Gary Gannon
Question:1015. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the full cost of the parent's benefit scheme in 2021; and the estimated cost in 2022. [19836/22]
View answerSocial Welfare Schemes
Questions (1015)
Written answers
Expenditure on the Parent's Benefit scheme for 2021 was €36.65 million. The estimated cost for the scheme in 2022 is €63.95 million.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 1016 answered with Question No. 983.
Question No. 1017 answered with Question No. 988.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (1018)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:1018. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) had their carer's payment reduced from €88.30 to €33.33 following a review. [19891/22]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant and includes earnings, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country. Means tested payments are subject to periodic means reviews.
Following a recent review of their entitlement the person concerned was assessed with means of €164.05 per week, which is derived from her spouse’s employment income and capital from savings. The rate of payment for the person concerned is €33.30 effective from 14 April 2022. The person concerned was notified of the decision on 30 March 2022, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
As part of Budget 2022, improvements were introduced to the income and capital limits for the CA means assessment, effective from June 2022. These measures, which will take effect from June 2022, include an increase in the income disregard from €332.50 to €350 for a single person and from €665 to €750 for a couple. In addition, the amount of capital disregarded in the means test will be increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
The person concerned will likely be entitled to an increase in their rate of payment, arising from the budget changes, and this will be automatically paid with effect from 2nd June 2022.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (1019)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1019. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to extend the fuel allowance beyond 8 April 2022 in the event of weather conditions in which there is a need for the payment. [19893/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The provision of any additional supports such as extending the Fuel Allowance season would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
The 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.
As part of the measures included in the National Energy Security Framework, Government has decided that a further additional lump sum payment of €100 will be paid to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance in the last week of the Fuel Allowance season – a payment equivalent to over 3 weeks additional Fuel Allowance. This payment will be provided in mid-May, after necessary IT changes have been implemented in my Department to effect the payment.
This means that low-income households will see an increase of 55% in Fuel Allowance support provided during this fuel allowance season compared to last season. A recipient household which would have received €735 in fuel season 2020/2021 would see an increase of €404 to €1,139 in fuel allowance payments in fuel season 2021/2022. When taken in conjunction with the electricity costs emergency benefit payment, due to be paid in April, this household would have received over €600 in additional targeted Government supports over the course of this fuel season. €600 is the equivalent of over 18 weeks' additional Fuel Allowance.
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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (1020)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:1020. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take in order to address the unusual situation whereby, if a person in Northern Ireland applies for a PPS number in the South, they are required to have proof of need, such as an offer of employment, although a number of employers require a PPS number when hiring and therefore cannot apply for certain jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19959/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for the allocation of Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) to those who require one to transact with a public body.
Persons taking up employment require a PPSN so they can pay tax and social insurance.
Any person applying for a PPSN for employment purposes, regardless of where they live, must specify the reason they require a PPSN and also submit the appropriate documents to support their application. The documents required include a signed letter from their employer, on headed paper, confirming the date on which the employment begins.
I can confirm that a PPSN is not required if an individual is looking for work or for an employer to make an offer of employment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Services
Questions (1021, 1022)
Jackie Cahill
Question:1021. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if funding will be provided in 2023 for the Ability Programme; if so, the source; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19998/22]
View answerJackie Cahill
Question:1022. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection when the 27 companies nationwide that are running the Ability Programme will be informed whether they are going to receive funding for 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19999/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1021 and 1022 together.
The Ability Programme, introduced in June 2018, was a three-year pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities. The funding for the programme amounted to around €16 million and was provided jointly under the European Union’s ESF 2014-2020 Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning Operational Programme and the Irish Exchequer.
Last year, I put a plan in place to allow for the transition of providers and participants to new arrangements and this was agreed with the Ability Providers Subgroup. This included a two-month extension to the 26 organisations still operating under the programme at that time. The Ability Programme concluded at the end of August 2021.
On 30 July last year I announced a new employment support measure for people with disabilities under Dormant Accounts Funding (DAF). The DAF Measures to Support the Employment of People with Disabilities programme began in September and runs up to the end of 2022. 45 projects have been funded up to an amount of €7.6 million. All 27 organisations who received funding under the former Ability Programme were successful in securing funding under this measure.
A new employment programme for people with disabilities will be included in the measures under a new Operational Programme for Ireland under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027. The new disability focused employment measure will build on the learnings from the former Ability Programme.
The ESF Managing Authority in Ireland - based in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science - is currently compiling the Operational Programme which will be submitted for Government Approval in the summer, prior to formal submission to the European Commission. It is expected that Commission approval will be communicated in the latter part of the year.
It is anticipated that the new disability programme will be open in 2023 to applications from organisations across the country including the 27 former Ability Programme organisations.
Question No. 1022 answered with Question No. 1021.
Departmental Staff
Questions (1023)
Holly Cairns
Question:1023. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit facilitate internships by students engaged in full-time or part-time further and higher education courses; if so, the number of interns her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit accept annually; if any or all of these interns receive remuneration of any kind; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20014/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department facilitates annual internships within the ICT and the Business Intelligence units. Internships are offered for a fixed term and interns are paid the first point of the Executive Officer salary scale for the duration of their internship.
The following table outlines the number of internships that were approved in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
|
Year |
Number of Internships |
|
2020 |
14 |
|
2021 |
11 |
|
2022 |
11 |
The Pensions Authority can facilitate internship requests on a case-by-case basis by students in full or part-time further or higher education courses. The Pensions Authority did not employ any interns in 2021, or to date in 2022.
The Citizens Information Board does not offer internships.
Question No. 1024 answered with Question No. 975.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (1025)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1025. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of a request to review an appeal decision to refuse an invalidity pension based on further medical evidence in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision is expected to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20027/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts.
I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the case on foot of this additional evidence. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of the appeal has been finalised.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Offices
Questions (1026)
Peter Burke
Question:1026. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to reopen the social welfare office in Castlepollard, County Westmeath, to serve the population of north County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20031/22]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 the 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, on March 21st, 2022, the Branch Manager informed the Department of his intention to retire due to extenuating circumstances. The continued provision of Social Welfare services to Castlepollard customers is a high priority issue and the Department will ensure that customers can continue to access supports online and in-person from the Departments offices in Blackhall, Mullingar.
This is an interim arrangement and all options for delivery of the Department’s services in the Castlepollard area are being examined. The Department wishes to assure its customers that an efficient and quality public service, which properly reflects customer needs, will continue to be provided for all our customers in the Castlepollard area.
The Department has a notice in the existing premises to advise customers of the closure and those affected can contact our Intreo Centre in Mullingar by phone (044 9350921) or by emailing mullingar@welfare.ie.
Staff from Mullingar Intreo will be also available in the County Council Offices, Mullingar Road, Castlepollard on Tuesday and Wednesday every week from 09.30 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00 to provide an outreach service for customers. This service has commenced from April 12th, 2022.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
State Pensions
Questions (1027)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1027. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the process to date in the determination of an application for a State pension in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20032/22]
View answerWritten answers
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned reached pension age on 1 November 2012. Their State pension (non-contributory) application was received on 5 November 2021 and their State pension (contributory) application on 28 February 2022.
The person concerned was awarded State pension (contributory) with effect from 6 May 2021, six months from the date of receipt of their earliest pension application. They were notified in writing of this decision and details of arrears due.
Current social welfare legislation on late claims stipulates that claims received on or after April 2012 may only be backdated for a maximum of six months.
Backdating of a late claim beyond six months will be considered in circumstances where the failure to claim arose as the result of either incorrect information having been supplied by my Department, or the claimant’s serious incapacity by illness or infirmity. In either case, relevant documentary evidence should be provided by the person concerned.
I hope that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Code
Questions (1028)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:1028. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is permissible for a person in receipt of invalidity pension to engage in farming in the context of such work being rehabilitative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20046/22]
View answerWritten answers
Invalidity Pension is a social insurance payment paid to people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or disability. It is based on a claimant's social insurance contributions and the personal rate of payment is not means tested. Expenditure on Invalidity Pension amounted to approximately €730 million in 2021.
A qualifying condition for Invalidity Pension is that a claimant must be regarded as being permanently incapable of work. For this reason, people on this payment are not expected to return to the workplace.
However, permission may be granted to do rehabilitative or voluntary work while in receipt of Invalidity Pension. This might apply if the person in question intends to help out at a farm occasionally with no payment in return. Written permission must be obtained first from the Invalidity Pension section prior to starting such voluntary work. Permission is granted on a case-by-case basis.
If the person in question intends take up paid employment or self-employment, they will need to transfer to Partial Capacity Benefit. The Department will carry out a medical assessment to review their level of incapacity as moderate, severe and profound. The corresponding levels of payment are €104, €156 and €208 respectively. People can earn any amount and work as many hours as they wish. People may not take up work until they have received written approval from the Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 1029 answered with Question No. 988.
Question No. 1030 answered with Question No. 981.
Social Welfare Rates
Questions (1031)
Paul Murphy
Question:1031. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will review the disability payment of €200 per week as it has been reported to my office that it is impossible to survive on this amount; and if there will be a review to increase this weekly payment given that the upcoming artist basic living income is proposed to be €320. [20157/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides a range of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability, the largest of which is the Disability Allowance scheme. As at the end of February there were in excess of 155,000 people in receipt of this payment.
The personal weekly rate increased in January to €208 per week. Increases are applied where there is a qualified adult (€138) or where there are qualified children (€48/€40, depending on the age of the child). Persons in receipt of Disability Allowance are also entitled to a Free Travel Scheme pass and may be entitled to additional secondary benefits such as the Household Benefits Package.
Through the Budget process, a number of measures were introduced to support people with disabilities and carers, as follows:
1. Increases to the weekly rates of payment for working age recipients (under 66 years of age) by €5 per week, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates;
2. Increase to the income disregard for Carer's Allowance from €332.50 to €350 for a single person and from €665 to €750 for a couple;
3. Increase to the Capital Disregard for Carer's Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000;
4. Extension to period during which Domiciliary Care Allowance can be paid for children in hospital from three months to six months (including payment of carer's allowance for this period);
5. Increase to the upper earnings disregard limit for Disability Allowance from €350 to €375 per week;
6. Increase in the rate of Wage Subsidy Scheme for people with disabilities by €1 per hour (equivalent to 60% of National Minimum Wage);
7. Three grants, currently available through Intreo centres, o also be available through EmployAbility contractors in 2022;
8. Increase to the general weekly means disregard for Disability Allowance to €7.60 (Currently €2.50 per week);
9. Extension to the eligibility for the disregard of PhD scholarship income, in the means test, to recipients of Blind Pension;
10. Introduction of a grant of up to €500 in any calendar year towards the purchase of wigs/hairpieces/hair replacement system in cases of hair loss due to illness or treatment of an illness;
11. Increase to the Fuel Allowance of €5 to €33 per week. The weekly means threshold was also increased by €20 from €100 to €120;
12. Increase to the Living Alone Allowance of €3, from €19 to €22 per week.
My Department also provides the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme for those whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. This scheme includes Exceptional Needs Payments, Urgent Needs Payments and SWA Supplements (heat, travel and dietary supplements). These means tested payments may be made to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
In addition to the above, my Department commissioned Indecon International Research Economists to carry out research into the cost of disability in Ireland and the Government published their report in December. Additional costs of disability identified run across a number of areas of expenditure including housing; equipment, aids and appliances; mobility, transport and communications; medicines; care and assistance services and additional living expenses. The Government has referred the report to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, which is chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, TD.
My Department regularly reviews its supports and payments schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives, while any proposed changes have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (1032)
Paul Murphy
Question:1032. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that partners of those on the disability payment are discouraged from working more hours for fear of losing access to the disability payment or access to the medicines their partner needs. [20158/22]
View answerWritten answers
Social welfare legislation provides that, for social assistance schemes such as Disability Allowance, all income and capital (such as savings, investments and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her spouse/partner, where applicable, are assessable for means assessment purposes.
If a claimant is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, the means of the couple will be assessed. This is the case even if only one of the couple is actually claiming a payment.
The rate payable (if any) is determined by calculating the full rate to which the couple would be entitled (i.e. the personal rate, increase for a qualified adult, and increase for a qualified child if applicable), and then deducting the means which are assessed in the means test.
The current maximum rates of payment for Disability Allowance are as follows:
|
Personal rate |
€208 |
|
|
Increase for qualified adult |
€138 |
|
|
Increase for qualified child |
Under 12 |
Over 12 |
|
Full rate |
€40 |
€48 |
|
Half rate |
€20 |
€24 |
Under the current rules, assessable earnings of the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant are calculated as gross earnings less PRSI, Superannuation (pension contributions) and trade union subscriptions.
An earnings disregard of €20 per day also applies for a maximum of 3 days a week, while 60% of earnings above this threshold are taken into account when assessing means.
It is the nature of means-tested schemes that, above a certain level of means, a person is not entitled to any payment, as their means are deemed to be sufficient to provide for their needs.
This approach reflects the policy of ensuring that those with the least amount of income or capital receive the maximum available support from the State, while those with larger amounts of income, savings or property contribute, partially or fully, towards meeting their needs.
Any proposals to change the means assessment for Disability Allowance would have to be considered in the overall budgetary and policy context.
Social Welfare Rates
Questions (1033)
Seán Canney
Question:1033. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to counter the additional burden that very high inflation is placing on disabled persons in receipt of both the disability allowance and the invalidity pension; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the setting of the pandemic unemployment payment at €350 is the minimum level of payment that a person requires to survive; if she plans to extend this level to the 13.5% of the population that are living with one type of disability or more according to the most recent census figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20163/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides a number of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. Invalidity Pension is paid to people who are “permanently incapable of work” because of illness or disability. It is based on a claimant's social insurance contributions and is not means tested. Increases are paid where there are adult or child dependants. People in receipt of Invalidity Pension are also entitled to a Free Travel Scheme pass. They may also be entitled to additional secondary benefits such as the Household Benefits Package.
A person who has an insufficient PRSI contribution record to qualify for a social insurance scheme, may apply for the appropriate means-tested social assistance scheme. Disability Allowance is a means-tested payment for people with a disability. Eligibility for the scheme includes the requirement that the disability must be expected to last for at least one year, and substantially restrict a person’s ability to work. Increases are paid where there are adult or child dependants. People in receipt of Disability Allowance are also entitled to a Free Travel Scheme pass. They may also be entitled to additional secondary benefits such as the Household Benefits Package.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was brought in as a short-term measure and is not a long-term income support payment. It has ended following the reopening of workplaces. PUP was open to employees and self-employed people who lost their job due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Persons formerly in receipt of the payment, who remain unemployed, have been moved onto the appropriate jobseekers payment.
Through the Budget process, it is worth noting a number of measures were introduced to support people with disabilities as follows:
- Increases to the weekly rates of payment for working age recipients (under 66 years of age) by €5 per week, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates;
- Increase to the upper earnings disregard limit for Disability Allowance from €350 to €375;
- Increase to the rate of Wage Subsidy Scheme for people with disabilities by €1 per hour (equivalent to 60% of National Minimum Wage);
- Three grants, currently available through Intreo Centres, are to also be available through EmployAbility contractors in 2022;
- Increase to the general weekly means disregard for Disability Allowance to €7.60 (Currently €2.50 per week);
- Extension to the eligibility for the disregard of PhD scholarship income, in the means test, to recipients of Blind Pension;
- Introduction of a grant of up to €500 in any calendar year towards the purchase of wigs/hairpieces/hair replacement system in cases of hair loss due to illness or treatment of an illness;
- Increase to the Fuel Allowance of €5 to €33 per week - the weekly means threshold was also increased by €20 from €100 to €120;
- Increase to the Living Alone Allowance of €3, from €19 to €22 per week.
In addition, my Department commissioned Indecon International Research Economists to carry out research into the cost of disability in Ireland, in order to get a better understanding of the extent and composition of these costs and the way they affect people differently. The Government published the report in December. Additional costs of disability identified run across a number of areas of expenditure including housing; equipment, aids and appliances; mobility, transport and communications; medicines; care and assistance services and additional living expenses. The Government has referred the report to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group for consideration and monitoring. This Steering Group is chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, TD.
My Department regularly reviews its supports and payments schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives, while any proposed changes have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
Social Welfare Code
Questions (1034)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1034. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to allow the means test assessment for carer’s allowance to be assessed on household net income; and if she has carried out a budgetary analysis of the maximum amount by which the household income earnings threshold for carer’s allowance could be raised which would be more cost effective to the State than a HSE-funded homecare package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20211/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides a range of income supports for full-time carers 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.
Carer's Allowance acts as an income support for those who cannot earn adequate income in the open labour market due to their caring responsibilities. This allowance is part of the system of social assistance supports that provide payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
While the caring requirements of carees may be different, this does not affect the rates of the allowance, which is intended to provide an income support for the carer and does not depend on individual care requirements.
By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure. In line with most social assistance payments, deductions, such as PRSI, are permitted for Carer's Allowance.
The current income disregard and means test for Carer’s Allowance is the most generous within the social welfare system. The amount of weekly earnings disregarded is €332.50 for a single person and €665 for a couple. From June the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance will increase to €350 a week for single carers and to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
If net rather than gross income was assessed for Carer's Allowance, it would mean that changes in tax rates or tax reliefs could change the claimant’s rate of Carer’s Allowance. This proposed change would also have significant budgetary implications and would give rise to inconsistencies in how means tests are applied across schemes.
My Department has not carried out a budgetary analysis along the lines suggested by the Deputy. The Home Support Service (formerly called the Home Help Service or Home Care Package Scheme) referred to is administered by the HSE and is a matter for the Minister of Health. This scheme aims to support older people to remain in their own homes and provides the older person with support for everyday tasks. As such the scheme is fundamentally different in its nature and purpose when compared to the Carer's Allowance payment provided by my Department.
I can assure the Deputy that I am keenly aware of the key role that family carers play in Irish society and the challenges they face. I will continue to keep the range of income supports provided to family carers under review. However, any improvements or additions to the current supports provided by my Department – such as introducing further changes to the means testing of Carer’s Allowance - would have implications for overall spending and could only be addressed in an overall budgetary and policy context.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (1035)
Seán Sherlock
Question:1035. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of jobseeker's transitional payment in each year of the years 2013 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the percentage of the total in each year who were enrolled in further or higher education courses leading to qualifications at levels 6 to 10; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20234/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department does not have the information requested by the Deputy on those enrolled in further or higher education courses leading to qualifications at levels 6 to 10. However, my Department can provide information relating to Jobseekers Transitional Payment (JST) recipients and those that closed their claim and self certified as having taken up educational, training or employment placement.
Table 1 shows the number of JST recipients at the end of each month, from January to March 2022, alongside the number of JST recipients who have closed their claim and self certified as having taken up educational, training or employment placement in that month.
Table 2 shows the number of Jobseekers JST recipients at the 31st December each year, from 2013 to 2021, alongside the number of JST recipients who have closed their claim and self certified as having taken up educational, training or employment placement in that year.
Table 1: JST recipients, and closures to take up educational, training or employment placement and total closures, by month in 2022
|
Month |
JST recipients |
JST closures to take up educational, training or employment placement |
Total Closures |
Percentage of Total closures |
|
January |
16,517 |
9 |
348 |
3% |
|
February |
16,481 |
16 |
341 |
5% |
|
March |
16,499 |
18 |
404 |
4% |
Table 2: JST recipients, and closures to take up educational, training or employment placement and total closures, by year
|
Year |
JST recipients |
JST closures to take up educational, training or employment placement |
Total Closures |
Percentage of Total closures |
|
2013 |
507 |
12 |
202 |
6% |
|
2014 |
1,982 |
47 |
585 |
8% |
|
2015 |
14,995 |
291 |
3,611 |
8% |
|
2016 |
14,580 |
440 |
4,820 |
9% |
|
2017 |
14,618 |
419 |
4,301 |
10% |
|
2018 |
14,796 |
298 |
4,123 |
7% |
|
2019 |
15,234 |
236 |
4,136 |
6% |
|
2020 |
15,954 |
135 |
3,504 |
4% |
|
2021 |
16,533 |
142 |
3,741 |
4% |
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (1036)
Seán Sherlock
Question:1036. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of additional persons who would qualify for the fuel allowance if the weekly means threshold of €120 in the means test were increased by a further €20, or €50 or €100; the additional cost for each increase; the number of additional persons qualified for the fuel allowance following the €20 weekly means threshold increase in budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20235/22]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Taking account of the fact that the Fuel Allowance is a household based payment and that qualification is not just based on the means test but on a number of other complex qualifying criteria such as household composition, it is not possible for my Department to provide an accurate projection of the potential cost of the measures outlined by the Deputy. My Department also does not maintain records across all schemes of the amount by which unsuccessful fuel applicants are over the income threshold. It is also worth noting that many people above the existing income threshold do not make an application.
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.
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 such as further increasing the allowable means for Fuel Allowance purposes would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (1037, 1086)
Seán Sherlock
Question:1037. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of additional persons who would qualify for the fuel allowance if illness benefit were an eligible payment; the cost for the 2022–2023 fuel season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20236/22]
View answer
Cathal Crowe
Question:1086. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will amend the qualifying criteria for fuel allowance payments in order that those in receipt of illness benefit also receive them in view of spiralling fuel costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20934/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1037 and 1086 together.
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying 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.
Taking account of the fact that the fuel allowance is a household based payment and that qualification is not just based on the means test but on a number of other complex qualifying criteria such as household composition, it is not possible for my Department to provide an accurate projection of the potential cost of the measure outlined by the Deputies or the additional number of persons who would qualify for the fuel allowance payment.
Qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance are those payments that are considered long term payments and an applicant must also satisfy a means test. People on long term payments are unlikely to have additional resources of their own and are more vulnerable to poverty, including energy poverty. It is for this reason that the Department allocates additional payments, supports and resources to help this cohort of claimants.
In the majority of cases, Illness Benefit is a short-term payment for those who are certified by their GP as needing to take time out from their employment due to illness, and accordingly is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance.
People who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for the non-means-tested Invalidity Pension, subject to satisfying the relevant social insurance and medical criteria. Those who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means-tested Disability Allowance, subject to meeting the relevant medical criteria. Recipients of both of these payments, subject to satisfying all qualifying conditions, may be eligible for Fuel Allowance.
Any decision to allow those in receipt of a short-term payment such as Illness Benefit to receive the fuel allowance payment would represent a fundamental change to the nature of the scheme and would inevitably lead to pressure for other short-term schemes to be considered as qualifying payments for the Fuel Allowance. As such, it would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
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 Deputies.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (1038)
Seán Sherlock
Question:1038. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of additional persons who would qualify for the household benefits package if the €100 weekly means threshold of the means test was increased by €20, €50 or €100; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20237/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Household Benefits package (HHB) 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 welfare type payments. My Department will spend approximately €273 million this year on HHB.
The allowable means for HHB purposes is €120 above the relevant State Pension Contributory rate. Applicants aged 70 or over do not have to satisfy a means test or be in receipt of a qualifying payment.
It is not possible for my Department to provide an accurate projection of the potential cost of the measures outlined by the Deputy. My Department does not maintain records of the amount by which unsuccessful HHB applicants are over the income threshold. It is also worth noting that many people above the existing income threshold do not make an application.
Any decision to enhance the HHB package would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations.
In Budget 2020, it was announced that for HHB applicants aged under 70 who are on a qualifying payment, another adult (except for the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of applicant) living in the household will no longer be a disqualifying condition for the purposes of the HHB Package. Therefore, the status and income of the members of a household (except for the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of applicant) does not prevent a HHB applicant from receiving the package.
My Department 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.