Written Answers Nos. 727-752
727. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to reinstate the State transition pension in order to prevent persons forced to retire at 65 years of age having to apply for jobseeker's for one year until they reach the State pensionable age of 66 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39812/17]
View answerThe Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provided that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the State pension (transition) available from 65 for those who satisfied the qualifying conditions, thereby standardising State pension age for all at 66 years, which is the current State pension age. This will increase to 67 in 2021 and to 68 in 2028.
In most cases, it is hoped that workers will continue to work up to the new State pension age. Where this is not possible, and where they are available for work, there are specific measures which apply to someone claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit from a date after their 65th birthday. Where qualified, these recipients may continue to be eligible for that payment until reaching pension age.
The State Pension (Transition) cost €137 million in 2013. Its abolition was not expected to save that amount of expenditure in full, as some people who were affected would alternatively claim working age payments such as Jobseeker's Benefit (albeit at a lower rate than the rate of the State pension), or may claim an Increase for a Qualified Adult in respect of their spouse’s pension.
However, it is estimated that well over half of that cost has been saved each year as a result of this measure, and this would be expected to increase as (a) the number of 65 year olds increases, (b) the change results in a higher percentage of people working while aged 65, and (c) there have been two Budget increases in the rate of the State pension since then. It is estimated that the net saving in 2018 is likely to be in the region of €84 million, and this is expected to rise to €87 million by 2020. These figures do not include future rate increases. Therefore, reversing this decision would significantly increase the annual cost of State pensions, and reduce the funds available to pay for any future increases in the rate of the payment.
Each year more people are living to pension age and living longer in retirement. As a result of this demographic change, the number of State pension recipients is increasing each year. This has significant implications for the future costs of State pension provision which are currently increasing by some €1 billion every 5 years. The purpose of changes to the State pension age is to make the pension system more sustainable in the context of increasing life expectancy. This sustainability is vital, if the current workers, who fund State pension payments through their PRSI, are to receive a pension themselves when they reach retirement age.
The Deputy should note that there is no statutory retirement age in the State, and the age at which employees retire is a matter for the contract of employment between them and their employers. While such a contract may originally have been entered into with a retirement age of 65, in the context of the previous State pension arrangements, there is no legal impediment to the employer and employee agreeing to increase the duration of employment for one or more years, if both parties wish to do so.
In January 2016, an interdepartmental group on fuller working lives, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, was established specifically to examine the implications arising from prevailing retirement ages. The final report of the group made a number of recommendations to support working and retirement practices. This included a request to the Workplace Relations Commission to prepare a code of practice under Section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act 1990 to help manage the engagement between employers and employees regarding retirement issues and longer working. The final report, the recommendations of which were accepted by Government in August 2016, is available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s website.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
728. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has been requested to reimburse her department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39831/17]
View answerCarer’s allowance (CA) was in payment to the person concerned from 11 October 2012 to 7 June 2017 in respect of one care recipient.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the carer is not engaged in employment or self-employment outside their home.
However, where a carer can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate provision has been made for the care of the care recipient in their absence, a carer may engage in employment, self-employment, education or training courses as long as the duration of these combined activities do not exceed 15 hours per week.
Following a review, it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA from 16 June 2016 to 7 June 2017 as he was engaged in employment outside his home in excess of 15 hours per week. As a result it was determined that he had been overpaid €10,433.40 during this period.
The person concerned was notified on 16 June 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal. A breakdown of the calculation of the debt was enclosed.
The person concerned wrote to my Department on 5 August 2017 stating that he was liaising with his employers but to date no further communication has been received from him.
The Department is obliged to seek recovery of debts owed to it as quickly as possible, having due regard to the circumstances of the debtor.
Accordingly my Department’s Debt Recovery Unit wrote to the person concerned on 9 August 2017, 30 August 2017 and 12 September 2017, seeking a repayment of €100 weekly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
729. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the situation regarding level 9 masters conversion courses (details supplied) in third level education; if a person can receive the back to education allowance while participating on these courses which are not masters programmes and are stand alone courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39877/17]
View answerThe Back to Education Allowance Scheme (BTEA) is designed to support second chance education. It enables eligible persons to pursue approved education courses and to continue to receive income support for the duration of a course of study, subject to meeting certain conditions. Access to BTEA at postgraduate level is available to persons who wish to pursue a postgraduate course of study that leads to a level 8 higher diploma (H-Dip) qualification in any discipline or to persons in pursuit of a professional masters of education (primary and secondary school teaching). In addition the BTEA is also available where a person is admitted to a master’s programme based solely on life experience and provided the applicant is not the holder of any third level qualification.
The BTEA is not intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third level education system. The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Education and Skills, represents the primary support for persons pursuing education. The eligibility rules that govern the payment of a student maintenance grant are a matter for that Department.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
730. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons currently in employment in the manufacturing and service sectors; the extent to which these figures have fluctuated in the past six years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39878/17]
View answerGovernment policy on the promotion of employment is a matter for the Minister for Business Enterprise and Innovation and is set out in the Action Plan for Jobs.
According to the Central Statistics Office, the average annual level of employment for recent years in the sectors referred to is as set out in tabular form below.
Annual average employment ('000)
|
- |
Manufacturing |
Services |
|
2011 |
212.3 |
1,413.7 |
|
2012 |
208.6 |
1,413.9 |
|
2013 |
212.9 |
1,430.4 |
|
2014 |
211.5 |
1,453.5 |
|
2015 |
220.2 |
1,474.4 |
|
2016 |
232.1 |
1,506.9 |
731. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of carer's allowance; the extent to which this figure has fluctuated in the past six years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39879/17]
View answerThe following table shows the number of carers receiving carer's allowance (CA) at the end of each year from 2011 to 2016
The CA scheme has seen a considerable increase in applications in recent years; applications for CA in 2016 were 20% higher than in 2015.
Claims received to the end of August 2017 have increased by 16% on the same period in 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
|
Year |
Carer’s allowance recipients% Increase on the previous year |
|
2011 |
51,666+2% |
|
2012 |
52,209+1% |
|
2013 |
57,136+9% |
|
2014 |
59,380+4% |
|
2015 |
63,003+6% |
|
2016 |
70,459+12% |
732. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applicants for means tested social welfare payments in the past two years; the number granted, refused or pending; the degree to which these figures compare with the figures over the course of the past six years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39880/17]
View answerThe requested information has been provided in a tabular format for the principal Social Welfare schemes below.
Carer's Allowance
|
Year |
Pending Year Start |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
Pending Year End |
|
2016 |
5,461 |
22,722 |
19,308 |
11,144 |
1,429 |
3,490 |
|
2015 |
4,461 |
18,929 |
14,378 |
7,920 |
1,888 |
5,461 |
|
2014 |
2,719 |
17,759 |
12,560 |
7,078 |
1,610 |
4,461 |
|
2013 |
8,553 |
12,060 |
16,011 |
9,881 |
2,529 |
2,719 |
|
2012 |
7,765 |
15,493 |
9,880 |
6,827 |
1,776 |
8,553 |
|
2011 |
3,769 |
17,758 |
7,465 |
5,227 |
1,194 |
7,765 |
Disability Allowance
|
Year |
Pending Year Start |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
Pending Year End |
|
2016 |
4,855 |
23,804 |
16,669 |
12,027 |
947 |
5,947 |
|
2015 |
6,058 |
22,538 |
15,814 |
14,800 |
978 |
4,855 |
|
2014 |
5,022 |
21,071 |
13,876 |
12,621 |
1,111 |
6,058 |
|
2013 |
7,775 |
20,538 |
12,497 |
14,691 |
1,428 |
5,022 |
|
2012 |
6,999 |
25,887 |
10,400 |
14,519 |
1,240 |
7,775 |
|
2011 |
6,880 |
24,264 |
9,246 |
14,116 |
783 |
6,999 |
Family Income Supplement – New Claims
|
Year |
Pending Year Start |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
Pending Year End |
|
2016 |
1,984 |
28,516 |
18,617 |
8,915 |
0 |
2,968 |
|
2015 |
1,780 |
31,191 |
21,779 |
9,208 |
0 |
1,984 |
|
2014 |
2,087 |
26,679 |
19,761 |
7,225 |
0 |
1,780 |
|
2013 |
7,360 |
24,965 |
20,156 |
10,082 |
0 |
2,087 |
|
2012 |
8,013 |
20,341 |
13,264 |
7,396 |
334 |
7,360 |
|
2011 |
5,133 |
23,453 |
13,631 |
6,448 |
494 |
8,013 |
Family Income Supplement – Renewed Claims
|
Year |
Pending Year Start |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
Pending Year End |
|
2016 |
741 |
47,608 |
33,303 |
14,188 |
0 |
858 |
|
2015 |
695 |
42,714 |
31,130 |
11,538 |
0 |
741 |
|
2014 |
492 |
39,755 |
36,403 |
3,149 |
0 |
695 |
|
2013 |
3,491 |
32,879 |
33,091 |
2,787 |
0 |
492 |
|
2012 |
4,669 |
29,589 |
28,118 |
2,649 |
0 |
3,491 |
|
2011 |
2,654 |
27,761 |
23,787 |
1,959 |
0 |
4,669 |
State Pension Non-Contributory
|
Year |
Pending Year Start |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
Pending Year End |
|
2016 |
2,058 |
9,213 |
8,132 |
2,332 |
1,170 |
1,762 |
|
2015 |
1,552 |
9,732 |
7,675 |
2,188 |
1,167 |
2,058 |
|
2014 |
1,780 |
8,998 |
7,750 |
2,350 |
1,131 |
1,552 |
|
2013 |
1,432 |
9,429 |
7,445 |
2,351 |
999 |
1,780 |
|
2012 |
1,869 |
9,035 |
7,243 |
2,453 |
1,149 |
1,432 |
|
2011 |
1,507 |
7,344 |
5,730 |
1,998 |
1,009 |
1,869 |
Table cont
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Total
|
Year |
Pending Year Start |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
Pending Year End |
|
2016 |
3,567 |
290,097 |
178,623 |
18,673 |
8,760 |
3,559 |
|
2015 |
3,905 |
371,899 |
186,002 |
18,741 |
8,971 |
3,567 |
|
2014 |
3,762 |
400,479 |
206,828 |
22,116 |
9,697 |
3,905 |
|
2013 |
4,701 |
386,161 |
225,509 |
26,265 |
13,045 |
3,762 |
|
2012 |
6,371 |
453,833 |
253,652 |
34,315 |
16,301 |
4,701 |
|
2011 |
5,670 |
643,526 |
292,641 |
40,174 |
16,974 |
6,371 |
Jobseeker's Allowance
|
Year |
Pending Year Start |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
Pending Year End |
|
2016 |
7,167 |
171,243 |
136,003 |
11,979 |
29,703 |
5,955 |
|
2015 |
8,074 |
191,781 |
152,807 |
13,255 |
30,059 |
7,167 |
|
2014 |
10,148 |
209,444 |
166,048 |
16,185 |
32,728 |
8,074 |
|
2013 |
18,464 |
227,722 |
180,009 |
18,952 |
39,269 |
10,148 |
|
2012 |
21,880 |
225,262 |
167,623 |
19,811 |
42,964 |
18,464 |
|
2011 |
26,377 |
239,667 |
174,491 |
23,017 |
48,347 |
21,880 |
One-Parent Family Payment
|
Year |
Pending Year Start |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
Pending Year End |
|
2016 |
1,173 |
11,751 |
9,038 |
699 |
2,069 |
1,001 |
|
2015 |
1,452 |
11,484 |
8,905 |
743 |
4,011 |
1,173 |
|
2014 |
2,490 |
12,288 |
10,011 |
1,078 |
3,509 |
1,452 |
|
2013 |
3,369 |
13,887 |
10,673 |
1,357 |
4,219 |
2,490 |
|
2012 |
4,249 |
14,330 |
10,293 |
1,579 |
3,912 |
3,369 |
|
2011 |
5,250 |
16,943 |
12,178 |
2,032 |
4,384 |
4,249 |
Domiciliary Care Allowance
|
Year |
Pending Year Start |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
Pending Year End |
|
2016 |
1,346 |
7,434 |
4,996 |
1,683 |
24 |
2,077 |
|
2015 |
1,237 |
6,422 |
4,186 |
2,102 |
25 |
1,346 |
|
2014 |
674 |
5,743 |
3,104 |
2,024 |
14 |
1,237 |
|
2013 |
478 |
4464 |
1877 |
2442 |
21 |
694 |
|
2012 |
819 |
4079 |
1586 |
3174 |
50 |
478 |
|
2011 |
690 |
5191 |
2686 |
3768 |
37 |
819 |
Household Benefits
|
Year |
Pending Year Start |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
Pending Year End |
|
2016 |
2079 |
75443 |
54871 |
16806 |
12689 |
3177 |
|
2015 |
5197 |
72826 |
52088 |
17282 |
12206 |
2079 |
|
2014 |
1855 |
69527 |
50999 |
14459 |
12094 |
5197 |
|
2013 |
2949 |
89463 |
72578 |
16030 |
15018 |
1855 |
|
2012 |
2566 |
82480 |
65844 |
15919 |
14136 |
2949 |
|
2011 |
4582 |
101812 |
83889 |
17297 |
16605 |
2566 |
733. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons whose rent support has been reduced in the past two years; the extent, if known, to which the persons subsequently became homeless; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39882/17]
View answer734. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which she remains satisfied that the rent support system operated by her Department is adequate and sensitive to the needs of persons that find themselves under pressure from increased rent; if provisions in respect of the rent pressure zones have been sufficient to meet the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39883/17]
View answer735. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of rent support; the cost on an annual basis; the extent to which new build local authority housing can address the housing need directly and in preference to rent support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39884/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 733 to 735, inclusive, together.
Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting 38,600 recipients at a cost of €253 million in 2017.
The scheme is being administered to take account of the on-going rental market difficulties through the implementation of a targeted case-by-case approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the rent limits. In addition, a protocol arrangement is in place with Threshold and is operational in the areas where supply issues are particularly acute and rent pressure zones are in place covering Kildare, Dublin, Cork, Meath, Wicklow and Galway City. For 2017 to date, some 1,400 recipients have been supported with increased rent payments above the rent limits.
Rent supplement is a statutory means tested scheme, payable at differentiated rates of payment according to the applicant’s means and accommodation requirements, and is normally calculated to ensure that a person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) appropriate to their family circumstances, less a weekly minimum contribution. Rent supplement entitlement is generally only reduced if the recipient has had an increase in their assessable means. Statistics are not maintained on the number of rent supplement payments reduced. The means assessment and differentiated rates of payment ensures that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
The Deputy will be aware that the strategic policy direction of my Department is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of being a short-term income support with the introduction of the HAP scheme. Policy in relation to HAP and new build local authority housing is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputies.
737. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position with regard to youth and the long-term unemployed; the progress made in addressing these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39886/17]
View answerThe Government’s primary strategy to tackle unemployment – including long-term unemployment and youth unemployment – is twofold. The Action Plan for Jobs supports continuing strong economic recovery and employment growth. Policies and actions to ensure that unemployed people benefit from the increase in employment are set out in the strategy paper Pathways to Work 2016-2020.
To date, these policies have been effective in reducing both youth and long-term unemployment.
For example, the most recent data show that Irish youth unemployment has fallen from a peak of 31.2% in 2012 to 12.7% in August 2017. Irish youth unemployment has thus fallen from well above the EU average in 2012 (23%) to well below the current EU figure of 19.1%.
Over the same period, the rate of long-term unemployment in Ireland has fallen from a peak of 9.5% to 3.6%.
Both the youth and long-term figures can be expected to fall further this year and next in line with the continuing forecast fall in overall unemployment.
Policy continues to focus on support for the long-term unemployed and young unemployed. For example, the Pathways to Work 2016-2020 strategy prioritises long-term unemployed people – most notably through the roll-out of JobPath to engage more systematically with this group; through targeted wage subsidies under JobsPlus; and through reserved places for long-term unemployed jobseekers on employment and training programmes.
Under the Youth Guarantee process there is monthly engagement by case officers with unemployed young people to assist them to prepare and implement personal progression plans for employment. Where young people do not find work quickly, additional supports are offered through places on employment and training schemes.
These current and planned measures, together with the continuing strong performance of the economy, will support further reductions in long term unemployment and youth unemployment.
738. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for disability allowance and invalidity pension made in each of the past four years; the number granted, refused or pending; the number referred to appeal; the number of cases in which the original decision was overturned on appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39887/17]
View answerThe number of disability allowance (DA) and invalidity pension (INVP) applications received, allowed, disallowed and pending at the end of each year from 2013 to 2016 are set out in the following tables.
DA Scheme
|
Year |
DA Received |
*DA Award |
DA Disallowed |
DA Withdrawn |
DA Pending end of year |
|
2013 |
20538 |
12497* |
14691 |
1428 |
5022 |
|
2014 |
21071 |
13876* |
12621 |
1111 |
6058 |
|
2015 |
22538 |
15814* |
14800 |
978 |
4855 |
|
2016 |
23804 |
16669* |
12027 |
947 |
5947 |
INVP Scheme
|
Year |
INVP Received |
*INVP Award |
INVP Disallowed |
INVP Withdrawn |
INVP Pending end of year |
|
2013 |
9640 |
9494* |
8546 |
752 |
2013 |
|
2014 |
9240 |
7018* |
5496 |
1047 |
2034 |
|
2015 |
9454 |
7691* |
5070 |
1039 |
1559 |
|
2016 |
9134 |
7467* |
3909 |
972 |
2133 |
(*) Please note that the statistics in relation to awarded cases include cases in the disallowed category which were subsequently awarded following a review or a successful appeal.
The following tables show the number of DA & INVP appeals received and allowed or partially allowed by the social welfare appeals office (SWAO) from 2013 to 2016
Outcome of DA appeals received and allowed by SWAO
|
Year |
DA appeals received |
DA appeals allowed by SWAO |
DA appeals partially allowed by SWAO |
|
2013 |
6836 |
3882 |
84 |
|
2014 |
5554 |
3860 |
100 |
|
2015 |
6435 |
3384 |
85 |
|
2016 |
4912 |
2830 |
88 |
Outcome of INVP appeals received and allowed by SWAO
|
Year |
INVP appeals received |
INVP appeals allowed by SWAO |
INVP appeals partially allowed by SWAO |
|
2013 |
4501 |
3336 |
18 |
|
2014 |
2571 |
2133 |
15 |
|
2015 |
1857 |
1135 |
17 |
|
2016 |
1362 |
682 |
10 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
739. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the action taken to reduce the delays in processing social welfare appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39888/17]
View answerI am advised by the Chief Appeals Officer that the management and reduction of appeal processing times is a key priority which is kept under constant scrutiny. Tables showing the average appeal processing times for all appeals determined from 2014 to date in 2017 broken down by all social welfare scheme types are attached below.
The Deputy will be aware from previous replies that significant effort and resources have been devoted over the past number of years to reforming the appeals process in order to finalise appeals as quickly and effectively as possible, while recognising the need to ensure that quality and fairness are not compromised. Additional appeals officers were appointed and a new operating model and new technology to support appeals officers was introduced. As a result appeal processing times improved year on year since 2011/2012. For example, the average time taken to determine an appeal requiring an oral hearing reduced from 52.5 weeks in 2011 to 28.6 weeks in 2014, 25.5 weeks in 2015 and 24.1 weeks in 2016. The average time taken to finalise an appeal decided by way of a summary decision reduced from 25.1 weeks in 2011 to 21.1 weeks in 2014, 18.1 weeks in 2015, and 17.6 weeks in 2016.
There has been a slight increase in overall appeal processing times to date in 2017 with appeals requiring an oral hearing taking an average of 25.5 weeks and summary decisions taking 19.1 weeks to finalise. However the Chief Appeals Officer has advised that processing times should improve when a number of recently appointed Appeals Officers who replaced more experienced colleagues who retired become more experienced in their roles.
The time taken to process an appeal reflects all aspects of the appeal process including the time spent in the Department preparing the appeal submission. The quasi-judicial nature of the system impacts on appeal processing times which are proportionate to the complexity of many of the issues under appeal which often require a high level of judgement, in addition to the need to ensure due process and natural justice.
The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that every effort will continue to be made to improve appeal processing times.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2014 – 31/12/14
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
17.1 |
- |
|
Blind Pension |
20.5 |
24.9 |
|
Carers Allowance |
30.1 |
34.4 |
|
Carers Benefit |
22.9 |
23.1 |
|
Child Benefit |
23.8 |
32.9 |
|
Disability Allowance |
20.8 |
26.7 |
|
Illness Benefit |
29.5 |
34.8 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
22.6 |
29.1 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
- |
64.7 |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
- |
41.8 |
|
Farm Assist |
23.2 |
28.3 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
25.6 |
31.9 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
26.0 |
32.6 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
25.9 |
31.2 |
|
Liable Relatives |
21.5 |
33.2 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
24.4 |
33.5 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
22.4 |
44.7 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
48.5 |
48.5 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
25.2 |
41.9 |
|
State Pension (Non-Cont) |
20.3 |
29.4 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
27.0 |
35.1 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
33.6 |
33.7 |
|
Disablement Pension |
23.6 |
30.6 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical) |
- |
53.9 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
21.5 |
59.6 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
25.9 |
24.9 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-con) |
19.7 |
30.3 |
|
Pre Retirement Allowance |
17.3 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
18.1 |
27.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
16.2 |
21.1 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
12.1 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
16.7 |
21.1 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
20.8 |
- |
|
Respite Care Grant |
24.9 |
27.1 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
45.0 |
62.3 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
14.4 |
22.1 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
20.2 |
32.5 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-Con) |
24.7 |
24.6 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
22.2 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
21.1 |
28.6 |
Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2015 – 31/12/2015
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
Blind Person’s Pension |
21.1 |
30.7 |
|
Carers Allowance |
20.6 |
25.9 |
|
Carers Benefit |
19.7 |
21.8 |
|
Child Benefit |
24.8 |
34.7 |
|
Disability Allowance |
15.8 |
21.4 |
|
Illness Benefit |
26.3 |
33.1 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
25.7 |
43.4 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
21.7 |
28.7 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
19.7 |
26.2 |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
- |
16.2 |
|
Farm Assist |
21.0 |
28.6 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
65.7 |
26.0 |
|
Death Benefit (Pension) |
- |
22.6 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
19.4 |
27.7 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
26.2 |
28.4 |
|
Liable Relatives |
22.8 |
31.2 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
22.6 |
17.5 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
22.9 |
33.9 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
26.0 |
46.0 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
20.4 |
30.8 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
80.1 |
53.4 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
20.3 |
35.0 |
|
Disablement Pension |
23.7 |
35.3 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
41.2 |
51.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
18.2 |
27.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
18.7 |
31.0 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
15.8 |
26.0 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
15.2 |
21.9 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
- |
46.1 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
14.1 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
12.9 |
21.3 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
21.0 |
30.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
14.3 |
21.2 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
15.0 |
- |
|
Treatment Benefit |
17.9 |
- |
|
Carer’s Support Grant * |
21.2 |
23.6 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
47.6 |
69.4 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
13.1 |
23.5 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
24.1 |
46.6 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
23.7 |
38.3 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
18.4 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
18.1 |
25.5 |
* Previously called Respite Care Grant
Appeal processing times by scheme 01/01/2016 – 31/12/2016
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
Blind Person’s Pension |
18.2 |
33.8 |
|
Carers Allowance |
17.6 |
21.6 |
|
Carers Benefit |
20.7 |
22.4 |
|
Child Benefit |
22.1 |
38.2 |
|
Disability Allowance |
14.6 |
20.1 |
|
Illness Benefit |
27.2 |
34.3 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
27.3 |
33.6 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
24.3 |
30.6 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
13.0 |
32.8 |
|
Farm Assist |
21.9 |
26.0 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
23.1 |
- |
|
Death Benefit (Pension) |
19.7 |
- |
|
Liable Relatives |
14.0 |
16.9 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
20.4 |
25.5 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
21.3 |
28.2 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
18.9 |
21.7 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
21.7 |
31.9 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
25.6 |
45.9 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
22.7 |
32.9 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
67.7 |
61.3 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
25.0 |
31.9 |
|
Disablement Pension |
25.8 |
26.8 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
27.7 |
50.9 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
15.8 |
24.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
18.4 |
23.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
16.7 |
25.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
16.0 |
20.9 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
21.0 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
19.0 |
22.3 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
32.5 |
31.6 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
16.0 |
27.2 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
17.1 |
- |
|
Carer’s Support Grant * |
18.1 |
23.3 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
36.6 |
85.7 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
15.0 |
24.1 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
16.6 |
28.8 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
18.4 |
23.4 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
23.5 |
63.8 |
|
All Appeals |
17.6 |
24.1 |
* Previously called Respite Care Grant
Appeal processing times by Scheme 01 January 2017- 31 August 2017
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
Blind Person’s Pension |
16.0 |
24.4 |
|
Carers Allowance |
20.9 |
23.6 |
|
Carers Benefit |
16.2 |
21.0 |
|
Child Benefit |
21.6 |
30.3 |
|
Disability Allowance |
17.7 |
22.7 |
|
Illness Benefit |
27.4 |
31.5 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
39.4 |
28.0 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
24.5 |
32.2 |
|
Deserted Wifes Benefit |
- |
13.7 |
|
Farm Assist |
20.5 |
23.9 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
15.1 |
- |
|
Death Benefit (Pension) |
102.1 |
- |
|
Family Income Supplement |
17.3 |
30.1 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
16.0 |
21.3 |
|
Liable Relatives |
18.9 |
24.1 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
18.6 |
20.0 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
22.7 |
- |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
23.2 |
33.1 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
28.5 |
40.8 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
23.7 |
35.8 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
81.1 |
- |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
17.6 |
26.4 |
|
Disablement Pension |
19.2 |
30.3 |
|
Medical Care |
- |
27.3 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
54.2 |
41.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
26.3 |
23.9 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
15.7 |
26.7 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
17.8 |
25.2 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
16.4 |
25.0 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
18.8 |
27.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
19.3 |
29.4 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
27.8 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
17.1 |
23.0 |
|
Carer’s Support Grant * |
18.5 |
23.7 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
14.0 |
- |
|
Insurability of Employment |
38.0 |
92.4 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
15.8 |
23.7 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
21.8 |
35.4 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
20.4 |
21.9 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
14.1 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
19.1 |
25.5 |
* Previously called Respite Care Grant
740. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the age profile of those on the live register has been recorded, categorised and listed for specific alleviation measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39889/17]
View answerThe 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 analysing 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.
In addition, the Youth Guarantee initiative is specifically aimed at those aged under 25 years who are unemployed with specific targeting of those who are either long-term unemployed or are most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed.
Summary statistical information on the clients’ age, duration of unemployment, and last held occupation together with other demographic and regional information is published on the Central Statistics Office website.
741. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the previously self employed and current unemployed are able to access the relevant welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39890/17]
View answerThe Government is committed to encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship. This includes enhancing the position of the self-employed through a supportive tax regime and, very importantly, improving the level of PRSI based benefits available to self-employed people.
Self-employed persons are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4% which covers them for access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory) as well as some treatment benefits, maternity benefit, adoptive benefit and guardians payment (contributory).
Since March 2017, Class S contributions have enabled self-employed people access to the treatment benefit scheme which includes free eye and dental examinations, and contributions towards the cost of hearing aids. Treatment benefit entitlements will also be extended from October 2017 so as to provide further dental and optical benefits.
Even more significantly, self-employed contributors will be covered for invalidity pension from December 2017. For the first time, this will give the self-employed access to the safety net of State income supports if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability without having to go through a means test. This is a real advance in the level of cover available to the self-employed.
Self-employed workers may also access social welfare supports by establishing eligibility to assistance-based payments such as jobseeker’s allowance and disability allowance. A person may qualify for the means-tested jobseeker’s allowance if their business ceases or if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services.
People who were previously self-employed and are now in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance – and thus are on the Live Register – have access to the full range of activation measures and supports available to other jobseeker’s allowance recipients. This includes referral to group information sessions, 1-2-1 interviews and subsequent caseworker support. It also includes access to training, temporary employment, work-experience and recruitment subsidy programmes.
Any decision to improve these provisions in relation to self-employed persons would be a matter for Government to consider in a Budgetary context.
742. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps available to her to address issues of one-parent families that have experienced a reduction in their income from the one parent family allowance notwithstanding the various alternatives on offer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39891/17]
View answerMy Department currently provides a number of income supports to lone parents. These include the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) until the youngest child is 7 years of age and the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) payment where the youngest child is aged 7-13 years. The Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) payment can also be paid to lone parents where the youngest child is aged 14 or over. The Family Income Supplement (FIS) is also available to lone parents who are working 19 or more hours per week. Lone parents who move to FIS can also apply for the Back to Work Family Dividend (BTWFD).
In most cases entitlement to the OFP payment ends when the youngest child reaches 7 years of age, however, there are special provisions for those caring, in receipt of Blind Pension or recently bereaved that extend the age of the youngest child beyond 7 years of age. The majority of customers transition from OFP to the JST, FIS or JA schemes when their OFP entitlement ends.
Lone parents who are not working outside the home can transition to JST when their OFP ends. These customers do not suffer an income loss when they move to JST as JST is paid at the same rate as OFP. Budget 2016 aligned the JST means test more closely with the OFP means test resulting in a more generous means test for JST customers. Budget 2017 also increased the income disregards on OFP and JST to €110 per week. This in effect means that lone parents who are working and earning less than €110 per week see no change in their welfare payment when they move from OFP to JST. Those earning over €110 per week may lose a maximum of up to €7.60 per week. This is due to the banded rates for OFP compared to JST.
Lone parents who transition to FIS may suffer an income loss however, they also gain access to the BTWFD. It is important to note that lone parents on FIS have been lifted out of poverty due to a combination of earnings and the FIS supports. It is not possible for a lone parent to be in receipt of FIS and be within the definition of consistent poverty. Lone parents who increase their hours of work and become new FIS recipients will see an increase in their overall income.
Budgets 2015, 2016 and 2017 have all included measures that benefitted lone parents. The Department’s social impact assessment of the impact of Budget 2017 showed an increase of 1.2%, equating to just over €8 per week for working lone parents, and 4.5% equating to just over €16 per week for those who are not working. This represents a cumulative increase across Budgets 2015, 2016 and 2017 of almost €27 per week for working lone parents and just over €24 per week for lone parents who are not working. This shows definite progress with the commitment to reducing poverty for lone parents and their families.
In addition to these income supports lone parents also have access to the Department’s Intreo service and the associated training, education and employment supports to assist them towards employment and financial independence. All JST recipients receive a one to one meeting with a case officer from the Department who assists them to produce a personal development plan and guides them towards appropriate education, and employment opportunities. While the customer is on the JST payment access to these supports are potentially available for up to seven years. This is a much broader support than the 12 month engagement that normally applies for jobseekers from their one to one meeting. The aim of this broader support is to improve the individual’s employment prospects. Lone parents on a JA payment also gain access to the full range of Intreo supports available to assist them into training, education and employment.
The income and activation supports outlined above combine to ensure that there are effective resources available to lone parents.
745. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the persons entitled to vote in referendums and Presidential elections here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39292/17]
View answer746. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the elections in Ireland an Irish citizen is entitled to vote in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39296/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 745 and 746 together.
Irish citizens are entitled to vote at Presidential, Dáil, European Parliament and local elections as well as in referendums. British citizens may vote at Dáil, European Parliament and local elections. Citizens of the European Union may vote at European Parliament and local elections while non-European Union citizens may vote in local elections only.
In general, to exercise their right to vote, all such persons must be ordinarily resident in the State, have reached the age of 18 years and be registered on the register of electors for the constituency or local electoral area in which they ordinarily reside.
747. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if conditions are in place for low nitrate rate, low risk farmers (details supplied); the details of those farmers exempt from this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39317/17]
View answer748. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the same rules are applicable in circumstances in which farmers have drains running into rivers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39318/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 747 and 748 together.
In accordance with the Nitrates Directive, Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme is due for review this year. Negotiations with the European Commission are ongoing with a view to having a revised Nitrates Action Programme in place by the end of 2017.
As part of the review, a full public consultation process was undertaken and this closed on 3 May 2017. All submissions received on foot of this consultation have been given full consideration by an expert group comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc and the Environmental Protection Agency. The report of the expert group, together with the group's recommendations, was recently published on my Department's website.
It would be inappropriate to comment on any specific aspects of the review process, or to anticipate any final outcomes, in advance of the conclusion of negotiations with the European Commission.
749. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason for limiting the terms of the mortgage to rent scheme to only those persons that qualify for social housing; his plans to extend the scheme in order that persons with distressed mortgages may qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39749/17]
View answerThe Mortgage to Rent scheme introduced in 2012 is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who are eligible for social housing support whose mortgage is unsustainable and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs themselves. One of the main criteria underpinning the MTR scheme is that it is a social housing option and therefore it is targeted at those borrowers in arrears who qualify for social housing support as prescribed by the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011. A review of the income eligibility limits for social housing supports, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda as set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020, is scheduled to commence later this year.
The Mortgage to Rent scheme is a social housing option and, therefore, is only open to borrowers who qualify for social housing support. The Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service, Abhaile, is available to assist borrowers to explore their options. The Abhaile communications campaign is aimed primarily at securing engagement and solutions for those in the longest arrears and who are not engaging with their lender and seeks to overcome the fear and anxiety associated with such circumstances, and to ensure that borrowers are made aware of the range of supports available to them.
750. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to address the lack of affordable and secure rental accommodation available to a significant share of the population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39050/17]
View answerThe Government recognises the housing affordability pressures faced by many households, particularly in certain parts of the country. It is for this reason that the overarching objective of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is to increase the supply of new homes to 25,000 per annum by 2020. In particular, the aim is to increase the supply of high quality social and affordable homes, to buy or rent, as quickly as possible, in areas where demand is greatest.
The issue of housing affordability is being examined by my Department, in the context of the ongoing focused review of Rebuilding Ireland. I expect this work to be concluded in the coming weeks and I will be considering the potential role of new initiatives in that context.
The Strategy for the Rental Sector, reflecting the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to develop a "cost rental" model for Ireland, already commits my Department to establish and lead an expert group to develop a viable cost rental model for the Irish rental sector. The Expert Group will assess the benefits that a larger and more developed not-for-profit component of the rental market would bring to the rental sector and the housing system, by increasing supply of more affordable rental accommodation for low to middle-income households and develop proposals to ensure that new capacity to do so is developed. Following the conclusion of the focused review of Rebuilding Ireland, it is my intention to establish this expert group in the coming weeks. A proposal regarding its membership and terms of reference is currently being finalised in my Department.
751. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider making funding available for the taking in charge of estates other than ghost estates in circumstances in which the builder has gone bankrupt with no bond in place; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local authorities are slow to take estates in charge in circumstances in which no bond is in place and works have been left undone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39136/17]
View answer752. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of housing estates in each county that have not been taken in charge by local authorities for which no bond was in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39137/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 751 and 752 together.
The taking-in-charge of housing estates is a matter for the relevant local authority.
Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) provides that in the case of an unfinished estate, where the planning authority has commenced enforcement proceedings within seven years of the expiry of the planning permission or considers that enforcement proceedings will not result in the satisfactory completion of the estate, following a request by the majority of the house-owners, the authority may at its absolute discretion initiate procedures to take in charge the roads and some or all of the other services in the estate.
A planning authority may, for the purposes of section 180, hold a plebiscite to ascertain the wishes of the house-owners. Where bonds are not available or enforceable or are insufficient to cover the costs of repairs or works necessary to achieve a sufficient standard of finish, and the local authority in question wishes to take the relevant estate in charge, then that authority will have to seek alternative sources of funding from its own sources or complementary sources of funding from other stakeholders such as new investors in part-completed developments.
My Department developed the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) to accelerate the taking-in-charge process of housing developments, taking into account a build-up of pending cases, underpinned by €10 million in funding. Of the funding allocated, €7.7 million was paid to local authorities in respect of 330 developments, containing some 13,400 units.
The NTICI was not intended to establish a rolling annual funding programme to take in charge all estates not yet taken in charge, but was instead intended to develop better local authority, departmental and stakeholder knowledge and systems to support and streamline the taking-in-charge of further estates over time.
Therefore, while there is no corresponding funding line available in 2017, the NTICI highlighted the various roles that local authorities, housing providers, development funders and statutory bodies like Irish Water could play in aiding the taking-in-charge of residential developments.
A report on the NTICI is currently being finalised by my Department which will include findings and recommendations on sustaining progress on the taking-in-charge issue. This will help to inform future taking-in-charge plans.
