Tuesday, 24 Jan 2017

Written Answers Nos. 308-328

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Questions (308)

Robert Troy

Question:

308. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will finalise a social welfare appeal for a person (details supplied). [3211/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20 October 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 16 December 2016 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Invalidity Pension Applications

Questions (309)

Robert Troy

Question:

309. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application for an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied). [3213/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The Department received an application for IP from the lady referred to on 08 December 2016. Her application was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on the 20 January 2017 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (310)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which backlogs have been addressed in respect of various headings and payments operated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3221/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department measures the performance of each scheme area on a monthly basis. Backlogs in each area can be measured by the number of claims pending a decision at the end of each month.

Figures for 2016 are currently being finalised by my officials, and I will supply the requested data directly to the Deputy as soon as this process is completed.

Social Welfare Schemes

Questions (311, 315, 320)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

311. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which adequate resources continue to be made available to his Department to meet exceptional needs payment requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3222/17]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which community welfare services remain readily accessible in all areas throughout the country with particular reference to meeting out of hours and emergency needs when necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3226/17]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

320. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of a basic supplementary social welfare payment; the extent to which the numbers dependent on such payment has fluctuated in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3231/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 311, 315 and 320 together.

The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme 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.

Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic primary weekly payment and/or a weekly/monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, including rent, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs). The Government has provided some €378 million for the SWA scheme in 2017 including €85.4 million for basic SWA and €31.5 million for ENPs & UNPs in 2017.

The SWA schemes are subject to a means test and are demand led. There has been a reduction in the numbers receiving support through the SWA schemes which can be attributed to the overall improvement in the economy, improvements in administration and policy changes in recent years. Claim processing times have improved with the introduction of the Intreo centres and establishment of integrated decisions teams which has reduced recourse to basic SWA payments. For example, decisions on jobseekers allowance and benefit applications are now processed almost immediately where all the supporting information is provided. The following tabular statement provides details of the number of basic SWA recipients at year end for the past five years, 2012-2016.

The Department may make a single 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. Although ENP expenditure has reduced in recent years, the scheme is demand led and continues to provide assistance to those with exceptional needs 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. Provisional expenditure for 2016 is €32 million, showing that expenditure under the scheme is stabilising in recent years in line with the improvement in the economy.

The ENP guidelines issued to staff in 2012 and 2013 have contributed to more streamlined and consistent approaches being taken to applications across the country. The guidelines do not affect the statutory discretion available to officers administering the scheme in issuing an ENP to assist an individual or household in any particular hardship situation which may arise. People who consider that they require an ENP should contact the local officials in the Community Welfare Service administering the scheme.

People claiming supports under the SWA scheme generally only interact with the Department on an occasional basis, for example, when seeking an exceptional needs payment or in claiming additional supports such as rent supplement. The availability of the Community Welfare Service (CWS) during normal office hours is therefore sufficient for general day to day requirements. CWS services are delivered through Intreo Centres and some 180 clinics nationwide.

However, in response to emergency situations such as those caused by severe weather events, local management assesses the response required to ensure that supports are provided to those affected as swiftly as possible. This may include provision of emergency or out of hours services and may be supplemented by facilitating clients with individual appointments and making house calls.

I trust that this clarifies the issues raised for the Deputy.

Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance recipients 2012 to 2016

Month	No. Penalty Rates Applied
Feb-16	0
Mar-16	3
Apr-16	1
May-16	3
Jun-16	10
Jul-16	0
Aug-16	1
Sep-16	1
Oct-16	2
Nov-16	3
Dec-16	0
Total	24

Note: Direct provision allowance recipients are included under Basic SWA until 2014.

Youth Unemployment

Questions (312)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

312. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which his Department continues to be in a position to avail of European Union support to alleviate youth unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3223/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Government’s primary strategy to reduce youth unemployment is through policies to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth and the availability of productive employment for young people. This strategy has been succeeding; by Q1 2016 the number of people in employment is up by over 200,000 from the lowest level reached in 2012.

Youth unemployment is estimated at 14.5% (29,400 persons) in December 2016 and has fallen from a peak of 31.2% in July 2012.

Policy on youth unemployment, framed in the context of the EU Recommendation on a Youth Guarantee, concentrates assistance to young people in finding and securing sustainable jobs. In 2015 monthly engagement by case officers with all young unemployed was implemented. For those who do not find employment, additional offers are provided for. Most such offers (over 70%) are in further education or training. Others are in community-based employment programmes such as CE, Gateway and Tus, or through the JobsPlus employment subsidy for private employment. Pathways to Work 2016-2020 continues to prioritise these measures for the young unemployed and additionally commits to: increasing the share of workplace-based interventions for youth unemployed; ensuring that monthly engagement, at a minimum, is consistently applied and maintained; restructuring the First Steps programme; and implementing the Defence Forces Skills for Life programme.

Annual Government expenditure on relevant programmes was estimated, in the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan, at approximately €336 million. A number of the programmes involved – for example First Steps and the youth element of the JobsPlus Incentive Scheme, are operated by the Department of Social Protection.

This expenditure is supported in part by the EU through the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) and European Social Fund (ESF). The YEI is being delivered in Ireland as a dedicated priority axis within the ESF Operational Programme for Education, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020, for which the Irish Managing Authority is the Department of Education and Skills.

I am informed that the total amount allocated to YEI under PEIL is €204,436,257. This allocation is comprised of €68,145,419 of specific EU funding for YEI, with matching amounts from Ireland’s ESF allocation and from Exchequer funding.

Live Register Data

Questions (313)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the age profile of those persons on the live register continues to be monitored with a view to making any adjustments necessary to assist those most in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3224/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The official measure of unemployment is sourced from the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS). Measures of unemployment from the QNHS are based on International Labour Office (ILO) definitions. To be ‘ILO unemployed’ a person must in the week before the survey be without work but available for work and have recently taken specific job-search steps. The Live Register, which captures those registering for unemployment benefits (including those working part-time and in casual work who draw partial unemployment payments), is an administrative record. It is not the official measure of unemployment, but can give indicative trends. My Department uses both Live Register and QNHS data for reporting and monitoring trends and adjusting policies accordingly at national level.

This includes providing data and trends broken down by age categories. The QNHS data, being prepared as part of the EU-wide Labour Force Survey, also allow Irish trends to be compared with international developments.

The Pathways to Work strategy, the key document setting out policy to facilitate the unemployed of all ages back into work, is underpinned by analyses of the labour market situation based on the statistical sources mentioned above.

By allocating activation resources to persons on the Live Register, the government’s policy tends automatically to focus on those areas and age-groups in which unemployment is most concentrated. The focus on those most in need is further reinforced by the use of profiling to identify, among the newly unemployed, those most likely to face severe difficulties in re-entering employment. People identified as having a low PEX (probability of exit from unemployment) score are prioritised for intensive engagement and support from the Intreo employment service.

State Pensions

Questions (314)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which he has examined the ineligibility of entitlement to contributory old age pension for women who had to give up work in the public sector due to the marriage ban or who took time out to rear their families and subsequently returned to the workforce but who do not qualify for a contributory old age pension despite having made a huge contribution to the social and economic well being of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3225/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The State pension contributory is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their working life from when they first enter insurable employment until pension age are taken into account when assessing their entitlement and the level of that entitlement.

Since 1961, when contributory pensions were introduced, the average contributions test has been used in calculating the rate of pension entitlement. Entitlement is banded, with the maximum rate payable to those with a yearly average of 48-52 contributions, and the minimum rate payable to those with a yearly average in the range of ten to 14 contributions per year. Even if someone has only ten years (520 weeks) of paid reckonable contributions between their 16th and 66th birthdays, they would generally qualify for a State pension (contributory), although the rate payable would vary depending on their circumstances, and it will not always be their most advantageous payment to claim, particularly if they qualify for a full-rate State pension (non-contributory).

The homemaker’s scheme was introduced in 1994 to make qualification for State pension contributory (SPC) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age, or incapacitated people, to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being calculated for pension purposes. The effect of this is to reduce the number of years by which the person’s contributions are divided, thereby increasing their yearly average, making it easier for them to qualify for a maximum rate SPC. It does not involve the award of credits.

My Department reviews these and other provisions on an ongoing basis and has estimated that the cost of extending the Homemakers scheme to allow people to avail of the full 20 years currently allowed under the scheme, encompassing periods prior to 1994, could cost €290m in 2017. This figure would increase in subsequent years.

It is worth noting that the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund in 2012 confirmed that the Fund provides better value to female rather than male contributors. This is due to the redistributive nature of the Fund.

Where people who were unattached to the labour market during most of their adult lives cannot qualify for a contributory pension in their own right as they have paid few or no contributions, or cannot qualify for a full rate as a result of an intermittent PRSI record, the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners in old age. Therefore, if their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult amounting up to 90% of a full rate pension, which by default is paid directly to them. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), amounting up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate.

The marriage bar was abolished in 1973. Where such employees were in the public service, they paid a reduced (or modified) rate of PRSI. These contributions provided no cover for the State pension and, accordingly, the marriage bar would not have negatively impacted on their State pension entitlement, as they would, most likely, have had none if they had remained in the public service. It may, however, have impacted upon their eventual entitlement to a Public Service pension which is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The National Pensions Framework (2010) proposed that a “Total Contribution Approach” (TCA) should replace the yearly average approach, for new pensioners from 2020. The aim of this approach is to make the rate of contributory pension more closely match contributions made by a person. Officials of my Department are currently working on the detailed development of the TCA with a view to making proposals for consideration later in the year. This is a very significant reform with considerable legal, administrative, and technical elements in its implementation. An important element in the final design of the scheme will be the position of people who have gaps in their contribution records for various reasons, and this factor is being considered very carefully in developing this reform.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 315 answered with Question No. 311.

Social Welfare Schemes Data

Questions (316, 317)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the applications for various social welfare payments which are most commonly refused on application and referred to appeal or an oral hearing; the number of cases subsequently rejected or approved on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3227/17]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

317. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of oral hearings that have taken place in the past 12 months in respect of the various payments made by his Department to social welfare recipients; the number of cases in which the original decision was overturned arising from the hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3228/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 317 together.

The following tables provide the details which have been requested by the Deputy in respect of 2015 and 2016.

The schemes with the highest number of appeals to the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2015 and 2016 were - disability allowance (6,435 in 2015/4,912 in 2016), carer’s allowance (3,188 in 2015/3,887 in 2016), jobseeker’s allowance - means (2,174 in 2015/2,050 in 2016), jobseeker’s allowance - payments (2,058 in 2015/2,031 in 2016), supplementary welfare allowance (2,125 in 2015/1,970 in 2016), invalidity pension (1,857 in 2015/1,362 in 2016) and domiciliary care allowance (1,258 in 2015/1,198 in 2016).

Details of appeal outcomes for the above schemes are set out in the following tables. Overall, 58.8% of the 25,406 appeals which were finalised in 2015 had a favourable outcome for the appellant, i.e. were either allowed in full or in part, or resolved by way of a revised decision by a Deciding Officer/Designated Person. 59.2% of the 23,220 appeals finalised in 2016 had a favourable outcome for the appellant.

Of the 18,913 appeals which were finalised by Appeals Officers in 2015, 6,886 (36.4%) were determined following an oral hearing. 4,444 (64.5%) of these had a favourable outcome for the appellant. Of the 16,990 appeals finalised by Appeals Officers in 2016, 6,527 (38.4%) were determined following an oral hearing. 4,251 (65.1%) of these had a favourable outcome for the appellant.

There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was wrong.

Where new evidence is provided with an appeal, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person. This was the case in some 35% of favourable appeal outcomes in 2015 and some 37% of favourable appeal outcomes in 2016. Where the decision is not revised in the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds. In addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights when they meet the appellant in person at oral hearing which may also influence the outcome of the appeal.

Social Welfare legislation provides that an Appeals Officer may determine an appeal without an oral hearing where s/he is of the opinion that it can be determined fairly on the basis of the documentary evidence provided. In general, where there is a conflict in the documentary evidence presented, an Appeals Officer will convene an oral hearing in order to explore the evidence and seek to resolve any conflict.

In addition, where an appellant requests an oral hearing, the request is generally granted unless the Appeals Officer is of the opinion that the appeal can be allowed on a summary basis, or where there is clearly nothing to be gained by granting an oral hearing. An example of this would be where the appeal question relates to PRSI contribution conditions or means and the underlying PRSI contribution figures or means are not disputed.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Appeal Receipts 2015 – 2016

-	2015	2016
Blind Person’s Pension	22	13
Carers Allowance	3,188	3,887
Carers Benefit	93	95
Child Benefit	552	595
Disability Allowance	6,435	4,912
Illness Benefit	1,204	819
Death Benefit	1	1
Partial Capacity Benefit	42	42
Domiciliary Care Allowance	1,258	1,198
Deserted Wives Benefit	19	7
Deserted Wives Allowance	1	-
Farm Assist	201	196
Bereavement Grant	6	3
Family Income Supplement	447	510
Invalidity Pension	1,857	1,362
Liable Relatives	26	23
Maternity Benefit	71	87
Paternity Benefit	-	1
One Parent Family Payment	368	313
State Pension (Contributory)	264	366
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	348	397
State Pension (Transition)	3	2
Occupational Injury Benefit	65	56
Disablement Pension	347	298
Occupational Injury-Medical Care	4	4
Incapacity Supplement	12	9
Guardian's Payment (Con)	49	38
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)	18	17
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	2,174	2,050
Jobseeker's Allowance	2,058	2,031
BTW Family Dividend	64	52
Jobseeker's Transitional	34	43
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance	26	24
Jobseeker's Benefit	735	637
Treatment Benefit	3	5
Carer’s Support Grant *	124	164
Insurability of Employment	156	151
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	2,125	1,970
Survivor's Pension (Con)	40	49
Survivor's Pension (Non-con)	25	26
Widows Parent Grant	10	8
All Appeals	24,475	22,461

* Previously called Respite Care Grant

Outcome of Disability Allowance Appeals 2015– 2016
		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	6,435	1,443	3,384	85	1,751	77
2016	4,912	815	2,830	88	1,367	75

Outcome of Carer’s Allowance Appeals 2015– 2016
		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	3,188	579	1,352	155	1,355	50
2016	3,887	815	1,375	145	1,237	52

Outcome of Jobseeker’s Allowance (Means) Appeals 2015– 2016
		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	2,174	299	284	108	1,336	229
2016	2,050	338	287	120	1,216	198

Outcome of Jobseeker’s Allowance (Payments) Appeals 2015– 2016
		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	2,058	260	536	116	972	175
2016	2,031	324	525	98	945	141

Outcome of Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals 2015– 2016
		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	2,125	373	634	77	1,069	177
2016	1.970	346	532	75	923	156

Outcome of Invalidity Pension Appeals 2015– 2016
		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	1,857	511	1,135	17	421	37
2016	1,362	642	682	10	302	18

Outcome of Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals 2015– 2016
		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	1,258	313	571	40	226	8
2016	1,198	469	596	18	250	11

Number and Outcome of Appeals Determined following Oral Hearings 2015
	Allowed	Partially allowed	Disallowed	No. of Oral Hearings
Blind Person’s Pension	1	-	3	4
Carers Allowance	733	101	516	1,350
Carers Benefit	10	5	18	33
Child Benefit	29	12	37	78
Disability Allowance	1,497	44	550	2,091
Illness Benefit	109	6	88	203
Partial Capacity Benefit	3	-	2	5
Death Benefit	-	-	1	1
Domiciliary Care Allowance	242	7	82	331
Deserted Wives Allowance	1	-	-	1
Deserted Wives Benefit	5	4	2	11
Farm Assist	23	14	30	67
Bereavement Grant	1	-	1	2
Liable Relatives	-	-	1	1
Family Income Supplement	16	3	19	38
Invalidity Pension	451	8	147	606
Maternity Benefit	-	-	6	6
One Parent Family Payment	62	15	65	142
State Pension (Contributory)	18	2	19	39
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	34	17	47	98
State Pension (Transition)	0	1	1	2
Occupational Injury Benefit	8	-	9	17
Disablement Pension	77	10	56	143
Incapacity Supplement	5	-	-	5
Guardian's Payment (Con)	6	3	4	13
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)	5	-	-	5
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	172	57	253	482
Jobseeker's Allowance	227	59	208	494
Jobseeker's Transitional	1	-	-	1
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance	1	-	-	1
Jobseeker’s Benefit	45	19	37	101
Carer’s Support Grant *	18	2	13	33
Insurability of Employment	17	-	34	51
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	207	24	187	418
Survivor's Pension (Con)	3	0	3	6
Survivor's Pension (Non-con)	3	1	2	6
Widows Parent Grant	-	-	1	1
All Appeals	4,030	414	2,442	6,886

* Previously called Respite Care Grant

Number and Outcome of Appeals Determined following Oral Hearings 2016
	Allowed	Partially allowed	Disallowed	No. of Oral Hearings
Blind Person’s Pension	3	-	2	5
Carers Allowance	844	85	550	1,479
Carers Benefit	8	2	5	15
Child Benefit	23	12	34	69
Disability Allowance	1,305	51	487	1,843
Illness Benefit	82	3	68	153
Partial Capacity Benefit	5	-	5	10
Domiciliary Care Allowance	263	7	109	379
Deserted Wives Benefit	4	1	3	8
Farm Assist	23	26	29	78
Liable Relatives	-	-	1	1
Family Income Supplement	32	5	20	57
Invalidity Pension	347	4	109	460
Maternity Benefit	9	1	4	14
One Parent Family Payment	49	15	50	114
State Pension (Contributory)	16	6	32	54
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	45	20	53	118
State Pension (Transition)	1	1	1	3
Occupational Injury Benefit	9	1	6	16
Disablement Pension	101	10	63	174
Incapacity Supplement	1	1	3	5
Guardian's Payment (Con)	9	1	5	15
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)	8	1	2	11
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	136	56	182	374
Jobseeker's Allowance	225	59	221	505
Jobseeker's Transitional	3	1	8	12
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance	1	-	2	3
Jobseeker's Benefit	54	14	41	109
Carer’s Support Grant *	20	2	11	33
Insurability of Employment	17	2	28	47
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	178	25	133	336
Survivor's Pension (Con)	9	5	6	20
Survivor's Pension (Non-con)	3	1	2	6
Widows Parent Grant	-	-	1	1
All Appeals	3,833	418	2,276	6.527

* Previously called Respite Care Grant.

Social Welfare Schemes

Questions (318)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will carry out an evaluation of the various social welfare payments that had to be reduced during the period of recession due to lack of resources with a view to identifying the most sensitive wherein some restoration could take place while keeping in mind the need for prudent management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3229/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

In the preparation of this year’s Budget, I gave consideration to a number of approaches to improve the position of social welfare recipients generally and to make the social insurance system more comprehensive. As part of this consideration, I took account of the views of members of the Oireachtas and a wide range of welfare representative groups including those relating to the reversal of measures which had to be introduced in order to stabilize the country’s financial position.

The last Budget was a prudent budget within the resources available. It was a Budget which looked forward, not backwards. There were no giveaways. My aim was to make sure that everyone benefits from the recovery - employed, self-employed, retired people, people with disabilities, carers, those who cannot work, urban, rural, young and old.

More than 840,000 people will benefit from the first increase in weekly Social Welfare payments since 2009 and 650,000 from the €5 increase in the State pension. The Budget also set out to make work pay through reforms to the PRSI system, including a new deal for the self-employed and it includes a number of targeted measures to assist lone parents, farmers and school children.

In addition, I was able to pay a Christmas Bonus at an increased rate of 85%. The Bonus was one of the first items to be abolished at the start of the financial crisis and was now been restored on a progressive basis by the previous and current Governments. It should be noted that the Bonus paid last December cost close to €220 million.

In addition to providing cash increases to all those in receipt of weekly welfare payments, I was also anxious to begin reforming the social insurance system. Budget 2017 expands the new deal for up to 380,000 self-employed people who pay PRSI at the S class. This includes people like farmers, professionals, taxi drivers and tradesmen who will have new benefits extended to them from next year.

From March, Class S contributors will be able to avail of Treatment Benefit, which includes free eye and dental exams, and contributions towards the cost of hearings aids and contact lenses. In addition, and more significantly, self-employed contributors will be eligible for the Invalidity Pension. For the first time, this will give the self-employed access to the safety-net of State income supports if they have a serious illness or injury that prevents them from working without having to go through a means test. This will be available from December 2017.

These measures are all part of the Government’s policy of making work pay and encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship.

There is also a package of measures supporting lone parents in the Budget, encouraging them into the workplace and into education, and helping to reduce their childcare costs. All lone parents on One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker’s Transition and Jobseekers Allowance will benefit from the €5 increase in the weekly rates of payment.

A new €500 annual Cost of Education Allowance will be made available to Back to Education Allowance participants with children from the next academic year in September. This will help parents, including lone parents, to return to education.

The income disregards for the One Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker’s Transition payment will rise by €20, from €90 to €110 per week, reversing in part previous reductions, to encourage one parent families to stay in, and return to, work. This will benefit lone parents earning more than €90 per week. For those earning €110 per week or more, it will increase the combined social welfare and earnings income by up to €15 per week.

The Single Affordable Childcare Scheme being provided by the Government will also significantly reduce the cost of childcare for lone parents and is a step change in state support for childcare in Ireland.

The Budget focus on children is on the provision of services rather than on income supports. Ireland already has the third highest child benefit in the western world. Where we fall down is on the cost of education and child care and access to services like health and speech and language therapy. So, this is where resources will be focused in future. This includes the Childcare package that I just mentioned, the extension of medical cards to all recipients of Domiciliary Care Allowance and measures in Education, like more teachers and SNAs and better and new school buildings.

For my Department, the main Budget provision for children is increased funding for school breakfasts. This includes extending the School Breakfast programme to the new DEIS schools from next year. Also, we are opening the free breakfast programme to non-DEIS schools. Up to 35,000 children in non-DEIS schools will benefit from free breakfasts. This is in recognition that the majority of disadvantaged children do not attend a DEIS school. School breakfasts have been shown to increase attendance and improve concentration.

There is also a special increase of an additional €10 in payment for guardians who take care of orphans, or those children who cannot be cared for by their parents.

As part of the Government’s commitment to rural Ireland, I announced the total reversal of cuts to Farm Assist, a programme which helps more than 8,000 farm families. At a time of falling farm incomes, it’s essential that we strengthen the safety net for farmers who are on the margin. And even for farmers who do not qualify for Farm Assist, they have the reassurance of a strong safety net should they need it. The introduction of additional income disregards for farmers with children further ensures that farm families will benefit.

I also introduced a number of other targeted improvements. Looking ahead, our priority is that everyone in Irish society can, and will, benefit under this Government from the economic recovery. This includes people who rely on welfare payments whether on a long or short term basis. While I will continue to have regard to the impact of the measures introduced during the crisis, the best approach in future Budgets is not necessarily reversing all of individual measures introduced in past years. This is the approach adopted by some in this House. My approach was to ensure that the level of income support for all was improved while at the same time enhancing the social protection system through a wide range of targeted improvements. I plan to continue this approach in future Budgets, as resources allow.

Question No. 319 answered with Question No. 284.

Question No. 320 answered with Question No. 311.

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Questions (321)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons whose application for dental benefit has been approved in each of the past five years to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3232/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The numbers of Dental Benefit claims paid in each of the last five years are as follows:

Year	Dental Benefit claims
2012	270,600
2013	298,700
2014	310,350
2015	312,700
2016	319,600

Stats are compiled on a monthly basis, those relating to January 2017 are not yet collated.

Brexit Issues

Questions (322)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

322. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has opened discussions with the EU Commission on mutual recognition agreements between the EU and UK to smooth the impact of Brexit on trade between Ireland and the UK and particularly in relation to all island trade on the island of Ireland. [2811/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Government welcomed the further clarity provided by Prime Minister May in her address of 17 January. Prime Minister May has made clear that she wishes to secure the closest possible future economic relationship for Britain with the EU, a goal that Ireland shares.

In her speech, Prime Minister May highlighted the specific and historic relationship between Britain and Ireland. In this context, she made clear that her priorities include maintaining the Common Travel Area and avoiding a return to a hard border with Northern Ireland, both of which are welcome.

The alignment between our concerns regarding the economy and trade and the objective of the UK to have a close, and friction-free, economic and trading relationship with the EU, including with Ireland, is also very important.

However, it is important to note that the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU have not yet begun. The trading arrangements between the EU and UK, once the UK leaves the EU, will be the subject of negotiation. For the Government’s part, we have been very clear about our priorities for the upcoming negotiations: minimising impact on trade and the economy; protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process; maintaining the Common Travel Area; and influencing the future of the European Union.

A critical part of our work is ensuring that these priorities are heard and understood across Europe and are reflected in the EU’s position for the forthcoming negotiations. An extensive programme of engagement with all other EU Governments and the EU institutions is under way. To date, there has been over 60 engagements are either political or senior official level.

This programme of engagement includes ongoing meetings with the European Commission’s Task Force on Brexit. These meetings are an opportunity to set out in detail Ireland’s concerns and priorities. Feedback to date from this comprehensive engagement has been very encouraging. There is a sound understanding of the unique circumstances which pertain on this island and I would note that in his first official comments, Michel Barnier, the lead negotiator for the Commission, highlighted the need to address Irish issues.

Human Rights

Questions (323)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

323. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has been made in the area of the State's human rights record following the report by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights since May 2016. [3127/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for coordinating the submission of Ireland’s national reports under various international human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. However domestic implementation of commitments and recommendations is a matter for relevant Government Departments.

Ireland’s last periodic report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was considered by the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in June 2015 and its concluding observations, issued in July 2015, made recommendations across the whole of Government on a wide range of issues. Information on progress on specific recommendations may be obtained directly from relevant Government Departments.

European Council Meetings

Questions (324)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

324. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2548/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Brussels on 16 January where Syria and the Middle East Peace Process were on the agenda.

This was the first meeting of the FAC this year, and Ministers had a good exchange on the opportunities and challenges facing us in the short term, and how the EU can make an active and effective contribution to international peace and security, in particular in its own neighbourhood. The Finish Foreign Minister also reported briefly on his recent visit to Turkey.

I came to Brussels directly from Paris where I participated in an important international conference on the Middle East Peace Process hosted by President Hollande. The Conference sent a clear message that the international community believes that the only sustainable solution to the conflict is a negotiated two state solution. Ministers had an informal exchange over lunch on the outcome of the Paris Conference.

The FAC also addressed the situation in Syria in light of the recent cessation of hostilities, which was broadly welcomed by Foreign Ministers, and the upcoming talks in Astana. The need for the EU to strengthen its diplomacy to revive the UN-led negotiations was discussed. I fully support the efforts of the EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini, to build cooperation between the EU and the regional and international stakeholders on a way forward for Syria. Ireland and its EU partners reaffirmed our support for the central role of the United Nations in working for a political transition and peaceful settlement of the conflict in Syria. The illegal denials of humanitarian access must end.

I also had a useful discussion on the implications of Brexit with the Spanish Foreign Minister, Alfonso Dastis Quecedo, in the margins of the Council meeting.

Northern Ireland

Questions (325, 340, 343)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

325. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent meetings with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2549/17]

Micheál Martin

Question:

340. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the informal talks that took place following the resignation announcement by the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Mr Martin McGuinness. [1710/17]

Micheál Martin

Question:

343. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the meetings held on 12 January 2017 and any other dates held by both the Irish and British Governments to try and avert Assembly elections since the resignation announcement of the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. [1902/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 325, 340 and 343 together.

I have been in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire MP, as part of the Government’s intensified engagement in recent weeks on the political situation in Northern Ireland. I met in Belfast with the Secretary of State on 14 December, 12 January and 19 January. We have also spoken by phone on a number of occasions.

I had also spoken by phone to Martin McGuinness on 19 December (following the Assembly debate on the motion to exclude the then First Minister) and again immediately following his resignation as deputy First Minister on 9 January. On 12 January, I met with the DUP leader Arlene Foster, and a Sinn Féin delegation led by Martin McGuinness. This followed on from contacts earlier in the week by telephone with the leaders of the SDLP, UUP and Alliance Party.

The Taoiseach has of course also been actively engaged and was in direct contact with the British Prime Minister, as well as the leaders of both the DUP and Sinn Féin.

It was clear, immediately following the resignation of the deputy First Minister, that the prospect of a resolution ahead of the triggering of an Assembly election was slim. However both Governments, in their capacity as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, made full use of the narrow window available to ensure that any avenues for resolution between the parties prior to an election were fully explored.

In the event, an Assembly election has been triggered and it is important to emphasise that this eventuality is one covered by the legislation governing the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland. When parties in an administration cannot agree, an election is the consequence and the outcome of that is now for the electorate in Northern Ireland to determine.

The Secretary of State and I have agreed that both Governments should continue to work closely together in the weeks to come, looking ahead to the post-election period, when a new power-sharing Executive will need to be formed. We have also urged the parties to approach the election campaign in calm and respectful terms, conscious that polarizing rhetoric and frayed relationships will damage the prospects of forming an Executive after the votes have been counted.

We must all be mindful that effective devolved Government, underpinned by a genuine spirit of partnership, is what the people of Northern Ireland voted for in 1998 and what they expect their politicians to deliver.

After the election, it will therefore fall to the parties to form a power-sharing Executive and this will require them to find a way forward on issues which contributed to the calling of the election. The Government is of course always ready to support and assist the parties in any way we can. Our commitment as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement is a constant one – in good times and bad.

The Government will continue to work with the British Government and the political parties to support the fulfilment of the full promise of that Agreement and to advance political stability, reconciliation and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland.

Middle East Peace Process

Questions (326)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

326. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the Paris peace talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2550/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I attended the Conference on the Middle East Peace Process in Paris on 15 January, which was hosted by President Hollande. Some 70 countries and international organisations participated in the meeting, which was a follow up to the first conference held in Paris in June 2016, which I also attended. This “French Initiative” was aimed at reigniting a stalled peace process, and reaffirming international support for the two state solution to the conflict between Israel and its Arab and Palestinian neighbours.

Contrary to intentions, the meeting did not include the parties themselves, as Israel refused to attend or to engage in any way with the French initiative. This was regrettable and mistaken.

The conference adopted a Declaration which clearly expressed the view of the broad international community that the two state solution was the only way forward. This followed on and reinforced the similar message in Security Council Resolution 2334, adopted in December, which I welcomed at the time.

However, there was also great concern among all participants about threats to the viability of that solution, stemming principally from the settlement policy of the Israeli Government. The Middle East Peace Process has been effectively stalled for three years, and there is no clear view on how to renew it. Uncertainty about the direction which the new US Administration will take was, of course, one factor in that regard.

The Paris Conference, and the initiative taken by France during 2016, can be said therefore to have been partially successful, particularly in maintaining an international focus on the issue at a time when other events in the Middle East have been dominating attention. France is to be commended for initiating and persevering with this challenging work, despite the many and clearly anticipated difficulties inherent to it. The wider ambition, of helping to restart the peace process, remains to be achieved, and is a task for the whole international community. Ireland will continue be a strong and active voice in this priority policy area. I will also ensure that the Middle East Peace Process remains on the agenda of the European Union.

Brexit Issues

Questions (327)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

327. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which his Department is preparing in advance of Article 50 being triggered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2551/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union provides the legal framework for withdrawal by a Member State. The British Prime Minister has said that she intends to trigger Article 50 no later than the end of March this year. An agreement between the EU and the UK on British withdrawal has to be concluded within two years. Of course, separate negotiations on a future UK-EU relationship will also need to take place. The greater clarity provided in the speech on 17 January by the British Prime Minister is welcome, as is her stated objective that once outside the EU, the UK wants to have a positive and constructive relationship with the EU, an objective we very much share. The Government is very clear on Irish priorities: to protect our economic interests; to protect the Good Friday Agreement; to maintain the Common Travel Area with the UK; to ensure an invisible border; and to maintain the integrity and unity of the EU, which is itself a core national interest.

Now that we have further detail on the type of future relationship with the EU that the UK will seek and as we approach the start of the Article 50 negotiations, the Government’s detailed preparatory work, which began over two years ago and has steadily intensified since then, will increasingly focus on the negotiations themselves, as well as on the analysis of the impacts of Brexit.

Given the cross-cutting nature of the EU-UK dossier, a number of Divisions within my Department are devoting a considerable share of their resources to the key issues. They include the EU Division, which has a dedicated EU-UK Unit; the Ireland, United Kingdom and Americas Division; the Legal Division; and the Trade Division. The overall Departmental effort is led and coordinated by the Secretary General and by the Department’s Management Board, a sub-committee of which meets each week.

With respect to the Article 50 negotiations, EU Division – re-established in the Department further to a Government decision in July of last year – is leading on preparations, within the framework of the whole-of-government approach to Brexit, which is led by the Department of the Taoiseach.

There is daily contact with the Department of the Taoiseach and there is also close engagement with other Government Departments, many of whom have established “Brexit” teams. In addition, there is also daily contact with our Permanent Representation in Brussels and regular interaction with our Embassies in all twenty-seven other EU Member States. Our Embassies are in constant touch with the authorities in their countries of accreditation. We also ensure that our missions world-wide are properly briefed on developments. In addition, there is an intensive ongoing programme of detailed discussions with colleagues in other Member States and in the EU institutions, whether in Dublin, Brussels or in other capitals.

Ireland will be part of the EU team of 27 Member States in the negotiations process, so therefore sensitizing EU partners and the EU institutions to Ireland’s particular and unique circumstances is very important. It is of course also essential to understand the objectives and concerns of others.

This work is led by the Taoiseach who engages regularly with other EU leaders, as I have done and continue to do with all twenty-seven of my Foreign Minister counterparts and as Minister of State Murphy is doing with his opposite numbers.

Engagement with EU embassies in Dublin is also very important: to that end I will meet with EU Ambassadors on 20 January to share the Government views on Brexit and to set out our preparations for the Article 50 negotiations.

As we move toward the negotiation phase, I remain confident that, given the extensive work which has been undertaken to date, Ireland will be prepared and ready to protect and defend the best interests of Ireland and Irish citizens.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (328)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

328. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the meetings he has had with the Export Trade Council since 23 June 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2552/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Since its establishment, the Export Trade Council has generally met twice annually. However, I increased the volume of meetings in the lead up to the UK referendum and since 23 June, I have chaired meetings of the Export Trade Council (ETC) on 20 July 2016 and on 18 October 2016. I will be convening the first meeting of 2017 on 7 February. The Export Trade Council was established in 2011 in order to strengthen cooperation and coordination across all Government Departments and State Agencies involved in the promotion of trade, tourism and inward investment. It brings together senior Ministers with an economic focus, the heads of State Agencies, and members drawn from the private sector, including IBEC, the Irish Exporters Association, and a number of business people with expertise in specific sectors. As such it constitutes a unique and invaluable forum for thorough and wide reaching discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing companies exporting from Ireland. These exchanges are all the more vital in light of current challenges and complexities in the global trading environment and developments in our relationship with key trading partners, notably the UK in the context of Brexit.

Indeed, the meeting on 20 July last year was convened in the wake of the British referendum decision to leave the European Union. We had a very productive and substantive discussion which helped identify challenges and opportunities in shaping a whole-of-government response. The meeting also reaffirmed market diversification and intensification as a key priority and mitigating strategy, helping to strengthen the resilience of our economy.

In keeping with this important goal the ETC meeting on 18 October had a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region and the opportunities for expanding and deepening market penetration in this crucial region for Irish exporters. Ireland’s Ambassadors in Beijing and Tokyo attended the meeting to convey the unique insights of their respective Local Market Teams on this key topic. The discussions took place in the context of the development of cross-sectoral whole of Government Strategies for the Asia-Pacific and Americas region, as set out in the Programme for Partnership Government, and the development of a new over-arching Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy.

The development of the new Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, Trading Better, is well under way. It is being led jointly by my Department and the Department for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. As part of this process, a stakeholder consultation has just been completed and its results are being assessed and inputted into the strategy.

The upcoming meeting of the ETC on 7 February will be an opportunity to update on this ongoing work and to review developments of importance in the international trading environment, including Brexit and trade related goals of the incoming U.S. administration.