Written Answers Nos. 101-110
104. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection if all medical referee doctors are trained to examine fibromyalgia sufferers; and if they are aware of the 18 tender points and the severe pain touching these can bring on for the patient. [20644/14]
View answerMedical Assessors are fully qualified and experienced medical practitioners who provide an opinion for the guidance of the Department's Deciding Officers. Their medical assessments conform to the ethical conduct and behaviour guidelines of the Medical Council. Medical Assessors are required to be medical practitioners who are on the general register of medical practitioners while holding an appointment.
It is a necessary requirement that, on appointment, they have at least six years satisfactory experience in the practice of medicine since registration. Many of the Medical Assessors have specialist post-graduate qualifications including Occupational Medicine, Psychiatry, Surgery and General Medicine. All Medical Assessors have received special training in Human Disability Evaluation. Evaluations are conducted in accordance with evidence-based protocols which include conditions such as fibromyalgia, its signs and symptoms. The Medical Assessors have an on-going commitment to continuing medical education to ensure that standards are maintained and enhanced.
105. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reassess entitlement to qualify for JobBridge, the national internship scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20647/14]
View answerJobBridge Internships are open to jobseekers who have been in receipt of an eligible Social Welfare payment (Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Disability Benefit) or signing for credits for 3 months (78 days) out of the previous 6 months. The scheme has been launched in this targeted way to allocate scarce Exchequer resources to make maximum impact for those at risk of long term unemployment while ensuring that it does not replace or displace the normal operation of the labour market. The Department does not make exceptions to these qualifying criteria.
The person referred to by the Deputy is casually employed with Knock Airport but has only accrued 28 relevant payment days in the last 6 months to the week of 23 April, 2014. Those in part-time and casual work become eligible when they have accrued the qualifying 78 days. The person in question is not currently eligible for a JobBridge internship.
107. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20658/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 3 January 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 24 April 2014 and the case 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
108. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind recent changes to the qualifying age for old age pensions; if she will outline further changes her Department is planning over the lifetime of the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20670/14]
View answerIncreasing State pension age and the abolition of the State pension (transition) are steps that have been taken to ensure the sustainability of pensions into the future. These decisions were taken in the context of changing demographics and the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives:
- There are currently 5.3 people of working age for every pensioner and this ratio is expected to decrease to approximately 2.1 to 1 by 2060;
- The over 65 year old population is also projected to increase from 11% of the total population in 2010 to 15% in 2020 and to 24% in 2060;
- Life expectancy is increasing. In the mid-1990s, life expectancy for males was 73 and for females, 78.5. For those aged 65 today life expectancy for males is 82 years for men and 85 for women, by 2030 this will have risen to 84.1 and 87.4 respectively.
These changes are currently taking place. There are approximately 17,000 additional pensioners coming into receipt of State pension each year:
- In 2013, the overall Departmental expenditure figure was €20.2 billion and expenditure on pensions accounted for 32% of this;
- In the absence of reform, it is estimated that State expenditure on pensions (including public sector occupational pensions) will increase from approximately 7.5% of GDP in 2010 to 11.7 % in 2060.
The increases in State pension age were provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011. This provided that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. In January 2014, State pension age was standardised at age 66 with the cessation of State pension transition. The State pension age will increase to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 years in 2028.
With regard to the abolition of State pension transition in 2014, it should be noted that until the 1970s, the standard age for receipt of State pension was 70 years of age. This applied at a time when longevity was much lower and working patterns were more likely to be physically demanding. State pension (transition) was introduced in 1970 when it was known as the retirement pension and was designed to bridge the gap between the standard social welfare pension age, which at that time was 70 years of age, and retirement age. Over time, the age for State pension contributory was reduced to 66 years.
The Deputy may wish to note that the majority of people who went into receipt of the State pension (transition) did not come from work, as most were already on other social welfare schemes. In December 2012 there were approximately 14,400 State pension (transition) claims in payment and of those, just 12.5 per cent came from work. Over 50 per cent came from other social welfare schemes such as illness benefit, jobseekers benefit and assistance, invalidity and carers, indicating that significant numbers of people are leaving the workforce for a variety of reasons well in advance of State pension age.
Finally social welfare supports will continue to be available to those who need it most and where a person fails to meet the qualifying conditions of an insurance based scheme, a means tested assistance payment may be available provided they satisfy the qualifying conditions. All short term social welfare schemes are payable to age 66.
The main social welfare payment available to those who leave employment before pension age is jobseeker’s benefit. 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). In addition, with effect from 1 January 2014, fully unemployed job seekers aged 62 or over have been placed on yearly signing and given the option of transferring to EFT payments. They are not subject to mandatory activation measures but may avail of employment supports which will continue to be available to them and they will not be subject to mandatory activation related sanctions.
The OECD Review of the Irish Pensions System in 2013, which I commissioned, stated that: “Ireland is ahead of the curve in setting higher retirement ages for the future and many hard decisions have already been made compared to most other OECD countries in this respect”. The OECD also stated that the scheduled increases in pension age are enough to compensate for the projected increases in life expectancy. I have no plans to introduce any further changes to the qualifying age for the State pension age.
109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20680/14]
View answerThe maximum rent limit applicable to North Kildare for their family composition is €850 per month. The client will receive a once-off arrears payment for the month of April to address an underpayment in that month.
110. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans in relation to the assessment of means for qualified adult payments for those in receipt of jobseeker's allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20713/14]
View answerJobseeker’s allowance is a means tested scheme and, in the case of a couple, account is taken of the means of both members of the couple. Where the second member of the couple is a qualified adult and the qualified adult is in employment, gross earnings are reduced by any PRSI, superannuation or payment to a trade union. €20 per day worked (subject to a maximum of €60 per week) of the balance is further disregarded and 60% of any remaining balance is assessed as means.
Where the qualified adult has income from a personal or occupation pension, the relevant amount of pension is fully assessed as means. The arrangements in respect of qualified adults are identical to those which apply if the claimant is in employment or has an equivalent type pension. The purpose of the disregards and tapering arrangements where employment is a factor is to incentivise both claimants and qualified adults, as appropriate, to remain in, enter or re-enter the workforce.
There are no plans to change the current arrangements at this stage.
