Written Answers Nos. 128 - 133
128. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exemption exists to allow a person (details supplied) who has completed three years on a community employment scheme to apply and access a further community employment scheme before turning 55 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16162/16]
View answerIn general, cumulative maximum participation on community employment (CE) by an individual is 3 years for persons under 55 years of age and 6 years for persons of 55 years of age up to State Pension age. Participation on CE prior to 3 April 2000 is not counted.
There is no exemption from these rules for a person in the fire service who has completed 3 years on a community employment scheme to allow the person to access a further community employment scheme before turning 55 years of age.
However, there are a range of options open to those who do not qualify for CE. In this context the Department’s Intreo staff will be happy to advise the individual of other options that might best suit their needs.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
129. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the short-term, medium-term and long-term social protection implications for a person who plans to leave full-time employment to upskill through a three year full-time course in an institute of technology; what this will mean for the person's future entitlements under the State pension (contributory) scheme, the jobseeker's allowance scheme and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16249/16]
View answerWhile in employment, workers pay PRSI contributions based on their earnings. These contributions will assist them in establishing entitlement to long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and short-term benefits such as jobseekers’ benefit. If they leave employment to pursue a full-time course of education and will no longer be paying PRSI, they can protect their social insurance record by paying voluntary contributions or they may, subject to certain conditions, qualify for credited contributions (credits). Voluntary contributions assist in maintaining entitlement to long-term benefits such as the State pension contributory. To become a voluntary contributor a person must:
- have paid at least 520 weeks PRSI in either employment or self-employment;
- apply within 12 months of the end of the tax year during which he/she last paid compulsory insurance or were last awarded a credited contribution;
- agree to pay voluntary contributions from the start of the contribution week that follows the week in which he/she leaves compulsory insurance.
A former worker who becomes a full time student may qualify for credits if they have paid at least 1 PRSI contribution while working and begin their course of study before the age of 23. Student credits are awarded when the insured person returns to work.
Credits protect social insurance entitlements by bridging gaps in an employee’s social insurance record, where they are not in a position to pay PRSI, such as during periods spent in full-time education. In combination with paid PRSI contributions, credits assist employees in qualifying for short-term schemes and enhance the level of benefit for long-term schemes.
Further information can be found on www.welfare.ie or www.citizensinformation.ie.
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when he will issue a payment to a person (details supplied) under the exceptional needs payments scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16258/16]
View answerPQ 12464 refers. The person concerned made an application towards payment for a gas central heating system installation in April 2016. Upon assessment of the application and supporting documentation the deciding officer deemed that the person concerned was in a position to provide for the cost of this installation from her own resources and the application was refused.
This case was reviewed and the person concerned has been advised by letter that the review of the decision to refuse her application for an ENP upheld the original decision on the basis that the heating works required were foreseen.
The original decision and review took into consideration that the person concerned is living in the house concerned rent and mortgage free for a number of years; that her weekly income is above the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) rate for her family size and includes a weekly maintenance payment of €100 which was not declared on her application form. In addition, it transpires that the house is owned by her and two siblings who would each have a liability for repairs to the house.
The person concerned was further advised to make an application for repair work on her current heating system which would be considered as an unforeseen expense. An application form was issued on 01/06/2016. When received, the application will be examined and a decision issued as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
131. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will issue a decision to a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16261/16]
View answerThe application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 8 June 2016 and the first payment is due to issue to the person’s nominated post office on 16 June 2016.
Arrears of allowance due from 14 January 2016 have issued by cheque. The person concerned was notified of these details on 8 June 2016.
I hope this clarified the matter for the Deputy
132. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16262/16]
View answerThe person concerned was awarded state pension (contributory) at a reduced rate with effect from 11 January 2015, based on his available insurance record. The person concerned subsequently requested a review, based on information regarding additional employment that was not included in the social insurance record relied upon by the Deciding Officer.
The new information was forwarded to the Department’s Client Eligibility Services (CES) section for consideration. The matter was referred to a social welfare inspector for further investigation. Following receipt of the inspector’s report earlier this week and a review of the evidence available, a decision has been made to include an additional 50 ordinary rate contributions, in respect of 1975, on the person’s social insurance record.
The person’s entitlement to state pension (contributory) will now be reviewed by a Deciding Officer based on the revised social insurance record and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
133. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will issue a decision to a person (details supplied) for carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16263/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 6 May 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.
Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.
This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. In the meantime, the person concerned is in receipt of a weekly social welfare support.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
