Written Answers Nos. 360-373
360. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is mandatory to attend a SAFE appointment for the new public services card; if a person does not attend, if this will have negative consequences for the current social protection payment to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20551/16]
View answerThe Public Services Card (PSC) is designed to replace other cards within the public sector such as the social services card and free travel pass and to make it easy for providers of public services to verify the identity of customer. A PSC is issued following a registration process called SAFE, which involves the capture of an individual’s photograph and signature and the verification of identity data. In most cases, the person attends one of the SAFE registration centres in order to provide the photograph and signature. However, a postal registration process may be available for people who meet certain conditions. In addition, where a person is unable to attend for reasons of illness or frailty, a mobile registration may be carried out.
Details of the registration process and information on the documents which a person should provide are available on the Department’s website at: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Public-Services-Card_holder.aspx.
Sections 241 and 247(C) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, require a person, when requested, to verify his or her identity. This process includes the attendance of the person at one of the Department’s offices, the production of required documents, and the capture of a photograph and signature.
Should a person fail or refuse to comply with this, then the legislation provides for either the disallowance of the person’s claim, where it is a new claim, or the disqualification from payment, if it is an existing claim. The circumstances of persons are taken into account, related to their ability to attend and complete the public services card registration process, before a payment is discontinued.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
361. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to his special advisers; if he will provide details for requests, if any, for an increase above the special advisers' pay cap as set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20562/16]
View answerI have appointed two Special Advisers, Brian Murphy and Nick Miller.
Mr Miller’s salary is €87,258. Mr Murphy previously worked in the private sector as the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association’s Director of Commercial Affairs. Given his experience, and the substantial cut in remuneration he accepted in order to work as an Adviser, in 2011 I requested that Mr Murphy’s salary to be higher than that of the standard Principal Officer scale. This was sanctioned at the time by Minister Howlin and his salary in the Department of Health was €99,370. I have requested sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to the continuation of this salary in his role in the Department of Social Protection at this level. I am not requesting an increase for either of my Special Advisers.
362. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons referred to JobPath to date in each county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20563/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, JobPath is a new approach to employment activation that supports people who are long-term unemployed (LTU) and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. The JobPath service is delivered by two companies - Turas Nua Limited and Seetec Limited.
As of 8 July 2016, a total of 41,436 jobseekers have been selected for referral to JobPath.
The following table provides a breakdown by county:
|
County |
Referrals |
|
Carlow |
1091 |
|
Cavan |
1071 |
|
Clare |
1166 |
|
Cork |
4230 |
|
Donegal |
1840 |
|
Dublin |
6196 |
|
Galway |
2350 |
|
Kerry |
1606 |
|
Kildare |
2193 |
|
Kilkenny |
749 |
|
Laois |
472 |
|
Leitrim |
285 |
|
Limerick |
2679 |
|
Longford |
1249 |
|
Louth |
1962 |
|
Mayo |
1169 |
|
Meath |
712 |
|
Monaghan |
406 |
|
Offaly |
1257 |
|
Roscommon |
103 |
|
Sligo |
504 |
|
Tipperary |
1316 |
|
Waterford |
2083 |
|
Westmeath |
1243 |
|
Wexford |
2114 |
|
Wicklow |
1390 |
|
Grand Total |
41436 |
363. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time in 2016 for a decision in respect of all Social Protection payments in tabular form; the average waiting time for appeal for each of these where there is no oral hearing and where there is an oral hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20565/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy (where available) is detailed in the following tables.
Social Welfare claims by average processing times 31 May 2016
|
Scheme |
Average Processing Time (weeks) |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
1 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
2 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
5 |
|
State Pension Contributory (Dom) |
6 |
|
Widow’s, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension |
1 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
1 |
|
Living Alone/Island Allowances |
N/a |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
14 |
|
Household Benefits |
2 |
|
Free Travel |
2 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
14 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1 |
|
Child Benefit (Domestic & FRA) |
2 |
|
Child Benefit (EU Regulation) |
32 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
N/a |
|
Maternity Benefit |
N/a |
|
Family Income Supplement (New) |
3 |
|
Family Income Supplement (Renew) |
N/a |
|
Carer's Allowance |
22 |
|
Disability Allowance |
10 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
12 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
N/a |
Appeal processing times by scheme 01/01/2016 – 31/05/2016
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
Blind Pension |
19.7 |
29.9 |
|
Carers Allowance |
18.2 |
22.4 |
|
Carers Benefit |
17.2 |
23.4 |
|
Child Benefit |
22.7 |
55.6 |
|
Disability Allowance |
15.2 |
20.5 |
|
Illness Benefit |
30.0 |
31.9 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
29.0 |
29.4 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
23.5 |
29.0 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
- |
40.5 |
|
Farm Assist |
16.3 |
23.7 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
14.7 |
- |
|
Liable Relatives |
7.9 |
- |
|
Family Income Supplement |
16.3 |
26.0 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
28.4 |
32.1 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
17.5 |
28.1 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
21.3 |
25.9 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
27.8 |
37.5 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
21.4 |
32.8 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
67.7 |
40.5 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
22.4 |
17.1 |
|
Disablement Pension |
19.6 |
26.5 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
- |
55.6 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
16.9 |
24.9 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
20.2 |
29.2 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
14.1 |
25.6 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
14.3 |
19.2 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
21.3 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
19.6 |
12.7 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
33.6 |
41.7 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
13.7 |
17.5 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
22.2 |
- |
|
Respite Care Grant |
16.3 |
21.8 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
35.2 |
97.1 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
16.0 |
26.3 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
15.4 |
25.3 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
18.9 |
31.5 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
21.4 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
17.2 |
23.9 |
364. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of one-parent households in consistent poverty; the number of one parent households experiencing deprivation; the way these figures compare to the European average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20567/16]
View answerThe latest CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions for 2014 shows that the consistent poverty rate for lone parent households is 22.1%. This is a slight decrease on the 2013 rate of 23%.
Eurostat does not produce a measure precisely equivalent to the Irish measure of consistent poverty. The closest similar measure relates to households that are both at risk of poverty and severely materially deprived. In 2014, this situation applied to 10.3% of people in lone parent households in Ireland and to 11% of such people in the EU overall.
The deprivation rate for lone parent households in Ireland in 2014 is 58.7%, reflecting a 4.5 percentage point decrease on the 2013 rate. A precisely equivalent measure is not produced by Eurostat. However, the stricter Eurostat measure, severe material deprivation, shows the rate for lone parent households in Ireland in 2014 is 25.1%, reflecting a 7.2 percentage point decrease on the 2013 rate. This compares to an EU average of 19.1% in 2014.
My Department estimates spending €500 million on the one-parent family payment (OFP) scheme in 2016. The scheme supports over 41,000 recipients and almost 74,300 children.
Research shows that being at work reduces the at-risk-of-poverty rate for lone parents by three-quarters, highlighting that the best way to tackle poverty among lone parents is to assist them into employment. The OFP scheme is designed to support this.
The OFP means test is more generous than that of the jobseeker’s allowance, with an income disregard of €90 per week and the balance assessed at 50%. In addition OFP can be paid concurrently with the family income supplement (FIS). These supports encourage lone parents to take up employment thereby helping to tackle poverty rates among these customers.
In Budget 2016 OFP recipients gained a 75% Christmas bonus, a €5 increase in child benefit and an increase of €2.50 per week in fuel allowance. Those in receipt of FIS also benefitted from the increases to the FIS thresholds. Lone parents on Jobseekers Transition Payment (JST) also gained as a result of the closer alignment of the JST means test with the more generous OFP means test.
The social impact assessment of Budget 2016 showed an increase in average household incomes for working lone parents of 2%. Non-earning lone parents also fared above average, gaining 1.8%.
365. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of pre-financing by programme his Department has applied for with regard to the current phase of EU funding programmes; the amount that is likely to be reimbursed to the European Commission; the reasons this money will be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20585/16]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection receives funding from the European Commission through several different funding streams. These include the European Globalisation Fund (EGF), the European Social Fund (ESF), the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) and from the Commission directly. These funds each operate on different timelines and have different rules and procedures.
The aim of the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) is to break the circle of poverty and deprivation. The Department is the Managing Authority for the delivery of FEAD. FEAD’s budget in Ireland is €22.8m with an additional national contribution of €4m bringing the total funding available to €26.8m. The Department received 11% pre-financing of €2.5m for the FEAD programme in December 2014.
FEAD implementation is currently underway. Expenditure to December 2016 is budgeted for €1.2m with approximately €6m per annum for 2017-2020. Expenditure under the current FEAD Programme can be incurred up to 2022. If Ireland has to return any portion of the initial €2.5m FEAD pre-financing, this will not lead to a reduction of the overall Irish Operational Programme (OP) budget of €26.8m. Ireland will be entitled to claim the entire EU contribution of €22.8m of the FEAD OP.
The EURES Ireland/Northern Ireland Cross-Border Partnership receives grant funding through a competitive process under the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) 2014-2020. Funding is applied for through a competitive process on an annual basis; 50% of funding is paid upfront each year and the balance amount is paid depending on the total expenditure during each funding year. Since 2013 €324,000 pre-financing has been received under this programme with no reimbursements required.
The Department of Education and Skills manages the funding for the EGF and ESF.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
366. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the guidelines in place for community welfare officers for the payment of rent supplement; and if this payment will be withdrawn if a tenant is paying rent above the permitted ceilings. [20621/16]
View answer368. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will address the anomaly in an area (details supplied) where a number of tenants are unable to avail of certain social protection payments as they privately rent homes from an agent while the property is owned by the local authority. [20669/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 368 together.
Increased rent limits under the rent supplement scheme were introduced with effect from Friday, 1 July 2016. Supports in relation to housing and the provision of financial supports, including the rent supplement scheme currently supporting some 54,000 recipients at a cost of €267 million in 2016, are a key priority as evidenced by the early implementation of this Government commitment.
The rent supplement scheme is subject to satisfying certain eligibility criteria and conditions as set out in legislation. I can confirm that guidance has recently issued to officers regarding the implementation of the increased rent limits. In general, rent supplement should not be paid where the rent to be supported is above the relevant and appropriate maximum limit. However, in view of the ongoing difficulties in the rented market, the Department continues to implement a targeted, flexible, case-by-case approach where rents may exceed the maximum limits. This ensures that people at risk of homelessness through the loss of their tenancy continue to be supported under the rent supplement scheme.
Departmental staff have also been advised that in keeping with the concerns over the general lack of alternative rentable housing stock, whereby a person seeks an increase on their existing rent supplement payment due to a previously undeclared top up payment, the additional top up payment may be considered referencing the new limits. If the additional top up brings the overall claim higher that the appropriate revised rent limit, staff are directed to previous guidance to prevent tenancy loss where there are reasonable grounds to do so. Each case will be considered on an individual basis with the primary focus on the accommodation needs of the person or family.
The increased rent limits, combined with the continued flexible approach provided by my Department will provide for increased security for persons seeking support under this scheme.
I refer to the Deputy’s question regarding the payment of rent supplement to residents in Parnell Estate. The legislation governing rent supplement provides that the scheme may not be payable where the person beneficially entitled to the rent under the tenancy is a housing authority. Officials in my Department are engaging with those in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding this matter so that an appropriate resolution is found.
367. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of extending social protection entitlements to self-employed persons; if there is a timeframe on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20658/16]
View answerProviding a supportive environment for enterprise and employment is fundamental to achieving the partnerships aim of job creation.
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 for the self-employed.
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), maternity benefit and adoptive benefit on the same basis as employees. They will gain access to the new paternity benefit this September and legislation is before the House at the moment on the matter.
However, unlike the position with employees, they are not covered for certain benefit payments, such as long term illnesses or disability and may not avail of treatment benefit.
The former Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare published a report in 2013 which examined the options for extensions of cover to the self-employed. The Group found that extending social insurance for the self-employed was warranted in cases related to long term sickness or injuries. In this regard the Group recommended that the rate of contribution for class S should be increased by at least 1.5 percentage points, payable on a compulsory basis only.
Funding the extension of social insurance coverage for the self-employed will also have to take account of the most recent Actuarial review of the Social Insurance Fund published in 2012. The review found that, in the case of the self-employed (with earnings equivalent to national average earnings), a 15% contribution rate would be needed to provide the core full-rate State pension (contributory). This compares very favourably with the 4% rate currently paid by the self-employed. The review also showed that the self-employed at all income levels got better value for money for their contribution in relation to the State pension than employees generally.
I intend to extend, over a period of time, the range of benefits which the self–employed can access through the social insurance system, with particular reference to providing access to benefits for long-term illness/incapacity and treatment benefits. My Department is currently examining the costs and financing of such an extension of benefits as well as the phasing in of access to the benefits. This examination will have to include the level of appropriate additional contribution the self-employed should make for more benefits.
I look forward to making progress on this issue regarding specific proposals, as well as providing a timeframe for implementation later this year.
369. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the self-employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20674/16]
View answerThe self-employed have been liable for compulsory social insurance since 1988 and pay PRSI at the class S rate of 4%. This entitles them to access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory) as well as guardians payment (contributory), maternity benefit and adoptive benefit. Self-employed contributors will also have access to the new paternity benefit scheme being introduced this September.
Most employees have access to the full range of social insurance benefits pay Class A PRSI at the rate of 4%. In addition, their employers make a PRSI contribution of 10.75% in respect of their employees, resulting in the payment of a combined 14.75% rate per employee under full-rate PRSI class A. (For employees earning less than €376 per week, the rate of employer’s PRSI is 8.5%).
The self-employed, have never had access to certain benefit payments, such as long term illnesses or disability. However, self-employed workers who become ill may access social insurance supports by establishing eligibility to assistance-based payments such as disability allowance.
The new programme agreed with our partners in Government contains a commitment to introduce an improved PRSI scheme for the self-employed. I intend to extend, over a period of time, the range of benefits which the self–employed can access through the social insurance system, with particular reference to providing access to benefits for long-term illness/incapacity and treatment benefits.
My Department is currently examining the costs and financing of such an extension of benefits as well as the phasing in of access to the benefits. This examination will have to include the level of appropriate additional contribution the self-employed should make for more benefits.
I look forward to making progress on this issue regarding specific proposals, as well as providing a timeframe for implementation later this year.
370. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of positions on the boards of bodies and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the number of vacant positions; when each vacancy occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20690/16]
View answerThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a Board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Name of Board or Agency |
Number of positions on the Board |
Number of vacant positions |
Date when each vacancy occurred |
|
Citizens Information Board |
15 |
1 |
16 December 2015 |
|
Pensions Authority |
3 |
0 |
N/A |
|
Pensions Council |
12 |
0 |
N/A |
|
Social Welfare Tribunal |
5 |
0 |
N/A |
371. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the full year cost in 2017 of extending the wage subsidy scheme to those in receipt of the partial capacity benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20726/16]
View answerThe partial capacity benefit (PCB) scheme is designed for people who are on illness benefit, for at least six months, or on invalidity pension and who have retained some capacity for work and wish to work. If awarded, PCB will allow them to continue to receive, in addition to their earnings from employment, a percentage of their illness benefit or invalidity pension payment while working.
The wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is an employment support to private sector employers, the objective of which is to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities and thereby increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market. The scheme provides financial incentives to private sector employers to hire people with a disability for between 21 and 39 hours per week under a contract of employment.
Assuming that all PCB recipients would meet the hours worked threshold and based on current number of recipients, the cost of extending the WSS to those participating on the PCB scheme would be around €13.75 million.
Budgetary considerations would be a key factor in relation to extending eligibility for the WSS to employers who employ people in receipt of PCB.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
372. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the expenditure from 2011 to date on the reasonable accommodation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20727/16]
View answerThe reasonable accommodation fund for the employment of people with disabilities assists employers to take appropriate measures to enable a person with a disability/impairment to have access to employment by providing a range of grants. These grants and supports include:
- the workplace equipment and adaptation grant,
- the personal reader grant,
- the job interview interpreter grant, and
- the employee retention grant.
The data sought by the Deputy are set out in the following tables with the latest figures. Data in respect of 2011 are not available as this scheme transferred from FAS into this Department in 2012.
Expenditure on the Reasonable Accommodation Fund for People with Disabilities
|
Year |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016* |
|
Expenditure |
€109,125 |
€112,017 |
€77,864 |
€73,925 |
€27,725 |
*End June figure.
373. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the full year cost in 2017 of increasing the carer's allowance and benefit, disability allowance and benefit, blind pension and invalidity pension by €7.00, €10.00; €12.00 and €15.00, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20728/16]
View answer389. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer of restoring carer's allowance and carer's benefit back up to the 2009 rates of €220.50 and €221; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20841/16]
View answer403. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing carer's allowance to the rates paid in 2009 of €220.50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21195/16]
View answer404. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing carer's benefit to the rates paid in 2009 of €221; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21196/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 373, 389, 403 and 404 together.
The following table lists the cost of a €7.00, €10.00; €12.00 and €15.00 increase in weekly rates of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Disability Allowance, Illness Benefit (formerly Disability Benefit), Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension. The costs include a proportionate increase for recipients with qualified adults, where applicable. In the case of Carer’s Allowance, the cost includes rate increases both for those under 66 years of age and those aged 66 and over.
|
Scheme |
Cost of a €7.00 weekly increase €m |
Cost of a €10.00 weekly increase €m |
Cost of a €12.00 weekly increase €m |
Cost of a €15.00 weekly increase €m |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
19.5 |
27.9 |
33.4 |
41.8 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
1.0 |
1.4 |
1.7 |
2.2 |
|
Disability Allowance |
49.0 |
70.0 |
84 |
105.0 |
|
Illness Benefit |
20.2 |
28.9 |
34.7 |
43.4 |
|
Blind Pension |
0.5 |
0.7 |
0.9 |
1.1 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
22.6 |
32.2 |
38.7 |
48.3 |
The estimated cost of increasing the weekly rate of Carer’s Allowance paid to those who are under 66 years of age to a rate of €220.50 per week is €39.8 million in 2017.
The estimated cost of increasing the weekly rate of Carer’s Benefit to a rate of €221.00 per week is €2.3 million in 2017.
The costs shown above are on a full year basis and assume that, where relevant, each increase is implemented from the beginning of January. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2017.
