Written Answers Nos. 776-800
776. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures to be implemented to offset the expected increase in child poverty levels in 2020 following on the loss of employment due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15775/20]
View answerAs part of the overall Government response, my Department has implemented a number of measures to support families through these difficult times to ensure that income continues to flow into the households with children who need it most. This includes the decision taken at the beginning of the pandemic to allow for key family social welfare payments such as One-Parent Family Payment and Working Family Payment to be paid concurrently with the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
My Department also provides financial supports to families and their children through the Increase for a Qualified Child, which is paid in addition to primary social welfare payments such as the Working Family Payment, Child Benefit and One-parent Family Payment. In addition, families on low income may be eligible for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. The School Meals programme has also been extended for the summer months as a direct response to potential food poverty being experienced by children at this challenging time.
For those who are not eligible for these supports, they may be able to receive financial support from the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
Furthermore, we know that households where adults are in employment are less likely to experience child poverty; therefore the Government will continue to work to support to creation of jobs and the reopening of the economy in line with public health advice.
778. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position of those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment in accessing Springboard courses; the reason some who have applied in recent days have been told that their employment status is unknown, including those whose sectors are still closed down due to Covid-19 restrictions but are still employed by their respective companies or businesses; the reason these persons are being told to refer to their local case workers when they have not been assigned such a case worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15782/20]
View answerThe Department's part-time education option and back to education allowance provide income support for jobseekers who wish to pursue Springboard courses. The main focus of these income supports are to assist qualifying applicants to improve their educational qualifications and improve their prospects of gaining employment while maintaining a welfare payment.
It is expected that, during the course of the roadmap to recovery, as many people as possible in receipt of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment will return to employment prior to the commencement of the Springboard 2020/21 academic year.
At the point of commencement of a new course of education a person in receipt of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment will be required to establish an entitlement to a Jobseeker's payment. I would advise that the details of the cases referred to by the deputy are provided to my department for review.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
780. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason contribution conditions for the invalidity pension include a condition (details supplied). [15896/20]
View answerSocial insurance benefits are made available on the basis that when a certain contingency or risk materialises the person involved will need a replacement income. Benefits are intended to replace lost income where a person is, for some reason, not able to engage with the labour force. Invalidity Pension, for example, is payable where a person is permanently incapable of work. Where there is no recent history of contributions being paid or credited then there is no entitlement to most benefits.
Invalidity pension is a substantial and long-term payment for persons who are permanently incapable of work and who satisfy the social insurance conditions. A total of 260 weeks contributions paid and 48 weeks contributions paid or credited in the last complete tax year before the relevant date or in the tax year before the last complete tax year are required to satisfy the PRSI conditions for Invalidity Pension. The reckonable contribution classes are A, E, H and S.
A person may keep up their contribution record in a number of ways. One of these is by credited contributions. A credited contribution is a PRSI contribution awarded to an insured person under certain circumstances, such as proved unemployment. Credited contributions are an integral part of the social insurance system. For the most part they are linked to having an underlying entitlement to a social welfare payment while temporarily detached from the labour force or having entitlement to statutory leave. The primary purpose of credited contributions is to secure social welfare benefits and pensions of employees by covering gaps in insurance where they are not in a position to pay PRSI such as during periods of unemployment, illness, etc. Credits ensure that a person’s insurance record is maintained and can be helpful at a later stage to qualify for other social welfare benefits, such as pensions or to increase the rate of pension that may become payable.
Appropriate social insurance contributions paid in another European Union Member-State can count for the purpose of bridging a contribution gap – provided that one social insurance contribution is made in Ireland.
Persons who have an insufficient contribution record to qualify for a social insurance benefit may apply for the appropriate means-tested social assistance scheme. For example persons, between the ages of 16 and 66 who are suffering from an illness or disability which is expected to last at least 1 year, may qualify for disability allowance. Disability allowance recipients must be habitually resident in the State.
782. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost in 2021 if the budget for the Citizens Information Board increased by 6%. [15952/20]
View answerThe allocation for the Citizen's Information Board is €61.8 million, as published in the 2020 Revised Estimates passed by the Dáil on 28th May 2020.
The cost of increasing expenditure by 6% would be €3.7 million.
783. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when section 21A of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 will be enacted. [15954/20]
View answerI understand the Deputy is referring to section 21 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2004. The provisions relate to Civil Partnerships. These and other provisions relating to Civil Partnerships were repealed by the Marriage Act 2015 and no longer appear in the Statute.
I hope this clarifies this matter for the Deputy.
784. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a contributory pension application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15980/20]
View answerThe person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 10 February 2020 and was awarded a pension at 90% of the maximum rate with effect from their 66th birthday, 11 May 2020. They were notified in writing of this decision and arrears due on 9 July 2020.
Following correspondence received from the person concerned regarding their social insurance record prior to 1979, the matter was referred to my Department's Central Records Section. Additional information was requested on 14 March 2020 and was received on 27 March 2020. The matter remains under review. When the review is complete, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
787. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to rolling out changes to social services forms for children, such as child benefit, disability allowance, which currently ask for name of father and name of mother to reflect the diverse society of Ireland and the move away from the view as the traditional family unit. [16014/20]
View answerOver the last number of years Irish society has changed, as has the make up of our families within Ireland. This diversity in Irish family structures makes for a more inclusive and open society, and is to be welcomed.
In terms of promoting equality and diversity, my own Department has been progressive in such matter, for example, developing Gender Recognition Legislation (2015) to enable people to achieve full legal recognition of their preferred gender and to receive a new birth certificate that reflects the change.
The Department's Communications and Customer Service Unit develops all printed forms in accordance with the principles set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reforms 'Customer Communications Toolkit for the Public Service' and in applying plain English standards to existing forms.
With over one hundred Departmental forms, a schedule of form reviews and updates is continually being progressed, and the Department regularly consults with stakeholder groups when developing or updating forms to ensure the use of clear terminology and plain English.
In reference to specific terminology, legislation can make reference to specific names for example, Maternity Benefit legislation makes reference to the term mother and any change to any terminology will need to be examined to ensure that it is aligned with the relevant legislation, where applicable. Notwithstanding this, the Department is keen to ensure that our forms are accessible and inclusive and is committed to adopting language that is inclusive and clear, and reflect the society we live in.
I thank the Deputy for his suggestion and confirm it will be considered by the Department.
789. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a deferral of a State pension payment to a person (details supplied) in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment will be permitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16025/20]
View answerAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned has been awarded State pension (contributory) at 65% of the maximum rate with effect from their 66th birthday, 27 May 2020. The person’s pension entitlement was reviewed on 3 July 2020; they are in receipt of the correct rate of State pension (contributory), commensurate with their insurance record.
The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced as an emergency measure so that payments could be made as quickly as possible to the large number of people who became fully unemployed due to the pandemic. In common with general jobseeker's payments, the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is payable to people between the ages of 18 and 66. Accordingly, once the person concerned reached pension age, they were no longer eligible for this income support.
Employers in Ireland can claim the temporary wage subsidy for all of their workers, who pay Irish PAYE income tax, from the Revenue Commissioners. In this way workers who are aged over 66 can continue, with the co-operation of their employers, to receive employment income of at least 70% of their normal wage. Further information on the supports available to employees and employers in relation to COVID-19 can be found at www.gov.ie.
Recipients of state pension payments may, depending on their individual circumstances, have access to a range of other income supports not available to unemployed people – including the free fuel allowance, the living alone increase, the household benefits package (gas/electricity), the telephone support allowance, free travel and the free TV licence.
The person concerned may wish to consider applying for State pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested, residency-based payment for people of pension age. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the applicant (and spouse/civil partner/cohabitant as applicable). Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.
The living alone increase has been awarded to the person concerned with their State pension (contributory). Free travel has also been awarded.
Since fuel allowance is a means-tested payment, information regarding the person's means (bank statements) was requested on 8 June 2020, and again on 10 July 2020. When this information is received, the person's eligibility for fuel allowance can be determined and they will be notified of the outcome. Where a customer is eligible for both the living alone increase and fuel allowance, they automatically qualify for a telephone support allowance.
I have arranged for application forms for the Household Benefits Package and the State pension (non-contributory) to be issued. As soon as these applications are completed and returned, the person’s eligibility for these respective schemes will be determined and they will be notified in writing of the outcome. If assessed with an entitlement to State pension (non-contributory) at a higher rate than their current State pension (contributory) payment, the person will be awarded the more financially beneficial pension. Both pensions cannot be paid concurrently.
Where someone is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for assistance through the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance. Queries in relation to eligibility should be made by phone to their local Intreo Centre.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
790. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of those aged 65 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit at the end of each of the years 2012 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [16038/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of people aged 65 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit at the end of each of the years 2012 to 2019 and to date in 2020 is detailed in the attached tabular statement.
The number of recipients of jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit aged 65 years of age at the end of each of the years 2012 to 2019 and at the end of June 2020.
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
Total |
|
|
2012 |
1,097 |
571 |
1,668 |
|
2013 |
1,149 |
455 |
1,604 |
|
2014 |
2,196 |
2,332 |
4,528 |
|
2015 |
2,416 |
2,561 |
4,997 |
|
2016 |
2,540 |
2,647 |
5,187 |
|
2017 |
2,761 |
2,897 |
5,658 |
|
2018 |
2,741 |
2,744 |
5,485 |
|
2019 |
2,530 |
2,581 |
5,111 |
|
June 2020 |
2,209 |
2,290 |
4,499 |
791. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to secure the future of citizen information centres in an area (details supplied); if there are plans to reduce centres in the country generally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16039/20]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. CIB delivers on this remit through its provision of some services directly to the public and through a network of service delivery companies.
During the Covid-19 crisis, CIB developed a national Covid-19 response across all its services and introduced a range of additional measures to address the needs of citizens in a situation where local Citizens Information Centres were closed to the public in line with public health guidelines.
Dublin South Citizens Information Service continues to respond to queries by telephone and email in order to meet the most immediate information, advice and advocacy needs of people arising from loss of work and income, closure of businesses and schools and many other issues of concern to people living in its area.
Within the Dublin South area, planning is underway to commence an appointment based service for callers within a limited number of Citizens Information Centres (CIC's) where social distancing can be facilitated in line with current HSE Covid-19 public health advice and Return to Work Safely protocol.
Tallaght CIC is now opened for face to face appointments; Dun Laoghaire CIC will commence an appointment service from 27th July; while Ballyfermot and Rathmines will follow from mid-August or early September.
The Dublin South CIS company, which has responsibility for service provision in the southern areas of Dublin has no plans to reduce services in this area.
The aim of the 8 regional service delivery companies in the country is to continue to deliver a high-quality information, advice and advocacy service to citizens in their respective geographic areas.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
792. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the inclusion of persons over 66 years of age who were at work when the Covid-19 pandemic struck within the pandemic unemployment payment in recognition of their sudden loss of earnings. [16120/20]
View answerThe Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to people aged between 18 and 66 years, and the age range is consistent with other jobseeker and social protection income supports paid to people of working age. People aged 66 years and over are provided for within the Social Protection income support framework through the State Pension, either the contributory State pension based on PRSI contributions or the non-contributory means tested pension.
A person in receipt of the State contributory pension can retain all of their State pension as well as their employment income and retain that pension payment if they lose employment income, thus guaranteeing an income support. If a person is not in receipt of the maximum rate of State Pension Contributory, they may be eligible for an increased weekly rate of payment on the State non-contributory means tested pension, depending on their circumstances. A person may also be entitled to an increase in respect of a qualified adult, subject to the means of the qualified adult.
People in receipt of the non-contributory or means-tested pension who are also in receipt of an employment income may have their pension payment increased if they lose that employment income or it is reduced. Similarly, if a person aged 66 or over who did not previously qualify for or make an application for a means-tested pension may qualify for a pension payment if their circumstances change – including if they lose any employment income or if that employment income is reduced. A person may be entitled to claim for an increase in respect of a qualified adult up to age 66 years depending on the specific circumstances.
People aged 66 and over may also be entitled to a range of ancillary supports that are aligned to the particular circumstances of older people and are significantly more valuable than those generally available to people of working age. These include free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package (gas/electricity) and living alone allowance.
It should be noted also that employers may claim the temporary wage subsidy for all of their workers who pay Irish PAYE income tax from the Revenue Commissioners. In this way workers who are aged over 66 can continue, with the co-operation of their employers, to receive income from employment.
A person of any age who is experiencing financial hardship may access assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
793. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the broadband points planned for a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14934/20]
View answer796. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when surveys for areas (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15517/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 793 and 796 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract was signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November 2019 to roll out a high-speed and future-proofed broadband network to almost 540,000 premises across the State.
Among the first premises to be connected under the NBP are approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs). Each site will be provided with a wireless high speed broadband connection which will make free on-site internet connectivity available to the public. Site owners have volunteered their premises to host public BCP services, thus supporting their communities and ensuring they get a head start on rural connectivity.
The planned BCP locations are listed by county on NBI's website at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. These sites have been carefully selected by Local Authorities, in consultation with local communities and site owners, so that they can provide free public Wi-Fi to support residents of rural communities likely to wait longest for a connection under the fully NBP deployment. It should be noted that some BCP sites may change over time as commercial connectivity becomes more widespread and as the circumstances at each site change.
The delivery of the BCP project is well under way, with initial connectivity provided to a number of sites by National Broadband Ireland. In parallel, Vodafone will begin installing the public access equipment at each site over the coming weeks.
With regard to the sites referred to by the Deputy, both sites have been surveyed to establish their connectivity requirements and they will receive their broadband connectivity in accordance with NBI and Vodafone's schedules over the coming months.
794. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applicants for the position of chairman of the Western Development Commission; when a decision will be made in respect of the appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15121/20]
View answerThe Public Appointment Service recently advertised for Expressions of Interest for upcoming vacancies on the Board of the Western Development Commission, including Expressions of Interest in the position of Chairperson. The deadline for submission of applications was Friday the 12th June.
The Public Appointment Service (PAS) is currently processing the applications received and an Assessment Panel has been formed by PAS to consider these applications.
A list of recommended suitable candidates for both the Chairperson and ordinary board member vacancies will be submitted by PAS for my consideration and I expect appointments to the Board of the WDC to be made by mid-August.
795. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a personal pendant alarm can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15289/20]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of a personal alarm or pendant.
Following a review, the current version of the scheme came into effect on 1 November 2017. A number of changes were introduced under the new scheme including the provision of free monitoring for the first year and a revision of the living alone requirements. However, eligibility to the Scheme remains confined to those aged 65 or older.
797. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason each of the rural regeneration development fund second call for category 2 applications by a local authority (details supplied) were rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15533/20]
View answer803. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for funding under the rural regeneration and development fund for a group (details supplied); if the current application will be considered for funding in a forthcoming tranche of the scheme; the reason for the failure of the application in the most recent round of announcements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15141/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 797 and 803 together.
The second call for Category 2 applications for the Fund closed on 28th February and there was an excellent response from all across the country, with 76 applications received.
On 25th June 2020, Minister Ring announced details of 24 successful projects arising from this call. The successful projects have been allocated €13m in support from the Fund and will deliver a total investment worth €17m. To date, the Fund has now allocated €161 million in support for 134 projects across Ireland, worth a combined total of €229 million.
The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature and applications undergo comprehensive scrutiny, involving assessment by my Department under the oversight of a Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments as well as independent experts. On foot of this process, a report on recommended projects is submitted to the Minister to inform decision-making in relation to the allocation of funding to successful projects.
My Department has informed me that a further limited announcement is possible, subject to budgetary availability.
It should also be noted that the third call for Category 1 applications - relating to projects with all planning and other consents in place and ready to commence works - is now open and the closing date for applications is the 1st December 2020.
798. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for the local improvement scheme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15846/20]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on private or non-public roads in rural areas which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities.
In March this year, €10 million was allocated to Local Authorities for the 2020 Local Improvement Scheme, and each Local Authority was provided with the same allocation as 2019.
Over €58 million has now been allocated to the Local Authorities to deliver the LIS since the scheme was relaunched in 2017.
All of the Local Authorities have already determined the roads to be funded under the scheme this year in their respective administrative areas. Funding in respect of these roads can be drawn down by the Local Authorities when the required works are completed.
799. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a decision will be made on an application by a centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14724/20]
View answerMy Department administers the Walks Scheme which contracts 1,962 landholders to undertake maintenance work on 39 National Waymarked Ways and other priority trails that traverse their lands. The landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken in line with agreed work plans.
In December last, 10 new trails were to added to the Walks Scheme. These trails constitute the first phase of an expansion that will see the Walks Scheme doubling in size to approximately 80 trails when all phases of the expansion are complete. Trails that wish to be added to the Scheme are invited to submit an Expressions of Interest to my Department. There is no closing date for Expressions of Interest at this time, and interested parties can continue to submit proposals for additional trails to be included in the Walks Scheme, through their Local Authority or Local Development Company. A trail must meet specific qualifying criteria in order to be considered eligible for the scheme, including being of a suitable standard to be included in Sport Ireland Outdoors' trail register.
I can confirm that an Expression of Interest has been received in respect of the trail referred to by the Deputy. I understand that this trail will need to be inspected by Sport Ireland Outdoors to confirm that it is a suitable standard before it can be considered for inclusion under the scheme.
A decision in respect of the new trails to be added to the Scheme will be taken following the completion a review of the Walks Scheme, which is currently in train.
800. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a copy of the departmental briefings received by her and each Minister of State in her Department upon taking up each individual role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14809/20]
View answerI can confirm that the Department briefing provided to myself and my ministerial colleagues in the Department upon my appointment will be published on my Department's website in the coming weeks.
