Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding planned for the household benefits scheme in 2022; the number of households which will be in receipt of this scheme in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5281/22]
View answerThe 2022 Estimate provides for an allocation of €273.4m to around 483,750 households in 2022.
Households receiving a Household Benefits package can receive a free TV license and either an Electricity Allowance or Gas Allowance.
The following table provides details of the allocations for each of the schemes covered by the Household Benefits package in 2022:
|
Household Benefits |
€'000 |
Number of Households |
|
Electricity Allowance |
181,124 |
431,250 |
|
Gas Allowance |
22,052 |
52,500 |
|
Free TV license |
70,200 |
483,750 |
|
Total |
273,376 |
42. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been taken to expand her Department’s employment and recruitment events to include remote working opportunities and the promotion of remote working hubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5287/22]
View answerPart of the legacy of COVID-19 is changes to patterns of work behaviour that accelerated and are now established as a ‘new norm’. For employers the greater use of digital technology and remote working are now well embedded and will persist.
Last year my colleague, Leo Varadkar TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment published the Government’s National Remote Work Strategy ‘Making Remote Work’. The strategy sets out a road map on a number of issues, such as the facilitating of remote working on a legal basis and mapping and investing in a network of remote working hubs across Ireland. An important commitment in the Strategy is to introduce a new law giving workers the right to request to remote work. The recently published Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2022 is part of the Government's vision to make remote working a more permanent feature of Ireland’s workforce in a way that can benefit all – economically, socially and environmentally.
In my role as Minister for Rural and Community Development I launched the Connected Hubs Network, Ireland’s first national network of remote working hubs. At present, there are 178 hubs already using the ConnectedHubs.ie platform. As we look to the reopening of our country, I am determined that we make remote working a permanent and viable reality for thousands of people and for businesses.
In Pathways to Work, my Department commits to engaging with new digital development by taking advantage of online service capabilities to extend the reach and efficiency of our service delivery. This includes hosting a number of job promotion events to match jobseekers with jobs, including with remote working opportunities in full or in part. In this way we can harness the opportunities provided by the positive experience of remote working during the pandemic to further support access to employment for all.
Under the Government's Employment Services Strategy, Pathways to Work, my Department has put in place a wide range of measures to assist those out of work find new jobs. These measures include commitments to host 150 Job Promotion Events (virtual or in person) each year to showcase employment opportunities and to facilitate the introduction of employers and jobseekers. Also, two national Intreo Work and Skills Weeks will be held each year, one virtual and one in person. Each of these will involves a week of intensive jobs focussed job promotion events and seminars across the country.
As part of these events, my Department will engage with employers to match jobseekers with new jobs including remote working opportunities.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
43. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she plans to take to ensure the delays in processing enhanced illness benefit are resolved. [5497/22]
View answer77. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current timelines for processing the enhanced illness benefit; the percentage of these claims to date in 2022 that have been processed within seven days of application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5424/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 77 together.
COVID Illness Benefit (Enhanced Illness Benefit) is a scheme that was introduced in March 2020, to support people who are incapable of work or who are required to self-isolate, as a result of a COVID diagnosis or being a probable source of infection. To date a total of 416,175 COVID Illness Benefit related claims have been processed of which 382,587 have received a payment.
The majority of the standard Illness Benefit claims are automatically processed once medical certification from a GP and an application from the customer has been received.
Applications for the Covid Enhanced Illness Benefit increased significantly during January due to transmission of the Omicron variant. An average of 31,300 applications were received weekly as compared to 8,000 per week in December. Despite this increase, 92% of these applications are processed within a week. Applications that require manual intervention are taking approximately 2 weeks. My Officials are working to clear all claims as quickly as possible with additional resources allocated to this work as a priority.
44. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is intended to review the operating rules for the rural social scheme particularly as they relate to the length of time participants can spend on the scheme and means testing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4637/22]
View answerThe Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is a support scheme, providing part-time employment opportunities for farmers and fishermen and women who are in receipt of specified social welfare payments, and who are underemployed in their primary occupation. The scheme offers participants the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in their communities.
To qualify for RSS, a person must be actively farming or fishing, and satisfy the means test assessment required to qualify for the Farm Assist (FA) payment.
During 2017 and 2018 the number of places funded on RSS was increased by 750, bringing the total number of places available to 3,350. A six-year time limit was also introduced for new RSS participants with effect from February 2017. The limit was introduced to ensure that there will be places available for newer cohorts of eligible persons and aligns the RSS with other employment support programmes. This limit only applies to new entrants to RSS from February 2017.
Prior to the introduction of the six year time limit, an RSS participant could remain on the scheme for a significant part of their working life. This had the effect of limiting turnover of places on RSS and thereby reducing the opportunities for potential new entrants.
On 21st December last, Minister Humphreys and I were pleased to announce a number of changes to RSS and the community employment schemes. These changes included a provision to allow an RSS participant who reaches 60 years of age to remain on the scheme until they reach State pension age - which will immediately directly apply to existing RSS participants over sixty years of age who commenced on the scheme since 2017. This will benefit some 390 participants who will now be able to remain on the scheme until they reach retirement age.
Eligibility for participation in RSS derives from Farm Assist, with the Farm Assist means assessment applying to the scheme. The Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government and in the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 to review the means assessment disregards for the Farm Assist. As part of this review process it was recommended to provide for an extensive expansion to the list of Agri-Environmental schemes which will qualify towards the disregard of €2,540. These measures have now been enacted in the Social Welfare Act 2022 and will be implemented from June 2022. These changes have an added benefit of increasing the number of people who could potentially apply for the RSS scheme, through being in receipt of Farm Assist.
The Department continually monitors all of its employment support programmes and intends to complete a review of the operation of the RSS later in 2022.
45. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial supports or pathways to funding that are available from her Department for a single parent of a young adult with highly complex physical and intellectual disabilities (details supplied). [5492/22]
View answerThe key role of the Department of Social Protection is to provide income support where an income need arises because of a particular contingency – be that illness, disability, caring or unemployment.
Disability Allowance is the Department’s main income support for people who have a disability. To be eligible, the disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the person must be aged between 16 and 66 years of age. The allowance is also subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement.
People receiving Disability Allowance may also be eligible for secondary benefits such as free travel, fuel allowance, the household benefits package, the living alone allowance and the telephone support allowance.
Carer’s Allowance, and the Carer’s Support Grant are the main income supports provided by my Department to carers in the community. Carer’s Allowance is a means tested payment awarded to those carers who are caring for certain people who require full-time care and attention. Carers may also, subject to certain conditions, qualify for the household benefits package and a free travel pass. However, my Department does not provide grants for the purchase of vehicles.
In acknowledgement of the crucial role that family carers play in our society and the challenges faced by those with disabilities I introduced a number of measures as part of Budget 2022 in relation to supports provided by my Department. These include:
- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments - including disability and carers, which came into effect this month (January),
- Increase to the general weekly means disregard for Disability Allowance to €7.60,
- Increase to the upper earnings disregard limit for Disability Allowance from €350 to €375 per week, effective from June 2022,
- An increase in the Capital/Savings disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000 from next June,
- 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, also from June,
- Increase to the Fuel Allowance of €5 to €33 per week. (The weekly means threshold was also increased by €20 from €100 to €120. This represents a 20% increase and enables more people to qualify for this support).
For those in financial difficulty, the Supplementary Welfare Allowance is also available. This is a means-tested payment available through the Department's Intreo Centres.
The Department regularly reviews its supports and payments schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives.
I trust that the Deputy will find this information useful.
46. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection her long-term plans to ensure school meals are available in as many schools across Ireland as possible. [5498/22]
View answer57. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to roll out the hot schools meals programme to include every school in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5457/22]
View answer111. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the extension of the hot school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5390/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 57 and 111 together.
The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
A budget of €68.1 million has been provided for the scheme in 2022.
As part of Budget 2019, funding was provided for a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing hot school meals in primary schools at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020. The pilot involved 37 schools benefitting 6,744 students for the 2019/2020 academic year and was aimed primarily at schools with no onsite cooking facilities.
In Budget 2021, I announced that an additional €5.5m to extend the provision of hot school meals to an additional 35,000 primary school children, currently receiving the cold lunch option. Invitations for expressions of interest were issued to 705 primary schools (612 DEIS and 93 non-DEIS) in November 2020. A total of 281 (256 DEIS and 25 non-DEIS) expressions of interest were received in respect of 52,148 children.
The 35,000 places were allocated to each local authority area based on the number of children applied by local authority as a percentage of the total number. A minimum of one school for each Local Authority area was selected. Thereafter, a process of random selection was used for each area.
Budget 2022 is providing for the hot school meals to be extended from January 2022 to the 81 DEIS schools that submitted an expression of interest but were not selected in the extension to 35,000 children as referred to earlier.
I am committed to continuing to grow the hot school meals element of the school meals programme for DEIS schools and building further on the significant extension announced as part of Budget 2022. In this regard, I have commissioned an evaluation of the school meals programme to be undertaken in 2022 to inform future policy decisions on the scheme.
Any extension of the school meals programme or the hot school meals beyond 2022 will need to be considered as part of the budgetary process.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
47. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection when carers will benefit from the changes to the carer’s allowance which are part of Budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5486/22]
View answerThe 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 also benefitting carers were announced and to came into effect in January:
- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments, including carers.
- €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). The payment of Carer’s Allowance where applicable, also continues to be paid in respect of children who go into hospital for 6 months.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
48. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make amendments to the social welfare code to ensure that those students who are obliged to study abroad but are in receipt of a disability payment can retain this payment for the period of their studies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5111/22]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a payment for people with an injury, disease or disability that has continued, or may be expected to continue, for at least one year and, as a result of this disability, the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable. At the end of December 2021 there were 155,563 persons in receipt of Disability Allowance.
A person is not disqualified for receipt of a disability allowance while engaging in a prescribed course of education, training or development. However legislation provides for disqualification from the payment where a person is resident, whether temporarily or permanently, outside the State. This is in line with the general rules of social assistance payments which are not payable abroad.
Disability allowance is a qualifying payment for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) scheme, which in certain circumstances allows for study in Northern Ireland, further details are available on the Gov.ie website.
While there are no plans currently to change the conditions that apply to this scheme in the manner proposed, my Department continues to keep the range of income supports available under review.
49. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a commitment will be made to ending privatisation and outsourcing of the social protection system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5400/22]
View answer83. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will withdraw the tender for local employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5401/22]
View answer97. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will withdraw the tender for local employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5468/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 83 and 97 together.
Firstly, I can assure the Deputies that the new Local Area Employment Service is not a privatisation of employment services. Instead, it is a shift to competitive procurement as required by the State’s legal obligations and the principles of good governance.
The procurement of a Local Area Employment Service is being done over two phases. The tendering process for the first phase, covering seven counties where no Local Employment Services existed, is complete, with contracts awarded and services being mobilised. Phase two has commenced with the publication in December of a request for tenders for the remaining 19 counties over 17 contract lots. Services are expected to commence in July.
Once the procurement process is complete, the State will have established a quality employment service designed to engage with those farthest from the labour market in every county in the State. By contrast, the existing LES services covers just eight counties, with partial coverage in four more and no service in fourteen counties across the State.
The possibility of retaining the current LES model and doing nothing was not an option. My Department has received clear legal advice from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the Attorney General that this process is not in keeping with our procurement obligations and there needs to be competitive procurement for future public employment services. In addition, my Department is responsible for ensuring good governance of employment service provision, which requires greater oversight and enhanced visibility of service provision.
My officials have worked to ensured that the new procurement model minimizes any potential barriers to the community and voluntary sectors or inhibits their ability to submit high quality tenders for future services. The Local Area Employment Service model prioritises and awards the provision of quality employment services, community linkages and social value.
After extensive engagement with stakeholders after phase one, my Department incorporated many improvements into the phase two request for tender, published shortly before Christmas.
I understand and appreciate the concerns of the sector at the changes proposed. However, current community and voluntary service providers with a strong track record and an openness to cooperation will be well placed to submit high quality tenders for the new services. Under Phase 1, community and voluntary sector providers were successful in two of the three lots where they submitted tenders. My Department will continue to proceed with Phase 2 to ensure that its contracted employment services are procured in manner consistent with the State's legal obligations.
50. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing social welfare claimants the option of continuing to receive their payments into their bank account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5402/22]
View answerMy Department already allows social welfare claimants the option to receive their payments directly into their account in a financial institution, whether that account be in a bank, in An Post or in a credit union.
Before the introduction of temporary public health measures in March 2020, the default payment method for Jobseekers was cash collection at a post office. Nevertheless, one in four Jobseeker payments were still paid into customers’ bank accounts. These include, for example, those in receipt of a jobseeker payment when they reach the age of 62, who are given options as regards payment method.
When health restrictions were introduced in 2020, all Jobseekers were given the option of being paid into a bank account. This was an exceptional temporary measure to help reduce the spread of the virus and to ensure that people could comply with social distancing guidelines. This was the right approach to take at the time when we were faced with the worst of Covid-19 without having any vaccines and with only limited knowledge of the virus.
In line with the general easing of Covid-19 restrictions, I have asked my Department to revert to the normal payment rules for Jobseekers’ payments. I believe this is the right approach to take in terms of supporting the post office network, a key piece of the financial and social infrastructure of the country, in ensuring that, with the removal of restrictions, we return to the pre-pandemic position.
This change will initially apply to new claims. Over the coming months, my Department will work to extend the post office requirement to other jobseeker claims.
Retail has reopened nationally and is operating safely. The post office network has remained open throughout the pandemic and has processed approximately 45 million social welfare payments over the last two years. Post offices have been equipped with fixed sanitiser units so that customers can sanitise their hands and have clearly marked signs to assist with social distancing and staff operate behind transparent screens.
I acknowledge that some people who are immuno-compromised may want to avoid crowded settings. If a person is in this situation, the advice is to contact the nearest Department of Social Protection office. My officials there will offer help so that these people may still be able to receive their payment online in exceptional circumstances.
51. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection when the changes to the community employment scheme such as enabling persons 60 years of age and over to continue on schemes will take effect. [5485/22]
View answer52. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the new arrangements for community employment schemes such as those operated in counties Kilkenny and Carlow which she confirmed in late 2021 will be implemented. [5085/22]
View answer55. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection is she will report on the changes announced to community employment schemes in December 2021, including when these changes take effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5391/22]
View answer66. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the position on the changes announced to community employment schemes; if they are improving the situation on the ground; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5348/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 52, 55 and 66 together.
As the Deputies are aware, Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
In light of the ongoing COVID related challenges faced by CE schemes, Minister Humphreys and I announced a number of changes to CE and the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) on the 21st December 2021.
The CE baseline year was increased from 2007 to 2014 with immediate effect. The baseline year will be maintained at 7 years behind the current year going forward i.e. on 1 January 2022, the baseline year moved to 2015.
The following changes are effective and operational from 1st January, 2022.
The qualifying age for the CE service support stream (SSS) has been reduced from 62 to 60 and the 10% cap on the number of participants has been removed. This means that persons over 60 years of age can now remain on CE until they reach the state pension age, once there are places available.
Participants on RSS who are 60 years of age or older can also now remain on the programme until they reach the state pension age – this directly benefits those participants who started RSS since the introduction of the six-year rule in 2017.
In order to assist with the transition from COVID emergency supports over the next period, participants, including those with extended contracts, may not be required to leave CE, until a suitable replacement has been referred to the scheme. This transitionary provision will support schemes to retain services, with the higher-than-normal turnover of participants in 2022, as participants with extended contracts start to leave schemes. This was also effective from 1st January 2022. Any extension of participants' contracts under this provision must be approved by officials from the Department and consideration will be given to the impact of COVID on the recruitment of participants and services provided by the scheme, along with recruitment and referral efforts.
While it is too early to say definitively, feedback received to date in relation to these changes is positive and it is expected that these will have a positive impact at individual CE scheme level over the coming months.
In light of the need to re-impose some public health restrictions in December and January, and the impact of these restrictions on schemes, a further extension of contracts for CE & Tús participants has been approved. CE and Tús participants with extended contracts will not now begin to leave schemes until 8th April and will exit schemes in a phased manner over the following twelve months.
Officials from my Department will continue to work with and support all CE schemes throughout the transitionary period as all extended contracts come to an end.
My priority and the priority of the Department is to have all CE and Tús schemes back providing normal services and supports to their long-term unemployed participants while delivering valuable services to local communities.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputies
53. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if call-in facilities for community welfare services will be provided at Ballybay, Clones, Castleblayney, Carrickmacross and Monaghan town, County Monaghan on a weekly basis in 2022. [4898/22]
View answerThe Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the Department of Social Protection delivers the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme which is the safety net within the overall social welfare system. This scheme provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
Following the recent easing of public health restrictions, outreach services have resumed in Castleblayney, Carrickmacross, Clones and Monaghan town from 31/1/22. The location of the outreach service in Carrickmacross and Castleblayney has moved to the Social Welfare Branch Offices in those towns.
The schedule for outreach Community Welfare Services in Co. Monaghan is as follows from 31/1/22:
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
|
|
Monaghan |
Walk in service:all day |
Walk in service: all day |
Appointment service all day |
||
|
Clones |
Walk in service: 10am - 12pm. Afternoon by appointment. |
||||
|
Carrickmacross |
Walk in service: all day |
Walk in service: all day |
|||
|
Castleblayney |
Walk in service: 10am - 12pm. Afternoon by appointment. |
In addition to the dedicated outreach times highlighted above, Social Welfare Branch Offices in County Monaghan are open five days per week and any person who needs to contact or access the Community Welfare Service can call our phone line or attend at an office, either to speak directly to a CWO or to make an appointment for a consultation on the same day with a CWO. Consultations with a CWO are available via phone, at our offices and if the need arises a direct home visit appointment can be arranged depending on the customer’s need and public health restrictions. All applications for assistance are dealt with promptly by my officials.
It is important to note that as part of my continued commitment to improve the Community Welfare Service in County Monaghan and across the country, customers no longer have to meet in person with a Community Welfare Officer to make a claim. This change is a significant enhancement to the service offered to customers as it means, for instance, that those who require community welfare assistance in Ballybay or any other location in County Monaghan no longer need to visit an outreach location or wait to make a claim or wait to access the service.
These initiatives that I have put in place continue to ensure that the service is easily accessible and responsive to customer needs, particularly in a time of crisis or emergency.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
54. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason additional funding to cover the cost of staff increments is not being awarded to an organisation (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the historic funding precedent under which funding for staff increments was paid previously; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5474/22]
View answerMy Department enters into 'contracts of service' with organisations for the provision of a variety of employment services, including EmployAbility services. The contracts describe the employment service to be delivered, the duration of the contract and the funding available for delivery. EmployAbility contracts run from the 1 January to the 31 December each year.
My Department has agreed contracts with 23 EmployAbility service providers, including Mayo EmployAbility Service, for the provision of services for 2022, based on a bid proposal that is balanced against both the level of service required by the Department and the available funding. The EmployAbility Service provides support to people with disabilities to secure and maintain paid employment in the open labour market leading to independence and career progression. It is a nationwide service and is delivered under contract on behalf of my Department. The total value of the contracts for 2022 is €10.6m.
On entering into an EmployAbility contract, an organisation understands and accepts that the contract is time limited and has a limited contract value. A 'contract of service' requires the contractor to provide, and accept responsibility for, all aspects of the service delivery, including the provision of staff. However, the terms and conditions of those staff, which may already be in existence, is solely a matter for the organisations employing them. In respect of Mayo EmployAbility Service and staff increments, this is a matter for the EmployAbility Service provider as the employer.
The contract value for a particular contract is established based on the previous level of funding and service level provided under previous contracts. In general, any increases within any subhead area is only considered where there are proposals for increased service provision and performance, and where the overall EmployAbility Service Budget allows for such an increase. My Department evaluates the proposal, based on both proposed and previous service level and contract values. Once evaluated the proposed contract agreement is issued to the provider with the Department's assessment of the contract valuation for the relevant provider and it is then the decision of the service provider to sign the relevant agreement confirming that they accept the contract value as offered.
My Department recognises and values the expertise and dedication of the EmployAbility staff in the delivery of an efficient and committed EmployAbility service. However, the provision of a contracted service must be within the approved funding as agreed in the contract.
56. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to raise awareness and promote the treatment benefit scheme to increase take-up and ensure persons are aware of their entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5306/22]
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.
Information is available on the Treatment Benefit scheme on the Government website gov.ie and from Citizens Information Service.
A campaign to promote Treatment Benefit in 2022 is under active consideration.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
58. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the grounds on which her Department and Turas Nua is refusing to attend a Workplace Relations Commission explanatory talks process to resolve a trade dispute which was taking place in counties Laois and Offaly which is one of the areas covered by the request for tender one. [5098/22]
View answerIn May last year, my Department under Phase 1 of a procurement process to expand employment services, sought tenders for the provision of the Local Area Employment Service in Laois/Offaly. The existing Job Club providers in Laois/Offaly did not submit a tender for these counties, removing any possibility of them continuing to provide employment services in the area after the end of 2021. Nonetheless, the outcome of this open and transparent procurement process was not contested by any parties.
On 15 December 2021, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) wrote to my Department regarding specific industrial action in Job Clubs in Offaly and Laois. The WRC is a forum for resolving employment issues that arise between an employer and its staff.
All my Department's employment service contracts are unequivocal in stating that the Department of Social Protection is not an employer of its service partners' staff. This is clearly stated in the relevant Job Club contracts for Laois/Offaly. The Department of Social Protection is not the employer of the staff concerned nor is it a party to an employment dispute with any of its service partners or their staff. It would therefore be inappropriate for it to engage in talks at the WRC. Nonetheless, the Department has offered to provide any information or clarifications that could assist the WRC in their efforts.
In relation to the former Job Club staff in Laois/Offaly, I understand that they have all been offered employment by Turas Nua on their existing terms and conditions. I also understand that earlier this month, the staff commenced training with Turas Nua to provide services under the new Local Area Employment Service contracts. SIPTU and Turas Nua are continuing to engage regularly, with SIPTU representatives accompanying staff in their recent meetings with Turas Nua.
59. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the kinds of different results the total contribution approach produces for many retirees; if her Department has conducted a study of the implications of the total contributions approach for levels of pensioner poverty in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5487/22]
View answerThe 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. It 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 - including the full transition to a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) model of pension rate calculation and migrating from the yearly averaging model on a phased basis over 10 years rather than in a single step.
There is a chapter on TCA in the Commission’s Report which includes a section covering Gender, Equality and Poverty Proofing. The report states that a TCA arrangement results in a fairer and a more transparent system, as the person’s lifetime contribution is reflected in the State Pension (Contributory) benefit received. One of the purposes of the full move to TCA and the abolition of the Yearly Average approach is to address the anomalies that arise with the Yearly Average approach, whereby people with fewer contributions can access a higher rate of State Pension (Contributory) payment. Moving fully to a TCA arrangement would remove these anomalies. In addition, the report notes that the State Pension (Non-Contributory) and the Increase for Qualified Adult (IQA) payment will continue to provide a safety net to pensioners with limited means.
In the interests both of older people and 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. 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.
My officials are examining each of the recommendations and consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system. I think it is really important that we complete that work and get those views 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 matters for the Deputy.
60. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to an emergency increase in the fuel allowance or to the extension of same. [5344/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of supports, energy efficiency awareness initiatives and investment in programmes to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
In light of ESRI research and the commitment to ensure that the carbon tax is progressive, the Government has committed to very significant increases in a targeted package of s ocial protection supports in Budget 2022. The total cost of these interventions is projected at €146m in 2022. These supports were selected to counteract the impact of the increased carbon tax on low income households. The specific measures are:
i. An increase to the Qualified Child Payment of €2 per week for children under 12 and €3 per week for children aged 12 and over.
ii. An increase in the Living Alone Allowance of €3 per week.
iii. An increase in the income threshold of the Working Family Payment of €10 per week.
iv. An increase to the Fuel Allowance of €5 per week.
In Budget 202 2 I also announced further easing of the qualifying criteria for Fuel Allowance with the allowable means increased by €20 to €120 above the relevant State Pension Contributory rate. The eligibility for Jobseeker’s and Supplementary Welfare Allowance recipients was enhanced by reducing the qualifying period from 15 to 12 months with effect from September 2022.
My Department also provides discretionary exceptional needs payments, where appropriate, to people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills. These payments are not ring-fenced or budget limited as they would be if they were drawn from an earmarked fund, but rather are demand led.
The provision of any additional supports above those announced on Budget Day would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
The recently announced Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment is a key measure being developed by the Government to help mitigate the effects of the recent rise in electricity prices. The scheme, under the auspices of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and supervised by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities will be paid in addition to the gas and electricity element of the HHB package to qualifying households. Approximately 2.1m households will benefit by €100 each from the new scheme. Primary and secondary legislation will be required and it is expected that payments will begin in Quarter 1 2022.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
