2013 |
Rev 2013 - €000 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
95,542 |
957,300 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
319,677 |
3,985,700 |
|
Widow/er’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension |
116,941 |
1,340,100 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
303,223 |
3,098,210 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
87,586 |
934,700 |
|
Widow/er’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension |
1,787 |
16,400 |
|
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
27,639 |
161,400 |
|
Farm Assist |
10,785 |
99,450 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
76,457 |
564,200 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
21,100 |
297,000 |
|
Health &Safety Benefit |
71 |
460 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
17,088 |
189,300 |
|
Back to Work Allowance |
16 |
|
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
10,406 |
126,400 |
|
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance |
N/A |
48,800 |
|
Disability Allowance |
102,631 |
1,115,200 |
|
Blind Pension |
1,428 |
15,300 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
55,530 |
534,200 |
|
Illness Benefit |
61,042 |
731,500 |
|
Injury Benefit |
681 |
14,400 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
51,532 |
600,800 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
14,223 |
74,100 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
1,643 |
24,300 |
|
Respite Care Grant |
N/A |
110,650 |
|
Domicilliary Care Allowance (Families) |
25,113 |
106,800 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
40,593 |
229,600 |
|
Child Benefit (Families) |
613,993 |
1,911,720 |
|
Guardian’s Payment(Non-Contributory) |
432 |
4,950 |
|
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) |
867 |
11,200 |
|
Rent Supplement |
N/A |
403,400 |
|
Mortgage Interest Supplement |
N/A |
41,820 |
582. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of jobseeker's allowance aged 18-19, 20-21, 22-24 broken down 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. [34861/13]
View answerThe total number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance at the end of May 2013 was 58,797. A detailed breakdown of this number by county and age is contained in the following 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 May, 2013
|
County |
Age 18 |
Age 19 |
Age 20 |
Age 21 |
Age 22 |
Age 23 |
Age 24 |
|
Carlow |
70 |
130 |
184 |
154 |
183 |
215 |
215 |
|
Cavan |
63 |
114 |
152 |
173 |
187 |
211 |
203 |
|
Clare |
97 |
168 |
179 |
178 |
237 |
245 |
241 |
|
Cork |
199 |
498 |
654 |
639 |
831 |
956 |
954 |
|
Donegal |
216 |
401 |
442 |
497 |
588 |
625 |
614 |
|
Dublin |
1,182 |
1,905 |
2,057 |
2,218 |
2,392 |
2,610 |
2,555 |
|
Galway |
107 |
282 |
310 |
403 |
476 |
528 |
528 |
|
Kerry |
90 |
195 |
224 |
257 |
326 |
376 |
348 |
|
Kildare |
163 |
326 |
337 |
358 |
410 |
406 |
393 |
|
Kilkenny |
38 |
96 |
133 |
131 |
160 |
156 |
190 |
|
Laois |
112 |
180 |
187 |
192 |
235 |
232 |
213 |
|
Leitrim |
24 |
41 |
60 |
57 |
83 |
77 |
91 |
|
Limerick |
125 |
293 |
363 |
349 |
439 |
531 |
509 |
|
Longford |
38 |
105 |
102 |
131 |
132 |
147 |
109 |
|
Louth |
186 |
329 |
355 |
361 |
435 |
436 |
454 |
|
Mayo |
57 |
166 |
219 |
246 |
298 |
365 |
328 |
|
Meath |
78 |
145 |
194 |
198 |
237 |
232 |
232 |
|
Monaghan |
34 |
90 |
102 |
103 |
140 |
161 |
175 |
|
Offaly |
114 |
173 |
218 |
232 |
263 |
265 |
235 |
|
Roscommon |
32 |
51 |
74 |
72 |
83 |
119 |
100 |
|
Sligo |
49 |
77 |
101 |
122 |
111 |
153 |
176 |
|
Tipperary |
191 |
313 |
357 |
353 |
455 |
432 |
419 |
|
Waterford |
84 |
155 |
226 |
265 |
299 |
345 |
337 |
|
Westmeath |
93 |
161 |
206 |
230 |
258 |
236 |
282 |
|
Wexford |
211 |
342 |
332 |
380 |
476 |
449 |
480 |
|
Wicklow |
91 |
225 |
267 |
229 |
294 |
301 |
311 |
|
Total |
3,744 |
6,961 |
8,035 |
8,528 |
10,028 |
10,809 |
10,692 |
