Clare Daly
Question:311. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost per annum of all private sector rental schemes since 1991, including but not limited to, the rent allowance scheme, in tabular form. [31606/16]
View answerRent Supplement Scheme Expenditure
Questions (311)
Written answers
The rent supplement scheme is currently supporting some 50,700 recipients for which the Government has provided €267 million for in 2016.
The on-going improvement in the economy, as persons exit the scheme through activation, and transfers to social housing, has led to reductions in scheme numbers and expenditure on rent supplement which peaked in 2010. Since 2014, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme has commenced supporting persons with long term housing needs through the local authorities rather than under rent supplement. The provision for rent supplement for 2014 and 2015 reflects a transfer of funding of some €20 million and €24 million respectively to support HAP.
Assistance is also provided by my Department via the rent allowance scheme which is payable, subject to a means test, to eligible persons entitled to retain possession as the tenant of a dwelling where the rent was controlled before 26 July 1982. There are currently some 80 persons receiving this allowance.
Expenditure figures for both rent supplement and the rent allowance scheme from 1999 to date are provided in the following tabular statement; expenditure data for the years 1991 to 1998 is not maintained.
Tabular Statement
Table 1 - Rent Supplement: Expenditure: 1999 to Present
|
Year |
Cost €000 |
% Change |
|
1999 |
128,240 |
|
|
2000 |
150,590 |
17.4% |
|
2001 |
179,438 |
19.2% |
|
2002 |
252,203 |
40.6% |
|
2003 |
331,471 |
31.4% |
|
2004 |
353,762 |
6.7% |
|
2005 |
368,705 |
4.2% |
|
2006 |
388,339 |
5.3% |
|
2007 |
391,466 |
0.8% |
|
2008 |
440,548 |
12.5% |
|
2009 |
510,751 |
15.9% |
|
2010 |
516,538 |
1.2% |
|
2011 |
502,747 |
-2.7% |
|
2012 |
422,536 |
-16% |
|
2013 |
372,909 |
-12% |
|
2014 |
338,208 |
-9.3% |
|
2015 |
311,059 |
-8% |
Table 2- Rent Allowance: Expenditure: 1999 to present
|
Year |
Cost €000 |
% Change |
|
1999 |
599 |
|
|
2000 |
761 |
27.0% |
|
2001 |
736 |
-3.3% |
|
2002 |
666 |
-9.5% |
|
2003 |
675 |
1.3% |
|
2004 |
754 |
11.7% |
|
2005 |
855 |
13.4% |
|
2006 |
839 |
-1.8% |
|
2007 |
792 |
-5.6% |
|
2008 |
732 |
-7.6% |
|
2009 |
725 |
-1.0% |
|
2010 |
804 |
10.9% |
|
2011 |
700 |
-12.9% |
|
2012 |
663 |
-5.3% |
|
2013 |
653 |
-1.5% |
|
2014 |
530 |
-18.8% |
|
2015 |
550 |
3.8% |
Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
Questions (312)
Bernard Durkan
Question:312. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial assistance available to a person (details supplied) who has recently commenced a course and was previously on jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31623/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned is currently a student attending a full time third level college course. The person was in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance which ceased when she commenced her college course in September 2016. I understand the person did not apply for the Back to Education Allowance and that this scheme cannot be applied for retrospectively.
Exceptional Needs Payment Applications
Questions (313)
Bernard Durkan
Question:313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when financial assistance will be given in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31625/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The Government has provided €30.3 million for the ENP scheme in 2016.
There is no automatic entitlement to a payment. ENPs are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
The person concerned made an application for an ENP in respect of funeral expenses. In order to determine her entitlement to this payment, she has been requested to produce certain documentation in support of her application. When this information is received a decision on her application will be immediately made.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Insurance Yield
Questions (314)
Joan Collins
Question:314. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the present yield of employer's PRSI at the rate of 8.5% and the 10.75% rate. [31642/16]
View answerWritten answers
The data requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (315)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:315. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a disability allowance payment by a person (details supplied). [31643/16]
View answerWritten answers
The application for disability allowance, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and this lady was notified in writing of the decision on 29 July 2016. This lady requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional evidence for consideration.
The review has now been concluded by a DO and the outcome is that the decision to refuse on medical grounds has been confirmed. This lady is being notified directly of this decision and she will also be advised of her right to appeal this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Water Conservation Grant Expenditure
Questions (316)
Michael McGrath
Question:316. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of money actually paid out in respect of the €100 water conservation grant for 2015 and separately for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31660/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Social Protection is administering the 2015 Water Conservation Grant on behalf of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
A total of 886,716 applications were processed and paid as at 31st December 2015, the total value of such payments being €88,671,600.
A further 3,381 applications, valued at €338,100, have been processed and paid in 2016.
Therefore 890,097 applications have been processed and €89,009,700 paid in Water Conservation Grants to date.
A small number of residual applications continue to be processed for householders who have an entitlement to the 2015 Water Conservation Grant.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes Places
Questions (317)
Pat Deering
Question:317. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will qualify in February 2017 for a roll-over of the FÁS scheme that is in operation in Borris and Rathanna, County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31665/16]
View answerWritten answers
The exit date for the person concerned has now been revised to 15th September 2017 at which time he will have participated on Community Employment for the maximum period of six years.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Exceptional Needs Payment Applications
Questions (318)
Pat Deering
Question:318. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a response regarding an application for an exceptional needs payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31669/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned applied for an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme in respect of his son on 14th September 2016 seeking help with the expenses for a medical procedure on his son.
The ENP was disallowed as expenses incurred for medical procedures are not recoupable from the SWA scheme. A decision letter issued on 21st October 2016 advising the person concerned of the disallowance and of his right to request a review of the decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Exceptional Needs Payment Applications
Questions (319)
Pat Deering
Question:319. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a response regarding an application for an exceptional needs payment for home heating oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31670/16]
View answerWritten answers
An application for an exceptional needs payment from the person concerned has been awarded and a payment issued on 17th October 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Household Benefits Scheme
Questions (320)
Robert Troy
Question:320. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will allow persons in receipt of a household benefits package to retain the package in a situation where an adult child has moved home due to the housing crisis (details supplied). [31725/16]
View answerWritten answers
The household benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €228 million this year on the household benefits package for over 421,000 customers.
The package is generally available to people living in the State, aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to carers and people with disabilities under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. Widows and widowers aged from 60 to 65 whose late spouses had been in receipt of the household benefits package retain that entitlement. Therefore anyone aged under 70 years of age must be in receipt of a qualifying payment from the Department or satisfy a means test in order to qualify for HHB.
They must also satisfy the household composition test meaning they must live alone, or only with certain excepted people, who are:
- A qualified adult (a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is considered a qualified adult if a person is receiving an allowance for him/her with their payment, or would be receiving a payment for them but for the fact that they are in receipt of a payment in their own right)
- Dependent children under the age of 18, or under the age of 22 if in full-time education (a certificate from the school/college must be supplied for those aged 18 or over)
- A person who is so incapacitated as to require constant care and attention for at least 12 months (medical certification may be required)
- A person(s) who would qualify for the allowance in his/her own right (for example, a person getting a State pension)
- A person who is providing the claimant or someone in their household with constant care and attention, if they are so incapacitated as to require constant care and attention for at least 12 months (medical certification may be required).
Any decision to expand entitlement for receipt of HHB to include those living with their adult children would increase the cost of the scheme to the Exchequer, and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
School Meals Programme
Questions (321)
Brendan Griffin
Question:321. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if additional funding will be provided under the school meals programme to community crèches where numbers have increased since their initial application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31761/16]
View answerWritten answers
The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to schools and organisations benefitting over 200,000 children at a total cost of €42 million in 2016. Budget 2017 announced an additional €5.7 million for school meals, increasing funding to €47.7 million which will benefit over 50,000 extra children.
Priority for new applications for funding has been given to schools which are part of the Department of Education and Skills initiative for disadvantaged schools “Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools” (DEIS) in line with the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, Better Outcomes Brighter Futures. The schools and organisations, including community crèches, that joined the scheme prior to the introduction of DEIS would have done so under the various educational disadvantaged programmes in place at the time. These schemes included School Completion Programmes, Giving Children an Even Break, Home School Community Liaison Scheme, Designated Disadvantaged, Early Start and Breaking the Cycle.
The additional funding provided in Budget 2017 will support further extending the scheme in DEIS schools and the provision of some breakfast clubs in non-DEIS schools from September 2017. Any further extension of the scheme, to include community crèches, can only be considered in a budgetary context.
School Meals Programme
Questions (322)
Brendan Griffin
Question:322. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if administration fees will be provided with grants of over €10,000 in view of his Department's requirement for separate bank accounts for the payment of these grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31764/16]
View answerWritten answers
The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to schools and organisations benefitting over 200,000 children at a total cost of €42 million in 2016. Budget 2017 announced an additional €5.7 million for school meals, increasing funding to €47.7 million which will benefit over 50,000 extra children. Funding under the scheme is for food costs only.
Following an audit of the school meals scheme by the Comptroller and Auditor General in 2014 a number of improved control measures were introduced, including the requirement for existing schools receiving payments in excess of €10,000 per annum to operate a separate bank account for school meals funding from the commencement of the 2016/2017 school year. The control measures introduced will improve and strengthen the overall control within the scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Fuel Allowance Eligibility
Questions (323)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:323. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the entitlement to the fuel allowance under the national fuel scheme can be extended to those in receipt of illness benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31769/16]
View answerWritten answers
The fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 26 weeks from October to April, to low income households. It was paid to 390,958 recipients in 2015. The estimated cost of the scheme in 2016 is €224 million. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household. My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance as part of the household benefits package to approx. 421,000 customers, at an estimated cost of €228 million in 2016.
The fuel allowance is a means tested payment, targeted at those who are more vulnerable to energy poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own. As short term payments such as illness benefits are not means tested payments, they do not qualify for the fuel allowance.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme a recipient of a social welfare or health service executive payment who has exceptional essential heating costs due to ill health or infirmity and who cannot provide for such costs from within his or her own resources may qualify for a heating supplement. There is no standard rate for a heating supplement. Each case is examined on its merits and the Community Welfare Officer determines the amount to be paid taking account of the level of the expenses in question and the ability of the applicant to contribute towards his or her exceptional heating costs.
The best way to tackle fuel poverty in the long term is to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling. My Department works closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment on these issues and in moving forward the actions agreed in the Energy Affordability Strategy. In that regard, the Better Energy Homes scheme provides support towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance would have to be considered in the overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Questions (324)
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:324. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will be taking measures to assist the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in supporting families that are living in emergency accommodation, including hotels, to get their children to and from school and social activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31791/16]
View answerWritten answers
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is considered the "safety net" within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
Families living in emergency accommodation placements may have additional costs, including travel to school costs for children. Additional supports can be provided through a supplement under the SWA scheme which can be paid in addition to the weekly social welfare payment. These are discretionary payments that are made following an assessment of the actual needs in each case.
The Department is currently supporting homeless families with these additional costs through the provision of weekly supplements. For example, the Homeless Persons unit in Dublin is currently assisting over 80 such families.
The Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness – Rebuilding Ireland commits to providing access to free public transport for family travel and for school journeys for homeless families in emergency accommodation and this action is being progressed by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
Social Welfare Appeals Status
Questions (325)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:325. 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. [31881/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24th August 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Services Programme
Questions (326, 327)
Michael Ring
Question:326. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason no response issued to a query raised (details supplied). [31887/16]
View answerMichael Ring
Question:327. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding that has been made available to a facility (details supplied) in County Mayo in the past 12 months. [31888/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together.
At present, there are 6 community employment (CE) participants in place to support the operation of the Michael Davitt Museum. There was no other direct funding from my Department to the Michael Davitt Museum in the past twelve months.
A proposal was made by the Michael Davitt Museum for funding under the Community Services Programme (CSP) in August 2016. The group was advised on 30 September that Pobal will be in contact with them to progress their proposal. The group will be required to work with Pobal to undertake an in-depth business planning process to determine the overall suitability and the resource requirements of their proposal in line with CSP criteria. Pobal is contracted by the Department to undertake the financial and contract management for the CSP. A decision on the proposal by the group cannot be made until this process is complete.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits Data
Questions (328)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:328. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for welfare payments disallowed on the basis of the habitual residence condition each year since its introduction, broken down into Irish citizens, EU-EEA citizens and third country nationals, in tabular form. [31905/16]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of applicants for welfare payments disallowed on the basis of the habitual residence condition each year since its introduction, broken down into Irish citizens, EU/EEA citizens and third country nationals is not available in my Department.
I have been informed that between 2005 and 2015 there has been a total of 50,961 claims disallowed on the basis of the habitual residence. A breakdown of this number between Irish citizens and other nationalities (where available) is detailed in the following tabular statement.
Claims disallowed under Habitual Residence Condition, 2005-2015
|
Nationalities |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010* |
2011 |
2012# |
2013 |
2014 |
2015# |
|
Irish |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
650 |
455 |
428 |
264 |
240 |
N/A |
|
Other |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
5,256 |
4,039 |
2,389 |
2,580 |
2,318 |
N/A |
|
Total |
4,599 |
4,361 |
5,123 |
6,297 |
10,582 |
5,906 |
4,494 |
2,817 |
2,844 |
2,558 |
1,380 |
*Please note that figures for 2010 are incomplete due to industrial action.
#Please note that 2012 to 2015 figures do not contain Carers Allowance.
Ministerial Functions
Questions (329)
Dara Calleary
Question:329. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the delegated responsibilities he has given to Ministers of State in his Department; when the order of delegated responsibility was signed; if he included his Ministers of State in direct discussions or meetings with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as part of pre-budget discussions; if so, the dates of such meetings and the attendance at each meeting; if the Minister of State was not included, the reason this was the position, in view of the designated responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31921/16]
View answerWritten answers
The statutory responsibilities delegated to Minister of State Finian McGrath, T.D., are set out in the Social Protection (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 326 of 2016). The Order of delegated responsibility was signed by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D., on 21 June 2016.
These statutory responsibilities relate to the Invalidity Pension, Partial Capacity Benefit, Disability Allowance, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Blind Pension schemes operated by my Department.
In addition, Minister of State McGrath has also been assigned responsibility for the following non-statutory schemes:
(a) the Wage Subsidy Scheme;
(b) the Reasonable Accommodation Fund for People with Disabilities; and
(c) the EmployAbility Service as well as responsibility for my Department's role in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.
While, under the delegation of functions process, I continue to have responsibility for the Budget and Estimates processes, I engaged with Minister McGrath before and during the discussions within my Department and with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and his officials.
Moreover, as Minister of State McGrath sits at Cabinet, he also met directly with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on a number of occasions to discuss matters relating to his areas of responsibility.
Social Welfare Payments Administration
Questions (330)
Bernard Durkan
Question:330. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an overdue payment will issue to a person (details supplied); if the payment will now issue as a matter or urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31960/16]
View answerWritten answers
According to this department, all payments due to the client concerned have been paid. An uncashed payment which issued on 28/07/16 was stopped by the department's accounts section and reissued on the 29/08/16 directly to the client at the address he requested.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
Farm Assist Scheme Applications
Questions (331)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:331. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will be interviewed in view of the fact the person has not received funding since reaching 65 years of age in February 2016 and has completed and submitted applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31980/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned applied for Farm Assist on 19th September 2016. The file of the person concerned has been sent to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation and they will make contact with the person in question next week. A decision will be made as soon as possible and the person in question will be notified of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Insurance Payments
Questions (332)
Robert Troy
Question:332. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider introducing a scheme whereby self-employed tradesmen would be entitled to a payment for weeks they cannot work (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31992/16]
View answerWritten answers
Self-employed persons, including self-employed tradesmen, who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. This provides them with access to the following benefits: State pension (contributory) and Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (contributory), Guardian's Payment (contributory), Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit and, since September 2016, the newly introduced Paternity Benefit.
Class A employees, who have access to the full range of benefits, pay PRSI at the rate of 4% on their income. In addition their employers pay PRSI at 10.75%, which brings the rate of PRSI paid in respect of Class A employees to 14.75% (12.5% for weekly earnings of €376 or less).
Self-employed workers with insufficient means can access means tested payments such as unemployment assistance or disability allowance, in respect of periods when they cannot work because of a downturn in their business or ill health.
Core to the Programme for Government focusing on improving the position of the self-employed, is the commitment to introduce an improved PRSI scheme for the self-employed.
In Budget 2017, I announced the extension of cover for Invalidity Pension to the self-employed on the same basis as employees, with effect from December 2017. Gaining access to Invalidity Pension will provide the self-employed with a much stronger safety net to protect them in the event of significant injury or disablement.
In addition the self-employed will have access to the Treatment Benefit Scheme which provides partial dental, optical and aural services to qualified people, from March 2017. Treatment Benefit entitlements will be extended further from October 2017 for the self-employment and employees, providing additional dental and optical benefits.
In 2017 my department will carry out detailed work on the jobseeker's benefit scheme to establish how to provide a better safety net for self-employed workers whose business fails, which can be considered in Budget 2018.