Written Answers Nos 216-236
216. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who was made redundant in May 2016 and received statutory redundancy in July 2016 is eligible for the back to education allowance on a level 8 course commencing in September 2017 where the person applies to the CAO for said course in November 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33318/16]
View answerA person wishing to pursue a course of study under the back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme must satisfy a number of conditions. These include age, being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specific period, pursuing a full-time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in the level of education with reference to the National Framework of Qualifications.
Jobseekers awarded statutory redundancy under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967–2012 have access to the BTEA scheme immediately on being made redundant or within one year of the award of the statutory redundancy. The jobseeker must establish an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment immediately prior to commencement of an approved course of study. A jobseeker that opts for voluntary redundancy cannot be approved for BTEA under this provision.
In general, the BTEA can be approved where the course of study leads to a higher qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications other than that already held by the applicant up to a level 8.
For specific guidance on an individual case, a jobseeker should make an appointment to meet with a Departmental case officer in their local Intreo office.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
217. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if community welfare officers who transferred from the HSE to his Department retained their Gaeltacht allowances if they had one; if these allowances were considered as part of the pay of CWOs for pension purposes; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33350/16]
View answerThe terms and conditions under which former Community Welfare staff transferred from the HSE to the Department of Social Protection, provided for the retention of the Gaeltacht allowance on a personal basis. The allowance is considered as part of pay for pension purposes.
218. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if community welfare officers who transferred into his Department from the HSE were given undertakings on transfer and if these CWOs, who were paying 5% pension contributions as long as they were with the HSE, something that civil servants at the time were not paying, should now be reimbursed these contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33351/16]
View answerIn line with Labour Court recommendations LCR 20116, LCR 20117 and LCR 20116, the Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) transferred to the Department of Social Protection on the principle that their existing terms and conditions of employment would neither improve nor diminish by reason of the transfer.
During the course of the negotiations of the Public Service Stability Agreement (2013-2016) the Public Service Executive Union (PSEU) raised grade assimilation issues relating to former CWOs. It was agreed, as part of the aforementioned agreement that the parties would work towards resolving the position regarding the grade assimilation issues within the lifetime of the collective agreement. Arising from talks on the Lansdowne Road Agreement, it was agreed that any anomalies relating to former HSE staff at PSEU member grades would be resolved with effect from 1 January 2016 on the understanding that agreement had been reached between the parties on all outstanding issues related to the matter. These issues included that relating to former HSE staff who were pre-1995 entrants and who paid a pension contribution of 5% which was not paid by other pre-1995 HEOs.
Following negotiations between the Departments of Social Protection, Public Expenditure and Reform and the PSEU, agreement was reached in September 2015. On foot of that agreement, with effect from 1 January 2016, the requirement for pre-1995 former HSE staff to pay the pension contribution of 5% was removed and no retrospection applied.
220. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider including in the Social Welfare Bill provision for the small number of persons who are in receipt of the half rate pension for self-employed persons to increase the pension for those persons who have more than 260 full rate contributions but may have not had the full 520 contributions to give them a pension pro rata to their contributions for the ten years that it was possible to be in the system, as opposed to a half rate pension that they receive whereas some of them have contributions in excess of five full years and would entitle them to a higher pension, in view of the fact that this scheme was only introduced in April 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33370/16]
View answerThe State pension (contributory) is one of the State pension schemes, and its rate of payment is related to contributions made over years into the Social Insurance Fund. As such, those with a stronger attachment to the workforce, who have paid more into that fund, are more likely to be paid under that scheme. There are a number of criteria which must be satisfied in order to qualify for a State pension contributory. These include that the person must be aged 66 or over, and that they have at least 520 paid contributions, i.e., a minimum of 10 years of paid contributions. Since 1961, when contributory pensions were first introduced, the ‘yearly average’ contributions test has been used in calculating the level of pension entitlement, where the total contributions paid or credited are divided by the number of years of the working life (from their entry into insurable employment up to the year prior to their reaching State pension age).
Social insurance contributions (Class S PRSI) were introduced for self-employed people on 6 April 1988. These contributions provide cover for self-employed people for long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widows/widowers pension (contributory). In addition to the qualifying conditions above, a person must have paid self-employment contributions in respect of at least one contribution year prior to reaching age 66, and all self-employment contributions payable must have been paid in full.
There is also a State pension (contributory) half-rate pension for self-employed people. The legislation providing for this partial pension came into effect from 9 April 1999 to provide a basic payment for groups who would not otherwise qualify for a contributory social welfare pension, and who did not satisfy the means test for the State pension (non-contributory). In this case, the measure was designed to benefit self-employed people who were already over 56 years of age when compulsory self-employed social insurance was introduced in 1988, who had not paid other contributions (such as voluntary contributions, or other contributions while in employment), and who could not therefore satisfy the condition of having entered insurance 10 years before pension age. The pension requires a minimum of 5 years contributions and is payable at 50% of the standard rate. The pension was seen as a reasonable response to the position of the self-employed who were in their late 50s when Class S contributions were introduced, and I believe most would agree that it represents good value for the contributions made .
It is worth noting that the most recently published Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund found that the self-employed achieve very good value for money from the fund.
Where a person is unable to meet the qualifying conditions for a State pension (contributory), or is only eligible for a reduced rate of contributory pension, they may alternatively apply for State pension (non-contributory) amounting up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate which is subject to a means-test.
It is the case, therefore, that a person in receipt of this pension, in addition to having made very little contribution to the Social Insurance Fund (which funds contributory pensions), would have significant other means, as otherwise they would be expected to receive the State pension (non-contributory), at up to 95% the rate of the full contributory pension rate.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a State pension (contributory) was terminated in the case of a person (details supplied) when the pension is likely to be restored with any arrears due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33374/16]
View answerAn application by the person concerned for state pension (contributory) was received on 16 September 2009. The person did not indicate in his application form that he had been self- employed, nor did his social insurance record contain any self-employment contributions. Based on the person’s record as it stood, he satisfied the state pension (contributory) eligibility conditions and was awarded a pension, together with an increase for qualified adult, with effect from 28 December 2009.
In January 2010, it was noted from the Department’s self-employment system that the person concerned had been assessed by Revenue as having a self-employment tax liability, with payments outstanding for the years 2003-2005, inclusive. As the discharge of all assessed self-employment liabilities is a key eligibility condition for state pension (contributory), following a period of monitoring to check if the liability was paid, and noting that it had not been, a Deciding Officer suspended the payment of the person’s state pension under the relevant social welfare legislation, with effect from 27 May 2011. The person was notified of the impending pension suspension in a letter issued on 28 April 2011 and advised to contact the Department in due course, when the liability had been fully paid.
Over the following years, the Department contacted Revenue periodically to check if the person had paid the outstanding liability, but was advised each time that it remained outstanding. In November 2016, Revenue confirmed that the liability had been paid.
Accordingly, the pension has been reinstated with effect from the date of payment suspension, and the due arrears will issue shortly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
222. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason time on a VTOS course is not counted towards the qualifying period for the fuel allowance and the Christmas bonus; his plans to alter the requirements where some persons on the same course are receiving the benefits and others are not, depending on their days claiming before commencing the course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33415/16]
View answerThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 26 weeks from October to April, to approximately 376,000 low income households. 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.
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.
VTOS is operated through local education and training boards who are funded by the Department of Education and Science, and not by my Department, and so it is not a qualifying payment for fuel allowance or the Christmas bonus. However to ensure that long term recipients of social protection payments are not financially worse off while participating on a VTOS course they are allowed retain secondary benefits such as the fuel allowance and the Christmas bonus.
Any decision to allow persons on a VTOS course to accrue entitlement to the fuel allowance or Christmas bonus would have to be considered in the overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Minister of State.
223. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33425/16]
View answerAn application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 29 January 2016.
The application was disallowed on 2 June 2016. The person concerned appealed this decision and the case was submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals office for determination on 22 August 2016. An appeals officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence has allowed the appeal and the implementation of that decision is currently being processed.
Once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
224. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide data on the percentage of all rent supplement claimants claiming rent supplement for, respectively, up to six months, six to 12 months, 12 to 18 months and more than 18 months in each of the years 2005 to date in tabular form. [33479/16]
View answerRent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting some 49,700 recipients for which the Government has provided €267 million for in 2016.
The detailed data requested by the Deputy is published annually by my Department in the “Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services” report. The reports for years 2005 to 2014 are available at www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Annual-Statistical-Information-Reports.aspx. The 2015 report is also available on my Department's website at http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Annual-SWS-Statistical-Information-Report-2015.aspx .
Statistics regarding recipient numbers under the scheme from 2005 to the present, and those in receipt of a rent supplement for 18 months or more as at the end of September 2016, are also provided in the following tabular statements:
Rent Supplement: Recipient Numbers - 2005 to Present
|
Year |
Recipients |
|
2005 |
60,176 |
|
2006 |
59,861 |
|
2007 |
59,726 |
|
2008 |
74,038 |
|
2009 |
93,030 |
|
2010 |
97,260 |
|
2011 |
96,803 |
|
2012 |
87,684 |
|
2013 |
79,788 |
|
2014 |
71,533 |
|
2015 |
61,247 |
|
2016 |
49,735 |
As at end October 2016
Rent Supplement - 18 Months plus Recipients by County at End Sept. 2016
|
COUNTY |
18m+ |
RS |
% |
|
CARLOW |
485 |
670 |
72.39% |
|
CAVAN |
193 |
372 |
51.88% |
|
CLARE |
434 |
527 |
82.35% |
|
CORK |
3,989 |
5,393 |
73.97% |
|
DONEGAL |
472 |
533 |
88.56% |
|
DUBLIN |
16,648 |
21,131 |
78.78% |
|
GALWAY |
2,109 |
2,709 |
77.85% |
|
KERRY |
953 |
1,572 |
60.62% |
|
KILDARE |
2,277 |
2,762 |
82.44% |
|
KILKENNY |
324 |
367 |
88.28% |
|
LAOIS |
560 |
874 |
64.07% |
|
LEITRIM |
135 |
289 |
46.71% |
|
LIMERICK |
856 |
1,043 |
82.07% |
|
LONGFORD |
200 |
393 |
50.89% |
|
LOUTH |
866 |
994 |
87.12% |
|
MAYO |
882 |
1,166 |
75.64% |
|
MEATH |
889 |
1,137 |
78.19% |
|
MONAGHAN |
172 |
210 |
81.90% |
|
OFFALY |
543 |
613 |
88.58% |
|
ROSCOMMON |
339 |
582 |
58.25% |
|
SLIGO |
208 |
322 |
64.60% |
|
TIPPERARY |
807 |
1,069 |
75.49% |
|
WATERFORD |
552 |
706 |
78.19% |
|
WESTMEATH |
855 |
1,314 |
65.07% |
|
WEXFORD |
1,283 |
2,020 |
63.51% |
|
WICKLOW |
1,429 |
1,932 |
73.96% |
|
Total |
38,460 |
50,700 |
75.86% |
225. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33491/16]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 28 September 2016. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
226. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who are awaiting the processing of social protection payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33571/16]
View answerThe Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
The figures you request for each scheme, as at 30 September 2016, are shown in the table below.
|
Scheme |
Awaiting Decision |
Average weeks to award |
|
Carer's Allowance |
4,146 |
14 |
|
Child Benefit |
1,549 |
3 |
|
Disability Allowance |
5,567 |
13 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
2,053 |
11 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
1,227 |
6 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
1,913 |
15 |
Reducing waiting times is a priority for the Department and we are working hard to make this happen. As part of its programme of service delivery modernisation, a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology, have been implemented by the Department in recent years. In addition, staffing needs are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources. Where additional staffing is deployed to a scheme, such as has happened for carer’s allowance, there is a time-lag involved while those staff are trained and build up expertise. The Department has seen a significant reduction in CA processing from 22 weeks at the end of May to 14 weeks at the end of September and expects the processing times for schemes to reduce further over the next few months, as recently assigned staff get up to speed with the work involved in claim processing.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
227. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedures in place to deal with chronic waiting times for the processing of social protection payments especially the current 40 week wait for the processing of carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33572/16]
View answerThe Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
The average waiting time for new carer's allowance (CA) applications at the end of September was 14 weeks. This is a significant reduction in CA processing from 22 weeks at the end of May to 14 weeks at the end of September and we are working hard to ensure that the processing times reduce further, as recently assigned staff get up to speed with the work involved in claim processing.
At the end of September, there were 4,146 CA applications awaiting decision. The volume of CA claims on hand is a consequence of continued increased claim intake and the delays in processing are frequently 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.
Reducing these waiting times is a priority for my Department and we are working hard to make this happen. As part of its programme of service delivery modernisation, a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology, have been implemented by the Department in recent years. My Department will continue to do all it can by improving procedures and the organisation of work to ensure that the processing times are reduced.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
228. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the payment of farm assist was reduced substantially for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33582/16]
View answerFollowing a review of the farm assist claim of the person concerned by the Department his means were assessed at €175 per week based on his 2015 accounts.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned together with the relevant Departmental papers were received by that office on 14 October 2015 and that the case 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 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.
229. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection when a claim for domiciliary care allowance will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33620/16]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from this lady on 9 August 2016. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Following receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and notified to the applicant. Applications are processed in date of receipt order. It can currently take 16 weeks to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
230. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has produced a new statement of strategy since May 2016; and if so, the measures in it to support persons with disabilities. [33628/16]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection has prepared a Statement of Strategy 2016-2019 which will be published when finalised. The draft Statement of Strategy takes account of the views submitted though the consultation process and is fully aligned with the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government and broader Government policy.
As in the previous Statement of Strategy 2015 - 2017, the new Strategy will continue to focus on putting clients, including those with disabilities, at the centre of services and policies.
231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appointment will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33659/16]
View answerThe person concerned has been contacted and advised that she may attend the Newbridge Intreo Office on any Monday or Thursday; no appointment is necessary.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
232. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the full year cost in 2017 of the proposed increases in social protection payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33744/16]
View answer233. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the start dates for the relevant increases in each weekly social protection payment for 2017; the projected cost in 2017 of this increase for each payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33745/16]
View answer234. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the start date of each policy change announced at the budget; the cost of each in 2017; the full year projected cost for each measure in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33746/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 232 to 234, inclusive, together.
The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the following tables:
Table 1: Effective dates of operation of increases in weekly rates of payment, 2017
|
Date |
Increases in weekly rates of payment |
|
8 March |
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (other than Jobseeker’s Transition payment) - Pre-retirement allowance - Farm Assist |
|
9 March |
- Jobseeker’s Benefit - Carer’s Allowance recipients aged 66 and over - Deserted Wife’s Benefit recipients aged 66 and over |
|
10 March |
- State pension (contributory) - Widow/er’s, surviving civil partner’s (contributory) pension recipients aged 66 and over - Death benefit pension recipients aged 66 and over - State pension (non-contributory) |
|
13 March |
- Illness Benefit - Health and Safety Benefit - Injury Benefit - Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
|
15 March |
- Disability Allowance |
|
16 March |
- Invalidity Pension - Carer’s Benefit - Deserter Wife’s Benefit under the age of 66 - Carer’s Allowance recipients under the age of 66 - One-parent family payment (other than where payable in respect of a widow, widower or surviving civil partner) - Jobseeker’s Transition payment - Deserted Wife’s Allowance - Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance |
|
17 March |
- Widow/er’s, surviving civil partner’s (contributory) pension recipients under the age of 66 - Death benefit pension recipients under the age of 66 - Guardian’s payment (contributory and non-contributory) - Disablement pension and disablement gratuity - Blind pension - Widow/er’s, surviving civil partner’s (non-contributory) pension - One-parent family payment (payable in respect of a widow, widower or surviving civil partner) |
It should be noted that some schemes are paid in arrears e.g. jobseeker’s allowance, while others are paid in advance e.g. State pension contributory. The effective dates above are included in the Social Welfare Bill published last Friday. The Department also operates a number of non-statutory schemes, mostly in relation to employment and education supports. The weekly rate increases for these schemes will apply over the course of the week 13th to 17th March inclusive. The start dates of the other Budget measures are outlined in Table 3 below.
Table 2: Cost of increases in weekly rates of payment, 2017
|
Payment |
Total €m |
|
Social Insurance Schemes |
|
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
81.00 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension |
24.80 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
1.35 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
12.97 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
0.76 |
|
Death Benefit Pension |
0.13 |
|
Disablement Pension |
1.24 |
|
Illness Benefit |
11.70 |
|
Injury Benefit |
0.28 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
0.22 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
7.37 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
0.57 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
0.01 |
|
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit |
4.40 |
|
Social Assistance Schemes |
|
|
State Pension (Non Con) |
20.88 |
|
Blind Person's Pension |
0.28 |
|
Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension |
0.31 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
0.03 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
8.58 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
7.86 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance |
3.08 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
0.31 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
47.52 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
0.06 |
|
Disability Allowance |
28.17 |
|
Farm Assist |
2.20 |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
2.76 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
2.29 |
|
Part Time Job Incentive |
0.02 |
|
Community Employment Programme |
5.52 |
|
TÚS - Community Work Placement |
2.12 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
0.73 |
|
JobBridge - National Internship |
0.50 |
|
Jobs Initiative |
0.37 |
|
Gateway |
0.35 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
3.72 |
|
TOTAL |
284.5 |
Table 3: Summary of new DSP measures, Budget 2017.
|
Measures |
2017 Cost (€m) |
2018 cost (€m) |
|
€5 Weekly Rate increases |
||
|
Increase the weekly rates of payment €5 per week for pensioners and recipients aged under 66, with proportional increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates. |
284.5 |
349 |
|
Social Insurance Improvements for the Self-Employed |
||
|
Social insurance cover for self-employed will be extended to dental and optical benefits [March 2017] and Invalidity Pension [December 2017]. |
5 |
27.5 |
|
Treatment Benefits |
||
|
The Dental Benefit scheme will be expanded to include an annual free scale and polish and the Optical Benefit scheme will include the option of either free spectacles or a contribution (€42) towards the cost of upgraded spectacles. These measures will apply to both insured employees and self-employed. [October 2017] |
9 |
47 |
|
Farmers |
||
|
Improvements in the means testing arrangements for lower-income farmers on Farm Assist including farm families with children [March 8, 2017] and expansion of the Rural Social scheme by 500 places [2017]. |
10.5 |
17 |
|
Lone Parents |
||
|
Increase of €20 per week in the income disregard for One Parent Family Payment and the Jobseeker’s Transition payment, from €90 to €110 per week [January 2017]. |
9 |
9 |
|
Children |
||
|
Increase for School Meals scheme [2017]. |
3 |
8 |
|
People with Disabilities |
||
|
New funding for projects to provide pre-activation supports for people with disabilities [2017]. |
2 |
2 |
|
Miscellaneous Improvements |
||
|
Including the introduction of a cost of education allowance for Back to Education recipients with children (Sept., 2017), increasing the €166 Back to Education Allowance weekly rate for people under 26 to €188 [Sept., 2017], additional funding for the Community Services programme [2017], introducing payment of the Carer’s Allowance for 12 weeks where care recipients enters a nursing home [Jan 2017] etc. |
7 |
9 |
|
Total |
330 |
468.5 |
235. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the hardship caused by the means assessments conducted on social protection payments whereby part of a person's income is derived from payments received from non-European monetary union, EMU, states, in particular, the UK; if he has updated the rate of conversion to reflect the decline in the value of sterling; the current exchange rate used in assessing means as provided for under Article 107 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 574/72 on Social Security for Migrant Workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33766/16]
View answer236. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the request for a review and the processing backlogs will impact on the quarterly average sterling value used, in view of the fact that the position has changed rapidly in the past two quarters; the method by which he manages the internal process; if he applies the sterling value at the date of receipt or at the date of processing in case of an increase in review requests as sterling continues to decrease in value against the euro (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33768/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together.
Social Assistance payments act as a safety net for people who have insufficient income and who do not qualify for a contributory payment. The use of a means test is to ensure that scarce resources are directed to those in greatest need.
Payments from the United Kingdom (UK) are assessed as income under current legislation. In assessing means derived from payments received from non-European Monetary Union (EMU) States, the Department uses the conversion mechanism provided for under Article 107 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 574/72 on Social Security for Migrant Workers. The exchange rates for converting sterling and other non EMU currencies are published quarterly in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Department obtains this rate at the beginning of each quarter and uses it in all conversions during the course of that quarter irrespective of whether the value of the currency concerned rises or falls in that period. The conversion rates published in 2016, which are reflective of the changes in the value of sterling, are Q1: 1.36450; Q2: 1.32523; Q3: 1.26216; Q4: 1.18898.
In the case of a new claim, when calculating the value of a sterling payment, the conversion rate used is that applicable to the quarter in which the effective date of the claim falls.
It is open to any person in receipt of a social assistance payment to request that his/her entitlement be reviewed if they wish. It is important to note, however, that any such review will involve a full reassessment of all of the customer’s means to ensure that the person continues to receive the correct payment in line with their overall entitlement and such reviews cannot of their nature just focus on the income derived from the UK. When conducting such a review, the conversion rate used is that applicable to the date of last increase in the sterling payment of the UK State Pension or the rate applicable in a subsequent quarter if that rate has been published by the date of the decision and is more favourable to the customer.
Following the outcome of the UK referendum, negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU will take time. In the interim, it is important to stress that all payments made by the Department of Social Protection, including those to recipients who are resident in Britain and Northern Ireland, and payments from the UK to residents in Ireland, will continue to be paid.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
