Written Answers Nos. 1206-1220
1206. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent by her Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40016/22]
View answerThe answer to the Deputy's query is detailed in the table below:
Department of Social Protection Legal Fees and Costs
Full Year Costings - 2011 to 2021 & **2022 Year To date
|
YEAR |
TOTAL LEGAL FEES AND COSTS |
|
2011 |
€938,532 |
|
2012 |
€454,893 |
|
2013 |
€747,604 |
|
2014 |
€633,415 |
|
2015 |
€1,229,135 |
|
2016 |
€1,170,873 |
|
2017 |
€1,923,477 |
|
2018 |
€1,023,522 |
|
2019 |
€2,239,251 |
|
2020 |
€1,598,314 |
|
2021 |
€1,398,748 |
|
2022** |
€695,845 |
1207. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent by her Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [40034/22]
View answerOffice space for Government Department's is provided by the OPW. The figures for the past 10 years are not readily available for office IT equipment, they are being compiled and will be sent to the Deputy separately as soon as possible. The amount spent by Department of Social Protection on furniture for the past ten years:
|
Year |
DSP Furniture |
|
2012 |
€1,189,483 |
|
2013 |
€2,045,887 |
|
2014 |
€2,044,150 |
|
2015 |
€3,290,939 |
|
2016 |
€1,551,122 |
|
2017 |
€763,994 |
|
2018 |
€928,194 |
|
2019 |
€1,008,348 |
|
2020 |
€632,398 |
|
2021 |
€421,703 |
|
2022 YTD |
€233,009 |
1208. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of times that she embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days that she spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by her Department in relation to each trip in tabular form. [40052/22]
View answerThe following schedule details the foreign travel episodes arranged for the Minister since the formation of the current government -
|
Trips |
Destination |
Dates |
Days |
Associated Costs |
|
1 |
Malta |
11th - 14th May 2022 |
4 |
€542.17 |
No Ministerial foreign travel was undertaken in 2020 and 2021.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1209. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated revenue that would be generated in 2023 from increasing the rate of employers’ PRSI from 11.05% to 12.05%, 13.05% and 13.5%, respectively, on the portion of individual salaries in excess of €100,000. [40079/22]
View answerBased on 2019 data to include projected growth in income and earnings the following table provides the estimated revenue that would be generated in 2023 from increasing the rate of employers’ PRSI from 11.05% to 12.05%, 13.05% and 13.5%, respectively, on the portion of individual salaries in excess of €100,000.
|
Percentage (portion over €100,000) |
Yield (€m) |
|
11.05% |
€ - |
|
12.05% |
€ 74.3 |
|
13.05% |
€ 148.5 |
|
13.50% |
€ 181.9 |
The estimates being provided relate to 2019 data as it is considered that the data relating to 2020 and 2021 are inappropriate for estimating given the level of disruption to employment-related activity arising from the Covid-19 pandemic during those two years.
These estimates do not take into account any possible changes in employer behaviour arising from changing the rate of employer PRSI contribution.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1212. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the re-opening of the Intreo office on the Navan Road, Dublin 7, including the timeframe, expected service delivery and estimated population within its catchment area. [40123/22]
View answer1259. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 614 of 5 July and 617 of 12 July 2022, if she will confirm whether or not a centre (details supplied) will reopen to the public upon completion of refurbishment works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40871/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1212 and 1259 together.
Significant maintenance and upgrade works to the Intreo Centre on the Navan Road in Cabra, Dublin 7, had been scheduled for 2022. Plans were put in place for staff to transfer to other Intreo Centres for the duration of the work with arrangements made for customers to be served by other Intreo Centres.The work originally planned was premised on no significant changes being made to the services being provided by Navan Road Intreo Centre, the way those services are delivered and the layout of the building.Given the significant increase in construction and maintenance costs in recent months, including in building supplies, it was decided, before finalising the works contract, to review the future use of the building at Navan Road to ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
Any person living in the Dublin 7 area, with a catchment of some 10,000, who needs to attend an Intreo Centre can visit the Parnell Street Intreo Centre. There is also a freephone telephone number and the dedicated email addresses for Navan Road services relating to jobseeker’s payments, one-parent family payments, Public Services Cards, community welfare services and activation remain active. The quickest and easiest way for a person to apply for income supports is online at www.mywelfare.ie.
A comprehensive review was undertaken in 2021 of all services and activities delivered by the Department’s network of local offices, with the purpose of determining the best future operating models for delivering these services and activities. The review identified that significant portions of work that had previously taken place in Intreo Centres had been moved to alternative work streams, with the most significant being the processing of payments by the National Processing Team (NPT) and the handling of phone and electronic contacts by the National Intreo Contact Centre (NICC). The review also identified substantial benefits for standardising and streamlining work previously replicated across different local divisions.
In terms of the layout of the Department’s Intreo Centres, this means that instead of large waiting areas with rows of seats and multiple hatches, the Department will be providing self-service zones with interactive touch screens, child friendly spaces and autism supportive sensory rooms. The layout will reflect the fact that many customers will be there by appointment and won’t need to queue.The work in Navan Road Intreo Centre had been planned some time ago and it was considered appropriate to pause the works while further consideration was given to the optimal use of the building.
1213. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount paid by her Department to retained fire fighters claiming jobseeker’s benefit in each of the years 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40129/22]
View answerJobseeker's Benefit is a payment for people between 18 and 66 years of age who become fully or partly unemployed and have paid enough pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contributions. A person can work for up to three days a week and still claim Jobseeker's Benefit for the other days if they are available for full-time work.
The table below shows the estimated expenditure to retained fire fighters claiming Jobseeker's Benefit in 2021 and 2022 (to end June).
Table 1: Estimated expenditure to retained fire fighters claiming Jobseeker's Benefit, by year.
|
Year |
Estimated Expenditure (€ million) |
|
2021 |
8.3 |
|
2022 (to end June) |
3.9 |
1214. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if the qualifying criteria for domiciliary care allowance has changed in relation to the medical assessment and review of caring needs for the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40155/22]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable to a parent/guardian in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child to deal with the routine activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. Eligibility for DCA is determined primarily by reference to the degree of ongoing additional care and attention required by the child rather than the child's disability.
There have not been any changes to the qualifying criteria in relation to the medical assessment and review of caring needs for DCA.
Applications for DCA are decided by a deciding officer on an individual case by case basis. Consideration is given to the details provided by the applicant on the completed application form (Dom Care 1) including the signed details from the applicant's GP on this form, along with any additional information or documentary evidence that is provided by the applicant, such as medical professional report(s), forms the basis for the DCA application assessment and decision process. In addition, the Deciding Officer in making a decision on an application for DCA also considers the opinion of a Departmental medical assessor.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1215. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who moves to Tús from the disability allowance loses their eligibility for the disability allowance following completion of the Tús programme; if so, if they have to reapply for the disability allowance and be re-assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40170/22]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical examination, a means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
The Tús initiative programme is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people. The work opportunities are to benefit the community and are provided by community and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural areas.
This programme is not open to disability allowance recipients. It is directed specifically at persons in receipt of jobseekers allowance. Eligibility is confined to those on the Live Register for at least 12 months and in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance. These provisions are to ensure a targeted approach to those who are long-term unemployed.
While on disability allowance, a person may take up employment, i.e. they can work and have the first €140.00 of their earnings after deduction of PRSI, pension contributions and union dues) disregarded for the purpose of the means test.
Earnings above this limit will be counted as means.
50% of their weekly earnings between €140 and €375 is then disregarded for the purpose of the means test, while any further earnings, over €375 per week, are fully assessed for the purpose of the means test.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1216. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that social welfare recipients who are moving their bank account are required to obtain a public services card in order to receive their children’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40172/22]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17, if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
The quickest and most efficient way to change payment method is online via the MyWelfare platform. This secure service requires a verified MyWelfare account to identify the customer payments.
This account allows the customer to securely and conveniently access and modify their own data in the future, without needing to contact the Department.
Alternative ways of changing a payment method are available and any customer can contact their local Intreo Office for further information. There is no requirement to obtain a public services card in order to receive child benefit.
There is no change to the collection process; where a bank is mandated, the payment will transfer electronically on the payment date.
I trust this helps clarify the position for the Deputy.
1217. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has engaged with banks on securing reduced fees for persons in receipt of social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40213/22]
View answerOverall responsibility for the banking industry rests with the Department of Finance while regulation is carried out by the Central Bank of Ireland. The Department of Social Protection has no remit in relation to the fees charged by financial institutions to their own customers.
My Department provides two main options for payment method for its customers: payments in cash at post offices or payments direct to customer accounts in financial institutions. My Department intends, where possible, to continue to offer its many customers the choice of being paid in cash at the post office or directly into an account in a financial institution by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT).
Social Welfare payments made directly into customer accounts can be paid into any financial institution, whether they are commercial banks, credit unions or An Post. Within this range of financial institutions there are a range of account options which charge varying fees. Many bank customers avail of reduced bank fees, depending on the financial institution with whom they bank and the type of account they hold.
Every person receiving a Social Welfare payment by EFT has the right to choose which financial institution they wish to use to receive their payment.
In addition, the European Union (Payment Accounts) Regulations 2016 stipulate that any consumer who is legally resident in the European Union and who does not already have a payment account with a credit institution in the State has the right to open and use a payment account with basic features. These include a stipulation that such accounts be offered free of charge for a period of not less than 12 months.
It should be noted that Social Welfare payments made via the post office network incur no fee whatsoever for the claimant.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1218. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on work undertaken by her Department to examine the immediate end of disability allowance on the death of a young adult (details supplied) given a case recently raised with her; if she is considering making changes to this, including aligning it with domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40233/22]
View answerThe key role of the Department of Social Protection is to provide income support where an income need arises due to a particular contingency – be that illness, disability, unemployment or caring.
Disability Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment to people with a specified disability, who are aged between 16 and 66 and who are resident in the state.
If a Disability Allowance claimant dies and there is an increase for an adult dependant in payment, the payment continues for six weeks. If a Disability Allowance claimant dies and there is no increase for an adult dependant, entitlement to payment ceases upon the death of that person. However, if another person is in receipt of Carer’s Allowance in respect of that person, the Carer’s Allowance payment will continue for a period of 12 weeks. The following also applies:
- In circumstances where a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment together with a half-rate Carer’s Allowance, then the half-rate Carer’s Allowance will also continue for 12 weeks.
- The Carer’s Support Grant, which is paid on the first Thursday in June will automatically be paid where Carer’s Allowance is paid on that date. This will also include instances where the person being cared for has passed away before that date.
- The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme provides a number of supports to help persons facing financial hardship. Under the scheme, the Department may make an additional needs payment to meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The scheme is administered by the Community Welfare Service of the Department and payments are at the discretion of the Community Welfare officer taking into account all the relevant circumstances of the case. The main items eligible for assistance include help with fuel, utility bills, repairs to or replacement of household appliances, clothing, child related items, assistance with funerals or burial costs and travel.
My officials are currently reviewing the process in place regarding Disability Allowance in such circumstances.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
1219. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any circumstances by which a gender recognition certificate can issue as in a case (detail supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40243/22]
View answerWhen a person who is ordinarily resident in Ireland, but whose birth did not take place in Ireland, wishes to apply for a gender recognition certificate, the Gender Recognition Act 2015 requires that they must provide proof of birth.
This proof of birth must be either a document issued in accordance with the civil system of registration of births in the place where their birth occurred or a statutory declaration declaring why it is not feasible to produce the proof and exhibiting other evidence of birth.
In cases where the person is not registered because there is no system of civil registration of births in the place where their birth occurred, they must provide a statutory declaration declaring that there is no such system and exhibiting other evidence of birth.
The individual referred to by the Deputy has applied for a gender recognition certificate. As they were born in a country which has a system of civil registration of births, they must provide their birth certificate from that country or a statutory declaration declaring why it is not feasible to produce the proof and exhibiting other evidence of birth. Their application for a gender recognition certificate can then be processed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1220. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address an issue raised by a person (details supplied) regarding S class PRSI benefits and carers benefits. [40249/22]
View answerSelf-employed workers whose income is €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable to pay social insurance contributions at the class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. Such contributors are currently covered for a wide range of social insurance benefits including State pension (contributory), widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory), guardian’s payment (contributory), maternity, adoptive and paternity benefits, treatment benefits, invalidity pension, partial capacity benefit if in receipt of invalidity pension, jobseeker’s benefit (self-employed) and parent’s benefit.
The issue of extending additional social insurance benefits to self-employed persons paying class S social insurance contributions was considered in the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund, conducted by independent consultant and published in October 2017.
The Review indicates that if access to certain additional benefits, including carer's benefit, was extended to self-employed contributors, the class S rate of social insurance contribution would have to increase by 94% in order to ensure that the additional benefits are delivered in a revenue neutral manner. This rate of increase would bring the current class S contribution rate of 4% to 7.8% to cover the additional benefits only and does not take account of the value of the existing benefits to such contributors at the time of the Review.
Since the Review was published, self-employed contributors have gained access to invalidity pension from December 2017 and jobseeker's benefit (self-employed) and parent's benefit from November 2019 without any increase in their rate of contribution.
A commitment in the Programme for Government is to give consideration to increasing all classes of PRSI over time to replenish the Social Insurance Fund to help pay for measures and changes to be agreed including to the State pension system, improvements in short-term sick pay benefits, parental leave benefits, pay-related jobseeker's benefit and treatment benefits. In view of the significant access to a range of social insurance benefits in recent years without any increase in the rate of contribution by self-employed workers, access to the remaining benefits, including carer's benefit, will be considered in the context of this commitment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
