Written Answers Nos. 21-40
22. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who received the carer’s support grant in 2021; if the social protection budget will enable a similar amount of support in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5305/22]
View answerCarer's Support Grant is paid to carers once per year, usually in June, at a rate of €1,850.It is automatically paid to recipients of Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance. Carers who are not in receipt of one of these payments may also qualify for the grant.In 2021, 125,626 carers received the grant at a cost of €257.3m.The 2022 allocation for Carer's Support Grant is €262.4m, to provide grants to an estimated 128,100 carers. It is a demand-led scheme so all carers who meet the qualifying criteria will receive a payment.
23. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will seek an increase in social welfare payments in line with inflation. [5353/22]
View answer62. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection her strategy to ensure that social welfare payments keep pace with the cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5396/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 62 together.
The social welfare package in Budget 2022 was the highest in 14 years with approximately 1.4 million people receiving a €5 increase in weekly payments. In addition to improvements in core social welfare rates, the Budget package included a number of targeted measures.This focused approach to supporting those in greatest need is guided by evidence-based research produced by organisations such as the ERSI and the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice. In addition to the increases in core rates of payment, these targeted increases ensure that additional resources are directed to groups most at risk of poverty.
For example, a lone parent with two children under 12 years will see their income increase by €14 per week during the fuel season.In addition, as energy prices were increasing, I ensured the the increase to the fuel allowance rate was implemented from Budget week.In terms of inflation generally, it is recognised that there are three main drivers to the increase in prices that we have been seeing:
- There was a slight decrease in prices over the course of 2020, or deflation. The increase in prices we are seeing since last year is partly as a result of prices recovering from this low base. Higher inflation rates today reflect, in part, the fall in price levels from a year ago.
- There have been global supply chain disruptions. This mismatch between supply and demand puts pressure on prices.
- There has been welcome economic growth in Ireland and elsewhere, but this has had an impact on energy prices. Ireland is not unique in experiencing energy price inflation.
The Central Bank last week noted that higher inflation rates should be viewed in the context of many years of persistently low inflation before the pandemic and the current unusual economic recovery from the pandemic-induced recession. It currently expects prices to stabilise later this year.
I am very conscious of the need to monitor this situation carefully, particularly its impact on those most vulnerable, and I will continue to do so.
24. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to recognising the work carried out by family carers throughout Covid-19. [5343/22]
View answerMy Department provides a comprehensive package of carers’ income supports including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on all these payments to carers in 2022 is estimated to exceed €1.5 billion. Despite the extra financial demands due to the Covid-19 crisis, I increased the Carer’s Support Grant by €150 to a rate of €1,850. This is the highest rate since its introduction. The Grant was automatically paid to people in receipt of Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care allowance in June. In acknowledgement of the crucial role that family carers play in our society I introduced a number of measures as part of Budget 2022 in relation to supports provided by my Department. Measures announced directly benefitting family carers include:
- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments including carers, with effect from January.
- €3 increase for qualified child dependants aged 12 and over and €2 for those up to age 12, in all core weekly payments.
- €5 increase in the Fuel Allowance from €28 to €33 per week, from 12 October 2021.
- An increase in the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance to €350 a week for single carers and to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
- An increase in the Capital/Savings disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000.
I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the key role carers play in society, in particular the challenges they faced in light of Covid-19, and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review. Any further improvements to these supports can only be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available financial resources. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
25. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason she has not engaged with a company (details supplied) on the tender for local employment services in relation to the advice secured from third-parties on procurement, the financial model, the impact on citizens and the sourcing of funding for redundancies if they arise. [60197/21]
View answerMy Department is procuring a new Local Area Employment Service over two distinct phases. Phase one of the process for procuring new employment services involved seven counties in the Midlands and North West who were without a Local Employment Service. Contracts were signed last December and services are in the process of being mobilised. Phase two of the process has now commenced, with the publication in December of a request for tender for seventeen lots covering 19 counties. Services for this phase will begin in July 2022.My Department has had repeated and intensive engagement with the relevant stakeholders in recent years. Following visits to every service provider across the State in 2019, my officials ran information sessions in 2021 and 2022 as part of the procurement process of both phases of the Local Area Employment Service.
These sessions were open to all potential tenderers. Records indicate that a representative from the South Tipperary Development Company attended the latter session.In addition, an open information session was hosted by officials from my Department last November, where approximately 150 interested parties participated with an extensive questions and answers session.My Department and I have also engaged extensively with the Irish Local Development Network, as representative body for nearly all development companies, including the South Tipperary Development Company. As part of this ongoing process of engagement, my Department has asked the ILDN to brief its membership on plans for the procurement of new employment services. In early December, I met with representatives from all the local development companies and the ILDN where this issue was discussed.
26. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to enhance supports for family carers from her Department in view of the extraordinary contribution carers make; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5084/22]
View answerMy Department provides a comprehensive package of carers’ income supports including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on all these payments to carers in 2022 is estimated to exceed €1.5 billion. Despite the extra financial demands due to the Covid-19 crisis, I increased the Carer’s Support Grant by €150 to a rate of €1,850. This is the highest rate since its introduction. The Grant was automatically paid to people in receipt of Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care allowance in June. In acknowledgement of the crucial role that family carers play in our society I introduced a number of measures as part of Budget 2022 in relation to supports provided by my Department. Measures announced directly benefitting family carers include: -
- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments including carers, with effect from January.
- €3 increase for qualified child dependants aged 12 and over and €2 for those up to age 12, in all core weekly payments.
- €5 increase in the Fuel Allowance from €28 to €33 per week, from 12 October 2021.
- An increase in the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance to €350 a week for single carers and to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
- An increase in the Capital/Savings disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000.
I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the key role carers play in society and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review. Any further improvements to these supports can only be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available financial resources. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
27. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in 2019, 2020 and 2021 who availed of the dental benefits under the treatment benefits scheme operated by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5475/22]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions. In order to qualify a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based.
The number of claims for dental benefit in the period requested are detailed below:
|
Year |
Number of Claims |
|
2021 |
893,151 |
|
2020 |
719,640 |
|
2019 |
833,781 |
28. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the various supports available from her Department under the treatment benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5382/22]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependent spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions. In order to qualify, a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based. The following are the entitlements under each of the schemes.Under the dental benefit scheme, a qualified person can get a free examination and a subsidised dental cleaning once per year.Under the optical scheme, they can get a free examination, together with free or subsidised spectacles/contact lenses every two years. Repairs to spectacles are also covered. The medical appliance scheme provided for a 500 euro grant towards the purchase of up to two hearing aids or medically required contact lenses every 4 years. Upcoming changes to the Treatment benefit scheme will see the contribution requirement for those aged 25-29 changing to make it easier to qualify. In addition the frequency period for medically required contact lenses will change from 4 to 2 years. A new option will be introduced under the medical appliances scheme from June 2022, with the introduction of a hair replacement grant for those who have lost their hair due to illness or treatment of an illness.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
29. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of her Department’s support for carers; when the changes in respect of the carer’s allowance will take effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5393/22]
View answerThe key role of the Department of Social Protection is that of income support. The main income supports to carers provided by my Department include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer's Support Grant. Spending on these payments in 2022 is expected to exceed €1.5 billion. In acknowledgement of the crucial role that family carers play in our society, I introduced a number of measures as part of Budget 2022 in relation to supports provided by my Department. These include the following changes to the Carer's Allowance means test which will take effect in June:
- An increase in the Capital/Savings disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000.
- An increase in the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €332.50 to €350 a week for single carers and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
In addition, the following changes relating to carers were also announced and came into effect from January:
- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments including carer's payments.
- €3 increase for qualified child dependants aged 12 and over and €2 for those up to age 12, in all core weekly payments.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance is now paid for children who go into hospital for up to 6 months (formerly 3 months). Where applicable, Carer’s Allowance will also continue to be paid in respect of children who go into hospital for 6 months.
I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the key role carers play in society and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review. Any further improvements to these supports can only be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available financial resources. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
30. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the way that victims of domestic violence can access rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5310/22]
View answerResponsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence is a cross government body of work involving the Department of Justice, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and associated agencies. The co-ordination of the services addressing the needs of these customers is managed by the Child and Family Agency, Tusla. The accommodation needs of victims of domestic violence are met through this joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla, with the close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide. I introduced important changes for victims of domestic violence so that the standard rent supplement means test does not apply for an initial three month period. After three-months, a further three-month extension may be provided, subject to the usual rent supplement means assessment. After six months, if the tenant has a long-term housing need, they can apply to their local housing authority for social housing supports and, if eligible, will be able to access the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), a social housing support provided by Local Authorities.Access to rent supplement is additional and complementary to the range of other supports already in place for victims of domestic violence. Following a review involving all key stakeholders, I have ensured that victims of domestic violence will be granted easier access to rent supplement on a permanent basis. This means that they can continue to get immediate access to rent supplement and are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial concerns.There are 48 victims of domestic violence currently being supported under these arrangements, with 177 cases supported since the change came into operation in August 2020. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
31. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications that have been received and approved for fuel allowance in 2021 and to date in 2022. [5354/22]
View answerIn Budget 2022, I was pleased to announce a number of reforms to the fuel allowance scheme including an increase in the weekly rate by €5 to €33, and a €20 increase in the weekly income means threshold with both measures implemented with effect from budget night. It is estimated that approx. 400,000 households will benefit from this payment in 2022.The table below provides the number of new Fuel Allowance applications received and awarded in 2021 and in 2022 to date, as requested by the Deputy. Once awarded, there is no requirement for recipients to reapply for the allowance on an annual basis.
|
2021 |
2022 to date |
|
|
Number of Fuel Applications received |
71,385 |
7,271 |
|
Number of Fuel Applications awarded |
49,786 |
3,920 |
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department provides discretionary exceptional needs payments, where appropriate, to people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills. These applications are considered on a case by case basis.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
32. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons she expects will be covered by the auto-enrolment pension plan for workers in the private sector; the level of financial contribution which these workers will be expected to pay annually; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5110/22]
View answer68. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the projections for the annual collection of funds under an auto-enrolment pension scheme; and if it is proposed to deploy these funds for specific purposes or manage them in a particular way. [5361/22]
View answer96. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the implementation of pension auto-enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5394/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 68 and 96 together.
The Programme for Government commits to introducing a pensions automatic enrolment (AE) system. The objective of this commitment is to address the low proportion of employees in Ireland with supplementary pension cover, which includes both occupational and personal pensions.According to CSO figures, the rate of supplementary pension coverage is around 56% of the working population (Pension Coverage Survey 2021). It is estimated that this reduces to less than 35% when the private sector is considered in isolation. As a consequence of this low supplementary pension coverage rate, many retirees may suffer an unwanted reduction in living standards when they retire.This Government, recognising the exceptional strain that both employers and employees are under as a result of the COVID-19 emergency, will seek to gradually deliver an AE system based on the following principles:
- There will be a phased roll-out, over a decade, of the contributions made by workers and employers.
- Matching contributions will be made by both workers and employers and the State will top up those contributions.
- There will be an opt-out provision for those who choose to opt out.
- Workers will have a range of retirement savings products to choose from.
- There will be a charges cap imposed on pension providers.
My Department is currently finalising a proposal for Government on the overall design of the AE system and I intend to bring that to Government for consideration in the near future. If that proposal is approved I will be publishing the design in detail and it will include, amongst many other things, the level of contributions to be made by all involved and over what timeframe, the types of investment approaches that will be available, and the likely numbers of people who will be encompassed by the programme.Once the final design is agreed it is intended that the necessary legislative, organisational and process structures for its implementation will follow over the course of this year and next, as set out in the Economic Recovery Plan 2021.I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
33. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of supplementary welfare payments that have been made under the heading of disability services or equipment provision in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. [5355/22]
View answerUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make a single exceptional needs payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The exceptional needs payment scheme is demand led. Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. For example, the payment could be for costs such as travel to medical appointments, necessary temporary accommodation while a family member is in hospital, and clothing or other hospital requirements.
While statistics are maintained on the number of payments made under the scheme, unfortunately it is not possible to identify payments made to persons requesting assistance with disability services or equipment provision. Disability services and the provision of equipment to persons with additional needs is a matter for the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
34. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection her strategy to link jobseekers and employers as a means to address labour shortages in the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5381/22]
View answerLast July I launched the Government’s national employment services strategy ‘Pathways to Work 2021 – 2025’, which outlines the Government’s strategy to support those who have lost jobs, or who are otherwise unemployed, find new jobs. The second strand of the Pathways strategy, ‘Working for Employers,’ focuses on helping employers hire workers and to encourage recruitment of unemployed jobseekers.I am acutely aware of reports of labour and skill shortages in some sectors and I know there is particular concern in the construction, transport, hospitality, ICT and retail sectors. It is, however, important for employers to be aware that, alongside these skills shortages, there remains a pool of labour available with approximately 163,500 people on the Live Register and 80,000 on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment as of last week. While many of those on PUP are now returning to work with the full re-opening of the economy, some will remain unemployed post COVID. My priority is to support all unemployed persons find jobs.Under Pathways to Work 2021-2025, Intreo is strengthening its engagement with employers and supporting them to recruit unemployed jobseekers. Actions include:
- Develop and implement a promotional campaign to increase employer awareness and take-up of the available supports.
- Host a series of employer roadshows around the country to showcase examples of how employers can, and have benefitted, from the employment supports available. I intend to schedule these roadshows over the coming months.
- Host 150 Job Promotion Events (virtual or in person) each year to showcase employment opportunities and to facilitate the introduction of employers and jobseekers.
- Develop, with the support of the Labour Market Advisory Council sub-group on employer engagement, a new employer relations strategy to further strengthen linkages with employers.
- Undertake regular surveys of employers’ assessment of public employment and further education and training services to help identify employer needs/opinions and track their satisfaction with the services.
Under Pathways, Government is also investing in a range of training, reskilling and work experience programmes to assist job seekers who need to re-train or up skill to avail of employment opportunities now available in the labour market. The Department of Social Protection, through Intreo, provides a range of services and supports to employers to recruit unemployed jobseekers, including the enhanced JobsPlus recruitment subsidy for employers who recruit jobseekers, and the JobsIreland & EURES recruitment portals.I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
35. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to introduce supports for persons who experience hair loss due to alopecia and cancer treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5389/22]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit scheme is available to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. It is also available to their dependent spouse or partner if applicable. Those who are eligible can avail of dental, optical and hearing services under the scheme. €109 million was spent on the scheme in 2021.As part of Budget 2022, I announced an expansion to the range of services available under the Treatment Benefit scheme. A new grant will be provided from 28 May 2022 towards the cost of wigs and hairpieces for people who suffer from hair loss due to disease.The grant of up to €500 will be available once every calendar year to support people towards the cost of non-surgical hair replacement, for example wigs and toupées.
Hair loss is a common issue among people that can be caused by a variety of medical conditions including autoimmune diseases such as alopecia or systemic conditions like cancer. I recognise not only the physical impact, but also the psychological impact, that hair loss can have on a person’s life. This new grant should help improve the quality of life of those who need it. The grant will only be available for hair loss in respect of a disease and not due to ageing or other natural causes. Approximately 2.25 million people qualify for Treatment Benefit, but it is difficult to estimate the level of take-up of this new benefit. For example, 25,000 people get diagnosed with invasive cancer annually and up to 2,000 of them may apply for the grant. The estimated cost of the new grant is €1 million per year.Officials in my Department are currently addressing requirements for providers and claimants. The details will be available in advance of the introduction of the grant.
36. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who availed of the €500 grant for hearing aids under the treatment benefits scheme in each of the past three full years. [5015/22]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
In order to qualify a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based.
Under the Medical Appliances scheme, a qualified person can claim two hearing aids, costing up to 500 euro each, every four calendar years. The number of customers who availed of hearing aids under the Medical Appliances scheme in the last 3 years is as follows:
|
Year |
Claims |
|
2019 |
14,657 |
|
2020 |
13,548 |
|
2021 |
21,817 |
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
37. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the eligibility for domiciliary care allowance from 16 to 18 years of age given the families that avail of this much needed support will have already shown that they meet the high bar of requirements for this grant and in the majority of cases these needs do not diminish at the arbitrary cut-off point; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5472/22]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for parents caring for a child with a severe disability.
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) ceases to be payable when a child reaches age 16 years. Disability Allowance (DA) can then be paid from age 16 if the qualifying conditions for that scheme are met.
Following a commitment made in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities 2015 -2024, the “Make Work Pay for People with Disabilities” (MWP) report was published in April 2017. The report undertook to better identify how people with disabilities could be supported to achieve their employment ambitions. A number of MWP report recommendations focused on the need to support young adults through education, training and social inclusion according to their capacity, and to change the qualifying age for disability allowance from 16 to 18 years of age while leaving Domiciliary Care allowance in payment where applicable to 18 years of age.
An extensive national consultation process was organised to engage people with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, and sectoral representatives to seek their views on the specific recommendations in the report.
Consideration of the most appropriate measures to be taken is continuing. It is imperative when deciding on any changes to the age limits for the relevant schemes that such changes have a positive effect on those in receipt of the payments and that we avoid any unintended negative consequences.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
38. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that her Department has taken to address the difficulties those suffering from long-Covid have in accessing social welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59227/21]
View answerMy 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 generally not contingent on the nature of the illness or disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
My Department spent a total of €4.7 billion on illness, disability and caring payments in 2020.
In March 2020, 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 of illness benefit, for a limited period. The enhanced rate is €350, with additional payments in respect of dependent adults and children.
From March 2020 this enhanced benefit was payable for up to 2 weeks where a person was isolating as a probable source of infection of Covid-19, and up to 10 weeks where a person had been diagnosed with Covid-19. Expenditure on this payment was almost €106 million in 2021.
The duration of payment for those considered a probable risk was reduced to 7 days from 14 January 2022, in line with government guidelines. From that date, asymptomatic people who are close contacts and who have had their immunity boosted are not required to restrict their movements, and therefore Enhanced Illness Benefit will not be paid to these individuals. If, however, they start showing symptoms they should immediately self-isolate and, in this circumstance, may apply for the enhanced Illness Benefit payment.
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 and who are covered by Pay Related Social Insurance contributions. Illness Benefit is payable for up to two years, depending on satisfying the eligibility conditions.
Apart from these income supports, my Department also provides means tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who are ill but who do not qualify for Illness Benefit. The Department may also make an exceptional needs payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
My Department keeps the range of income supports under review in order to make sure they meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
39. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of those applying for, granted and refused a heating supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5383/22]
View answerThe supplementary welfare allowance scheme offers a safety net within the overall social welfare system by providing assistance to those whose means are insufficient to meet their own needs and those of their dependents.
Under the scheme, my Department may award a supplement to assist with on going or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. This can include a heating supplement where a person has need for additional heating due to ill health or infirmity. There are over 970 people currently receiving it. The number of recipients has not changed significantly in recent weeks. While statistics are maintained relating to payments under the scheme, they are not maintained on the number of applications or the outcome of those applications.
Heating supplements are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme. All the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into account in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Table 1 shows the number of heating supplement recipients by county.
Anyone who struggles with heating costs is entitled to make an application for a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance schemes. I would encourage them to contact their local Intreo Centre and, once they meet the eligibility criteria, they will be provided with additional financial support. There is a national Income Support Helpline in place - 0818-800024 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1: Number of heating supplement recipients by county to date in 2022
|
County |
Number of Recipients 2022 (21st January) |
|
CARLOW |
2 |
|
CAVAN |
1 |
|
CLARE |
26 |
|
CORK |
68 |
|
DONEGAL |
26 |
|
DUBLIN |
103 |
|
GALWAY |
15 |
|
KERRY |
17 |
|
KILDARE |
6 |
|
KILKENNY |
6 |
|
LAOIS |
39 |
|
LIMERICK |
347 |
|
LONGFORD |
19 |
|
LOUTH |
4 |
|
MEATH |
8 |
|
MONAGHAN |
2 |
|
OFFALY |
79 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
6 |
|
SLIGO |
1 |
|
TIPPERARY |
107 |
|
WATERFORD |
8 |
|
WESTMEATH |
72 |
|
WEXFORD |
5 |
|
WICKLOW |
4 |
|
Total |
971 |
40. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the Report of the Commission on Pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5395/22]
View answer71. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement she has held with her officials on pension reform since the publication of the Commission on Pensions report. [5352/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 71 together.
The Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund, in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment. The Commission was an independent body comprised of knowledgeable and experienced academics, pension experts, members of civil society and representatives of workers and employers. Once it completed its work and fulfilled its obligations, the Commission was dissolved. The Commission's Report was published on 7th October 2021. The report, Technical Sub-Committee's working papers and submissions made to the Pensions Commission are available on the website, pensionscommission.gov.ie.
The Commission’s Report is a comprehensive report that takes account of an assessment of various analyses of population, labour force and expenditure projections; an examination of international approaches; and responses to an extensive consultation process. It has unambiguously established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that changes are needed, and it has set out a wide range of recommendations in this regard.
The report has been referred to the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands. That Committee published its views yesterday. I and my officials will obviously include these in our deliberations over the coming weeks. Separately, as set out in its terms of reference, the Commission on Taxation and Welfare is considering the report of the Pensions Commission in the context of its review of potential changes to the social insurance system.
In the interests both of older people and of future generations of older people, the Government intends to consider the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Pensions Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically. My officials are currently examining each of the recommendations and in this regard are consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system. I think it is really important that we complete that work before reaching conclusions. I intend bringing a recommended response and implementation plan to Government by the end of March 2022.
The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
