Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2017
274. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the areas within her Department which remain outstanding in respect of the confidence and supply agreement; the status of plans for the implementation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30582/17]
View answerThe key areas identified in the confidence and supply agreement which are of direct relevance to my Department relate to:
- increasing rent supplement limits by up to 15% taking account of geographic variations in market rents,
- including provisions for pension increases,
- securing the future of family farms, and
- seeking to introduce a PRSI scheme for the self-employed.
Actions have been taken to deliver on each of these areas.
In relation to rent supplement, increased limits were introduced in all areas of the country with effect from 1 July 2016 at a cost of up to €12 million in 2016. In Dublin, the limits were increased by a weighted average of some 30%, whilst in Cork, Limerick and Galway increases of over 20% were provided. Outside the main urban area counties, the rate of increases varies in line with market trends with the highest increases of 25% in Roscommon and Laois. In addition, my Department continues to implement a targeted, flexible, case-by-case approach where rents may exceed the maximum limits. Some 11,600 persons at imminent risk of homelessness have been supported through increased rent supplement payments since this flexible approach was introduced in 2014.
Insofar as increases for pensioners are concerned, Budget 2017 provided for increase of €5 in the maximum weekly rate for all social welfare recipients, including pensioners, and these increases were brought into effect in March of this year.
Also with effect from March 2017, alongside the weekly increase of €5 in the rate of Farm Assist, an enhanced assessment of means from farming was introduced, whereby 70% of farm income is now assessed as means (down from 100%). Additional income disregards for claimants with children were also introduced. These changes mean that the Farm Assist means test has reverted to the position which applied prior to Budget 2012. 500 additional places have also been provided for on the Rural Social Scheme in 2017. All of these measures are designed to support farm families.
Finally, Budget 2017 provided for significant changes for self-employed social insurance contributors. Entitlement to Treatment Benefits was extended to the self-employed from March 2017, and alongside other social insurance contributors, they will gain from improvements in the Treatment Benefits scheme from October 2017. Self-employed workers will also have access, for the first time, to the Invalidity Pension scheme from December 2017.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
