Written Answers Nos. 105 - 113
105. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their disability allowance appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27715/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 23 June 2014, 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.
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if rent support is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27746/14]
View answerRent Supplement can be assessed for person in question on receipt of an application, subject to their meeting the qualifying conditions for rent supplement such as verification that they have been assessed as having a housing need and rental being secured within the maximum rent limit for their family composition and location.
108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be made available in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27747/14]
View answerThere is no record of an application for an exceptional needs payment from the couple concerned. If they wish to make an application they should contact their local community welfare service at 045 887830 and leave their contact details and a community welfare officer will get back to them.
109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if back to education allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27758/14]
View answerRecords show that the person concerned was last in receipt of a payment (Jobseekers Allowance) in March 2011. He is not currently in receipt of a payment from the Department and therefore would not qualify for Back to Education Allowance.
110. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the impact on the incentive for persons to take up employment of the poverty trap which exists when employees enter the PRSI net and all of their income becomes liable for PRSI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27781/14]
View answerEmployee PRSI is not charged where weekly earnings are €352 or less. Where weekly earnings exceed €352, employees become liable for PRSI and PRSI at 4% is charged on all earnings. As Minister for Social Protection, I am on the record as indicating that 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. The abolition of the PRSI-free Allowance provides very substantial and immediate additional revenue for the Fund. When implemented it was estimated that this measure would yield €265 million in 2013 and €289 million in a full year, which contributes substantially towards supporting the future sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
While the effect of paying PRSI on all earnings once the €352 employee PRSI threshold is exceeded, is an issue, the yield from those paying PRSI contributes to keeping workers on lower earnings (below the threshold) outside of the PRSI net. For those with families, Family Income Supplement (FIS) plays a significant role in preserving the incentive for persons to take up employment. The level of FIS entitlement is based on net income after all relevant deductions, including the deduction of PRSI. The payment effectively preserves the incentive to take up or remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if s/he were claiming other social welfare payments, even at levels of earnings which bring the worker within the PRSI net.
111. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the income raised in 2013 from the abolition of the weekly employee PRSI allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27784/14]
View answerPrior to January 2013, where an employee’s weekly earnings exceeded €352, he or she was liable to pay PRSI on all earnings, less the weekly PRSI free allowance of €127. (For persons paying PRSI at the modified rate of contribution, the PRSI free allowance was €26.) This allowance was abolished in Budget 2013 and PRSI is now payable on all earnings once the €352 weekly threshold is exceeded. When implemented it was estimated that this measure would yield €265 million in 2013 and €289 million in a full year, which contributes substantially towards supporting the future sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
