Tuesday, 8 Sep 2020

Written Answers Nos. 652-672

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (654)

Joan Collins

Question:

654. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a self-employed person (details supplied) is not being assessed for the pandemic unemployment payment on their 2018 earnings. [21155/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Following a review, the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment for the person concerned has been rerated back to €350 with effect from 26/06/2020. All rerated arrears have been paid.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (655)

Patrick Costello

Question:

655. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which information was obtained from recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment at airports by date on which each case was interviewed by Departmental staff and by airport; the date on which each payment was ceased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21156/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

All social welfare schemes are subject to control and compliance checks in order to ensure that the Exchequer resources provided for those schemes are protected. The pandemic unemployment payment scheme is subject to conditionality, in particular the requirement to be resident in Ireland to receive the payment under the scheme.

Under the provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, social welfare inspectors have powers to attend at ports and airports and make enquiries for the purposes of the control of social welfare schemes. They may make enquiries of persons if they have reasonable grounds to believe that there may have been a contravention of the 2005 Act, in relation to welfare payments where entitlement ceases when a person leaves the State.

Between 16th April and 16th July 2020, inspectors made enquiries, as provided for in the 2005 Act, of almost 10,000 passengers at ports and airports. The majority of these checks were done in Dublin airport. The dates on which each person was interviewed and the dates of any consequent cessation of payment are not readily available.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 656 answered with Question No. 639.

Question No. 657 answered with Question No. 639.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (658)

Patrick Costello

Question:

658. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if third party agencies, companies or bodies provide her Department with information on recipients of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21159/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

All social welfare schemes are subject to control and compliance checks in order to ensure that the Exchequer resources provided for those schemes are protected. The pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) scheme is subject to conditionality, in particular that a person must be resident in the State and must have lost their employment due to the pandemic and are now fully unemployed.

To ensure that payments are only made to those with an entitlement, and in line with the provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, my Department uses information on PUP recipients received from third party bodies in a number of ways.

For example, in processing the weekly pandemic payments, a reconciliation takes place between the Department’s payment file and Revenue’s payment file for the Wage Subsidy Scheme. This results in claims from those who are being paid by their employer being withheld and not paid by the Department. A prior employment status check is also made by comparing all claims for payment against prior earnings and employment records from Revenue data. Where this check indicates that a person may not have been employed, as claimed, the person is contacted and asked to submit corroborating information. Failure to submit such information may lead to their claim being closed.

My Department has also created a reporting facility at [e-mail], to allow employers to report potential control issues in relation to the pandemic payment. Each of these reports is examined to ensure that claimants continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the payment.

Finally, the Deputy should note that the Department’s inspection staff also works with and shares information with Gardaí and Customs staff to combat potential fraud and abuse of the social welfare system and to act in the best interests of the Irish taxpayer.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance

Questions (659)

Colm Burke

Question:

659. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal lodged in respect of the decision to refuse a carer’s allowance for a person (details supplied) will be confirmed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21161/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance

Questions (660)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

660. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection if the means test threshold relating to the carer’s allowance will be reviewed in cases in which carers find themselves outside of the cut off rate in view of the fact no consideration is given to their weekly and monthly commitments while they provide 24/7 care with no available support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21185/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The main income supports for carers provided by my Department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. The projected expenditure on Carer’s Allowance in 2020 is approximately €919 million. Combined spending on all these payments to carers in 2020 is expected to exceed €1.3 billion.

Carer's Allowance is a means tested payment made to people whose income falls below certain limits, and who are looking after certain people in need of full-time care and attention.

The system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.

Current disregards for Carer’s Allowance are €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple, making the means test for carers the least onerous within the social protection system.

A couple earning a joint annual income of up to €37,500 (net of PRSI and other allowable deductions) can qualify for maximum payment and, given the tapered withdrawal approach, retain a payment of just under half-rate while earning €49,750. A single person may retain a full-rate payment while having an annual income of just under €19,000, and retain a payment of just under half-rate while having an annual income of €25,400.

Changes to schemes are considered in an overall budgetary and policy context and from an evidence based perspective. Some 86% of the current recipients of Carer’s Allowance have no means or means of less than €7.60 per week and would not benefit by an increase in the disregard.

Carers who would benefit from an increased disregard would be in higher income households and the Deputy will appreciate the need to target available resources fairly and equitably to those in most need, I can assure the Deputy that I am very much aware of the key role that family carers play in our society and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review.

Finally, any changes to scheme criteria would have implications for overall spending and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (661, 662, 689)

John Lahart

Question:

661. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons on the Covid-19 payment and job seekers will lose payments for holidaying in Ireland on a staycation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21189/20]

Willie O'Dea

Question:

662. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reconsider the policy of ceasing the pandemic unemployment payment and other social welfare payments in cases in which the recipients have travelled abroad for non-essential purposes in view of the serious concerns raised by civil liberties organisations and the Data Protection Commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21195/20]

Paul Murphy

Question:

689. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the precise regulations in relation to the pandemic unemployment payment and jobseeker's payments; and if there are self-isolation or quarantine issues with regard to travel overseas either to green list countries or to non-green list countries (details supplied). [21656/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 661, 662 and 689 together.

My Department announced that people who are in receipt of a jobseekers payment who wish to travel to Green List countries can do so without their payment being affected.

Legislation to put the Pandemic Unemployment Payment on a statutory footing has been enacted and regulations in relation to payment while absent from the State will bring the Pandemic Unemployment Payment into line with the jobseeker’s benefit scheme. These regulations will provide that a person in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment can apply for payment for up to two weeks while on holiday outside the State. These arrangements apply to travel to one of the countries on the Green List (countries on this list are subject to change) as published by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The ‘Green List’ is published by the Department of Foreign Affairs and can be viewed on www.dfa.ie or www.hse.ie.

For countries that are not on the Green List, people can travel for essential reasons only, such as a bereavement or health reasons. Any person in this situation is advised to contact their Intreo Centre in advance and their payment will not be impacted.

When applying for holidays inside or outside the State, customers should apply in advance to their local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office and complete the UP30 form. My Department has put in place a review mechanism for people who feel they have been adversely affected by the revised travel provisions and who wish to have their claims reviewed. People can contact the Department at [e-mail] to request such a review.

Revised guidance will issue to staff in my Department to provide further clarification to them on the matter.

I trust that this clarifies the matter at this time.

Question No. 662 answered with Question No. 661.

Personal Public Service Numbers

Questions (663)

Steven Matthews

Question:

663. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to historic cases by which women were given PPS numbers linked directly to that of their husband and who required the approval of their husband in order to attain social benefit payments (details supplied). [21200/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Eligibility for Treatment Benefit is based on a person having the required number of PRSI contributions paid, in total and in the relevant contribution year. Where a person does not have the required contributions themselves they may qualify if they are considered to be financially dependent on a spouse/partner who is a qualified contributor, A person is considered to be financially dependent if they are not in receipt of certain social welfare payments in their own right and do not have other income of more than 100 euros per week.

The manner in which a person was allocated their PPS number does not impact on their eligibility for any social welfare benefit.

Where a person applies for treatment benefit as a dependent spouse, the consent of the insured person (PRSI record holder) is sought, to make them aware that their record will be accessed for this purpose. A protocol is in place to deal with cases where it is not possible to have the insured record holder provide this consent.

If the person concerned wishes to have their eligibility further reviewed, they can do so by contacting the treatment benefit section by email at [e-mail]

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (664)

Joe McHugh

Question:

664. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider putting a moratorium on the length of time participants can spend on a community employment scheme in view of the fact the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment may act as a barrier for some schemes in attracting new participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21232/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.

In general, the period of participation on CE is for one year. However, CE participants who are working towards a major award or industry qualification can seek to extend participation by up to a further two years.

During the recent Covid-19 emergency, my Department continued to provide the necessary funding for CE schemes while also introducing a number of contingency measures. These measures included the extension of all existing CE participant contracts for the duration of the emergency.

Now that the country has begun the process of returning to normal operations and in keeping with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, the contingency measures have concluded and the recruitment of new CE participants has recommenced.

The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. Places on these work programmes will continue to be available to support those who are long term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market while sustaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme. Those availing of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) supports are not eligible for participation on CE at this time. If in due course they make a claim for jobseekers benefit/allowance, the period on the Covid-19 PUP will be taken into account for the purposes of determining entitlement to access a CE scheme.

While I appreciate that there are some participants who would like to stay on the CE scheme, the Deputy will understand that any extension beyond the periods provided would have a knock-on effect on other long-term unemployed jobseekers who would benefit from participation on a CE scheme.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (665)

Patrick Costello

Question:

665. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons in receipt of jobseeker's transitional payment can currently receive the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment in which they have had a total loss of employment. [21240/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

It is my Departament's policy that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and certain primary payments such as One Parent Family Payment, Jobseekers Transitional Payment and Carers Allowance can be paid together where the individual has lost full employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This means that anyone who was in receipt of Jobseekers Transitional Payment who was also working and loses their employment is eligible for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment as well as the current rate of the primary payment.

I hope that this clarifies the position for you at this time.

Question No. 666 answered with Question No. 639.

Question No. 667 answered with Question No. 639.

State Pension (Contributory)

Questions (668)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

668. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused the State pension (contributory). [21247/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned reached pension age on 2 April 2012. They applied for State pension (contributory) on 7 January 2015. At the time of the person’s application, the qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory) required a minimum of 260 paid full-rate contributions and a minimum yearly average of 10. According to the records of my Department, the person had 210 paid full-rate social insurance contributions and a yearly average of 5. Their claim was therefore disallowed. They were notified in writing of this decision on 26 February 2015, provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based, and afforded the right of review and/or appeal.

The person sought a review of their social insurance record. The matter was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation. Additional information was requested from the person concerned on 1 May 2015 and 18 August 2015. In the absence of a reply, the review was closed and the person was notified accordingly on 15 September 2015.

The person concerned forwarded correspondence to my Department on 2 October 2015, which was again referred to a Social Welfare Inspector. Despite attempts by the Inspector to contact the person concerned, the investigation could not be concluded. The review was closed and the person was notified accordingly on 14 November 2016.

The person concerned contacted my Department on 11 October 2018 with a list of employers and a contact address in Ireland. They were not available to meet the Social Welfare Inspector and the investigation was again closed on 27 November 2018.

On 18 December 2019, on completion of the investigation into the person’s record, an additional 64 contributions were awarded. Only employment from the person’s 16th birthday can be considered for social insurance purposes. The person’s entitlement to State pension (contributory) was then reviewed. However, since they did not have a minimum yearly average of 10, their claim was disallowed. They were notified in writing of this decision on 9 January 2020, which included a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based and afforded the right of appeal.

The person appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). On 9 March 2020, the SWAO requested a reply to issue explaining the decision, and if the person was not satisfied with the explanation, they should contact the SWAO. A reply issued from State pension (contributory) section to the person on 6 April 2020 explaining the pension decision. The person has not pursued their appeal to date.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Departmental Records

Questions (669)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

669. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) cannot obtain the details they are requesting from the disability allowance section of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21250/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 27 November 2018. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that this person was substantially restricted in taking up employment and their means exceededthe statutory limit for receipt of DA. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 15 May 2019 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A statement giving a breakdown of means was attached to the decision letter.

The person in question appealed the decision. Their appeal in relation to means was not allowed but the appeals officer (AO) decided that the person concerned satisfied the medical criteria for the scheme. They were notified of this decision by the SWAO on 14 November 2019. They sought a review of the AO decision. The review is ongoing. The SWAO will notify the person concerned of the outcome of the review.

In addition a copy of the DA means assessment issued to the person in question on 28 July 2020.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Insurance

Questions (670)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

670. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which the review of social insurance records of pensioners in receipt of a reduced rate State pension (contributory) entitlement based on post-Budget 2012 rate bands excludes those born prior to 1 September 1946. [21274/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

A policy to introduce the Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pensions calculation was adopted by Government in the National Pensions Framework in 2010. In September 2012, new rate bands were introduced that saw benefits more closely aligned to contributions made and helped the long term sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund, protecting future beneficiaries.

In January 2018, a Government Decision to introduce a new interim Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to the calculation of State Pension allowed those pensioners who reached pension age from September 2012 (i.e., those born on or after 1 September 1946), to have their pension entitlement calculated by an interim “Total Contributions Approach” (TCA) which included consideration for up to 20 years of HomeCaring Periods. The interim TCA ensures that the totality of a person’s social insurance contributions - as opposed to the timing of them - determines their final pension outcome.

People whose pensions were decided under the 2000-2012 ratebands (i.e. those born before 1 September 1946) were subject to a significantly more generous payment regime than those who qualified before or afterwards, as a Yearly Average of only 20 contributions per year (out of a possible maximum of 52) could attract a 98% pension. If pre-2012 pensioners were also allowed avail of the interim Total Contributions Approach, including HomeCaring Credits, their arrangements, as a group, would continue to be significantly more generous than those of post-2012 pensioners. There would also be a very significant cost to the Social Insurance Fund. This in turn could significantly impact funds available for future pensioners with consequential potential implications for pensioner poverty.

For those with insufficient contributions to meet the requirements for a State pension (contributory), they may qualify for a means tested State pension (non-contributory), the maximum personal rate for which is €237 (over 95% of the maximum rate of the contributory pension). This rate of payment does not include rent allowance, household benefits or fuel allowance. Alternatively, if their spouse is a State pensioner and they have significant household means, their most beneficial payment may be an Increase for a Qualified Adult, based on their personal means, and amounting up to 90% of a full contributory pension.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (671)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

671. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has had communication with an organisation (details supplied) regarding its plan to close its Dublin community employment scheme in view of the fact that the organisation cannot satisfy the criteria for training and work experience due to the closure of its day care centres; if her Department will work with organisations to adapt existing community employment schemes rather than closing them and establishing others given her plans to extend the community employment scheme by 3,000 places and the increased requirement for homecare and qualified care assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21311/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland (ASI) currently operates 7 Community Employment (CE) schemes nationally that supports and provides employment opportunities for 133 CE participants. In late June, 2020 the ASI contacted my Department to discuss the possible closure of a number of CE schemes operated by it. The Board of the ASI subsequently took a decision to close 3 of its schemes, namely, Dublin, Sligo and Navan.

I understand that the decision was taken by the Board of the ASI as they did not consider it possible for them to continue operating their day centres while adhering to current COVID 19 practices and restrictions, including the social distancing requirements. The related CE placements were therefore deemed no longer viable at the present time.

While the decision was taken by the Board of the ASI, once the Department became aware of that decision, my officials liaised closely with the ASI and the CE schemes to ensure that there was an agreed and consistent approach undertaken and that that alternative arrangements were made available for those CE participants affected. CE supervisors will carry out exit plans with each CE participant to assist them in finding new roles or employment. Department officials will work with local CE schemes to facilitate suitable placements for the ASI CE participants who wish to transfer to alternative CE placements.

The Department understands that the Board of the ASI may consider reopening a number of these CE schemes at a future date should the current COVID 19 restrictions be eased or if a new operating model for the Day Care centres is developed that can provide work experience and training and development opportunities for CE participants. My Department will work closely with the Board of ASI in re-establishing existing or new CE schemes once opportunities have been identified.

There are 36 CE participants in the Raheny ASI CE Scheme. The Department is advised that the closure date for this CE scheme is the 16th October 2020 and is also advised that ASI has strong intentions of reopening the scheme in 2021 but they need to assess how to manage their operations once they reopen. Department officials are working with the CE scheme to identify suitable local placements to relocate the ASI CE participants that wish to remain on CE.

As part of the July Stimulus Package, my Department announced 3,000 additional places on State Employment Schemes, including Community Employment and Tús. Department Officials will continue to work with CE Sponsoring Authorities and Tús Implementing bodies to make the additional places available to new CE and Tús participants and possibly new CE and Tús schemes over the coming months. My Department officials will continue to be available to meet with community groups who are considering the introduction of new schemes in their locality, subject to the criteria associated with those schemes.

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Questions (672)

Joan Collins

Question:

672. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding fortnightly social welfare payments. [21373/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department introduced a series of measures to maintain social welfare payments while assisting with social distancing measures designed to combat the spread of the Coronavirus.

Fortnightly payments were introduced to minimise the need for people to attend and queue in banks or post offices to collect payments, so helping people restrict their movements to essential activities only. These were introduced on a ‘payment in advance’ basis so people did not have to wait two weeks for a payment.

Some welfare scheme payments have now reverted to a weekly payment pattern, including One-parent Family Payment, Working Family Payment, Illness Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Jobseeker’s Benefit.

The Department’s view is guided by the public health guidelines. Those payments, including State Pensions, which are remaining on a fortnightly payment pattern, will continue to be reviewed by the Department in line with the best available health advice.