Written Answers Nos. 121-130
121. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have benefitted from the tapering of PRSI introduced in budget 2016; the average benefit received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12284/16]
View answerFrom 1 January 2016, a new tapering credit was introduced for PRSI Class A and Class H employees earning between €352.01 and €424.00 per week. In the case of employees earning €352 or less, PRSI is still not chargeable.
The maximum weekly PRSI credit of €12.00 applies at gross earning of €352.01 and reduces the PRSI charge from €14.08 to €2.08. As earnings increase the maximum weekly PRSI credit of €12.00 is reduced by one-sixth of weekly earnings in excess of €352.01.
The tapering PRSI credit reduces the employee PRSI charge in a progressive manner, for weekly earnings between €352.01 and €424.00. It ensured that workers, who enter the PRSI net because of the increase in the minimum hourly wage from €8.65 to €9.15, do not face an excessive weekly employee PRSI charge.
It is estimated that the introduction on the PRSI Credit will benefit 88,369 employments in 2016. The benefit for individual employees depends on the level of their weekly earnings. It should be noted that the new measures also benefit employees who earn more than the minimum wage (perhaps substantially more) but who work for less than a full week.
The following table details the numbers of employments and the extent of their weekly gains, at different income bands:
|
Weekly Income band |
Number of Employments |
Range of Weekly Gains |
|
352-<355 |
3,863 |
€11.50 - €12.00 |
|
355-<360 |
8,004 |
€10.67 - €11.50 |
|
360-<365 |
6,021 |
€9.84 - €10.67 |
|
365-<370 |
5,664 |
€9.00 - €9.84 |
|
370-<375 |
6,098 |
€8.17 - €9.00 |
|
375-<380 |
5,955 |
€7.34 - €8.17 |
|
380-<385 |
5,716 |
€6.50 - €7.34 |
|
385-<390 |
6,103 |
€5.67 - €6.50 |
|
390-<395 |
6,779 |
€4.84 - €5.67 |
|
395-<400 |
5,497 |
€4.00 - €4.84 |
|
400-<405 |
7,176 |
€3.17 - €4.00 |
|
405-<410 |
9,486 |
€2.34 - €3.17 |
|
410-<415 |
4,133 |
€1.50 - €2.34 |
|
415-<420 |
4,515 |
€0.67 - €1.50 |
|
420-<424 |
3,359 |
0.00 - €0.67 |
122. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection his progress in implementing the recommendations of the 2013 advisory group on extending social insurance support for the self-employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12301/16]
View answerThe new partnership Government aims to create an additional 200,000 jobs by 2010, including 135,000 outside of Dublin. This will be achieved by continuing and enhancing a supportive environment for enterprise and employment.
In particular, the role of entrepreneurs and the self-employed will be central to this ambition. The new programme agreed with our partners in Government contains a commitment to introduce an improved PRSI scheme for the self-employed. In addition, we will also ensure that the Earned Income Tax Credit available to the self-employed will match that available to employees, over a number of budgets. This process commenced in Budget 2016 with the introduction of a €550 tax credit.
I want to ensure that appropriate sustainable supports are available to the self-employed in the event of certain contingencies arising. The self-employed already have access to State pension (contributory), widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension (contributory), guardians payment (contributory), maternity benefit and adoptive benefit on the same basis as employees. They will also gain access to the new paternity benefit which will be introduced later this year. They can also access jobseeker’s allowance on a means-tested basis.
However, unlike the position with employees, they are not covered for certain contingencies such as long-term illnesses or disability. The former Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare published a report in 2013 which examined the options for extension of cover to the self-employed.
This is a valuable contribution to the issue and my Department will be examining all of the available options in the coming months. It should be noted that the Advisory Group strongly recommended that any extension of cover should not be done on an optional basis.
The examination by my Department in the coming months will include the level of appropriate additional contribution the self-employed should make for more benefits.
I look forward to making progress on this issue later this year.
123. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if, and when, he will increase rent caps in Galway City and County under the rent supplement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12305/16]
View answerSupports in relation to housing and the provision of financial supports, such as the rent supplement scheme currently supporting some 56,800 recipients at a cost of €267 million in 2016, are a key priority for Government and are being considered by the Cabinet Committee on Housing in the context of the Programme for Government housing commitments. My Department is currently examining the rent limits in the context of the Government commitment and it is intended that revised rent limits, taking account of geographic variations in market rents, will be introduced as early as possible subject to agreement by Government.
At this time of constrained supply, the Department continues to implement a targeted, flexible, case-by-case approach where rents exceed limits. This ensures that people at risk of homelessness or loss of their tenancy are supported under the rent supplement scheme where increased rental payments are required. Currently, over 8,100 households are supported through this approach, of which some 170 are currently supported in the Galway region.
The Department, in conjunction with Threshold, operates a protocol in the Dublin and Cork areas where supply issues are particularly acute. This protocol was extended to the commuter counties of Meath, Kildare and Wicklow on 25th April, 2016, with plans to extend the service to Galway City in the coming weeks.
Any person experiencing increased rents or facing the threat of the loss of their tenancy are encouraged to contact the Department of Social Protection’s Community Welfare Service responsible for their rent supplement clam without delay.
125. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12315/16]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.
The person concerned was refused carer’s allowance on 28 January 2016 on the grounds that he was not providing full-time care and attention as required.
The person appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office (SWAO). All the necessary papers, along with a submission from the deciding officer, have been submitted to the SWAO on 25 May 2016 for determination.
In the meantime, both the person concerned and his partner are in receipt of a weekly social welfare support.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, and when, he will restore a basic social protection payment to a person (details supplied) whose application under the carer’s allowance scheme is on appeal; if he has discontinued the principle of making a basic payment while an application is on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12344/16]
View answerCarer’s allowance (CA) was in payment to the person concerned from 15 April 2010 to 27 January 2016. The person concerned was notified on 24 March 2016 that her payment had been terminated as she had failed to co-operate with a social welfare inspector (SWI) during the course of an investigation, contrary to the rules governing the scheme.
The person concerned has recently appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office (SWAO). My department is currently preparing a submission in relation to the case as required by the SWAO. Once this is completed, the submission and other relevant documentation will be sent to the SWAO for determination.
A person who is appealing a decision made by my Department may apply for means-tested supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) from her local community welfare service while the appeal is ongoing. There is no automatic qualification for an interim SWA payment, the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the relevant designated officer in the community welfare service that they are eligible for such a payment.
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, and when, he will offer an increase in line with current market forces to a person (details supplied) under the rent support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12346/16]
View answerThe Rent Supplement claim for the client concerned was recently awarded as an exceptional measure due to extenuating family circumstances. As this claim is awarded in excess of the maximum applicable limits, it will be subject to ongoing review by the Department.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will restore a jobseeker's allowance to a person (details supplied); and urgently examine if arrears are due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12347/16]
View answerThe person concerned attended their Intreo Office on the 24th of May 2016 to make a new application for jobseekers allowance. They have been requested to return additional information and once this is received a decision can be made on their application.
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, and when, he will increase rent support in line with market trends to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12354/16]
View answerThe person concerned had not advised the department that there had been any change to their monthly rent. Once they have submitted the documentation required to assess the new rent charged, the Rent Unit concerned will be in a position to make a decision on the application for a rent increase.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to review a decision to decline an application under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; to accept this question as a notice of review and appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12363/16]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, to date, no appeal in respect of disallowance of domiciliary care allowance has been received from the person concerned.
If the person concerned is not satisfied with the Deciding Officer’s decision she can ask for the decision to be reviewed by writing to the domiciliary care allowance section of the Department.
In order to make a valid appeal the person concerned should write directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office outlining her grounds of appeal i.e. the reason why she disagrees with the decision of the Deciding Officer. On receipt of same, an appeal will be registered.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
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.
