Wednesday, 13 Mar 2019

Written Answers Nos. 351-360

One-Parent Family Payment Data

Questions (351)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

351. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the one-parent family payment by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12674/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of one-parent family payment is detailed in the tabular statement.

The number of one-parent family payments at the end of February 2019.

County	One-Parent Family Payment
Carlow	600
Cavan	451
Clare	679
Cork	3,692
Donegal	1,240
Dublin	13,936
Galway	1,270
Kerry	938
Kildare	1,547
Kilkenny	507
Laois	663
Leitrim	167
Limerick	2,014
Longford	427
Louth	1,704
Mayo	810
Meath	816
Monaghan	377
Offaly	644
Roscommon	234
Sligo	442
Tipperary	1,462
Waterford	1,400
Westmeath	765
Wexford	1,477
Wicklow	1,095
Others
Total	39,357

Paternity Benefit

Questions (352)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

352. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of men who have availed of paternity benefit to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12675/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The information requested in respect of the number of people who have availed of paternity benefit since its introduction on 1st September 2016 is set out in the following table.

PATERNITY BENEFIT	Recipients
1st January 2019 - 28th February 2019	5,188
2018	24,080
2017	26,559
2016 (Commenced 1 September)	5,013

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pensions Payments

Questions (353)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

353. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of a pension-related payment by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12676/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of pension-related payment is detailed in the tabular statement.

The number of recipients of a pension-related payment by county at the end of February 2019.

County	State Pension (Non-Contributory)	State Pension (Contributory)	Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension	Invalidity Pension
Carlow	1,237	4,654	1,489	1,111
Cavan	2,342	5,326	1,731	834
Clare	3,279	9,687	2,873	1,281
Cork	9,762	43,415	13,656	7,659
Donegal	7,082	11,274	3,493	1,611
Dublin	14,489	103,949	30,502	13,686
Galway	7,303	17,783	5,623	2,227
Kerry	4,859	12,277	3,868	1,679
Kildare	2,276	14,619	4,596	2,492
Kilkenny	1,985	7,345	2,208	1,107
Laois	1,527	4,912	1,658	937
Leitrim	1,164	2,743	1,026	495
Limerick	3,977	16,494	5,226	3,452
Longford	1,265	3,316	1,035	630
Louth	2,421	10,283	3,082	1,837
Mayo	5,466	10,698	3,535	1,480
Meath	2,621	12,623	4,020	1,940
Monaghan	1,828	4,590	1,527	576
Offaly	1,529	5,736	1,906	1,141
Roscommon	2,150	5,117	1,699	888
Sligo	1,865	5,840	1,800	878
Tipperary	4,200	13,671	4,541	2,366
Waterford	2,521	10,115	3,176	1,664
Westmeath	1,686	6,884	2,334	1,309
Wexford	4,041	12,560	3,977	2,144
Wicklow	2,178	12,069	3,422	1,517
Others	21	46,455	7,691	1,180
Total	95,074	414,435	121,694	58,121

State Pension (Contributory)

Questions (354)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

354. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of reviews conducted and completed to date in respect of the changes made to the contributory pension in 2012; the number of outstanding reviews that remain to be conducted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12677/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Since late September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of approximately 90,000 pensioners born on or after 1 September 1946 who have a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement based on post-Budget 2012 rate-bands. These payments are being reviewed under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation which includes provision for homecaring periods.

Reviews commenced from 13 February 2019, the date I signed the necessary regulations which, together with provisions in the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registrations Act 2018, allow the increased payments to be made. By week ending Friday 8 March 2019, 4,254 reviews have been completed.

Outcomes will issue to all pensioners in writing when their review is completed. It will take a number of months to complete all the reviews due to the numbers involved. Over 100 temporary staff have been recruited to help with this work.

Regardless of whether a review is conducted, where an increase in payment is due, it will be made without delay and will include arrears of pension backdated to 30 March 2018, or the pensioner’s 66th birthday if later. Where pension rates do not increase following a review, the person will continue to be paid at their existing rate of payment. Reviews will continue to be processed until all identified pensioners receive their review outcome in writing.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Questions (355)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

355. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing all social welfare related payments by values (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12678/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The costings sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following tables.

Table 1: Cost of varying amounts in all social insurance payments

Scheme	Full-year cost of a €5 increase	Full-year cost of a €10 increase	Full-year cost of a €15 increase	Full-year cost of a €20 increase	Full-year cost of a €25 increase	Full-year cost of a €30 increase
	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m
Social Insurance Schemes
Pension Payments
State Pension (Contributory)	112.49	224.73	337	449.2	561.74	673.93
Widow/er's Contributory Pension (Aged 66 and over)	24.76	49.51	74.27	99	123.75	148.51
Deserted Wife's Benefit (Aged 66 and over)	1.52	3.06	4.85	6.11	7.64	9.16
Death Benefit Pension (Aged 66 and over)	0.19	0.38	0.58	0.77	0.96	1.15
Working Age Payments
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension	7.73	15.48	23.22	30.95	38.68	46.44
Deserted Wife's Benefit	0.81	1.63	2.44	3.26	4.07	4.89
Invalidity Penson	16.25	32.52	48.8	65.08	81.36	97.6
Partial Capacity Benefit	0.43	0.87	1.3	1.73	2.17	2.6
Guardian's Payment (Contributory)	0.31	0.61	0.92	1.22	1.53	1.83
Disablement Pension	1.29	2.57	3.86	5.14	6.43	7.72
Illness Benefit	13.72	27.48	41.22	54.97	68.7	82.45
Injury Benefit	0.41	0.83	1.24	1.65	2.07	2.48
Incapacity Supplement	0.28	0.56	0.84	1.11	1.39	1.67
Jobseeker's Benefit	8.52	17.05	25.58	34.12	42.64	51.18
Carer's Benefit	0.72	1.44	2.15	2.87	3.59	4.31
Health and Safety Benefit	0.01	0.02	0.04	0.05	0.06	0.07
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit	5.16	10.32	15.48	20.63	25.97	30.95
Paternity Benefit	0.22	0.45	0.67	0.89	1.12	1.34
Total Social Insurance Schemes	194.82	389.51	584.46	788.75	973.68	1168.28

Table 2: Cost of varying amounts in all social assistance payments

Scheme	Full-year cost of a €5 increase	Full-year cost of a €10 increase	Full-year cost of a €15 increase	Full-year cost of a €20 increase	Full-year cost of a €25 increase	Full-year cost of a €30 increase
	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m
Social Assistance Schemes
Pension Payments
State Pension (Non Con)	25.14	50.28	75.42	100.56	125.7	150.83
Carer's Allowance (Aged 66 and over)	0.45	0.91	1.36	1.82	2.27	2.73
Half Rate Carer's Allowance (Aged 66 and over)	1.48	2.97	4.45	5.94	7.42	8.91
Working Age Payments
Blind Pension	0.33	0.67	1	1.33	1.66	2
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension	0.36	0.72	1.08	1.44	1.79	2.15
Deserted Wife's Allowance	0.02	0.05	0.07	0.1	0.12	0.15
One-Parent Family Payment	10.22	20.45	30.67	40.9	51.12	61.35
Carer's Allowance	11.22	22.45	33.67	44.9	56.12	67.34
Half Rate Carer's Allowance	3.16	6.31	9.47	12.63	15.78	18.94
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory)	0.14	0.29	0.43	0.57	0.72	0.86
Jobseeker's Allowance	39.01	78.03	117.21	156.22	195.24	234.25
Jobseeker's Allowance - for those aged 18 to 24 years of age	2.98	5.97	8.95	11.94	14.92	17.91
Jobseeker's Allowance - for those aged 25 years of age	0.45	0.89	1.34	1.79	2.24	2.68
Disability Allowance	39.57	79.13	118.78	158.34	197.91	237.47
Farm Assist	2.17	4.34	6.52	8.69	10.86	13.03
Back to Education Allowance	1.49	2.97	4.46	5.95	7.44	8.93
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance	1.79	3.56	5.36	7.13	8.92	10.69
Community Employment	5.9	11.97	17.71	23.6	29.5	35.4
TÚS	1.85	3.69	5.55	7.39	9.24	11.09
Rural Social Scheme	1.07	2.15	3.23	4.3	5.37	6.44
Jobs Initiative	0.35	0.7	1.05	1.4	1.75	2.1
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	4.35	8.7	13.07	17.42	21.77	26.12
Child-Related Payments
Domiciliary Care Allowance	2.94	5.89	8.83	11.77	14.71	17.66
Child Benefit	73.29	146.57	219.86	293.14	366.43	439.72
Total Social Assistance Schemes	229.73	459.66	689.54	919.27	1149.0	1378.75

The costs shown are on a full-year basis and are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2019. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2020.

It should also be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.

Disability Support Services

Questions (356)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

356. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the analysis her Department is undertaking of the cost of a disability; if this analysis has commenced; the expected completion date of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12679/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

As part of Budget 2019, I announced my intention to commission research into the Cost of Disability – a first step to comprehensively understanding this complex issue. I expect that this research, when complete, will provide a roadmap to inform policy direction in the future – from a whole-of-Government perspective – in relation to the adequate provision of support to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

The process is being facilitated by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). A Supplementary Request for Tender (SRFT) for the provision of research on the Cost of Disability has been issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the OGP's Multi-Supplier Framework Agreements to the relevant Framework members.

According to the expected timeline, once a successful tenderer is identified, the research can commence in April with a view to having the research completed at the end of 2019.

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Questions (357)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

357. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration is being given to allowing applicants to combine work-related PRSI contributions and home care time credits in cases in which the period of time working at home was extended due to additional caring responsibilities which prevented the applicant from returning to the workforce in the context of the new total contributions approach for calculating entitlements to the State pension, contributory, such as in an example (details supplied). [12681/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Since late September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of approximately 90,000 pensioners born on or after 1 September 1946 who have a reduced rate State pension (contributory) entitlement based on post-Budget 2012 rate-bands. These payments are being reviewed under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation which includes provision for homecaring periods.

The legislation introduced provides for the new homecaring periods and calculation method. The qualifying conditions for the state pension (contributory) scheme have not changed. For example, a minimum requirement of 520 paid social insurance contributions remains a condition of the scheme.

The Government intends to introduce a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to establishing the level of entitlement for all new state pension contributory claims from 2020 onwards (TCA2020).

I launched a public consultation on the design of the full TCA to be introduced from 2020 on 28th May 2018 to which a wide variety of stakeholder groups were invited. A number of workshops were also held on the day to elicit views and feedback. All Oireachtas members were invited to a detailed briefing in Leinster House by my officials shortly afterwards. The consultation was open for over three months and the Department received almost 300 responses from individuals and organisations. Those submissions outlined the views of respondents on a number of issues, including the number of years required for a full pension, as intended as part of the consultation process.

I intend to bring a proposal to Government, setting out the proposed details of the scheme, having considered the outcome of the consultation. When the Government has agreed the approach to be taken, I will initiate the work required to introduce this reform, including the necessary legislation and systems development.

People will be informed of the details of the scheme as soon as possible, following the Government decision.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

River Basin Management Plans

Questions (358)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

358. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to save the Fermoy Weir and fish pass; the timeframe for works to begin in view of the ecological and historical importance of the weir and the many clubs that depend on its survival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12445/19]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

My Department has policy responsibility for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Ireland. The Directive is a framework for the ecological protection of waters, and is implemented via River Basin Management Plans.

Measures have been identified in the River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 to improve the assessment of river barriers that may be impacting on a range of migratory fish species. My Department has funded Inland Fisheries Ireland to develop an inventory of barriers on rivers nationally. These will then be ranked according to the risk they pose to fish migration and the achievement of WFD and Habitats Directive objectives.

The inventory will form the basis of a cross-departmental, prioritised restoration programme to be implemented during the third River Basin Management Planning cycle (from 2022 to 2027).

Cork County Council is the owner of Fermoy Weir, and is the authority responsible for the carrying out and funding of works, having regard to local needs and available resources.

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment and Inland Fisheries Ireland are responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources. I understand that there has been ongoing discussions between these parties in respect of ameliorative works at Fermoy Weir.

Housing Provision

Questions (359, 360)

Denis Naughten

Question:

359. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Galway in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; if it has been drawn down in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12513/19]

Denis Naughten

Question:

360. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding that his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Roscommon in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; if it has been drawn down in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12530/19]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.

My Department has a wide and diverse business agenda which includes a range of social housing programmes under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan, private housing grants, the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund, the Serviced Sites Fund, funding of Irish Water, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, and the Local Government Fund, as well as a range of smaller-scale programmes such as rural water schemes, fire services, and Met Éireann. In order to deliver on this broad business agenda, my Department allocates significant resources to a wide range of organisations, including local authorities, dedicated agencies and non-statutory bodies, as well as to individuals.

The information requested on funding allocated by my Department to, and drawn down in respect of, projects in the areas concerned from 2016 is not readily available in my Department. The compilation of this information would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work. If a more specific question is tabled relating to a particular aspect of funding from my Department, I will endeavour to provide the information sought.

Funding allocated by agencies under the remit of my Department is a matter for the bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each agency under the aegis of the Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email addresses for each agency are set out as follows.

Agency	Email address
An Bord Pleanála	[e-mail]
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland	[e-mail]
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency	[e-mail]
Housing Finance Agency	[e-mail]
Irish Water	[e-mail]
Land Development Agency	[e-mail]
Local Government Management Agency	[e-mail]
Ordnance Survey Ireland	[e-mail]
Property Registration Authority	[e-mail]
Pyrite Resolution Board	[e-mail]
Residential Tenancies Board	[e-mail]
Valuation Office	[e-mail]