Written Answers Nos. 540-560
540. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the appropriate payment and level of payment in the case of a person (details supplied); if all arrears due can issue; the date from which they will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25373/20]
View answerIn the case where a person has had a reduction in their days of employment, the Department has clarified that, subject to satisfying the relevant eligibility criteria, employees may claim casual Jobseeker’s payments or Short-Time Work Support payments for days of unemployment, even where their employer is claiming the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme for days of employment.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has been awarded a casual Jobseeker’s Benefit payment with effect from 01/09/2020 and received his first payment on 22/09/2020.
Decisions around entitlement to social welfare claims for periods prior to the introduction of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme on 01/09/2020 will depend on meeting the eligibility conditions, including satisfying the Department with regard to days of unemployment. Applications are assessed on an individual basis and the Department will notify the person concerned of the outcome of its decision. Arrears due, if any, will be considered in the context of each individual claim.
If the person concerned is experiencing financial hardship he may access assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments through the Community Welfare Service in Maynooth. This service can be contacted by phone at (01) 6016360 or by email cwscelbridgekilcock@welfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
541. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the income support helpline for Covid-19 of her Department is not free of charge; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that the charges for calling from a mobile phone are significant particularly when many persons are waiting for long periods of time due to the increase in the volume of calls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25400/20]
View answerMy Department introduced the Income Support Helpline in mid-March as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in order to meet the large scale public need for information and advice relating to available income supports. Since then, the Helpline has answered thousands of public enquiries and supported our customers by providing information and advice - usually relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment or the Enhanced Illness Benefit for COVID-19.
The Income Support Helpline can be contacted using a 1890 number- 1890 800 024. Since December 2019, COMREG introduced changes which mean that 1890 numbers and other non geographic numbers are included as "landline" calls within call bundles, and cost the same as calling an 01 or an 021 number for example. This is not a freephone service and is similar to most of the phoneline services provided by the Department.
While initial demands on the helpline back in March and April were very high, and call volumes can peak at key times, the helpline operates efficiently and wait times to be answered are usually relatively short -at a number of minutes. This is closely managed and monitored by the Department on a daily basis to ensure a quality service for our customers. Should a caller have concerns about call charges, my Department’s staff can facilitate a call back service to them- they simply need to request this.
Customers can also request information via email at info@welfare.ie or access a wide range of information on the Departments dedicated COVID-19 information hub online at www.gov.ide/deaspcovid19
I trust this answers the matter for the Deputy.
542. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal by a person (details supplied) will be heard [25433/20]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 31 August 2020 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.
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.
543. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding employees of airline (details supplied) who are struggling to gain access to casual jobseeker payments and short-time work supports while their employer is claiming the employment wage subsidy scheme; the position regarding application lodged in respect of persons; the reason for the delay in processing same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25452/20]
View answerIn the case where a person has had a reduction in their days of employment, the Department has clarified that, subject to satisfying the relevant eligibility criteria, employees may claim Casual Jobseeker payments or Short-Time Work Support payments for days of unemployment, even where their employer is claiming the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme for days of employment. Officials from my Department are engaging directly with the company referred to by the Deputy to provide any outstanding documentation required to finalise applications for jobseekers support under these arrangements.
Decisions around entitlement to the above payments for periods prior to the introduction of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme on 1 September will depend on meeting the eligibility conditions, including satisfying the Department with regard to days of unemployment. Applications are assessed on an individual basis and the Department will notify each individual of the outcome of its decision.
In relation to the two cases referred to by the Deputy, the Department is awaiting certain documentation from the first individual. Once this is received a decision on the claim will be prioritised. The claim from the second individual has been authorised from September 1st. Any entitlement prior to September 1st is under examination and will be decided shortly.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Question No. 544 answered with Question No. 44.
545. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of carer’s allowance applications over the past three years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25485/20]
View answerCarer'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.
I can advise the Deputy that the number of CA applications received in my department from 1 January 2018 up to 31 August 2020 are as follows.
|
Year |
Number of Applications |
|
2018 |
20,117 |
|
2019 |
19,402 |
|
2020* |
12,211* |
*up to 31 August 2020
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
547. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection when a jobseeker’s benefit application will be approved for a person (details supplied); if this application will be finalised without further delay as it meets with the criteria of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25523/20]
View answerIn the case where a person has had a reduction in their days of employment, the Department has clarified that, subject to satisfying the relevant eligibility criteria, employees may claim casual Jobseeker’s payments or Short-Time Work Support payments for days of unemployment, even where their employer is claiming the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme for days of employment. Officials from my Department are engaging directly with the employer of the person concerned to provide any outstanding documentation required to finalise applications for Jobseeker’s support under these arrangements.
My Department will prioritise decisions on these applications on receipt of this information so that claims are put into payment as quickly as possible.
Decisions around entitlement to social welfare claims for periods prior to the introduction of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme on 01/09/2020 will depend on meeting the eligibility conditions, including satisfying the Department with regard to days of unemployment. Applications are assessed on an individual basis and the Department will notify the person concerned of the outcome of its decision. Arrears due, if any, will be considered in the context of each individual claim.
If the person concerned is experiencing financial hardship she may access assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments through the Community Welfare Service in the Finglas Intreo Centre. This service can be contacted by phone at (01) 8581100 or by email cwsfinglas@welfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
548. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of a Covid-19 related payment; when such payment is likely to terminate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25526/20]
View answerLast week, my Department made pandemic unemployment payments to 206,341 people at a cost of some €61.3 million. In total over €3.5 billion has been spent on these payments.
As announced under the July Stimulus, the pandemic unemployment payment has been extended until end of March 2021. I have recently secured agreement of Government to keep the payment open to new applications until the end of 2020. This means that anyone who loses their employment over the coming months, including those who may have returned to work but may be affected by new closures, will be able to avail of the support.
The Government has decided that from 17 September the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be paid at three rates linked to a person's pre-covid employment earnings. Individuals whose prior earnings were €300 or over per week will receive a payment of €300 per week. A rate of €250 will apply to those who previously earned between €200 and €300; and the rate of €203 remains unchanged for those who had prior earnings of less than €200. My Department is advising those people affected of these rate changes and is setting out for them the basis for the decision in each case.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
549. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of the State pension in each of the past five years to 31 December 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25527/20]
View answerThe table below shows the total number of persons in receipt of State pension for the last five years.
The number of State pension (contributory) recipients is increasing year on year. The number of State pension (non-contributory) recipients has remained relatively stable over the same period, with a decrease in recipients in 2019.
Recipients
|
Scheme |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
State pension (contributory) |
361,725 |
377,062 |
394,378 |
411,660 |
431,224 |
|
State pension (non-contributory) |
95,179 |
95,221 |
95,140 |
95,263 |
94,854 |
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
550. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of a disability allowance in each of the past five years to 31 December 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25528/20]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance for people with a disability aged between 16 and 66 with a disability expected to last for at least one year and who satisfy the medical condition, means test and are habitually resident in Ireland.
The number of persons in receipt of DA at the end of the years 2015 to 2019 are outlined in the table below: The Deputy will notice that there is a steady increase in Disability allowance year on year.
|
Year |
Number of DA Recipients at the end of the year |
|
2019 |
146,755 |
|
2018 |
140,835 |
|
2017 |
133,929 |
|
2016 |
126,203 |
|
2015 |
119,042 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
551. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of a State pension (non-contributory); the extent by which the numbers have fluctuated in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25529/20]
View answerAs at end August 2020, there are 95,396 primary state pension non-contributory recipients.
The Deputy will see from the year end recipient numbers over the past 5 years, provided in the table below, that the numbers have remained relatively consistent over the 5 year period.
|
As at |
No. SPNC Recipients (personal rate) |
|
31 December 2019 |
94,854 |
|
31 December 2018 |
95,263 |
|
31 December 2017 |
95,140 |
|
31 December 2016 |
95,221 |
|
31 December 2015 |
95,179 |
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
552. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of an invalidity pension as of 31 December 2019 in each of the past five years to date; the degree to which the numbers have fluctuated during the period in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25530/20]
View answerThe table below shows the number of persons in receipt of an Invalidity Pension for the period requested. There has been a slight increase over the past few years .
|
Period requested |
No. of Persons in Receipt of Invalidity Pension |
|
31/12/2019 |
58,168 |
|
31/12/2018 |
57,768 |
|
31/12/2017 |
57,504 |
|
31/12/2016 |
55,532 |
|
31/12/2015 |
55,115 |
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
553. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she can foresee her ability to address further issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic in the course of the next twelve months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25531/20]
View answerThe Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has a comprehensive business continuity management programme in place for many years through which the Department aims to maintain delivery of key services during and following a disruption to business.
The focus of the Department's contingency plan is to ensure the safety and welfare of customers and staff and to ensure that essential services continue to be provided.
The Department's agile response to the public health crisis caused by Covid-19 demonstrates the robustness and resilience of the Department’s contingency plans. These plans are adaptable and will allow the Department to continue to respond as events evolve.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is playing a crucial role in helping our society and economy cope and recover from this public health crisis. To this end, an Organisation Transition Board has also been established to look at how the Department organises its work and what changes will need to be made to ensure the continued provision of services while adhering to public health guidelines.
555. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that applied for and received dental benefit in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25533/20]
View answerThe number of dental claims received and paid each year since 2015 to date is detailed below.
|
Year |
Dental claims paid |
|
2015 |
312,619 |
|
2016 |
319,583 |
|
2017 |
417,336 |
|
2018 |
812,758 |
|
2019 |
833,781 |
|
2020 to Sept 1st |
510,104 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
556. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that applied for and received ophthalmic benefit in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25534/20]
View answerThe number of optical claims received and paid each year since 2015 to date is detailed below.
|
Year |
Optical claims paid |
|
2015 |
163,974 |
|
2016 |
164,469 |
|
2017 |
229,240 |
|
2018 |
451,249 |
|
2019 |
452,311 |
|
2020 to Sept 1st |
281,544 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
557. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if waiting times in respect of appeals against decisions taken by her Department can be reduced further with particular reference to hardship being caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25550/20]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
The time taken to process an appeal reflects a number of factors including that the appeals process is a quasi-judicial process with Appeals Officers being required to decide all appeals on a ‘de-novo’ basis. In addition, appeals decisions are themselves subject to review by the High Court and decisions have to be formally written up to quasi-judicial standards. Other factors that influence appeals processing times include the quality of the initial decision – in this respect the Department has changed the decisions process in respect of medical schemes, in order to provide more information to the claimant. It is expected that this will help to reduce the number of appeals over time.
Significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years. As a result, appeal processing times in respect of all schemes generally improved between 2012 and 2019 from 39.5 weeks for an oral hearing in 2012 to 26.9 weeks in 2019, and from 27.8 weeks for a summary decision in 2012 to 22.1 weeks in 2019.
Processing performance has in the past number of years been affected by a relatively large number of retirements in the Appeals Office - although these staff have been replaced it takes time for a new Appeals Officer to reach full productivity. Nevertheless, the latest data for the period January to August 2020 shows a further improvement of 25.7 weeks for an oral hearing and 16.5 weeks for a summary decision. This was achieved in the context of a significant increase in the number of appeals being finalised. 17,985 appeals were finalised in the period January - August 2020 compared to 14,399 in the corresponding period for 2019. Achieving further reductions in processing times is a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer.
Every effort is being made to progress appeals on hand. In the light of Covid-19 restrictions appeals are currently being very largely determined on a summary basis. In respect of individual cases it is possible for Appeals Officers to gather additional information or seek clarifications on matters relating to the appeal (for example by telephone or email) which might otherwise have would been ascertained in the course of an oral hearing.
The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that the use of video technology for remote hearings is also being examined. The use of video technology will need to ensure the maintenance of fair procedures, confidentiality, compliance with data protection and other legal requirements.
Finally, where a claimant has been refused a social welfare payment, regardless of the scheme involved, and is appealing that decision, it is open to them to apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim if their means are insufficient to meet their needs. If their application for supplementary welfare allowance is refused, they can also appeal that decision.
The average waiting times for the first eight months of 2020 for appeals in respect of schemes operated by the Department is contained in the table below.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Appeal Processing Times by Scheme 1 January 2020 - 31 August 2020
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks)Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks)Oral Hearings |
|
Blind Person’s Pension |
29.7 |
38.6 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
12.3 |
21.9 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
19.2 |
23.0 |
|
Child Benefit |
30.2 |
37.7 |
|
Disability Allowance |
11.7 |
18.5 |
|
Illness Benefit |
30.7 |
28.0 |
|
Death Benefit |
40.9 |
- |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
41.7 |
51.7 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
22.3 |
32.0 |
|
Deserted Wife’s Benefit |
23.4 |
60.4 |
|
Farm Assist |
21.2 |
22.8 |
|
Working Family Payment |
19.0 |
30.2 |
|
Liable Relatives |
35.8 |
- |
|
Invalidity Pension |
20.4 |
31.3 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
23.0 |
- |
|
Paternity Benefit |
21.2 |
- |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
22.1 |
31.8 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
27.4 |
31.7 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
25.2 |
36.2 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
21.0 |
- |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
28.7 |
28.1 |
|
Disablement Pension |
28.6 |
29.8 |
|
Medical Care |
16.7 |
- |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
19.8 |
- |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
24.7 |
39.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
19.1 |
32.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Payments) |
18.4 |
34.8 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
19.8 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
22.2 |
27.6 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
16.5 |
23.7 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed |
13.7 |
- |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
19.3 |
- |
|
Treatment Benefit |
22.7 |
- |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
33.3 |
- |
|
Carer’s Support Grant |
14.1 |
23.8 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
31.8 |
83.7 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
13.9 |
28.3 |
|
Widow/Widower's Pension (Contributory) |
35.0 |
35.2 |
|
Widow/Widower's Pension (Non-Contributory) |
30.5 |
35.5 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
24.0 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
16.5 |
25.7 |
558. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the efforts being made to speed up the processing of applications for the carer's allowance and benefit, disability allowance and invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25552/20]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
I am pleased to report that the time taken to process new claims for Carer’s Allowance (CA), Carers Benefit (CARB), Disability Allowance (DA) and Invalidity Pension (INVP) have reduced significantly over the past year. The average time to award a new CA application at the end of August 2020 was 6 weeks, as compared to 16 weeks in August 2019. The average time to award a new CARB application at the end of August 2020 was 4 weeks, as compared to 13 weeks in August 2019. The average time to award a new DA application at the end of August 2020 was 6 weeks, as compared to 14 weeks in August 2019. The average time to award a new INVP application at the end of August 2020 was 7 weeks, as compared to 10 weeks in August 2019.
A number of temporary staff were assigned to assist with processing new applications for all these schemes and this, coupled with the implementation of new business processes, contributed to improvements in claim processing. These changes have worked well and had a positive outcome in reducing claim processing times, which are now back well within target, together with a reduction in the number of claims awaiting decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
559. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an extension of employment will be facilitated for participants in community employment schemes in which sponsors are anxious that they continue particularly in the current circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25553/20]
View answerThe 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. A significant number of CE participants each year avail of an extension in order to continue training and to obtain qualifications and major awards.
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 allowing many CE schemes and their CE participants to continue to deliver a range of services to the community.
In keeping with the “Government’s Return to Work Safely Protocol”, the recruitment of new CE participants by CE sponsoring bodies recommenced in early July. Those CE participants who had their contracts extended during the emergency period have been finishing up on their CE schemes on a phased basis over recent months.
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 maintaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme.
While I appreciate that sponsoring bodies may wish to have participants’ time on a CE scheme extended, the Deputy will appreciate that further extensions would have a detrimental effect on other long-term unemployed candidates wishing to avail of the opportunities afforded by CE.
Recruitment to employment on CE is recognised as a priority objective for my Department. Where vacancies have arisen on CE schemes, eligible candidates will continue to be identified by Department case officers who will then refer them to the relevant CE scheme where it is considered to be a suitable activation measure for the jobseeker.
CE sponsoring bodies are also encouraged by Department officials to promote awareness of the benefits of CE in their local communities, ensuring that CE vacancies are well publicised. They can advertise their vacancies free of charge on the Department's JobsIreland website www.jobsireland.ie.
560. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects to be in a position to address the pensions issue for persons that have gaps in their contribution record for whatever reason with a view to ensuring the availability of a payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25554/20]
View answerThe State Pension (Contributory) is a PRSI-based pension, financed by contributions made by current workers and their employers, and paid to pensioners, at a rate based upon their PRSI record when working. Those with few or no PRSI contributions paid over the years may alternatively qualify for the State Pension (Non-Contributory), which is a means-tested pension, financed by the Exchequer, and paid at up to 95% the maximum rate of the State pension (contributory). Alternatively, if their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an increase for a qualified adult (based on their own means), amounting up to 90% of a full rate State pension (contributory). The most advantageous payment for a pensioner will depend upon their individual circumstances.
The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” commits to the introduction of a Total Contributions Approach (TCA). This approach, when it is introduced, is intended to be a fairer and more transparent system aligning a person’s contributory pension more closely with the contributions they make. It is anticipated that the approach will include provision for people who take time off work to undertake caring duties.
The public policy and social issues in relation to funding a sustainable and adequate State pension system are complex. The Programme for Government also commits to the establishment of a Commission on Pensions to examine a range of issues including contributions, calculation methods, sustainability, eligibility and intergenerational fairness. The Terms of Reference for the Commission on Pensions are currently being developed and options for its membership are being considered. Proposals will be brought to Government in that regard as soon as possible. Once it has concluded its deliberations, the Commission will report to Government by June of next year.
This Government is acutely conscious of the need to consider the sustainability of the State’s finances. The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. The Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
