Written Answers Nos. 519-541
519. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been made to date in the determination of an application for the domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17655/22]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for parents caring for a child with a severe disability in their own home.
An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 24th March 2022. Applications are processed in date of receipt order. Currently applications received in mid January 2022 are being dealt with. The Deciding Officer will notify the customer in writing as soon as the application has been finalised.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
521. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of citizen information offices by county; the breakdown of the population serviced by these areas; the way the location of an office is determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17777/22]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB), is a statutory independent body as set out in the Comhairle Act 2010 which operates under the aegis of my Department. CIB provides funding to 22 companies in order to deliver services on its behalf. This includes eight regional Citizen Information Service (CIS) companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres.
The aim of the eight CIS regional service delivery companies in the country is to deliver a high-quality information, advice and advocacy service to citizens in their respective geographic areas.
Citizens Information Services (CIS) were originally established through community and voluntary groups which determined the location and placement of services across the country.
The CIS Regional Companies in consultation with CIB take into account requirements such as service delivery demand to date, staffing resources available in the region, population demographic and value for money for the exchequer.
Many clients continue to access information through phone and on citizensinformation.ie and across social media platforms which will also influence service offering across the network.
The following table lists the eight regional CIS company areas broken down by county, population, and office locations which are currently operational.
|
Region |
County |
Population (2016 census) |
CIS OFFICE LOCATIONS |
|
Dublin South |
Dublin South |
727,134 |
Clondalkin CIC |
|
Crumlin |
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|
Dun Laoghaire CIC |
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|
Dundrum CIC |
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|
Liberties CIC |
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Lucan CIC |
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Rathmines CIC |
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Tallaght CIC |
|||
|
North Connacht and Ulster |
Cavan |
76,176 |
Cavan CIC |
|
Donegal |
159,192 |
Buncrana CIC |
|
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Carndonagh CIC |
|||
|
Donegal Town CIC |
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|
Dungloe CIC |
|||
|
Letterkenny CIC |
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|
Milford CIC |
|||
|
Leitrim |
32,044 |
Carrick-on-Shannon CIC |
|
|
Manorhamilton CIC |
|||
|
Monaghan |
61,386 |
Carrickmacross |
|
|
Monaghan CIC |
|||
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Sligo |
65,535 |
Sligo CIC |
|
|
Tubbercurry CIC |
|||
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North Dublin |
North Dublin |
620,225 |
Balbriggan CIC |
|
Ballyfermot CIC |
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Ballymun CIC |
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Blanchardstown CIC |
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Cabra CIC |
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Dublin City Centre CIC |
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Dublin City North West CIC |
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Finglas CIC |
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Northside CIC |
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Skerries CIC |
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Swords CIC |
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North Leinster |
Kildare |
222,504 |
Athy CIC |
|
Maynooth CIC |
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Naas CIC |
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|
Newbridge CIC |
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|
Longford |
40,873 |
Longford CIC |
|
|
Louth |
128,884 |
Drogheda CIC |
|
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Dundalk CIC |
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|
Meath |
195,044 |
Ashbourne CIC |
|
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Navan CIC |
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Trim CIC |
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Westmeath |
88,770 |
Athlone CIC |
|
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Mullingar CIC |
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North Munster |
Clare |
118,817 |
Ennis CIC |
|
Kilrush CIC |
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Shannon CIC |
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Limerick |
194,899 |
Kilmallock CIC |
|
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Limerick CIC |
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Newcastlewest CIC |
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Tipperary |
159,553 |
Clonmel CIC |
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Nenagh CIC |
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Roscrea CIC |
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Thurles CIC |
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Tipperary CIC |
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|
Waterford |
116,176 |
Dungarvan CIC |
|
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Waterford CIC |
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South Connacht |
Galway |
216,350 |
Clifden CIC |
|
Galway CIC |
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|
Rosmuc CIC |
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Tuam CIC |
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|
Mayo |
130,507 |
Ballina CIC |
|
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Belmullet CIC |
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Castlebar CIC |
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Claremorris CIC |
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Westport CIC |
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|
Roscommon |
64,544 |
Boyle CIC |
|
|
Roscommon CIC |
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|
South Leinster |
Carlow |
56,932 |
Carlow CIC |
|
Kilkenny |
99,232 |
Kilkenny CIC |
|
|
Laois |
60,260 |
Portlaoise CIC |
|
|
Offaly |
77,961 |
Birr CIC |
|
|
Edenderry CIC |
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|
Tullamore CIC |
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|
Wexford |
149,722 |
Gorey CIC |
|
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Wexford CIC |
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|
Wicklow |
142,425 |
Arklow CIC |
|
|
Bray CIC |
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|
South Munster |
Cork |
542,868 |
Bantry CIC |
|
Carrigaline CIC |
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Cobh CIC |
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Cork City Centre CIC |
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|
Hollyhill / Knocknaheeny CIC |
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Macroom CIC |
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Mayfield CIC |
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Youghal CIC |
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|
Kerry |
147,707 |
Caherciveen CIC |
|
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Kenmare CIC |
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Killarney CIC |
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|
Tralee CIC |
522. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether participants in the back to work enterprise allowance (details supplied) should have to repay all of their payments on the basis that they did a few days of work on a self-employed basis during the period in which they were being paid the allowance, considering the fact that the operational guidelines clearly state customers are not allowed to enter into paid employment as an employee but do not mention any restriction on doing work on a self-employed basis. [17834/22]
View answerThe Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market. As part of the Governments commitments under the Pathways to Work strategy a budget of €56.4m has been allocated for this scheme in 2022.
The BTWEA scheme aims to assist customers in alleviating risks for a new venture by allowing them to retain a proportion of their qualifying social welfare payment over two years; 100% in year 1 and 75% in year 2. All applications under the scheme require prior approval where the customer must engage with a Case officer/Job Coach of my Department and the assistance of the Local Development Company. During this process and throughout the payment of BTWEA scheme the customer is required to advise the Department of any change in their circumstances, including that of engaging in any form of employment.
Officials in my Department are reviewing the details of the specific case referred to by the Deputy including the determination of the overpayment.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
523. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an enhanced illness benefit and jobseeker’s allowance increase claim for a couple (details supplied) in Dublin 6; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17887/22]
View answerWhen the person concerned applied for Enhanced Illness Benefit, he was recorded as an adult dependent on his partner's Jobseeker's Allowance claim. An individual cannot receive a payment in their own right while at the same time being recorded as a dependent on another claim. The overlap of the claims has been addressed and arrears of Enhanced Illness Benefit has issued to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
524. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied). [17952/22]
View answerOverpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments arise as a consequence of decisions made under the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended). Customers who have been overpaid social welfare have a liability to refund the overpayment as they have been in receipt of a payment to which they were not entitled. Where an overpayment is raised, the Department makes every effort to recover the amount overpaid. Recovery is sought over a period without imposing undue financial hardship on the customer. The Department will work with the customer and consider personal circumstances in determining a repayment plan.
The Department is currently reviewing the overpayment in this case. A Social Welfare Inspector will be in contact with the customer shortly.
525. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the disparity between the levels of refusals for the domiciliary care allowance by age group; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that applications for those aged 11 to 16 years have a refusal rate of 43% in 2021 and 35% in 2020 compared to a refusal rate for children aged 0 to5 years of 21% in 2021 and 9% in 2020 (details supplied); if she will carry out a review of this matter to ensure that those aged 11 to 16 years are not more likely to be refused owing to later assessments and or diagnoses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17983/22]
View answerDomiciliary care allowance is a monthly payment to the parent/guardian of a child with a disability so severe that the child requires care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be provided to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.
Applications for domiciliary care allowance are decided by a deciding officer on a case by case basis, with the decision reflecting the individual merits of each application. The deciding officer will have the benefit of the opinion of one of the Department’s medical assessors prior to making their decision.
The medical assessors are all fully qualified medical practitioners who have training/experience in human disability evaluation. The medical assessor’s opinion is based on the information furnished as part of the application process. This information includes personal details supplied on the application form by the child’s parent / guardian; details of the additional care and attention required by the child as outlined by the parent / guardian and medical details provided by the child’s GP or specialist. Any additional information the parent/guardian considers relevant to the application is also reviewed (this could include consultant’s reports, reports from a community health doctor, a copy of the needs assessment carried out by the HSE etc.).
Eligibility is determined primarily by reference to the degree of additional care and attention required by the child rather than to the type of disability involved.
The percentage of any age cohort who are ultimately deemed qualified over any particular period of time will vary due to a number of factors, including the volumes of applications relating to that age group and the ability of the child, as they get older, to better cope with their disability without substantial additional care for another person.
I can confirm that the same assessment criteria is applied to all applications irrespective of the age of child concerned.
526. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for a PPS number for international protection applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17999/22]
View answerOfficials in my department are currently managing large volumes of applications for PPS Numbers and efforts are made to ensure these applications are processed promptly.
In general, PPS Number applications for international protection applicants are processed within approximately one week of being received where the form has been fully completed and the required supporting documentation has been provided.
My department has in the region of 130 applications for PPS Numbers which require information or documentation in order to finalise the application. Officials are working with on-site partners and IPAS to complete processing these applications.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
527. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of men and women separately who were recipients of the benefit payment for 65-year-olds in 2021; the number of men and women separately aged 65 years who were in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18115/22]
View answerBenefit Payment for 65 Year Olds is a payment for people aged 65 who have ceased employment or self-employment and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. It became operational in February 2021. To qualify for Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, you must:
- be 65 years of age
- have ceased employment/self-employment
- be resident in the Republic of Ireland
- have sufficient PRSI contributions
Jobseeker's allowance is a means tested payment to people who are unemployed. To qualify for jobseeker's allowance, a person must:
- be fully unemployed, or work three days a week or less
- be available and genuinely seeking work
- be capable of work
- pass a means test
- meet the habitual residence condition
Table 1 below shows the number of males and females in receipt of the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds by month in 2021. Table 2 below shows the number of males and females aged 65 in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in 2021 by month.
Table 1: Number of recipients of Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds in 2021, by month and sex
|
Month |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
February |
1,016 |
1,074 |
2,090 |
|
March |
1,161 |
1,273 |
2,434 |
|
April |
1,222 |
1,430 |
2,652 |
|
May |
1,329 |
1,538 |
2,867 |
|
June |
1,392 |
1,627 |
3,019 |
|
July |
1,441 |
1,720 |
3,161 |
|
August |
1,534 |
1,822 |
3,356 |
|
September |
1,588 |
1,932 |
3,520 |
|
October |
1,684 |
2,011 |
3,695 |
|
November |
1,786 |
2,090 |
3,876 |
|
December |
1,767 |
2,063 |
3,830 |
Table 2: Number of recipients of jobseeker's allowance aged 65 by month in 2021, by month and sex
|
Month |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
January |
1,390 |
687 |
2,077 |
|
February |
1,394 |
694 |
2,088 |
|
March |
1,365 |
708 |
2,073 |
|
April |
1,344 |
711 |
2,055 |
|
May |
1,318 |
722 |
2,040 |
|
June |
1,313 |
737 |
2,050 |
|
July |
1,282 |
744 |
2,026 |
|
August |
1,278 |
707 |
1,985 |
|
September |
1,262 |
714 |
1,976 |
|
October |
1,269 |
710 |
1,979 |
|
November |
1,247 |
701 |
1,948 |
|
December |
1,273 |
738 |
2,011 |
528. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households with an older person aged 70 plus in receipt of the household benefits package in 2021; the number of households with an older person aged 70 plus not in receipt of the household benefits package in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18116/22]
View answerThe Household Benefits package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under the age of 66, who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. Only one Household Benefits package is payable per household.
At the end of 2021, the Household Benefits package was paid to some 480,000 recipients, of which some 330,000 were aged 70 or over. These households could include other persons over 70 years of age. It is also possible that there may be persons residing in a household who are over 70 years of age where the recipient of the Household Benefits package is under age 70.
My Department does not maintain a record of the number of households nationally, with a person aged over 70, who are not in receipt of the Household Benefits package.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
529. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the current policy with respect to remote working options for staff in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18173/22]
View answerCivil Service Departments and Offices have been working in line with Government Covid-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible.
As an essential service, staff in my Department have continued, throughout the pandemic, to work both on site and remotely to deliver services to our customers.
The number of staff who are working remotely at any one time across all business areas of the Department is approximately 3,300 or 50% of the total staffing number and has remained relatively constant throughout the pandemic, as part of temporary working arrangements put in place by local business areas.
The Government has confirmed its support of blended working in the Civil Service and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has developed an overarching Blended Working Policy Framework to support consistency of implementation of blended working across the Civil Service. In conjunction with this Framework, an application process is being developed to allow staff to apply for blended working into the future.
Following on from the publication of the Framework, my Department will develop and publish its own Blended Working Policy. As part of this policy implementation, subject to public health advice, an application process will be made available to facilitate staff applying for a range of blended working arrangements in accordance with the new policy and to plan for longer term blended working arrangements for staff, in line with principles defined as part of the agreed Central Framework.
530. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has received a report from the HSE in respect of the backlog in making appointments for marriage notification which have to take place three months in advance; and if she plans to modify the legal obligation or make other changes to tackle this serious problem. [18203/22]
View answerThe requirement to notify any registrar of an intention to marry is set out in section 46 of the Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended. The notification must be served not less than three months prior to the planned date of marriage. An exemption to this requirement applies where the couple have been granted a court order that allows them to serve notice within the three months.
My Department has not received a report from the HSE on backlogs in the notifications for marriages. The Deputy will be aware of the significant impact on the number of marriages that were able to take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the imposition of public health restrictions to contain the Covid-19 pandemic with many couples postponing marriage to a later date.
I am advised that the HSE is working to increase capacity to deal with the current level of demand from couples to serve notice of an intention to marry and also to complete the other necessary legal requirements prior to a marriage proceeding. The demand for civil marriage ceremonies which are performed by HSE marriage registrars has also increased significantly in 2022.
I have no immediate plans to amend the three month requirement as this is not considered a remedy to the current level of demand, which is a combination of marriages postponed over the course of the past two years and the general demand for marriages in any year.
I will bring the Deputy's concern to the attention of the HSE and ask that the General Register Office continue its engagements to identify if changes in operations can be implemented within the current legal framework.
I trust that this information is of benefit to the Deputy.
531. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 283 of 24 March 2022, if a definite undertaking can be given to ensure that the Castlepollard Westmeath branch office of her Department will remain open providing the full range of face-to-face services as at present into the foreseeable future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18227/22]
View answerMy Department currently has 58 Branch Offices at various locations throughout the country. Each contracted Branch Office is operated and managed under a contract for services, by a Branch Manager who is required to act as an agent for my Department in the area served by the office. Branch Office Managers operate on a contract for service and are independent contractors.
The contract for the delivery of Branch Office services in Castlepollard was due to expire on the 8th of February 2023. However, the Branch Manager has very recently informed the Department of his intention to retire.
The continued provision of Social Welfare services to Castlepollard customers has been prioritised, both in accessing supports online and in-person. This includes the Community Welfare Service (CWS) and Employment Services. The Department will ensure that an efficient and quality public service which properly reflects customer needs is provided for all our customers in the Castlepollard area.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
532. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of and position regarding providing the option to include non-binary as a gender option in the Gender Recognition Act 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18238/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, contains a number of actions with respect to gender recognition. My Department is engaged in progressing these actions. This work is ongoing across Government Departments and public bodies on evaluating the impact of changes required to ensure recognition of non-binary people. To this end, all Departments and public bodies have been asked to progress positive actions to give effect to:
- promoting the use and acceptance of correct pronouns;
- improving the design of official forms and documentation to permit the use of a third gender option, or no gender at all, where it is possible to do so.
The Deputy will appreciate that some of the work being undertaken may result in proposals to amend the Gender Recognition Act 2015 which will be considered by Government in due course.
I trust this information will be of benefit to the Deputy.
533. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if the benefit payment for 65-year-olds is means tested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18246/22]
View answer534. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if a type of person (details supplied) would qualify for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18247/22]
View answer535. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if a type of person (details supplied) would qualify for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18248/22]
View answer536. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if a type of person (details supplied) would qualify for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18249/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 533 to 536, inclusive, together.
The Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds was introduced on 25th January 2021, in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to provide a benefit payment for people who are 65 and who retire at age 65 but do not qualify for a State pension until they reach pension age of 66. Those who qualify for the payment are not required to sign on, partake in any activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work which is generally the case for recipients of jobseeker payments.
The benefit payment, which is not means tested, is provided under the Jobseeker’s Benefit and Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) social insurance schemes in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as amended.
One of the qualifying conditions for Benefit Payment for 65 year Olds is that a person must no longer be engaged in employment or self- employment. However, customers may continue to work in subsidiary employment while in receipt of Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, provided that the remuneration or profit from the occupation does not exceed €7,500 per annum or €144 on a weekly basis. Subsidiary employment is defined as work that could have been done while a person was in full-time employment and outside their normal working hours. Where a person has more than 117 contributions in the 3 years prior to becoming unemployed there is no income limit applied.
A person with investment income subject to PRSI Class K over €7,500 per year would not be eligible to any benefit payment from my Department.
Class S Self-employed contributors pay PRSI on a wide variety of self-employment income. These contributions help to ensure that individuals qualify for social welfare benefits, including pensions. The qualifying conditions for Jobseekers Benefit (Self-Employed) include the requirement that a person has completely ceased self-employment. For that reason, individuals who continue to pay Class S PRSI on a variety of income sources would not satisfy the conditions for Benefit Payment for 65 year olds as they are not regarded as having ceased self-employment; they continue to pay Class S PRSI and are to be regarded as being in insurable self-employment.
A person with distributions from an Annual Retirement Fund of over €7,500 per year would not qualify for the Benefit Payment for 65 year olds as they would be deemed to be in insurable employment.
Any person aged 65 who does not qualify for the benefit payment may apply for the means tested Jobseekers Allowance. The maximum rate of payment is also aligned with the weekly rate of payment for the Benefit Payment for 65 year olds, which is €208 and increased allowances are paid for qualifying adult and child dependents. A person can also be engaged in limited employment and may still qualify for a jobseeker's allowance payment subject to satisfying the scheme conditionality.
The issue regarding Class S PRSI contributions arising solely from personal pensions has been raised with my Department and the matter is under consideration.
I hope that this clarifies the position at this time.
537. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be approved for the back to work enterprise allowance scheme. [18290/22]
View answerBack to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) is a support to qualifying customers wishing to take that first step into self-employment. It assists in alleviating the risks involved with a new venture and provides an element of financial security along with business mentoring and supports.
Following an initial assessment meeting with a Case Officer and agreement that the customer is eligible for BTWEA and that the business proposal is suitable, applicants are requested to meet with the Local Development Company (LDC) as soon as possible to develop a business plan.
Decisions on entitlement can only be made following receipt of the completed application form, business plan and a recommendation from the LDC by the Case Officer.
The person concerned submitted an application for the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme (BTWEA) to Killarney Intreo Centre.
This application has been forwarded by the Case Officer to South Kerry Development Partnership (SKDP) to assist the person in the development of a business plan.
When this has been completed, SKDP will return the application for BTWEA and the supporting business plan to the Case Officer. The Case Officer will then contact the person concerned with a view to progressing the application on the recommendation from the SKDP.
I am informed that the Case Officer hopes to have feedback from the Enterprise Officer in SKDP early next week.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
538. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if a scenario (details supplied) will be reviewed; if clarity will be provided in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18310/22]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested payment, made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that they require that level of care. An increased payment can be made where full-time care and attention is being provided to two people.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses for a maximum of 18.5 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
Any arrangements with regard to the hours worked are a matter between an individual and their employer. This Department has no role or function in this regard.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
539. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is differentiation between types of fuel allowance recipients, such as those receiving the fuel allowance payment as part of community employment or Tús schemes; if all recipients fall under the national fuel allowance; if she will provide information on recent changes as to the way fuel allowance recipients are categorised in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18313/22]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, which is supporting up to an estimated 400,000 households in 2022, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. 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.
A person who is in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment who moves to a community employment or TUS scheme may retain their Fuel allowance payment while participating on these schemes subject to continuing to satisfy all relevant qualifying conditions.
My Department does not differentiate between the cohort of people referred to by the Deputy and other claimants of the Fuel Allowance scheme. They are all considered recipients of the Fuel Allowance payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
540. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to assessing income from pensions for the fuel allowance based on net income rather than gross income (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18326/22]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, which is supporting up to an estimated 400,000 households in 2022, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. 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.
To receive the fuel allowance payment an applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a means test and the household composition test. This ensures that the fuel allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and those who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
In Budget 2022 and with immediate effect the Government increased the weekly means threshold for the fuel allowance scheme by €20 to €120 above the appropriate rate of Contributory State Pension representing a 20% increase and enabling more people to qualify for this support.
Fuel Allowance operates as part of an overall system of social protection supports which provides assistance payments based on a system of means testing. The means test ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure commitments or income tax circumstances.
For most social assistance payments, deductions from gross income are permitted in the case of PRSI, union dues, superannuation (pension contributions) and travel expenses.
If net rather than gross income was assessed for Fuel Allowance, it would mean that changes in tax rates or tax reliefs could change the claimant’s entitlement. In addition, to deduct outgoings such as mortgage or rent payments would significantly increase the complexity of the means assessment. It would also have significant budgetary implications and would give rise to inconsistencies in how means tests are applied across schemes.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
541. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 489 of 29 March 2022, the names and number of meetings held with the companies referred to in the reply as other organisations that were considering entering the Irish market. [18344/22]
View answerTo clarify for the Deputy, officials from my Department have engaged extensively with interested parties in advance of the current procurement process for employment support services. As I have previously advised there have been over 140 engagements with the community sector including consultation on its views on how services can best be constructed to deliver quality services to the Department’s customers.
This included visits to every Local Employment Service and Job Club contractor in late 2019. The Department has engaged with their representatives, heard their concerns regarding the provision of services, their concerns regarding being able to make competitive bids for services and their views on the overall procurement process. Many of the issues raised by the Irish Local Development Network concerning the structure of services have been addressed in the overall design of the services being procured. There have been 15 formal meetings at official level with the Irish Local Development Network since 2019 on the procurement of employment services.
My officials have engaged with and met the trade union organisation SIPTU to hear their concerns regarding the interests of their members who are employed in the community sector and whose employers are contractors to my Department. Officials have had formal meetings with SIPTU specific to the ongoing restructuring of services on 4 occasions since 2019.
In contrast, at the request of organisations who sought to introduce themselves to the Department, my officials had introductory meetings with Maximus on 9th Dec 2021, Capita on 24th Sept 2021 and FedCap on 11th May 2021.
