David Cullinane
Question:673. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the carer’s support grant to €2,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21382/20]
View answerCarer's Support Grant
Questions (673, 674, 675)
David Cullinane
Question:674. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the carer’s allowance by €5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21383/20]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:675. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the carer’s benefit by €5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21384/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 673 to 675, inclusive, together.
The estimated full year cost of increasing the Carer's Support Grant from €1700 to €2000 is €41.9 million.
The estimated full year cost of increasing the rate of Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit by €5 per week is €17.2 million and €0.7 million respectively.
The costs shown above are on a full year basis and are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2020. 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.
Disability Allowance
Questions (676)
David Cullinane
Question:676. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the disability allowance by €5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21385/20]
View answerWritten answers
The estimated full year cost of increasing Disability Allowance by five euro per week is €40.9 million. This includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults.
This costing is on a full year basis and is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2020. It should be noted this is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
Blind Person's Pension
Questions (677)
David Cullinane
Question:677. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the blind pension by €9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21386/20]
View answerWritten answers
The estimated full year cost of increasing the Blind Pension by €9 per week is €0.6 million. This includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults.
This costing is on a full year basis and is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2020. It should be noted this is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
Wage Subsidy Scheme
Questions (678)
David Cullinane
Question:678. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of reforming the wage subsidy scheme as per the all-party Oireachtas disability group recommendation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21392/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is an employment support to private sector employers, the objective of which is to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities and thereby increase the numbers of people with disabilities obtaining and sustaining employment in the open labour market. The scheme provides financial incentives to private sector employers to hire people with a disability for between 21 and 39 subsidised hours per week under a contract of employment.
The basic rate of subsidy is €5.30 per hour giving a total annual subsidy available of €10,748 per annum based on a 39 hour week. The contract of employment offered must be for a minimum of 6 months and the employee should be subject to and have the same rights as per the conditions of employment as any of the other employees. Included in these conditions is the requirement that the employee must be paid the going rate for the job which must be at least the statutory minimum wage. The subsidy rate contribution under this scheme is not linked to the statutory minimum wage - it is a subsidy claimed, subject to certain conditions, against the cost incurred where a productivity shortfall arises from a disability.
The financial supports for employers are structured under three separate strands and companies could benefit under one strand or under two or three strands simultaneously, as the case may be, depending on the number of people with a disability employed, as below.
- Strand I is a general subsidy for any perceived productivity shortfall in excess of 20% for a person with a disability, in comparison to a colleague without a disability. The subsidy is based on the number of hours worked.
- Strand II subsidy is payable when an employer employs three or more people with disabilities who are supported by a Wage Subsidy Scheme Strand I payment. Strand II is intended to cover the additional supervisory, management and other work based costs relating to such employees. This top-up payment is a percentage of the Strand I subsidy and is based on the overall number of employees with a disability employed under Strand I. It ranges from an additional 10% of wage subsidy for 3 to 6 employees with a disability to a maximum of 50% of wage subsidy for 23+ employees with a disability. Therefore when an employer has 23 or more Wage Subsidy Scheme employees a 50% top-up is applied to the hourly rate increasing the payment rate to €7.95 per hour for each employee.
|
No. |
% |
|
3 to 6 employees with a disability |
10% top-up of wage subsidy paid |
|
7 to 11 employees with a disability |
20% top-up of wage subsidy paid |
|
12 to 16 employees with a disability |
30% top-up of wage subsidy paid |
|
17 to 22 employees with a disability |
40% top-up of wage subsidy paid |
|
23 + employees with a disability |
50% top-up of wage subsidy paid |
- Strand III subsidy enables employers who employ 25 or more workers with a disability on the Wage Subsidy Scheme to be eligible for a grant of up to €30,000 per year towards the expense of employing an Employment Assistance Officer to support these employees.
Estimated expenditure on the Wage Subsidy Scheme in 2020 is expected to be in the region of €24 million. Based on current participant numbers, increasing the current base hourly rate of subsidy from €5.30 to €7.07 (70% of minimum wage level) is estimated at an additional annual cost in excess of €8.7 million, including the knock-on effect of the percentage increases arising due to payment of Strand II.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is designed to encourage private sector employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to people with disabilities by providing financial incentives to employers who offer employment of at least 21 hours per week. It is not designed as a subsidy for part-time work offered. It is not possible to provide a reliable estimate on the cost of reducing the minimum number of hours worked under the Wage Subsidy Scheme from 21 to 15. The WSS is a demand-led scheme, there is no way of predicting with any degree of accuracy the increased costs resulting from an increase in employers applying for a wage subsidy in respect of part-time employees.
Through the Comprehensive Employment Strategy, the Government recognises the importance for people with disabilities of participation in employment. As part of the Strategy, my Department is committed to improving employment outcomes and removing barriers to employment for persons with disabilities. The supports provided have been designed to enable people with a disability to achieve their employment ambitions by focusing on the individual’s ability and capacity. The Department offers a range of supports to people with disabilities who may not be in a position to, or wish to, work full-time. Some of these supports include:
- The Department’s INTREO service is available to any person with a disability who wishes to avail of the service. People with a disability may, on a voluntary basis, seek an appointment with an employment supports case officer to discuss their employment ambitions and develop a personal progression plan. Staff in Intreo offices have undertaken training to better support persons with disabilities who want to pursue further education, training or work opportunities.
- EmployAbility is a specialist service (delivered under a contract arrangement with 24 contractors around the country on behalf of the Department) which works with the Department’s Intreo and Local Employment Services. EmployAbility participants are people with a disability who are able to work a minimum of 8 hours per week and who need the support of a job coach to obtain employment in the open labour market.
- Partial Capacity Benefit is designed for people who are in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit (for at least six months) and who have some capacity for work. There is no restriction on participant earnings or the number of hours they can work.
I will keep the Department’s employment support schemes for people with disabilities, including the Wage Subsidy Scheme, under review to ensure that they continue to meet their policy objectives. However, any potential changes to these schemes can only be considered as part of the wider budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments Administration
Questions (679)
Robert Troy
Question:679. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection when social welfare payments will return to weekly payments. [21438/20]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Questions (680)
Robert Troy
Question:680. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to review the eligibility criteria for the Covid-19 payment (details supplied). [21439/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is payable to qualifying persons between the ages of 18 to 66 which is consistent with Jobseeker's schemes and other social welfare supports for the working age population.
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 or the non-contributory pension, which is means tested.
A person in receipt of the State contributory pension can retain all of their State pension and employment income. If a person does not have the required number of contributions to receive the maximum rate of State Pension Contributory they may qualify for an increased rate of State non-contributory pension, depending on their circumstances. A person may also receive an increase for a qualified adult, depending on their means.
Recipients of the non-contributory State pension who also have employment income may have their pension payment increased if they lose their employment income due to the pandemic or their employment income is reduced.
The rates payable on the pandemic unemployment payment based on previous earnings or income are €350, which is aligned to the maximum two person household rate for jobseekers, and €203 which is aligned to the personal rate. The equivalent rates for State Pension contributory are €470.80 for a couple and €248.30 personal rate. The non-contributory pension for a two person household is €393.60 and €237 for an individual aged between 66 and 79 years.
Individuals aged 66 and over may also be entitled to a range of ancillary supports aligned to their particular circumstances which are significantly more valuable than those generally available to people of working age such as free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package for gas or electricity.
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 for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance
Questions (681)
Francis Noel Duffy
Question:681. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons (details supplied) were refused disability payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21452/20]
View answerWritten answers
There is no record of a disability allowance (DA) application for the first person named.
The second person named was refused DA on 22 July 2015 on the grounds that they were not found to be habitually resident in the state and their means could not be established. He was notified of this decision which included his right to a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
The person in question appealed the decision. Following due consideration, the appeal of the person in question was disallowed by an appeals officer (AO) on 13 January 2016. He was notified of this decision in writing by the SWAO on the same date. He sought a review of the AO decision. The AO found no new facts or evidence to warrant a revision of their decision to disallow the appeal.
An AO’s decision is final and conclusive in absence of any fresh facts or evidence. It is open to the person in question to reapply for DA.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Direct Provision Payments
Questions (682)
John McGuinness
Question:682. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21519/20]
View answerWritten answers
Applicants for International Protection accommodated under the system of Direct Provision operated by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of the Department of Justice and Equality are provided with full board accommodation and other facilities/services.
My Department administers the daily expenses allowance (DEA) which is paid to protection applicants who live in the direct provision system. The payment was previously known as direct provision allowance (DPA).
The daily expenses allowance paid to the person concerned for the period in question was at the rate of €21.60 per week per adult and per child.
The person concerned received the correct daily expenses allowance rate for a person of his family circumstances for the period in question.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (683)
John McGuinness
Question:683. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21521/20]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow 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.
Question No. 684 answered with Question No. 646.
Carer's Allowance
Questions (685)
John McGuinness
Question:685. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the reduction in payments to a person (details supplied). [21585/20]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
If a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment in their own right (other than unemployment payments or supplementary welfare allowance) or being claimed as a qualified adult on their spouse/partner's payment, a half-rate CA can be paid too as long as all the normal conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 21 July 2017 in respect of the person's first care recipient.
The person concerned was a Qualified Adult (QA) on their spouse’s Disability Allowance (DA) from 28 September 2016. Consequently, CA was awarded for one care recipient at half rate since 27 July 2017.
My department received an application for CA for a second care recipient, on the 7 March 2019.
CA was awarded to the person concerned on 27 May 2019 with effect from 7 March 2019 in respect of her second care recipient. The person concerned was notified on 27 May 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
Arrears of CA due for the period 7 March 2019 to 5 June 2019 were calculated once the QA payment on her spouse's DA stopped, less any QA payment made during this period. The arrears payment issued to the nominated post office of the person concerned on 6 June 2019.
The person concerned appealed the date of award and requested backdating of CA. The appeal was partially awarded by the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO), and CA was backdated by six months.
Following the SWAO partial award ruling, CA was backdated and rerated to full rate from 6 September 2018. Arrears of CA due from 6 September 2018 to 28 February 2019 were issued, less the QA payment received on their spouse’s DA during this period. I can confirm that these arrears issued to the nominated post office of the person concerned on 10 August 2020.
Having re-checked the arrears payment, it was noted that a further deduction was made in error. This has since been rectified and any further arrears owing will be issued without delay.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Pensions Data
Questions (686)
Róisín Shortall
Question:686. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter raised in correspondence in relation to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21616/20]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned has been in direct contact with my Department in relation to this matter and a response has issued addressing all matters raised.
The late mother of the person concerned was due arrears of pension for the period from 2004 to 2007. Unfortunately, due to an administrative error these arrears were not paid at the time they were due. Following contact from the person concerned, the arrears have now been paid to the estate.
It is always my Departments aim to provide the most efficient and professional service possible and unfortunately this has not been the experience of the person concerned in this instance. My Department has extended its apologies to the person concerned over the failure to pay the arrears at the time.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Invalidity Pension
Questions (687)
Mark Ward
Question:687. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a further appeals process for a person (details supplied) to be awarded an invalidity pension; and if extenuating circumstances are taken into account when making such decisions. [21620/20]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
I am also advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer has power under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to revise any decision in the light of new evidence or new facts. If there is any new evidence or new facts pertinent to this case that were not brought to the attention of the Appeals Officer during the determination of the appeal, they may be submitted to the Appeals Office for consideration.
The Chief Appeals Officer has power under Section 318 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to revise any decision where it appears to her that the Appeals Officer’s decision was erroneous by reason of some mistake having been made in relation to the law or the facts. A request for such a review by the Chief Appeals Officer may be made by writing to her at the Social Welfare Appeals Office, D’Olier House, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2.
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.
Legislative Measures
Questions (688)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:688. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to amend the legislation that results in the registration of babies that have died at birth being recorded privately rather than publicly; and if her attention has been drawn to the hurt caused to parents that do not have the option to record the birth of their child publicly and for the information of future generations. [21634/20]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the register of stillbirths, which, unlike other registers, is not open to public inspection.
At the time of establishment of the register, in 1994, it was considered that no public interest would be served by having the information on the register open to the public. Also, given the relatively small number of stillbirths each year, it was felt that an openly accessible register could be seen as encroaching on the privacy of the persons concerned.
However, with the passage of time, it may now be appropriate to look again at this matter. A number of bereaved parents have expressed an interest in making this information available to the public, as is the case with other registers. These parents want siblings, grandparents, relatives, friends and future generations to be able to have access to their entries in the register of stillbirths.
In examining this issue, I feel that it is important to continue to protect the interests of parents who may prefer to keep their personal information private, while also considering the requests of those parents who wish to make their own details more openly available. Any such action would require legislative change and I have asked my officials to explore the inherent issues further.
Question No. 689 answered with Question No. 661.
State Pension (Contributory)
Questions (690)
John McGuinness
Question:690. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full State pension contributory will be approved for a person (details supplied); the contribution record of the person; and if they will qualify for contributions as a home carer. [21674/20]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned will reach pension age on 10 October 2020. Their application for State pension (contributory) was received on 17 August 2020. Since the person has a record of self-employment, their record was checked to confirm if their liabilities as a self-employed person were fully paid. Under social welfare legislation, a self-employed contributor shall not be regarded as satisfying the qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory) unless and until all outstanding self-employment contributions are paid.
According to the records of my Department, the person has self-employment liabilities outstanding for the tax years 2014 and 2015. Consequently their claim was disallowed. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 1 September 2020. They were advised to contact their local tax office regarding settlement of the outstanding self-employment liabilities. When these are paid, the person should contact State Pension Contributory Section and their pension entitlement will be reviewed. The review will include any applicable HomeCaring Periods.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (691)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:691. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when oral hearings in respect of social welfare appeals will recommence; if oral hearings can be held via an application (details supplied) or telephone calls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21698/20]
View answerWritten answers
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 am advised by the Chief Appeals Officer that, due to Covid-19 restrictions, in person oral appeal hearings were suspended since 13 March 2020. Some oral hearings have resumed since 28 July 2020 as restrictions have been eased. Appeals are also being determined on the basis of written submissions. In some cases it has also been possible for Appeals Officers to progress appeals by way of telephone calls and email on issues relating to an appeal (which might otherwise have been ascertained in the course of an oral hearing) and bring the matter to a conclusion.
The Chief Appeals Officer has also advised that the Office is examining the use of video technology for appeal hearings. Among the issues being examined are the most appropriate technological solution and the types of appeal cases that would be potentially suitable for this approach. The use of video technology will need to ensure the maintenance of fair procedures, confidentiality, compliance with data protection and other legal requirements.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments Administration
Questions (692)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:692. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when weekly payments will recommence for those social welfare recipients that would prefer weekly payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21708/20]
View answerWritten answers
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.