Written Answers Nos. 602-615
602. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans with respect to volunteers working in Citizens Information offices (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32524/22]
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 the Department of Social Protection. CIB provides funding to 22 companies in order to deliver services on its behalf. This includes eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres, including South Munster CIS, which encompasses Cobh. These eight companies are fully responsible for the delivery of services and all related operational matters including office opening hours in their respective regions.
CIB and the CIS have set up a Volunteer Strategy Working Group, which is currently working on proposals regarding the future role of volunteers in the Citizens Information Services. The group will report to the CIS Employer Forum, and recommendations from the group will inform CIB and CIS of the most suitable way to re-engage volunteers to support the services and deliver information, advice, and advocacy to the public.
South Munster CIS is in the process of inviting expressions of interest from the public, for volunteers to support companies in the delivery of services. This process will determine the future role of volunteers in the CICs including Cobh CIC.
The future of the role of volunteers in the CICs including Cobh CIC is not a Ministerial decision but entirely an operational matter for CIB and its regional companies.
603. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason Back to Education Allowance recipients are not allowed to work full time during the summer months and retain their rent supplement. [32534/22]
View answerThe Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who pursue courses of education at second or third level. The provision for the scheme for 2022 is €105.4 million.
The Rent Supplement scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Rent supplement is not generally payable where a person or their spouse/partner is in full time employment, i.e. 30 hours or more per week.
Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme supporting 11,295 active recipients at the end of May 2022.
The Deputy might note that the objective of the Housing Assistance Payment is to identify and transfer those with long term housing need to a local authority sponsored solution whilst allowing Rent Supplement to revert to its core purpose of providing short term income support to those temporarily unemployed. Payments under the HAP scheme are based on the local authority differential rent means test under which a full-time employment restriction does not apply.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
604. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the dedicated email addresses for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to contact her Department and bodies under its aegis as outlined in circular 25/2016. [32554/22]
View answerI can confirm that my Department and agencies/bodies under the aegis of my Department continue to have dedicated contacts in place for members of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department provides members of the Oireachtas with a list of dedicated e-mail addresses for the various scheme areas in order to facilitate a rapid response to specific queries for their constituents directly with the relevant scheme area. These mailboxes are monitored every day and operate quickly, efficiently and effectively.
The list is periodically updated and re-circulated to Oireachtas members.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
605. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a working family payment by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32562/22]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children. In order to qualify for WFP, an applicant must have a qualified child and be engaged in full-time paid employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight.
A Working Family Payment application for the person concerned was received on 25 February 2022. Working Family Payment was awarded from 03 March 2022 based on the information provided.
The person concerned contacted Working Family Payment Section by email on 14 March 2022 and advised that they were working hours which were fewer than the hours stated on her application form.
As the person concerned did not meet the condition of being in employment for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight the claim was stopped.
The person concerned provided payslips and a letter from their employer on 31 May 2022 confirming that they are working 38.75 hours per week. Working Family Payment has now been reviewed and awarded from 03 March 2022 at the weekly rate of €128.00. Any arrears due to the person concerned will issue on 20 June 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
606. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 2 June 2022 in which he stated they may be entitled to receive standard illness benefit subject to satisfying the PRSI contributions conditions for the scheme, if he will outline the way someone who is out of work after contracting long Covid in work and does not have the tax credits for long term illness is to receive payment. [32645/22]
View answerMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is generally not contingent on the nature of the illness or disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
As the Deputy is aware, the enhanced rate of illness benefit is payable for a maximum of ten weeks for those diagnosed with Covid-19. If the person remains out of work after the 10-week period they may be entitled to receive standard Illness Benefit subject to being under pensionable age and satisfying the PRSI contributions conditions for the scheme. They must have at least 104 class A, E, H or P social insurance (PRSI) contributions paid since first starting work. They must meet either of two conditions:
Condition 1
- They must have 39 weeks of PRSI contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year, of which 13 must be paid contributions. Alternatively, the 13 paid contributions can be used from either of the two tax years before the relevant tax year
- the last complete tax year (before the year in which the claim for Illness Benefit begins)
- the current tax year
OR
Condition 2
They must have 26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the relevant tax year, and 26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.
The relevant tax year is the second-last complete tax year before the year in which the claim for Illness Benefit begins. For example, the relevant tax year is 2020 for a claim made in 2022.
It is important to note that people in receipt of both enhanced illness benefit and standard illness benefit receive credits while in receipt of illness benefit. I believe the range of options for people to claim entitlement to illness benefit outlined above allows for flexibility of access to the scheme.
If the person is experiencing long-term illness and doesn’t satisfy the contribution conditions for Illness Benefit, they may apply for Disability Allowance which is a means-tested payment.
Apart from these income supports, my Department also provides means tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who are ill but who do not qualify for Illness Benefit. An Additional Needs Payment is now available to people who have expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income.
My Department keeps the range of income supports under review in order to make sure they meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
607. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 630, 631, 632 and 633 of 22 March 2022, if the administrative arrangements to implement the community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors pension scheme, as agreed with unions, have been finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32654/22]
View answer614. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the up-to-date position with proposed payment of a pension for community employment supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32785/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 614 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and CE assistant supervisors sought, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme.
At the outset, I wish to acknowledge the valuable and dedicated service that CE supervisors and assistant supervisors provide in running CE schemes in delivering local based community services while providing a valuable training and development opportunity to the long-term unemployed and to those often furthest removed from the labour market.
I am pleased that an agreement was reached between the Department of Social Protection and unions representing CE supervisors and assistant supervisors that resolves this long-standing issue through the payment of a once off ex-gratia payment to eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. On 23 December 2021, both unions involved confirmed acceptance of this settlement which will benefit over 2,200 people employed by CE schemes going back to 2008. It is estimated to have a total cost of over €24 million.
Under the terms of this settlement, on reaching retirement age, eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors will receive a once off ex-gratia payment in respect of time employed by CE schemes since 2008. People who retired since 2008 and who have reached retirement age will be able to apply for payments immediately when the scheme is in place. The ex-gratia payment provides for 2 week’s pay per year of service or part thereof, in the qualifying period. The calculation will be based on the salary point of the CE supervisor or assistant supervisor on the date of retirement, subject to a cap of €600 per week.
The qualifying period for the scheme is from 1 July 2008 to 31 December 2023 and will apply to all periods of employment as a CE supervisor or assistant supervisor during that period.
The Department of Social Protection is currently finalising the administrative arrangements to implement the agreed settlement with a view to starting to issue payments to qualified CE supervisors and assistant supervisors by the end of July. The Department will be in contact with those who are eligible to immediately apply for this payment in the coming weeks.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
608. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the legal basis that enables her Department to share information such as mobile phone numbers with third party companies such as Turas Nua; if permission to do so needs to be sought before passing on those details; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32677/22]
View answerTuras Nua is one of two companies under the JobPath contracts to provide, as part of the State's Public Employment Service, employment assistance and advice to the long-term unemployed in order to assist them secure full-time paid employment.
Externally contracted employment services have formed part of my Department's service provision since these services transferred from FÁS. In delivering these services the Department shares data under strict conditions with these service providers. The Department does not distinguish between providers such as JobPath or other providers when ensuring strict data protection provisions are respected. Persons in receipt of a jobseeker's payment are obliged to engage with the Department's activation services including externally contracted employment services.
The Department's employment service providers are contractually obliged to provide a service on behalf of the Department. A necessary aspect of this service is the exchange of information between the Department and any contracted employment service provider such as JobPath. This may include contact details such as name, address and phone number. This process is compliant with all relevant Data Protection legislation, including the GDPR provisions.
609. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the impact on the social protection payments of a person if they outline the measures they are taking to secure employment rather than engaging with Turas Nua and or JobPath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32678/22]
View answerAll persons in receipt of a jobseeker payment must be available for and genuinely seek work, and must engage with the activation process.
Labour Market activation policies are designed to give jobseekers a better chance of finding employment. Activation is the process of selection and referral of a person in receipt of a jobseeker payment to a compulsory engagement and case management process that aims to support them into employment. Activation measures may include the requirement to attend group or individual meetings, and/or avail of suitable education, training or development opportunities, or specified employment programmes considered appropriate to the person’s circumstances. This includes engaging with JobPath providers Turas Nua and Seetec.
The process is designed to support and complement the person's individual efforts to secure employment. The person may outline the measures they are taking to secure employment and Employment Services will assist them in those efforts by providing advice and agreeing a personal progression plan.
Activation is a mandatory process and failure to engage without good cause may result in a reduced rate of payment. A reduced rate of payment is only applied where a jobseeker fails to engage as requested without just cause, and following at least two warnings from the Department’s employment services. Full payment is restored as soon as the jobseeker engages in the process.
JobPath providers do not apply or recommend the application of a reduced rate of payment. They simply advise the Department if a jobseeker is failing to attend scheduled activation meetings. Officials in the Department then contact the Jobseeker and seek to arrange a meeting to discuss the matter directly with them. The application of a reduced rate of payment is entirely a matter for the Department and the Deciding Officer will take all relevant circumstances into account.
Any person who is dissatisfied with a Deciding Officer’s decision may appeal that decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
I trust this clarifies the matter.
610. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding backdating a social welfare payment for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32688/22]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the above named person on 27 September 2021. She was awarded disability allowance with effect from 29 September 2021.
The person concerned sent requests to the DA section in November 2021 for her claim to be backdated to 13 March 2020. The requests were considered by a deciding officer (DO). Having reviewed all of the evidence submitted in support of her application, the DO decided to award her claim from 18 March 2020. She was notified in writing of this decision on 2 December 2021. Arrears of allowance due for the period from 18 March 2020 to 28 September 2021 issued to her bank account on 8 December 2021.
The person concerned sent a further request to my Department for her claim to be backdated to when she was 12 years old. This request was refused and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 13 January 2022.
Following a further review, the deciding officer decided to backdate her claim to 16 October 2019 under the good cause clause. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 5 May 2022. Arrears of allowance due for the period from 16 October 2019 to 17 March 2020 issued to her bank account on 11 May 2022.
She lodged an appeal with the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO) requesting that her claim is backdated to her 18 February 2015. All the relevant papers requested by that office were prepared and submitted by this department to the SWAO who will be in touch with the person in due course in relation to the progress of the appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
611. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address concerns that persons who are in possession of a free travel pass are not being notified that their travel pass is due to expire within three months despite assurances that they would be notified; if she will advise free travel pass users via direct mailing post to their home addresses that the expiration date is approaching in order to save them the inconvenience and cost of having to pay for travel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32767/22]
View answerIn March 2020, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department closed its offices in accordance with the prevailing public health restrictions. This meant in-person Public Services Card (PSC) appointments, including PSC renewal appointments, had to be deferred. As a result, automatic invitations to those whose PSC was due to expire were suspended, to ensure customers were not directed to attend offices which were closed at that time.
Intreo Centres and Branch Offices reopened countrywide following the lifting of public health restrictions earlier this year, and almost 147,000 PSC appointments have taken place so far this year; this includes over 23,000 PSC renewal appointments. Any person who wishes to make an appointment to renew their PSC can contact their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
In addition, as part of my Department’s response during the pandemic, a facility was introduced whereby a person can have the validity period of their PSC extended by three years, by calling to an office of the Department or by calling 1890 927 999. These extended cards, issued on request, use the existing photograph, and do not necessitate attendance at an in-person appointment.
My Department also introduced an online PSC renewal service in March 2021. This service is available on MyWelfare.ie and 15,000 people have renewed their PSC online so far this year.
It is important to note that holders of expired free travel PSCs have at all times retained their entitlement to free travel. For this reason, there is an interim arrangement in place with the National Transport Authority, whereby expired free travel cards are accepted for travel on public transport services. Expired PSCs can also continue to be used to collect social welfare payments in Post Offices nationwide, and to verify MyGovID accounts.
The Department is currently reviewing the issuing of PSC expiry notifications with the aim of making the notification process more efficient. Any decision as to the resumption of the issuing of expiry notifications will be taken within the context of the Department’s available resources and the ongoing requirements to comply with the prevailing HSE and WHO public health and social distancing guidelines.
612. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has any plans to review the community employment schemes. [32781/22]
View answerThe aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their local communities. The programme aims to improve a person’s opportunities to return to the labour market.
I should mention, at the outset, that Minister Humphreys and I published the Interdepartmental Group Report in December 2021 which looked at the most appropriate organisational arrangements to manage social inclusion schemes.
As the economy and society emerged from COVID at the end of last year, it was clear that some schemes were encountering difficulties maintaining services and that this could continue in 2022 and into 2023. As a consequence, Minister Humphreys and I announced wide-ranging reforms to schemes last December. One of the changes introduced means that all persons over 60 years of age can now stay on CE until reaching retirement age.
Along with this, in order to assist with the increased turnover of participants and the potential impact on services, CE participants whose contract term is coming to an end are permitted to stay on CE until a replacement is found. Approximately 600 participants have had their contracts extended on this basis since the start of April.
Both Minister Humphreys and I are very aware of the ongoing challenges faced by CE, with the increased numbers of participants leaving schemes on the expiry of contracts, which were extended on a number of occasions during COVID. Coupled with the very welcome low levels of unemployment, post COVID, this means that some schemes are still facing challenges in filling vacancies. We are currently examining a further set of proposals to support CE schemes, during this period, by improving the recruitment and referral process, extending eligibility to new cohorts, and reducing the level of turnover on some schemes. The intention is to bring these to Government shortly.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
613. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s allowance award will be backdated to the date care was transferred to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32782/22]
View answerCarer'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.
I confirm that an application for CA was received from the person concerned on 5 April 2022.
The person concerned was awarded CA on 25 May 2022 with effect from 7 April 2022.
The person concerned was notified on 25 May 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
According to the records of the Department, she has not exercised either right.
The file has now been sent for review regarding the date of award.
Once the review is completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
615. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community welfare officers in the State; the number per area; the number who have retired within the past three years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32787/22]
View answerThere are 329 Community Welfare Officers (CWO) in my Department.
The number of CWOs by county is set out in table 1 below. Details of the number of CWOs who retired in the past three years is not readily available. The number of CWO retirements from January to June 2022 is included in table 2 below.
Table 1: Number of CWOs by county
|
County |
No. of CWOs by county |
No. of CWOs by county (full-time equivalent) |
|
Carlow |
4 |
4 |
|
Cavan |
3 |
2.8 |
|
Clare |
8 |
7.7 |
|
Cork |
42 |
38.9 |
|
Donegal |
19 |
18.5 |
|
Dublin |
86 |
81.53 |
|
Galway |
17 |
15.9 |
|
Kerry |
18 |
15.13 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
7.8 |
|
Kilkenny |
5 |
4.3 |
|
Laois |
5 |
4.73 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
3 |
|
Limerick |
19 |
18.6 |
|
Longford |
4 |
4 |
|
Louth |
10 |
9.4 |
|
Mayo |
12 |
10.8 |
|
Meath |
4 |
4 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
2.8 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
4.6 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
4 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
14 |
13.3 |
|
Waterford |
10 |
10 |
|
Westmeath |
7 |
6.8 |
|
Wexford |
8 |
8 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
6.7 |
Table 2: Number of CWOs retirements by area from January to June 2022
|
Area |
No. of Retirements |
|
Athlone |
1 |
|
Cork |
1 |
|
Dublin |
2 |
|
Galway |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
|
Newbridge |
3 |
|
Tullamore |
2 |
|
Total |
13 |
