Pearse Doherty
Question:286. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused the enterprise support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39410/20]
View answerCovid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (286)
Written answers
The Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) provides funding following the re-opening of an applicant’s business after the closure of their Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) or Jobseekers claim.
This grant provides up to €1,000 for expenditure associated with re-starting a business following the closure of a PUP or a Jobseeker’s claim. The pandemic has created severe challenges for small businesses with significant disruption to their enterprise and uncertain trading conditions. In response, the Government announced a range of funding supports to help businesses stabilise and reopen, including the extension of the ESG to small businesses.
The grant is available to assist eligible self-employed recipients who have been in receipt of a COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and have closed their claim on or after 18th May 2020. It may be awarded to those who are self-employed, tax and PRSI compliant, employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1m; and are not liable for commercial rates.
The person concerned recently made an application for an ESG and his claim was initially refused. This claim has subsequently been reviewed and, as a decision has been made that the conditions for payment have been satisfied, the claim has now been approved. The Department’s Case Officer administering the ESG scheme in the Buncrana INTREO office has been in contact with the person concerned to inform him of this decision and to advise him that payment has issued to his nominated bank account.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Education Schemes
Questions (287)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:287. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the grants, funding or compensation for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39270/20]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that the Deputy’s question relates to grants, funding or compensation relating to a person's education and, accordingly, should be directed to my colleague, the Minister for Education.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Questions (288)
Bríd Smith
Question:288. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a matter in relation to an employee who is taken off the pandemic unemployment payment and placed on the employment wage subsidy scheme by his or her employer will be clarified (details supplied). [39274/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Department has clarified that a person who has had a reduction in their days of employment, may claim casual jobseeker or Short-Time Work Support payments for days of unemployment, where their employer is claiming the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme for days of employment. The normal scheme rules and application processes apply, including completion of the relevant forms by the employer to certify days of employment and unemployment.
Decisions around individual entitlements to jobseekers claims depend on meeting the eligibility conditions and each case has to be examined on an individual basis to determine the specific arrangements in place.
If the Deputy has a specific case affected by the circumstances as set out, I will arrange for it to be reviewed.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (289)
Alan Kelly
Question:289. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial supports that will be put in place for persons experiencing long Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39289/20]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is not contingent on the nature of the illness/disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
In March of this year, under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1) and subsequent regulations, the Government provided for entitlement to illness benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or are a probable source of infection with Covid-19.
The rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is higher than the normal maximum personal rate for a limited period. The measures were designed to ensure that where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer diagnoses a person with Covid-19 or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection of Covid-19, the person can comply with medical advice to isolate, while having their income protected. This is essential to limit and slow down the spread of the virus, to keep the number of people affected to a minimum, and to reduce a peak of cases which would cause extreme pressure on the health system.
The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was brought in as a short-term public health measure and is not a long-term income support payment. It is payable for 2 weeks where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of Covid-19 and up to 10 weeks where a person has been diagnosed with Covid-19. The purpose of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is to encourage people to not go to work due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation.
In a case where a person continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility. Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type. Additional payments may also be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.
Apart from these income supports, my Department also provides support under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. The Department may make an exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
State Pension (Contributory)
Questions (290)
Brendan Griffin
Question:290. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if State pension (contributory) payments due to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be paid to the person's nominated agent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39317/20]
View answerWritten answers
Arrears of State pension (contributory) are due to the estate of the deceased person.
Where the deceased person has made a will, any uncollected payments due may be paid to the Executor or Executrix of the deceased's estate.
Where a person dies without making a will, any arrears due may be paid to whomever appears to be beneficially entitled as determined by my Department. This generally means that the arrears are paid to whomever has discharged the funeral expenses and can provide supporting documentary evidence.
In line with my Department’s policy in such cases, correspondence issued on 24 November 2020, addressed to the personal representatives of the deceased person, to establish the recipient of the person's pension arrears. On receipt of these details, payment will issue without delay.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Working Family Payment
Questions (291)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:291. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for the working family payment by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39321/20]
View answerWritten answers
Working Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work payment, which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with qualified children. In order to qualify for WFP, an applicant, or the applicant and their spouse, partner or cohabitant must be engaged in full-time remunerative employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight. This employment condition must be satisfied on an ongoing basis.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 07 July 2020.
Their application was disallowed on 13 July 2020, as they did not satisfy the above employment condition. Based on their completed application-form (WFP1), and on the Department's real-time (current) records, the applicant was not engaged in employment as an employee at the time of application.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 13 July 2020, and of the right of review and appeal.
In view of the fact that this person has not received the above notification to date, a copy of the Department's decision notification (that was issued on 13 July 2020) has been reissued to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (292)
Catherine Murphy
Question:292. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to relax the rules regarding extensions to community employment schemes during Covid-19 such as in the case of a person (details supplied); if this is considered on a case-by-case basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39351/20]
View answerWritten answers
The percentage of placements on Community Employment (CE) available to the Service Support Stream (SSS) was increased from 7% to 10% in October 2018. While this continues to be the case, divisions within my Department now have the discretion to spread the 10% of SSS places across CE schemes within their division.
This will allow the Dublin Mid-Leinster division to increase the current SSS allocation on the North Kildare Leisure Club CE project to 4 and therefore be in a position to offer the person concerned a place under this category, subject to the Sponsor’s approval.
The Community Development Officer will advise the Sponsor of the increased allocation.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (293)
Willie O'Dea
Question:293. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider introducing a measure by which older persons are provided with a weekly allowance towards the cost of broadband similar to the allowance they are granted towards the cost of a telephone in view of the cost of broadband; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39354/20]
View answerWritten answers
The telephone support allowance (TSA) is a weekly payment of €2.50. The estimated full year cost of the scheme is over €17.5 million. To receive the allowance a customer of my Department must be in receipt of a qualifying payment such as the State pension and also in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance and the Fuel Allowance. The scheme supports recipients by assisting with the cost of communications and/or home security solutions.
The TSA is one of a number of supports that recipients of State pension payments may, subject to satisfying eligibility conditions, have access to. Other supports include the living alone increase (€14 a week), household benefits (€35 a month and the free TV licence element), fuel allowance (€24.50 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €686 for the fuel season) and free travel.
As part of Budget 2021, I was delighted to announce a €5 increase in the weekly rate of the living alone increase and a €3.50 increase to the weekly rate of fuel allowance. The announced increases will take effect from January 2021 and will benefit many older people.
Furthermore, my Department operates both Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people of any age, who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
During the COVID-19 emergency, the Government has been seeking to implement and operate supports that are targeted where most needed, to ensure continued economic activity and reduce the risk of poverty.
All proposals, including any proposals to introduce a new weekly allowance for older people to help offset the cost of broadband, could only be considered while taking account of overall Government policy and in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Working Family Payment
Questions (294)
Pearse Doherty
Question:294. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if the working family payment unit will reassess a claim for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39404/20]
View answerWritten answers
Working Family Payment (WFP) is an income tested, in-work payment which provides additional income support to employees on low income with children. WFP applications are processed based on an applicant's circumstances, including employment earnings and income status that apply at the time of application, in accordance with the relevant social welfare legislation. The governing legislation provides that once WFP is awarded, the weekly rate remains the same for 52 weeks, regardless of changes in a claimant's earnings or income. Accordingly the WFP rate cannot be revised , during the award period, other than where legislation permits.
An application was received from the person concerned on 11 August 2020, and WFP was awarded for 52 weeks, with effect from 13 August 2020 to 11 August 2021, based on the wage slip submitted. At the time of application the person concerned was in receipt of employment earnings, via the government's Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme. (TWSS) , as reflected in the wage slip that was provided with their application.
Following requests from the person concerned, reviews of the above decision were completed on 18 September 2020 and 13 November 2020 respectively. The Department's position did not change and the above decision was upheld. Accordingly, in view of the above WFP 52 week payment rule, and the information available to the department, there are no further grounds to review the above decision.
The person concerned may pursue an appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. (SWAO)
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (295)
Pearse Doherty
Question:295. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPS number will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39405/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the individual referred to by the Deputy. A letter issued to the individual on 23rd November 2020 with details of the PPSN.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (296)
Pearse Doherty
Question:296. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPS number will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39406/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the individual referred to by the Deputy. A letter issued to the individual on 23rd November 2020 with details of the PPSN.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Food Poverty
Questions (297)
Bríd Smith
Question:297. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a food bank in Waterford operated by an organisation (details supplied) is entitled to impose a charge on recipients of the food; and if her Department has provided funding for the initiative. [39430/20]
View answerWritten answers
As my Department does not provide funding for the initiative referred to by the Deputy, I am not in a position to comment on its operation by the named organisation.
Protected Disclosures
Questions (298)
Bríd Smith
Question:298. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to issues in relation to governance, accounting and financial issues in an organisation (details supplied); if so, if these issues are being investigated by her Department or other appropriate bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39431/20]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the issues referred to by the Deputy and note that my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, answered Parliamentary Questions on these issues for the Deputy on November 3rd last.
My Department is one of a number of bodies that provides funding to the named organisation - funding is provided for the Local Employment Service operated by the named organisation and previously funding was provided for two Community Employment Schemes operated by the named organisation. The Local Employment Service and the Community Employment Schemes are monitored by my local officials and, to date, no governance, accounting or financial issues have been identified.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (299)
Brendan Griffin
Question:299. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPS number will be assigned to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39434/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the individual referred to by the Deputy. A letter issued on 24th November 2020 with details of the PPSN.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Training Support Grant
Questions (300)
Róisín Shortall
Question:300. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for the training support grant by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and the additional financial supports that the applicant would be eligible for to support the person's studies. [39441/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Training Support Grant (TSG) is designed to fund quick access to short-term training or related interventions for Jobseekers who have identified work opportunities or where Case Officers have identified an immediate skills gap that represents an obstacle to a Jobseeker in taking up a job offer. Priority is given to those who are most likely to progress to employment following this intervention.
Under TSG operational guidelines, short-term training is typically regarded as not exceeding a period of 9 months. Longer duration training or courses of study are more properly provided by Solas/ETB or other agencies which are likely to be supported under the Back to Education Programme or the Part-Time Education Option.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned contacted the Activation Team in Ballymun Intreo Centre to enquire about funding for a QQI Level 5 Online Early Childhood course of 16 months duration at a cost of €1,050.
Having assessed the request, the person concerned was advised she did not qualify for the TSG as the duration of the course exceeded the duration as set out in the TSG guidelines.
Alternative options were offered to the person concerned, which would result in a similar qualification. The person concerned declined to avail of these options due to health issues and commitments with medical appointments.
On further review of the online training course, it was identified that 150 hours of work experience would be required to achieve the Level 5 qualification. This requirement is also not in compliance with the operational guidelines for the TSG.
It is open to the person concerned to contact the Activation Team in Ballymun if she wishes to pursue the alternative options open to her.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Living Alone Allowance
Questions (301)
Kieran O'Donnell
Question:301. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for the living alone allowance by a person (details supplied); if the application will be backdated to 22 June 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39446/20]
View answerWritten answers
An application for the Living Alone Increase was received from the person concerned on 11 November 2020. The increase was awarded with effect from 12 May 2020, backdated six months from date of receipt, in line with social welfare legislation. The person was notified of this decision on 23 November 2020.
Further backdating of this allowance beyond six months may be considered where the delay in making the claim was due to incorrect information provided by an officer of my Department, or due to the person being so incapacitated that they were unable to make a claim, or appoint a person to act on their behalf.
If the person concerned wishes to provide such additional information for review of their application on these grounds, they should write to my Department with documentary evidence.
They may also appeal the decision of 23 November 2020 by writing within 21 days to the Chief Appeals Officer, Social Welfare Appeals Office, D’Olier House, Dublin 2, stating clearly their grounds for appeal.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Invalidity Pension
Questions (302)
Brendan Griffin
Question:302. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39458/20]
View answerWritten answers
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
A claim for IP was received from the gentleman concerned on 12 November 2020. In order to assist with the assessment of the person’s medical eligibility for IP, two forms for completion issued to him on the 23 November 2020. On receipt of the completed forms, the IP claim will be processed as quickly as possible and he will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (303)
Mark Ward
Question:303. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of women that currently share a PPSN with their spouses; and the efforts being made to proactively issue these women with new PPS numbers before there is a need for them to apply for one in the case of death of a partner or divorce from a partner. [39523/20]
View answerWritten answers
Under previous tax law, the husband of a married couple was considered the assessable spouse and the wife was considered a dependant of the husband. Accordingly, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Revenue) allocated the husband’s Revenue and Social Insurance (RSI) number to the wife and appended a “W” to the end so that they could be separately identified but linked for joint assessment.
The Finance Act 1993 provided that either spouse could be the assessable spouse, and the practice of allocating “Level W” numbers ceased. From then on, all persons were allocated individual, unique numbers. However, it was decided, at that stage, not to ask all individuals with “Level W” numbers to change them until there was an actual need to do so.
The Personal Public Service Number (PPS Number) was introduced in the Social Welfare Act 1998, replacing the RSI Number, and my Department was given legislative responsibility for allocating and managing these new numbers. In practice the RSI numbers in existence were retained and became PPS Numbers, including “Level W” numbers. In other words, Level W numbers are PPS Numbers in their own right and it is not the case that any person shares a PPS Number with another person.
It is the case that Revenue request people with “Level W” numbers to change them once they need to engage with them on taxation matters. The process of replacing a “Level W” number is relatively straightforward and there is no need for the person to attend any office or to queue for service. As part of the process, my Department verifies the identity of the individual, secures their consent, purges the existing number and replaces it with either a new number or one that the individual may have had prior to marriage. In addition, all pre-existing records relating to that individual are transferred over to the new number.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Education Schemes
Questions (304)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:304. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the grants, funding or compensation available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39267/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) is responsible for addressing issues in relation to participation, retention and attendance in schools.
The Education Welfare Act, 2000 sets out to provide for the entitlement of every child in the state to a certain minimum education and this Act led to the establishment of the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Educational Welfare Service in 2002. In 2014 the functions of the NEWB were transferred into Tusla - the Child and Family Agency under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013.
Through the Education and Training Boards (ETB) and previously the Vocational Education Committees (VEC) substantial provision has been made for compensatory education for adults ranging from Adult Literacy right through to the completion of state examinations at Junior and Leaving Certificate level and with the support of adult guidance onwards to further a higher education. There is no compensation scheme in existence for cases such as the Deputy raises, however a range of supports for adult learners are available through Education and Training Boards. I would encourage the Deputy to make contact with Kerry ETB to establish the best approach for his constituent (https://www.kerryetb.ie/baile), and to liaise with my colleague the Minister for Education for further guidance and assistance.
Article 42 of the Constitution clearly outlines that the family is the primary and natural educator of the child and that parents have a duty to provide for the education of their child(ren). Parents are free to provide this education in their own homes or to send their child(ren) to school but there is no obligation on any parent to send their child to school.
Parental Leave
Questions (305)
Jackie Cahill
Question:305. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the additional three-week parental leave applies to those who had babies in 2020; if it has to be taken after 1 January 2021 and before the child is one or two years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39384/20]
View answerWritten answers
To support parents of children born during the strict lockdown measures, the Government intends to extend parent's leave from two weeks to five weeks for each parent of all children born or adopted on or after 1 November 2019. The Government also intends to extend the period in which parent's leave can be taken up until that child turns two or, in the case of an adoption, two years after the adoption placement date of the child. This extension will apply to parents who may have already availed of their existing entitlements.
Heads of a Bill to effect these changes are currently being drafted in my Department and I hope to bring these to Government shortly.
The extension of parent's benefit is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection and I understand that it will take time for the relevant IT system changes to be made and that it will be April 2021 before the necessary updates can take place. However, it may be possible for parent's leave to be taken in advance of these changes and the benefit claimed retrospectively, once the legislation has been enacted, and I will ensure that parents are fully informed of their entitlements in this regard.
The extension to parent's leave and benefit follows a number of advancements in family leaves in recent years, including the introduction of parents leave and benefit in 2019 and the extension of unpaid parental leave to 26 weeks in September this year for a child under 12 years.