Wednesday, 6 May 2015

Written Answers Nos. 64-86

School Meals Programme

Questions (64)

Regina Doherty

Question:

64. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of breakfast clubs operating in primary and post-primary schools each year for the past five years; the cost of providing such a service annually for the past five years; the number of the schools concerned that are DEIS schools; the facilities required for a school to commence a breakfast club; the benefits of a breakfast club; if all pupils in the school can avail of the breakfast club or if it is for junior classes only; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17560/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations which benefits almost 207,000 children through two schemes. The first is the statutory urban school meals scheme, operated by local authorities and part-financed by the Department. The second is the school meals local projects scheme through which funding is provided directly to participating schools and local and voluntary community groups who run their own school meals projects. There are currently some 2,600 food clubs in operation under the scheme of which approximately 650 are breakfast clubs. Details of the breakfast clubs and associated costs for each of the last five years are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The school meals programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement by children especially those from the most disadvantaged background. Funding the provision of food services in schools guarantees on-going positive returns on a public investment in the health and educational performance of future generations. There is a particular focus on the provision of breakfast clubs within the programme which provide very positive outcomes for vulnerable children in terms of their school attendance, punctuality and energy levels.

Priority for funding under the scheme is given to DEIS schools for identified disadvantaged pupils and is not restricted to those in junior classes. In recognition of the benefits that the scheme provides and despite severe pressure on the social protection budget, the Government allocated an additional €2 million for the school meals programme in 2015, providing a total allocation of €39 million. It should be noted that the provision for the scheme was also increased by €2 million as part of Budget 2013 which was used to extend the scheme to some 100 additional DEIS and special schools benefitting over 9,800 additional children.

Facilities required for the provision of a breakfast club are primarily determined by the type of service provided by an individual school. The type of service provided is a matter for each individual school.

Social Insurance Rates

Questions (65, 66)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

65. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the revenue that would be generated by an increase of 1%, 2% and 3%, respectively, in employers pay-related social insurance. [17746/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

66. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the revenue that would be generated by an increase of 1%, 2% and 3% in employees pay-related social insurance. [17747/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled in my Department and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Social Welfare Fraud Cost

Questions (67)

Joan Collins

Question:

67. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the use of press releases to provide an unclear picture of the levels of actual fraud in her Department. [17541/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Department is acutely conscious that the vast majority of people on social welfare are claiming the correct entitlement due to them. Nevertheless, it has to be recognised that fraud within the welfare system does occur.

In order to protect the integrity of the system and to ensure that we continue to target our scarce resources at those who most need them, a range of measures are employed by the Department to ensure that social welfare fraud is minimised and that its control activity is appropriately focused.

The Department fully recognises that it is important that any discussion or messaging on social welfare fraud should ensure that recipients of social welfare are not stigmatised and portrayed in a negative light. In terms of any press communications and releases, the Department ensures that these are carefully presented and factually correct.

The Department's overall approach to tackling social welfare fraud is set out in the Compliance and Anti-Fraud Strategy 2014-2018. A Progress Report on key outcomes from 2014 will be finalised shortly.

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Questions (68)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

68. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person's disability allowance (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17185/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Disability allowance (DA) is a means tested scheme and the way means are assessed is laid down in social welfare legislation. In summary any income, with some exceptions, belonging to the person and his/her spouse, partner or cohabitant is assessable as means for disability allowance purposes. It is the nature of means tested schemes that there is no entitlement to a payment once means exceed a given amount. There is no discretion allowed as deciding officers are obliged to follow the legislation when assessing means.

DA scheme rules allow for a disregard of the first €50,000 of a person's means from capital, which is the most generous capital disregard of the Department's working age schemes. The next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per week per 000; the next €10,000 at €2 per week per 000 and the remainder of capital (in excess of €70,000) is assessed at €4 per week per 000.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (69)

Pat Breen

Question:

69. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment of carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17199/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The appeal has been allowed and the application was awarded on the 30th of April 2015. The first payment is due to issue to the post office on the 7th of May 2015. The arrears of allowance due from 2nd of October 2014 to the 6th of May 2015 were issued by cheque on the 30th April 2015. The person in question was notified on the 30th of April 2015 of this decision.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (70)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

70. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will approve and expedite a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17200/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 30 March 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person's circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.

Carer's Allowance Delays

Questions (71)

Michael Creed

Question:

71. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in approving a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17201/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I confirm that the department received an application for carer's allowance from the person in question on the 10th of December 2014. The application is currently with a social welfare investigative officer for assessment of means and confirmation that all the conditions for receipt of carer's allowance are satisfied. Once the investigative officer has completed and submitted the report a deciding officer will make a decision on entitlement. The application will be processed as quickly as possible and when a decision is made the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

In the meantime, if the means of the person in question are insufficient to meet her needs she should apply for a means tested supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (72)

Sean Conlan

Question:

72. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has not received a response to an application for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17231/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 2 April 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person's circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (73)

Denis Naughten

Question:

73. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17232/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I confirm that the department received an application for carer's allowance (CA) from the person in question on the 14th October 2014. The person concerned was refused CA on the grounds that the medical conditions were not satisfied. She was notified on the 11th of March 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted further medical evidence in support of the application. As a result of this review, the application was awarded on 30th of April 2015 and the first payment is due to issue to the post office on 14th of May 2015. Any arrears of allowance due (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The person in question was notified of this decision on the 30th of April 2015.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (74)

Pat Breen

Question:

74. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a disability allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17266/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 13 April 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person's circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.

Departmental Communications

Questions (75)

Denis Naughten

Question:

75. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take to facilitate the sharing of information with the Departments of Education and Skills and Children and Youth Affairs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17289/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Client data is transferred from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to the Department of Education and Skills (DES) in order to meet with EU regulations governing the programmes under the European Globalisation Fund (EGF), for which DES is the Management Authority.

DSP carries out data matching exercises for the purpose of validating PPS Numbers requested by DES for third level college registration purposes.

Information on the enrolment of students is sent from DES to DSP for the purpose of the control of social welfare schemes and for the purpose of confirming eligibility to social welfare schemes.

Periodically DSP provides statistical information to facilitate DES in their future school planning process.

DSP has data sharing arrangements in place with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) for the provision of parent and child details to confirm eligibility for, and to support that Department in the financial management of the after-school childcare scheme and to monitor the take-up of available places. DSP also provides summary information to DCYA on the national and divisional take-up of community employment childcare places.

Family Income Supplement

Questions (76)

Denis Naughten

Question:

76. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take to maximise the uptake of family income supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17290/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Family income supplement (FIS) is an employee incentive scheme for low-income working families, including one-parent families, aimed at supporting them through supplementing their income while they remain in work. There has been a steady growth both in the number of families supported by FIS over recent years and associated expenditure as set out in the table.

Expenditure in 2014 on the FIS scheme was €297.7 million (provisional), an increase of €36 million on 2013. Estimated expenditure on FIS in 2015 is approx. €349 million.

Year	Recipients Families	Recipients Children	Expenditure (€ Millions)
2011	28,875	65,281	204.5
2012	32,310	73,238	223.6
2013	44,160	97,858	261.5
2014	50,306	111,583	297.7*

*provisional

The Department avails of every opportunity in its engagement with employers and jobseekers to build awareness of the availability of FIS and how this payment may benefit potential employees with children. The increasing numbers of families in receipt of FIS is testament to the effectiveness of the Department's information strategy for the scheme and the significant improvements in customer service and processing times for FIS customers.

The Department's web site www.welfare.ie has full information on the FIS scheme and provides typical family scenarios to aid understanding and provide comparisons. This information is also available in all the Department local offices, citizens information centres and information offices.

In addition a series of road-shows were held around the country designed to inform employers about the wide range of employment support services provided by the Department, including FIS. Case officers in each locality use FIS as an incentive to move people from the live register to employment.

Furthermore, the Department's Benefit of Work ready reckoner gives an indication of the difference between a person's potential in-work payment, including FIS, and current out-of-work payments.

The Department has also launched a poster campaign in its Intreo centres and local offices in Mid-Leinster and North Dublin to further promote FIS. This campaign will be rolled out to all offices nationwide during 2015.

The Department has also recently been in touch with Trade Unions representing in excess of 260,000 employees (in both the Public and Private Sector) and provided them with an article on FIS for inclusion in their upcoming publications for members. This article explains in detail the qualification conditions for the scheme and gives relevant supporting examples of families that could qualify.

In conclusion, I am satisfied that the FIS scheme is being promoted and evidence shows that it is fulfilling its role in assisting employees to take up employment opportunities and to remain at work.

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Questions (77)

Barry Cowen

Question:

77. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she or her Department officials are concerned regarding the announcement made by Ulster Bank on 27 April 2015 regarding persons in long-term mortgage arrears; if she has made an assessment of the impact this will have on her Department's budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17386/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I presume that the Deputy is referring to the recent announcement made by Ulster Bank whereby if a home is sold and the borrower qualifies for social housing, the Bank will not chase them for the residual debt.

The rent supplement scheme administered by this Department provides 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. A person may qualify for rent supplement where an assessment of housing need has been carried out and the person is deemed by a housing authority to be eligible for and in need of social housing support. The housing need criteria, as prescribed in the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, include a household that has a mortgage that is deemed to be unsustainable under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process. In addition to the housing need requirement there are a number of other conditions that a person must satisfy in order to be eligible for rent supplement. I can assure the Deputy that the Government will continue to ensure that the necessary funding for the scheme is in place.

It should be noted that where the new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is in operation, administered by the housing authorities, customers requiring social housing support would be accommodated under HAP rather than rent supplement. HAP is currently being administered in seven local authority areas and will be rolled out to further local authority areas during the year.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (78)

Tom Fleming

Question:

78. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine and expedite an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as all documentation has been submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17389/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and 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 8 April 2015, 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.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Applications

Questions (79)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

79. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the delay in issuing a payment to a person (details supplied), as the person currently has no income and no way of supporting himself. [17399/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned is a Lithuanian national and made an application for supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) on 23 March 2015. He advised the Designated Person investigating his claim that he had come to Ireland after a period being resident in Denmark and that he had previously lived in Ireland. As the most recent payment made to him from this Department was in July 2013, he was asked to provide evidence of how he has supported himself or provided for his accommodation since then and to provide details of his time spent living in Denmark and how he had supported himself while there.

He has failed to provide the requested information to date. Consequently his claim for SWA was disallowed on the grounds that he is not habitually resident in the State, that he failed to provide the requested documentation regarding his means, and that he failed to apply for a statutory payment.

The person concerned was sent written notification of this decision, the grounds for it and advised of his right to submit an appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. Of course, should he now be in a position to provide the required documentation, he should contact the Designated Person again and request a review of the decision.

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Questions (80, 81, 120)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

80. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, the numbers of recipients of rent supplement in arrears in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 to date; the amount of arrears in this period; the number of arrears which relate to recalculation of recipients' needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17439/15]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

81. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the appeal process in place for recipients of rent supplement who are deemed to have been overpaid following a recalculation of their means; the collaboration between her Department and the local authorities' housing departments when a change in means is communicated to the local authority; the accountability in respect of housing officers being required to communicate these changes to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17440/15]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of rent support in lieu of local authority housing at present; the number in County Kildare; the extent to which she expects progressive housing policies to make a positive impact on the position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17853/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 81 and 120 together.

The rent supplement scheme provides 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. There are approximately 70,000 rent supplement recipients, of which over 3,600 are in Kildare, for which the Government has provided a total of over €298 million for in 2015. Statistics in relation to persons in receipt of rent supplement in lieu of local authority housing are not available.

Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement, the Department's relationship is with the tenant; the tenant makes the application for rent supplement and payment is generally made to the tenant to assist them with their accommodation needs. There is no direct contractual relationship between the landlord and the Department in the administration of the scheme. The information requested in relation to arrears is not available. It is open to any landlord to bring to the attention of the Department any instance where they suspect that a tenant is receiving rent supplement and is not paying their rent. Where the Department becomes aware that a person is not using rent supplement to meet the accommodation costs, payment of the supplement may be suspended and the matter investigated.

Any person who is dissatisfied with a decision on their rent supplement claim, including the decision regarding an overpayment, may appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The appeal must be in writing and within 21 days of the date they were notified of the decision on their claim. 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.

The primary responsibility for a disclosure of a change of means rests with the social welfare recipient. Notwithstanding this, there is ongoing dialogue between staff in the community welfare service and the housing authorities to ensure that a person's accommodation needs are appropriately addressed and, where necessary, the provision of relevant information.

The Department's strategic policy direction is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of being a short term income support by transferring responsibility for persons with long term housing needs to the local authorities under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). HAP is being designed so as to bring all of the social housing services provided by the State together under the local authority system which will provide for a number of positive improvements. New applicants with long term housing needs will be considered under HAP in these local authority areas rather than rent supplement. As part of the implementation of HAP, the Department is working closely with the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), on behalf of the local authorities, to agree data sharing protocols and to develop a new technical platform.

Community Employment Schemes Operation

Questions (82)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

82. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the flexibility to be allowed for community employment schemes for community employment workers to remain in employment for at least three years where they are successfully addressing addiction issues and preparing to move on to further education and training; if she will confirm that community employment schemes for those with addiction will have greater flexibility regarding the length of their placement, as was the custom and practice under earlier Ministers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17441/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

There has been no change in the entry requirements and operating procedures for CE Drug Rehabilitation schemes. These places are available to service users who are in drugs rehabilitation and referred to a place by an addiction service practitioner. Referral practitioners are key workers or case managers, counsellors, GPs, treatment centre practitioners, and health service practitioners.

Nine special conditions to support the delivery of drug rehabilitation places on Community Employment were agreed by FÁS in 2004 and revised in 2010 in consultation with statutory, community and voluntary sector representatives. These conditions cover participant eligibility, referral, programme delivery and expected outcomes. Participants on CE Drug Rehabilitation schemes are eligible for up to 3 years duration on the programme. In exceptional circumstances, there is also provision for an extension of one year additional time on a mainstream CE project, subject to DSP agreement.

Question No. 83 withdrawn.

Disability Allowance Payments

Questions (84)

Noel Coonan

Question:

84. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin has been reduced; if the full payment will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17473/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Following a review of the entitlement of the person in question and based on the information provided, the person concerned was deemed to have an increase in means. This decision was based on her spouse's earnings as stated on his P60 for 2014.

The person in question was notified of this decision on 9 March 2015 and was also given the option to submit further documentation/evidence if she felt this decision was incorrect. To date, no further documentation has been received.

After-School Support Services

Questions (85)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

85. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection regarding the after-school child care scheme, if there are proposals to allow participants (details supplied) of the Tús work placement initiative to avail of this service and to include children under five years of age who have not yet attained school-going age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17491/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

The after-school child care scheme (ASCC) supports low-income unemployed people to return to the workforce. The scheme provides subsidised after-school childcare places to people with children of primary school age who find employment, increase the number of days they work or take up a place on an employment support scheme (with the exception of a community employment scheme).

The after-school childcare scheme is currently available to customers who take up a place on a Tús scheme and has been available to these customers since July 2014. The community employment (CE) scheme is excluded from the after-school scheme as the CE childcare programme is available for these customers and provides subsidised childcare for CE participants.

The provision of subsidised childcare is a matter for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (D/CYA).

The D/CYA has established an inter-Departmental group at senior level in order to carry out an analysis of policies and future options for increasing the supply, accessibility, and affordability of quality child care, including early years and school-age care. This group is led by the D/CYA and includes representatives from a number of Departments including the Department of Social Protection.

The Government's Spring Economic Statement also acknowledges that a successful childcare policy helps people make the transition from welfare to employment. The interdepartmental group's report will be a key input in determining the future of childcare provision in Ireland.

Universal Retirement Savings Group

Questions (86)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

86. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the universal retirement savings group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17494/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

In line with the Statement of Government Priorities, the Government recently decided to proceed with work to develop a roadmap for the introduction of a new, universal, supplementary workplace retirement saving scheme. The Universal Retirement Savings Group (URSG) has been established to consider the constituent factors involved in constructing an efficient and effective universal retirement savings system and to bring forward a recommendation in the form of a roadmap and estimated timeline for introduction.

Membership of the URSG does not include industry/employer representatives with a commercial interest. Rather it consists of senior officials from a range of key Government departments and those public bodies with a particular policy responsibility and expertise in the area. Membership also includes international representatives from the UK's Department for Work and Pensions and the OECD who bring significant expertise in designing, delivering and assessing supplementary pension systems.

Development of a universal supplementary pension scheme would be the fundamental reform of pensions policy in a generation. As such, it is appropriate that the URSG consult with all parties with an interest and expertise in this area. In undertaking specific or specialised areas of its work programme the Group may engage with, and invite submissions from, pension's experts external to the Group. This will include a diverse range of interests including representatives of employers, trade unions, consumer/interest groups and those from the pensions industry.