Joe Carey
Question:953. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education the status of a new school building (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15951/21]
View answerSchools Building Projects
Questions (953)
Written answers
As the Deputy is aware, a site will be required for the subject school and the Department is presently at a very advanced stage in the process of acquiring a suitable site for the new school building.
This site acquisition process has been progressed in respect of the requirement in question and in line with standard acquisition protocols. The Department are liaising closely with Clare County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department and Local Authorities for the acquisition of school sites with a view to securing a suitable site for this school.
Arising from this exercise, the Department has identified a preferred suitable site and are working with Clare Co Co to bring the process forward to Legal Conveyancing stage. The Deputy will appreciate that commercial sensitivities attach to site acquisitions such as this and given that negotiations are at a critical point I am not currently in a position to disclose further information.
I can assure the Deputy that the project is being prioritised within this Department.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (954)
Joe Carey
Question:954. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education the status of a new school building (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15954/21]
View answerWritten answers
The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB).
I am pleased to confirm that the Stage 2A meeting involving my Department, the ETB and the Design Team is scheduled for mid April. Once the Stage 2(a) submission is approved by my Department, the next step for the ETB's Design Team will be to obtain the statutory planning approvals. When these are in place, the project can proceed to tender and construction. It is not possible at this stage to provide a timeline for the completion of the project.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (955)
David Cullinane
Question:955. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by her Department, agency and budget line item; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16274/21]
View answerWritten answers
As part of the Roadmap for the Reopening Schools, an estimated €639 million in additional financial supports are being provided to schools for the 2020/2021 academic year. Of this €639 million, €331 million was provided for the period August/September to December 2020 and €308 million for January to July/August 2021.
Provisional outturn figures for 2020 indicate that some €289 million of the total amount of €331 million allocated was expended. As a result of Covid-19 there were some savings in 2020 on original allocations due to reduced costs, mainly arising from school closures and reduced participation in State examinations, that were used to meet some other Covid-19 related costs during the year.
The table attached provides a breakdown of the €331 million allocated for 2020 and the €289 million expended by area of support.
Summary breakdown of Estimated COVID-19 Financial Supports associated with the Roadmap for the Reopening of School for the period August to December of the School Year 2020/21
|
Provision |
Total Allocated Aug/Sept –Dec 2020 |
Total Expenditure Aug/Sept –Dec 2020 Provisional figures |
|
|
Targeted Supports in Advance of Reopening: to facilitate preparatory works to be completed in schools for reopening including refurbishments/reconfigurations of school spaces and the set-up of hand sanitising stations and signage. |
€79m |
€78m |
|
|
Supports to Sustain Reopening: to fund additional teachers in schools, the replacement of teachers and non-teaching staff unable to attend work due to Covid-19, additional release days for teaching principals and deputy principals to implement Covid-19 measures, enhanced cleaning regimes and PPE equipment. |
€126m |
€106m |
|
|
Other Costs to allow for the Safe reopening of Schools: to fund additional educational psychological services to provide for wellbeing supports for students and additional Covid supports for the transport of pupils on the school transport scheme. |
€21m |
€0.05m |
|
|
Additional capital allocation: ICT grant for schools and additional minor works grants for Primary and Post-Primary schools |
€105m |
€105m |
|
|
TOTAL |
€331m |
€289m |
Departmental Administrative Arrangements
Questions (956)
Emer Higgins
Question:956. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by her Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. [16293/21]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that the applicable fines, charges or bills payable directly to my Department relate to Freedom of Information costs which can be paid via a cheque or bank transfer.
In addition, public sector employees paid by the Department or the National Shared Service Office have the option to have 3rd party charges deducted from their pay and forwarded onto the relevant parties each month. This can include schemes such as: Cycle to Work; Travel Pass; Health Insurance; Credit Unions; Social Clubs; and Local Property Tax.
Social Welfare Schemes Data
Questions (957)
Neale Richmond
Question:957. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who availed of the pandemic unemployment payment due to a lack of childcare; the breakdown of same by gender and by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13897/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment Scheme is available to employees and self- employed people who have lost their employment and the income from that employment due to the pandemic, and who satisfy the other qualifying conditions of the scheme.
From the outset of Covid-19, many employers will have taken the initiative, in line with requests from the Government, to be as flexible as possible in giving staff time off and working patterns that enable them to look after their children who are not attending school or crèche. Employers have a general duty of care towards their workers and that care is often expressed in the form of negotiation, compromise and flexibility. Some of the options to be considered for workers with caring responsibilities that preclude them from working their normal hours or patterns include allowing employees to work from home, altering shifts or allowing employees to rearrange holidays or parental leave.
Any employees affected by the lack of childcare are strongly encouraged to engage with their employer in the first instance with a view to exploring all options available to enable them to return to, or continue with, work where possible.
Where a person in these circumstances is not able to avail of another leave or benefit and as a result of the latest public health measures no longer have childcare, their claims for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment have been accepted and processed on that basis. This position will remain under review over the coming period as schools and childcare supports continue to re-open.
To date, almost 910,000 individuals have applied for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment since it was established, many on more than one occasion. The detailed statistics requested by the Deputy are not available.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments Waiting Times
Questions (958)
Bernard Durkan
Question:958. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an emergency basic social welfare payment will be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13942/21]
View answerWritten answers
As outlined in the response to Dáil Question number 180 on 25th February 2021, the person concerned submitted an application for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance with effect from 02/02/2021 pending the outcome of his Invalidity Pension appeal.
In order to complete the means assessment for this payment, a letter dated 10/02/2021 issued to the person concerned in which he was asked to provide 6 months bank statements for his spouse’s overseas account, clarification regarding a withdrawal from the account and confirmation in writing of his monthly rent payment.
As the person concerned failed to supply the requested documentation, his application was disallowed on 19/03/2021 and a letter has been issued to him to inform him of this decision.
If the person concerned is not satisfied with this decision, it is open to him to submit an appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (959)
Chris Andrews
Question:959. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the qualifying criteria to apply for the pandemic unemployment payment were changed to state that an applicant had to be genuinely seeking work given the majority of applicants have a job and are waiting to return to their profession as soon as the restrictions are lifted; and if the criteria will be changed to reflect same. [13963/21]
View answerWritten answers
On 5th August 2020 the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced as a statutory scheme and all applicants of the scheme must meet all of its qualifying conditions. In common with other Jobseeker payments such as Jobseekers Benefit and Allowance, the fundamental condition for receipt of PUP is that the person is available to work but cannot do so because suitable work is not available to them.
I am acutely aware of the difficulties at present to be able to satisfy the Genuinely Seeking Work condition in light of the continuing Public Health restrictions and the evolving nature of the Covid-19 pandemic and its effect on seeking and securing employment. My Department is taking a pragmatic approach in this regard.
With this in mind I implemented Regulations under PUP which provide that where due to the ongoing public health restrictions related to Covid-19 a person's opportunity to work in their normal occupation is temporarily curtailed and they have a reasonable expectation of returning to that occupation within 12 months, or a person has a reasonable expectation of returning to their former employment within 12 months, that person will not be required to seek employment outside that occupation or employment.
I trust that this clarifies the position for you at this time.
Social Insurance
Questions (960, 984, 1010, 1024)
John Lahart
Question:960. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the PRSI classes reckonable for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds announced in February 2021; if there are plans to extend applicability to An Garda Síochána and Defence Forces personnel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14012/21]
View answer
Claire Kerrane
Question:984. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the PRSI contributions required in order for a person to qualify for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds; the number of contributions a person has to have made in the previous year in order to qualify; the way in which this impacts on part-time workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14507/21]
View answer
Seán Sherlock
Question:1010. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to amend the State pension transition payment to take account of years worked rather than the recent two-year timeline. [15273/21]
View answer
Mairéad Farrell
Question:1024. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the ineligibility for the State transition pension for those between 65 and 66 years of age due to the requirement to have 13 stamps paid by the employer in the two years before they are 65 years of age; and if consideration has been given to the fact that some workplaces have a requirement to retire at 60 and 61 years of age which automatically precludes them from accessing the State transition pension. [15454/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 960, 984, 1010 and 1024 together.
I introduced the new Benefit Payment for 65 year olds in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to provide a benefit payment for people who are aged 65 and who are required to retire, or who chose to retire, without a requirement to sign on, engage in activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work. This new payment is designed specifically to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self employment at 65 but who don’t qualify for the State Pension until age 66.
Although only recently introduced, there are currently over 2,300 people aged 65 availing of the new benefit.
To be eligible for the payment a person must satisfy all the qualifying conditions of the scheme including the requirement to have the specified number of social insurance contributions paid. A person must have paid 104 PRSI insurable employment contributions at class A, H or P or paid 156 class S contributions if they are self-employed. A person in insurable employment also requires 39 contributions paid from employment in the Governing Contribution Year (GCY) which is the second last complete contribution year before the benefit year in which the claim is made. For new claims made in 2021 the GCY is 2019. At least 13 of these contributions must be paid from employment in the GCY, the two years before this, the last year or the current tax year. Alternatively, a person could qualify if they have 26 PRSI contributions paid in the GCY and 26 paid in the year immediately before this. The requirement to have paid contributions during this period is to demonstrate the individual's attachment to the workforce. Full details on the PRSI Contribution conditions for the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds are available on the Department’s website at: www.gov.ie/en/service/49d25-benefit-payment-for-65-year-olds/.
Each case is determined on an individual basis taking into account the contributions paid and the date at which the person retired from employment. The best way to check entitlement in the case of an individual is to make an application for the Benefit.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputies.
Social Welfare Rates
Questions (961)
Willie O'Dea
Question:961. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if the rate of contributory old age pension paid to a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if the person is entitled to change status credits given that they returned to the workplace in October 1991; the basis on which their pension has been calculated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14067/21]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned reached pension age on 18 December 2013. According to the records of my Department, at that time they had a total of 1,075 qualifying full-rate paid and credited contributions from their date of entry into insurable employment on 24 January 1967 to end-December 2012. This equated to a yearly average of 23 contributions and gave them an entitlement to a standard State pension (contributory) at 85% of the maximum rate. They were notified in writing of this decision on 11 July 2013.
Since the person concerned was employed in the public sector from 1967 to 1982, during which period modified contributions were payable, their entitlement to a mixed insurance pro rata State pension (contributory) was also determined, based on their combined modified and full-rate social insurance records. However, that rate of pension entitlement was determined as lower than their current pension rate.
An interim Total Contributions Approach (TCA) was introduced in January 2018 as an alternative to the ‘yearly average’ method of calculating pension entitlement for those State pension (contributory) customers born on or after 1 September 1946 and therefore affected by post-2012 Budget pension rates. The TCA provides for up to 20 years of HomeCaring Periods in their pension entitlement calculation for applicants who took time out of the workplace for parenting or caring duties.
When the person’s pension entitlement was assessed under the TCA, there was no change in rate, which remained at 85% of the maximum pension rate. They were notified in writing of this decision on 16 September 2020.
On 30 November 2020 the person requested a review. The Records Section of my Department investigated the insurability of the person’s Class J employment prior to 1991/92, to ascertain if further contributions could be awarded on their social insurance record. The Class J social insurance contributions were not insurable and as a result some credits were removed which changed the person’s yearly average from 23 to 22. Their revised social insurance record is a total of 1,057 qualifying full-rate paid and credited contributions. However, since the yearly average remains within the 20-29 rate band, the person’s pension entitlement is unchanged.
Change of Status credits were awarded in the 1990/91 year but not in the 1991/92 year as the date of entry of employment in the 1991/92 year is not available in my Department’s records. If the person concerned provides a statement from their employer confirming the date this employment commenced, their pension claim can be reviewed. However, it should be noted that any additional credits for the year in question will not increase the current rate of pension, based on the 20-29 rate band.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of the maximum rate payable, based on the social insurance record held by my Department.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Employment Support Services
Questions (962, 966)
Seán Haughey
Question:962. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be facilitated to return to employment through JobsPlus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14154/21]
View answer
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:966. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be included in the JobsPlus programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14222/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 962 and 966 together.
My Department administers the JobsPlus incentive which is designed to encourage employers and businesses to focus their recruitment efforts on those who have been out of work for long periods or on young people seeking employment.
The conditions under which the JobsPlus scheme operate are designed to ensure that they address the objective of supporting longer term social welfare customers to access employment. Employers receive a monthly incentivized payment over a 2-year period. There are two levels of payment, €7,500 and €10,000 respectively. An individual wishing to receive the support of the JobsPlus scheme will have to satisfy a number of conditions such as being a certain age and in receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified time period.
The Deputy will appreciate I cannot comment on individual cases. But I can confirm that all applicants' eligibility are assessed under the two levels of grants available, to determine whether an individual applicant satisfies the criteria, mentioned above. Only those who satisfy these criteria can access the Jobsplus scheme.
I trust this clarifies matters.
Carer's Benefit
Questions (963)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:963. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer’s benefit review application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14157/21]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. To qualify the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on 18 February 2021.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the Deciding Officer decided that although a certain level of care was being provided, the level involved did not amount to full-time care. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 26 February 2021, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of the decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. On review, the Deciding Officer determined the person concerned was providing full-time care to the care recipient.
The Deciding Officer requested Carer's leave dates and intention to work details from the customer on 10 March 2021.
Once the requested information has been received the Deciding Officer will complete the review of her application.
The person concerned will then be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (964)
Niamh Smyth
Question:964. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14169/21]
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.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 5 November 2020.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that although a certain level of care was being provided the level involved did not amount to full-time care.
The person concerned was notified on 23 November 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
A request for review of this decision was received on 14 December 2020.
Following this review the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified on 3 February 2021 of the outcome of this review, the reason for it and of her right of appeal.
The person concerned requested an appeal of this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission in support of the decision was prepared and forwarded to the SWAO on 10 March 2021 for determination.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Fuel Poverty
Questions (965)
Róisín Shortall
Question:965. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to put in place a comprehensive anti-fuel poverty strategy; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14216/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty was published by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in 2016. The Strategy set out a number of actions to alleviate the burden of energy poverty on the most vulnerable in society. The focus of the strategy was on high impact actions which aimed to make a real difference to the lives of those in energy poverty. The strategy to combat Fuel Poverty / Energy Poverty is under the remit of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and questions in relation to the strategy should be directed to that Department.
With regard to income supports my Department provides a range of schemes to assist with energy costs.
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April (estimated to cost €300 million in 2021 for payments to an average of some 372,000 low income households).
An Electricity or Gas allowance is available under the Household Benefits scheme (at an estimated cost in 2021 of €195 million).
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department operates a number of schemes to help people with the cost of heating their homes. These include -
- A Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances that have special heating needs. If a recipient of a social protection or HSE payment has exceptional heating costs due to ill health, infirmity or a medical condition which s/he is unable to meet out of household income, that person may apply for a Heating Supplement.
- The Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
- A Fuel Supplement may be paid in lieu of the National Fuel Scheme in cases where people have entitlement but are not receiving payment from any other source. This is most commonly used where a person has been in receipt of a qualifying long term Department of Social Protection payment moves temporarily to a non-qualifying short term payment (for example, moving temporarily from long term Jobseekers Allowance to Illness Benefit or Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (sick no benefit).
As committed to in the Programme for Government 2020, the ESRI carried out a study into how best to minimise fuel poverty in the context of Carbon Tax commitments. The ESRI identified three key payments by the Department of Social Protection to which carbon tax revenues should be channeled. These are the Qualified Child payment, the Living Alone Allowance and the Fuel Allowance. Accordingly, based on this research, the Government increased these 3 payments with effect from January 2021. The weekly Fuel Allowance payment has been increased by €3.50 per week to €28 for a period of 28 weeks. The Qualified Child payments have been increased by €2 per week, from €36 to €38 per week, for children under 12 years of age and by €5 per week, from €40 to €45 per week, for children aged 12 and over. It is estimated that this will benefit 419,000 children who are most in need. The Living Alone Allowance was also increased by €5 from €14 to €19.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 966 answered with Question No. 962.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (967)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:967. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the grant scheme for persons on the pandemic unemployment payment who are studying for a transport manager's CPC qualification; if there is a mechanism by which a person on the scheme who has started to study can claim this grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14274/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department can assist customers who meet the qualifying conditions with funding under the Training Support Grant (TSG). The 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. All applications or referrals for support under the TSG must be made to a Case Officer prior to the commencement of the course. Further information on this grant can be found on www.welfare.ie/dsp.
Unfortunately as the person concerned has already commenced the CPC Transport Managers course, he cannot avail of this grant.
It is open to the person concerned to contact the Activation service at his local Intreo Centre in Balbriggan where he can discuss training and employment options available to him. This service can be contacted by phone at (01) 698 4300 or by email ActivationBalbriggan@welfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Statutory Instruments
Questions (968)
Cormac Devlin
Question:968. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection when the statutory instrument for the Occupational Pension Schemes (Revaluation) Regulations 2021 is expected to be signed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14300/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Occupational Pension Scheme (Revaluation) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 87 of 2021) were signed on 22nd February 2021, laid before the Oireachtas on the 3rd March 2021 and published on both the Department’s website and the Irish Statutebook site at - http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/si/87/made/en/print
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (969)
Michael Lowry
Question:969. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason those in receipt of the carer’s allowance cannot avail of the fuel allowance; if the criteria for receiving the fuel allowance will be reviewed and amended to automatically include persons in receipt of the carer’s allowance as a qualifying payment; if this request will be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14305/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April, to an average of 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance under the Household Benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €195 million in 2021. This is paid at a rate of €35 per month, 12 months of the year.
While Carer's Allowance is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, a person in receipt of Carer's Allowance may avail of the fuel allowance payment in certain circumstances. Fuel Allowance is a household-based payment, and a carer will very often live with and be caring for a person in receipt of a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance. Income from full rate Carer's Allowance is disregarded from the fuel means test if the carer is providing full time care and attention to the Fuel Allowance applicant, his/her qualified spouse / civil partner or cohabitant or qualified child(ren).
If a person is getting certain qualifying social welfare payments and also providing full time care and attention to another person, s/he can keep his/her main social protection payment in addition to receiving the half-rate Carer's Allowance. S/he can also receive an extra half-rate Carer’s Allowance if s/he cares for more than one person. The payment of half-rate Carer’s Allowance does not preclude a person from qualifying for Fuel Allowance. If a person is in receipt of a non-contributory social welfare payment and a half-rate Carer’s Allowance, then s/he is deemed to have satisfied the means test and Fuel Allowance is payable, subject to all remaining criteria being satisfied. If a person is in receipt of a contributory social welfare payment and a half-rate Carer’s Allowance then s/he will have to satisfy a means test in order to qualify for Fuel Allowance.
While a person in receipt of Carer's Allowance may avail of the fuel allowance payment in the circumstances outlined above, there are no plans at this time to amend the criteria for receiving Fuel Allowance, to include Carer’s Allowance as a qualifying payment.
The Government values the role of carers very much and it is for this reason that they receive significant income supports from the Department. In addition to Carer’s Benefit and/or Allowance, carers receive further support in the form of free travel and household benefits (for those who live with the person for whom they care) and the annual Carer's Support Grant in respect of each person for whom they care. In Budget 2021 I was delighted to announce an increase to the Carer's Support Grant by €150 to €1,850. This will benefit over 130,000 carers. Carers in receipt of an increase for a qualified child on their claim will also benefit from the increase announced in Budget 2021 to the qualified child rate, by €5 in the case of a child aged 12 or over and by €2 for a child aged up to 12.
The maximum rates of Carer's Allowance for those aged under 66, at €219 (€257 for carers aged 66 or over) where one person is being cared for, and €328.50 (€385.50 for carers aged 66 or over) where there are two or more carees, is significantly higher than that for most schemes administered by my Department.
The means test for Carer's Allowance has been significantly eased over the years, and is now one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system, most notably with regard to spouse’s earnings. At present the means test for Carer’s Allowance allows for an income disregard of €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 for a couple. In the case of a single carer, that person may retain a full-rate payment of €219.00 while having an annual income of just under €19,000, or retain a payment of €109.00 per week (just under half rate) while having an annual income of €25,400, or retain the minimum payment of €4 per week while having an annual income of €31,100.
Carers can also engage in employment, self-employment, training or education courses outside the home for not more than 18.5 hours a week.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (970, 1047, 1048)
Holly Cairns
Question:970. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on altering the requirements to qualify for the community employment programme from 12 months on the relevant payments to six months to enable more persons to be eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14328/21]
View answerHolly Cairns
Question:1047. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on expanding the eligibility criteria for the community employment programme from persons living on one of the offshore islands and currently receiving a community employment qualifying payment for six months or more to persons living on one of the offshore islands, peninsulas or other rural areas more than 20 km from a large town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15941/21]
View answerHolly Cairns
Question:1048. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to develop and enhance the community employment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15942/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 970, 1047 and 1048 together.
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. Those who are unemployed and in receipt of an eligible payment for 12 months or more, are long-term unemployed. Currently there are over 80,000 persons on the Live Register for more than twelve months. CE is a targeted employment support scheme specifically designed to assist those at most remove from the labour market back to employment, including the long term unemployed.
Altering the eligibility criteria in the manner suggested by the Deputy would reduce the number of employment support places available for persons who are facing greatest difficulty in returning to employment.
As the Deputy has noted there is wider of eligibility criteria for inhabitants of offshore islands including the requirement to only have been in receipt of a CE-qualifying payment for 6 months as opposed to 12 months prior to availing of CE. There are no plans to extend the offshore island exemption to other areas, or to reduce the eligibility criteria for the scheme in general. As outlined above any widening of eligibility criteria would reduce the number of places available for persons further removed from the labour market.
Since the start of the Covid-19 emergency, my Department has focussed its attention on ensuring that contingency measures were in place to support existing CE schemes during the various levels of public health restrictions. This included extending CE participant contracts that were due to finish during periods of Level-5 restrictions. On 2nd March, 2021 Minister Humphreys and I announced that participant contract end dates will be further extended until 2nd July 2021. This will benefit approximately 7,000 employment support scheme participants. When it is time for the participants to leave their schemes, this will be coordinated with the scheme sponsors on a phased basis and over a number of months.
The Deputy may be aware that Minister Humphreys and I held an online meeting recently with CE sponsoring authority representatives. Following on from this meeting, on 2nd March 2021, Minister Humphreys and I announced a new operational forum for CE and Tús sponsors and officials from the Department of Social Protection. The purpose of the forum is to facilitate discussions on operational matters. This will include proposals to further develop and maximise the contribution of CE and Tús schemes in assisting long term unemployed people back to work, while delivering valuable services to local communities.
As part of the July 2020 Stimulus Package, the Government announced 3,000 additional places on Employment Support Schemes, including Community Employment. The Department is working closely with stakeholders at present to identify ways in which these opportunities can be made available to the long-term unemployed and those furthest removed from the labour market.
As always, my Department will continue to monitor scheme activity and potential amendments to the supports provided to ensure CE continues to deliver for both long term unemployed persons and in providing vital services to local communities.
I trust this clarifies matters.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (971)
Holly Cairns
Question:971. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on extending the employment of all persons in the community employment programme until at least 31 December 2021 given the difficulty in replacing persons during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14329/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department has introduced a number of contingency measures, including extending CE participant contracts that were due to finish during Level-5 periods of public health restrictions. The most recent contract extensions applies to all contracts that were due to come to an end since last October, 2020. Earlier this month, Minister Humphreys and I announced that participant contract end dates would be further extended until 2nd July 2021.
These latest extensions will be of direct benefit to approximately 7,000 employment support scheme participants whose contracts would be due to end since last October. When it is time for those participants to leave their schemes, after the 2nd July next, this will arranged in a co-ordinated phased basis over a number of months, in conjunction with the CE sponsoring authorities.
It is not proposed to further-extend the latest end date until the 31st December, 2021 at this juncture. Contract extension dates will continue to be monitored in line with Government public health restrictions in place over the coming months. At the same time, I need to ensure that CE places are available for the incoming cohort of long term unemployed, once we start to move beyond COVID public health restrictions.
I am aware of the CE recruitment challenges arising from the current restrictions which has had an impact on the ability of some CE schemes to recruit new CE participants and on Intreo activation staff in referring new participants to schemes. My Department officials both centrally and in local Intreo Centers continue to work with CE sponsoring authorities to identify and refer potential CE participants to CE schemes where the CE placement is active and where it is safe to do so. The numbers of referrals and placements to CE schemes will increase over the coming months as and when public health restrictions begin to ease. CE places must continue to be available to support those who are now long-term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market, to maintain the role of CE as an active labour market programme and to provide opportunities for the maximum number of new participants.
The priority for this Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants,
I am fully committed to the future of this programme and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (972, 1043)
Holly Cairns
Question:972. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of persons employed under the community employment programme who have not received any of the training her Department is obliged to provide; if their participation will be extended by one year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14330/21]
View answerHolly Cairns
Question:1043. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on expanding the range of training available to participants in the community employment programme to enable greater chances of future employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15937/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 972 and 1043 together.
The aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of long term unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities on a temporary fixed term basis. Its objective is to help long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce.
The challenges caused by the Covid-19 public health restrictions introduced over the course of the last year, has impacted CE schemes and the services they provide. My Department has continued to provide support to CE schemes during this period, including extending the contracts of participants whose contracts were due to come to an end during periods of Level 5 public health restrictions. Over 7,000 participants are benefiting from the most recent contract extension that applies up to the 2nd July. Contracts will only come to an end on a phased and coordinated manner after that date. These existing extensions will provide some additional opportunities for participants to undertake training, subject to public health restrictions in place over the coming months. In addition some CE participant training has continued online during Level-5 restrictions
It is not the Department's intention to issue a one year extension to all CE participants at the current time, as we need to ensure that places are available for the incoming cohort of long term unemployed. However the Department will continue to monitor the employment support schemes over the remaining period of restrictions.
Each CE participant must have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) where training needs/options are identified. A CE participant may avail of any approved training that has been identified on their ILP. There are a range of recognised QQI Awards and qualifications available to CE participants.
A CE participant aged between 21 and 55 must be working towards a QQI Award on the NFQ Framework of Qualifications or an industry equivalent, in order to be eligible for up to 2 additional years on CE. If a CE participant is aged 55 or over, they are not required to undertake QQI-related training in order to avail of the two additional years on CE. However, those CE participants may opt to undertake available training and development and they will also be supported with any issues they have in accessing employment.
If there is particular piece of training that the Deputy is referring to that has not been made available within the wide range of training for participants, please bring it to the attention of my Department officials and it will be followed up on.
Where a CE participant finishes up on their CE scheme and has not completed the planned training outlined in their ILP, and if unfortunately they remain unemployed, they will be able to continue their development through other training supports provided by my Department such as the Training Support Grant (TSG) and the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). They should engage with their local Intreo office to explore the continuation of their training. This will be coordinated by the Department’s case officers who will engage with the former CE participant to discuss the available options. However, no CE participant contract will come to an end before the 2nd July next.
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants.
I am fully committed to the future of CE and will continue to support and improve the programmes for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (973)
Holly Cairns
Question:973. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that of the 7,410 appeals for refused disability allowance processed in 2020, 63% were either allowed, partly allowed or revised; the implications this has for the initial assessment process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14331/21]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
All decisions taken by Deciding Officers or Designated Persons of the Department of Social Protection are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. About 85% of all claims are awarded and just 1% appealed annually.
The table below provides details of the outcome of disability allowance appeals for 2020.
The figures provided for appeals which had a favourable outcome for the appellant relate to appeals which were either allowed in full or in part by an Appeals Officer or were resolved by way of a revised decision in favour of the appellant by a Deciding Officer of the Department.
In all cases Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers make their decisions based on the information provided to them and in accordance with the scheme’s governing legislation. There are a number of reasons why an application for disability allowance which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal. All appeals are referred to the Department in the first instance so that the original decision can be reviewed. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with the appeal request and as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer. Where the decision is not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds which can lead to a favourable decision by the Appeals Officer. In addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights if an oral hearing is held with the appellant which may influence the outcome of the appeal. Overall, it is important to highlight the value of providing all relevant information at the initial application stage as this will increase the likelihood of achieving a positive result earlier in the process.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
|
Disability Allowance appeal outcome in 2020 |
|
|
Allowed by Appeals Officer |
3,930 |
|
Part allowed by Appeals Officer |
127 |
|
Revised Deciding Officer decision |
657 |
|
Disallowed by Appeals Officer |
2,642 |
|
Withdrawn |
54 |
|
Total |
7,410 |
|
Favourable: |
|
|
Allowed by Appeals Officer |
3,930 |
|
Part allowed by Appeals Officer |
127 |
|
Revised Deciding Officer decision |
657 |
|
Total |
4,714 |
|
Favourable as % of total outcomes |
63.6% |
Parental Leave
Questions (974)
Holly Cairns
Question:974. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to provide maternity, paternity and parental leave to persons whose child was born via surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14332/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for the administration of a range of benefits that support parents of new born and young babies. In all circumstances, entitlement to claim benefit follows on from having an entitlement to the corresponding leave and the legislation covering the different forms of leave are the responsibility of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Any question relating to leave entitlement should be directed to that Department.
However, I can confirm that all parents including those whose babies have been born through surrogacy have access to parents benefit and paternity benefit, subject to the grant of the corresponding leave by their employers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance
Questions (975)
Holly Cairns
Question:975. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the call by an organisation (details supplied) for a humane application process for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14333/21]
View answerWritten answers
Disability allowance is a payment for persons between the ages of 16 and 66 with a specified disability which is expected to last at least 1 year, and who by reason of that disability, are substantially restricted in undertaking work suitable to their age, qualifications and experience. Applicants must also satisfy a means test and be habitually resident in the State.
The main provisions relating to disability allowance are contained in legislation in Chapter 10 (PART 3) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as amended, and Chapter 5 (PART 3) of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 S. I. No. 142 of 2007, as amended.
Under the legislation the onus is on a person to apply if they believe that they may have an entitlement to payment. The disability allowance claim form DA1 should be completed in full and signed by the claimant and they should forward all relevant documentation as requested. Claimants of disability allowance are responsible for the production of certificates, documents, information and evidence required, including Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate (if applicable), medical evidence and details of means such as a current pay slip, etc. A medical certificate is incorporated into the claim form (DA1) which must be completed and signed by the claimant's General Practitioner (GP) or Consultant.
A decision on entitlement cannot be made until all the necessary documentation has been provided. When all the documentation necessary to make a decision on a claim has been received, the file is referred to a Deciding Officer for decision. Deciding Officers are appointed by the Minister under Section 299 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. Where any question arises about the fulfilment of a condition (e.g. the means of the claimant) further enquiries will be made, either by correspondence or by referring the file to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation. The Department's Medical Assessors may give an opinion to a Deciding Officer on the medical eligibility of a claimant.
A notification of the decision is issued to the claimant, and when claims are disallowed or allowed at reduced rates, the claimant is given a full explanation of the reason for the disallowance or partial award.
If the person feels that the decision is based on information about their circumstances which is incorrect or out of date, the person may submit the up to date information to Disability Allowance Section for a revised decision. The person also has a right to appeal the decision directly to the Chief Appeals Officer, Social Welfare Appeals Office, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, D02 XY31.
My Department is committed to ensuring that all claims are processed in a fair and consistent manner. The disability allowance operational scheme area continually monitors and reviews the decision making process. As I have outlined above, disability allowance requires documentary evidence from the customer in relation to their medical condition, household composition, income and residency status. For this reason it can require detailed investigations and interaction with the applicant, thereby lengthening the decision making process.
I would like to assure you that the Department is committed to continually improving the customer experience, and is currently reviewing the disability allowance application form with a view to making it easier to complete. The changes will provide a more focused approach in the provision of necessary documentation, and will assist in the decision making process within the framework of current policy and legislation.
It is also important to note that the disability allowance scheme is structured to encourage recipients to avail of opportunities to engage in work where this is appropriate, either in self-employment or in insurable employment.
In relation to disability allowance and employment please note that:
- The first €120 of weekly earnings is disregarded in the means test for the payment while earnings between €120 and €350 are assessed at 50%.
- As part of the measures announced in Budget 2021, the €120 income disregard will be increased to €140 from June 2021.
- There is no requirement that a person must undertake work that is of a ‘rehabilitative or therapeutic’ nature (no exemption needs to be sought from DSP).
- People with a long-term disability who take up employment will retain their Free Travel Pass for a period of five years.
- There is a fast-track return to Disability Allowance in situations where the employment does not work out.
A person is not left without income while an application is being processed. The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Fuel Allowance
Questions (976)
Sorca Clarke
Question:976. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the 390 day penalty is enforced when applying for the fuel allowance for persons who leave an abusive relationship who have experienced psychological control and coercive financial abuse in cases in which they can clearly demonstrate they were linked to the payment of the abuser in the relationship (details supplied). [14347/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April, to over 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. Qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance are those payments that are considered long term payments and an applicant must also satisfy a means test. Fuel Allowance cannot be paid on a discretionary basis.
It is only in the case of Jobseekers Allowance (JA) and Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (BASI) that an applicant must satisfy the 15 month qualifying period to be able to receive Fuel Allowance in their own right. Other qualifying schemes such as One Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance Transition, Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance and Disability Allowance do not have any minimum qualifying period requirement for receipt of the fuel payment.
While short term JA and BASI are not qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance they do not prevent an otherwise qualified household from receiving the payment.
Any decision to include short term Jobseekers Allowance or BASI as qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of budget negotiations taking into consideration the resources available to my Department. The short-term nature of the schemes would also result in considerable logistical and payment equality issues in the administration of the scheme.
My Department is acutely aware of the difficulties that a person who leaves an abusive relationship can face. As part of the Government’s pandemic response, the Department introduced changes to the rent supplement scheme to make it more easily accessible to victims of domestic violence. This seeks to ensure that victims of domestic violence are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial or accommodation difficulties. Support is provided for up to six months to provide the victim with an opportunity to address their long term housing needs.
Assistance is also available under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) emergency need payments - exceptional needs payments (ENP) - to help meet essential, once-off expenditure including heating needs which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from his/her weekly income.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (977)
Niall Collins
Question:977. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a matter (details supplied) regarding community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14377/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
The challenges caused by the Covid-19 public health restrictions introduced over the course of the last year, has impacted CE schemes, referrals to CE schemes and the services they provide. My Department has continued to provide support to CE schemes during this period, including extending the contracts of participants whose contracts were due to come to an end during periods of Level 5 public health restrictions. The latest extension, to 2 July 2021, will provide many participants with additional time to complete their training and work experience on CE. Referrals and placements to CE schemes will begin to increase further as current Covid Level 5 restrictions ease.
Some CE participant training has continued online throughout the Level-5 restrictions. However, where a CE participant finishes up on CE and has not completed their planned training, they will be able to continue their development through other training supports provided by my Department such as the Training Support Grant (TSG) and the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). This will be coordinated by the Department’s case officers who will engage with the former CE participant to discuss the available options.
It is not proposed to further-extend all participant contracts by 12 months at this juncture. Contract extension dates will continue to be monitored in line with Government public health restrictions in place over the coming months. At the same time, I need to ensure that CE places are available for the existing and incoming cohort of long term unemployed, once we start to move beyond COVID public health restrictions.
One of the measures introduced in the July Jobs Stimulus announced by the Government last July, in response to the impact of the pandemic and resultant public health restrictions on the labour market and the economy, was to increase the capacity of the PES in Intreo Offices and through contracted services to further support jobseekers through job search advice and assistance. The capacity of Intreo Centres is being increased, with the assignment of an additional 100 Job Coaches. Recruitment for these posts is almost complete, with an additional 85 job coaches now in place in these new roles. In addition, my Department is currently preparing procurement exercises for contracted employment services. The first phase will be the provision of employment services in some areas not currently served by a Local Employment Service (LES) contractor and the second phase will be to procure new contracted services from 2022.
These additional resources will be central to meeting the increased demand for services, including recruitment to existing employment support schemes, post COVID, given the impact of the resultant public health restrictions on employment in some sectors of the economy.
CE sponsoring authorities are encouraged by my Department officials to promote awareness of the benefits of CE in their local communities and when advertising vacancies. They can advertise their vacancies on www.jobsireland.ie, the Department’s online job advertising and recruitment service for job candidates and employers, including CE sponsors.
Jobseekers are advised that they can register their interest through this website or by contacting a case officer in their local Intreo Centre who will determine their eligibility for the CE scheme. The facility to register interest in CE schemes was introduced on the website in August 2020 in response to the Covid 19 pandemic and details of those who have registered interest are distributed daily to the relevant Intreo Centre for follow up by a case officer directly with the jobseeker.
In addition to the expressions of interest received via JobsIreland.ie, Department case officers can also match CE vacancies from the website with potential CE candidates to identify possible referral and placement opportunities for long term unemployed jobseekers. Department case officers also use the system to review current CE vacancies to identify potential CE placements. Referrals to CE have continued throughout the current level 5 restrictions where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
A new CE and TÚS operational forum is currently being established and will comprise of representatives from CE and TÚS schemes and officials from the Department of Social Protection. The platform will provide a valuable opportunity to discuss operational issues arising on the schemes that may be impacting on service delivery in the communities.
In relation to the 3,000 additional employment support places announced in the July 2020 stimulus package, the Department is currently engaging with a number of new and existing stakeholders to decide on how these valuable new opportunities will be made available to the long-term unemployed and those furthest removed from the labour market.
I trust this clarifies the issues raised by the Deputy.