Written Answers Nos. 389-408
389. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement that her Department has had with disability groups in relation to developing the online public services card system given that some disabilities can affect public services card photographs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44854/22]
View answer390. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s plans, if any, to make the public services card application and renewal process more disability-friendly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44855/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 390 together.
My Department has introduced an online service which allows people with verified MyGovID accounts to renew their Public Services Cards (PSCs) through the MyWelfare.ie service without having to attend an appointment in one of our offices.
Clients are requested to submit a passport quality photograph which must be verified to ensure it meets certain minimum standards before the application can be accepted. This verification is carried out to ensure the photograph complies with standards similar to those required when applying for a passport.
Where any person, for whatever reason, encounters difficulties in submitting a compliant photograph, staff of my Department deal directly with that customer to ensure they receive their new PSC.
My Department has always provided a multi-channel approach to service provision and any persons who experience difficulties renewing their PSC online can arrange an appointment to have their photograph taken at one of our offices.
My Department continues to review its channels for delivery of its services for all people, including those with special requirements.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
391. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of supplementary welfare claims and additional needs payment claims made in County Kerry for each month from January 2021 to August 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44881/22]
View answerThe Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single additional needs payments.
The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
Rent supplement 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 for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Table 1 shows the number of Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Rent Supplement and Other Supplement recipients in Co Kerry from January 2021 to date for 2022 (to end of August).
Table 2 shows the number of additional needs payments (excluding supplements) in Co Kerry by month from January 2021 to August 2022
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to a payment under the Supplementary Welfare allowance scheme is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
TABLE 1 – The number of Basic SWA, Rent Supplement and Other Supplement recipients in Co Kerry by month from January 2021 to August 2022
|
Month |
Basic SWA |
Rent Supplement |
Other Supplements |
|
Jan-21 |
254 |
752 |
60 |
|
Feb-21 |
255 |
792 |
59 |
|
Mar-21 |
231 |
809 |
59 |
|
Apr-21 |
225 |
777 |
57 |
|
May-21 |
232 |
750 |
56 |
|
Jun-21 |
250 |
700 |
57 |
|
Jul-21 |
257 |
637 |
56 |
|
Aug-21 |
258 |
566 |
57 |
|
Sep-21 |
259 |
504 |
55 |
|
Oct-21 |
259 |
483 |
55 |
|
Nov-21 |
248 |
458 |
55 |
|
Dec-21 |
270 |
442 |
55 |
|
Jan-22 |
239 |
421 |
55 |
|
Feb-22 |
245 |
406 |
55 |
|
Mar-22 |
523 |
400 |
55 |
|
Apr-22 |
422 |
394 |
50 |
|
May-22 |
363 |
383 |
51 |
|
Jun-22 |
344 |
384 |
49 |
|
Jul-22 |
302 |
384 |
51 |
Table 2- Number of additional needs payments (excluding supplements) in Co Kerry by month from January 2021 to August 2022
|
Month |
Number of payments |
|
Jan-21 |
95 |
|
Feb-21 |
110 |
|
Mar-21 |
176 |
|
Apr-21 |
115 |
|
May-21 |
121 |
|
Jun-21 |
113 |
|
Jul-21 |
117 |
|
Aug-21 |
110 |
|
Sep-21 |
115 |
|
Oct-21 |
133 |
|
Nov-21 |
156 |
|
Dec-21 |
136 |
|
Jan-22 |
89 |
|
Feb-22 |
115 |
|
Mar-22 |
123 |
|
Apr-22 |
200 |
|
May-22 |
432 |
|
Jun-22 |
250 |
|
Jul-22 |
381 |
|
Aug-22 |
361 |
392. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community welfare officers in each Intreo office in County Kerry as of 31 December 2021 and as of 31 August 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44882/22]
View answer393. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that she will take to address the processing delays of supplementary welfare and additional needs payment claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44883/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
It’s important to note that the Community Welfare Service remains a flexible service which meets the varied needs of vulnerable people and continues to provide local access to a CWO. CWOs can facilitate emergency and in-person meetings in 51 Intreo Centres across business hours, five days per week. Some CWOs are based in Social Welfare Branch Offices and provide appointments at those offices. In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and DSP offices, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home.
My Department launched a freephone National Contact Phoneline for CWS in June this year which further enhances access to CWS nationwide. This is a dedicated phoneline available to people across the country to get information on CWS and access to a CWO to seek assistance and support. Customers can contact the phoneline at 0818 60 70 80.
There are 16 Community Welfare Officers in County Kerry as follows:
|
Kenmare |
1 |
|
Killarney |
3 |
|
Listowel |
2 |
|
Tralee |
10 |
|
Total |
16 |
The Department has introduced innovations this year which have increased efficiency in processing applications for SWA payments. One of these is the establishment of a back-office team to undertake the preparatory work on applications - for example, the registration of claims and the gathering of supporting documentation that is necessary to assess and finalise a claim. This method of processing applications supports a number of CWS areas across the country, including Kerry, and it has been found to be very effective in releasing CWOs from the requirement to undertake administrative tasks and to focus on delivery of services. It allows for increased capacity for CWOs to meet with people as required and to process claims. This model will be extended to cover all CWS areas across the country in the coming weeks.
Claims activity in the Community Welfare Service is closely monitored at all times and changes to modernise and improve the service for clients are a feature of the service. The delivery of a locally based CWS remains and will continue to remain a cornerstone of the service.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
394. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an entitlement to a farm-assist payment can be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) who received notification to the effect that their payment would be stopped unless a reply to correspondence was received within a specific time which happened to be family-holiday time; if their entitlement can be restored forthwith; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44937/22]
View answerFarm Assist is a means-tested payment for low-income farmers. Amongst other qualifying conditions a person must be aged between 18 and 66 to qualify for the payment.
The person concerned was in receipt of a Farm Assist payment from 07/10/2019 until 23/08/2022. As the person concerned turned age 66 on 24/08/2022, he was advised by officials in the Maynooth Branch Office to apply for a State pension.
While awaiting a decision on the outcome of an application for a State pension, the person concerned can apply for a basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance. For the convenience of the person, a SWA1 application has been issued to him by post.
When the completed application form and any supporting documentation has been returned to the Community Welfare Service, the person’s application will be assessed, and he will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
395. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a person (details supplied) qualifies for the State pension, on foot of self-employed contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44938/22]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 24 August 2022. An application for State pension (contributory) was received on the 08 August 2022.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment.
According to the records of my Department the person concerned has a total of 416 full-rate contributions, including self employed contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory).
A copy of the person’s social insurance contribution record was sent to them with the decision letter on 22 August 2022. If the person concerned considers they have additional contributions from employment that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence of the missing periods of employment to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.
It is also open to the person to apply for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory).
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
396. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) in County Cork had their disability allowance discontinued; and if she will outline the means assessed against him. [44943/22]
View answerDisability allowance (DA) is both a means and medically assessed payment. The Department commenced a means review of the person concerned in June 2021. In their reply, the person concerned stated that they now have a rental property which is valued at €270,000 and has no out-standing mortgage.
Properties other than a person’s principal residence are assessable for means purposes for DA. The capital assessable is the current value (less any out-standing mortgage0 which in this case is €270,000.
The formula for assessing capital of €270,000 for means purposes for Disability Allowance is as follows:
|
Formula |
Capital |
Means |
|
First €50,000 is disregarded |
€50,000 |
€0 |
|
€50,000 to €60,000 is assessed at €1 per €1,000 |
€10,000 |
€10 |
|
€60,00 to €70,000 is assessed at €2 per €1000 |
€10,000 |
€20 |
|
Over €70,00 is assessed at €4 per €1000 |
€200,000 |
€800 |
|
Total |
€270,000 |
€830.00 |
Therefore means are assessed from this property at €830.00 per week which exceeds the statutory limit allowed in this case of €203.00
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
397. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that free travel was withdrawn from a person in County Cork (details supplied). [44944/22]
View answerThe Free Travel Scheme allows people who are aged 66 years or over, and who are legally and permanently residing in the State, to travel free of charge on most CIE public transport services, LUAS, Local Link, as well as on the public transport services of a large number of private operators in various parts of the country. Certain people under age 66 may also be entitled to free travel if they are in receipt of a qualifying primary payment from my Department.
The person concerned had an entitlement to Free Travel while they were in receipt of an under 66 qualifying primary payment. This payment was stopped in December 2021 and their entitlement to Free Travel was also stopped at this time. A letter issued to the person concerned on 14 December 2021 advising that, as they were no longer in receipt of a qualifying primary payment, they were no longer eligible for the Free Travel scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
399. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a review of a working family payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45141/22]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP), formerly Family Income Supplement, is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment the customer must have at least 1 qualified child who normally resides with them and be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment.
A review of WFP for the person concerned has been completed and the claim has been awarded from 25th August 2022.
Arrears due to the person concerned from the date of renewal have been issued.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
400. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons employed in his Department that have a formal agreement to work from home one day per week, two days per week and five days per week; his Department’s policy in respect of facilitating requests by persons to work from home; and the number of persons that have made requests to work from home in 2021 and to date in 2022, that have been declined. [44574/22]
View answerMy Department has implemented a Blended Working Policy which currently requires a minimum of two days attendance onsite as mandatory. This is pro-rated for staff on a reduced working pattern. Formal applications for blended working opened in my Department on 29 August 2022.
To date 474 have made requests for blended working. No requests have been denied.
401. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of the number of persons who have died either in the care of the State, including State aftercare, or while known to child protection services, by cause of death in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [44665/22]
View answerThe Deputy is seeking information in relation to the number of persons who have died in the care of the State or while known to child protection services. As this relates to operational matters for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
402. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children referred to Tusla in each of the past five years and to date in 2022. [44666/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
I can confirm that the matter has been referred to Tusla, for direct reply to the Deputy.
403. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of the number of children referred to Tusla to date in 2022 by referral type; and the entities from which the referral was made, including teachers, gardaí, the managers of direct provision centres, and other categories. [44667/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
I can confirm that the matter has been referred to Tusla, for direct reply to the Deputy.
404. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of the total number of persons who have died in the direct provision system, by cause of death in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [44668/22]
View answerIPAS has a policy on the recording and reporting of deaths of residents in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres, and as part of that policy, IPAS publishes resident death statistics on a biannual basis with the most recent publication in June 2022 and the next publication due in December 2022.
This information is available on the IPAS website and can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/8224f-statistics-on-deaths-of-international-protection-accommodation-service-residents/.
I trust this information clarifies the matter Deputy.
405. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has received a submission (details supplied); if this is being progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44954/22]
View answerSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis. The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past months.
My Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 48,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 37,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Approximately 500 contracts are in operation to provide accommodation to Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection. Currently contracted accommodation capacity at present comes to just over 29,000 beds in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
I can confirm that my officials have received the commercial submission which the Deputy has mentioned, and that they are considering the matter.
406. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans for a building (details supplied), following the temporary relocation of individuals seeking international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44973/22]
View answerFrom 1 January 2022, over 9,800 people have come to Ireland seeking international protection. This is in addition to the arrival of over 48,000 Ukrainians who need assistance as a result of the Ukraine crisis.
The pressure to accommodate circa 45,000 people since the start of 2022 has led to significant shortages particularly for the international protection cohort.
Due to the unprecedented demand, accommodation all around the country have been utilised to accommodate applicants on an emergency basis.
The accommodation centre at North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, came into use for single male international protection applicants on 15 August 2022.
However, following a number of incidents at the centre, and in the interests of the welfare and safety of those residing there, residents were temporarily relocated to alternative accommodation at the Citywest transit hub on the 19 and 20 August 2022.
IPAS has paused the use of the facility and is considering options in relation to the continued use of the facility as an accommodation centre. Any future use of the centre will also be informed by the views of the local community.
407. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his response to a request by a group (details supplied) to urgently resource welfare and integration supports available to refugees in line with the increasing needs for these resources. [45121/22]
View answerSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.
My Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 48,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 37,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State.
Other areas within my Department are also actively supporting arrivals from Ukraine and their integration. The Early Years Division has taken responsibility for a number of actions supporting Ukrainian parents and children, allowing them to access preschool and ensuring children’s wellbeing. These actions have included the development and translation of introductory information on the Irish early learning and care sector. A capacity analysis across the country identified vacant preschool places and work is ongoing to match children to the vacant places and to create additional early childhood care and education (ECCE) places, where possible, in areas of high demand. Information on the access and inclusion model for children with disabilities accessing preschool has been translated into Ukrainian and Russian.
Tusla has also put additional staff into its services around educational welfare too in order to support the work of linking students to school places.
The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant and all Departments and agencies play a role with many of their efforts focused on meeting the welfare needs of those arriving and on their integration into communities. As a country, we have responded well to assist those relocating to Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine, and we will continue to do so working across Government, with agencies, with those in the Local Government sector and with communities. The cross-government response is being led by officials within the Department of an Taoiseach.
408. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his response to a request by a group (details supplied) to immediately establish a refugee agency, as per the White Paper Recommendations on Ending Direct Provision. [45122/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to end the current system of accommodation for International Protection applicants and replace it with a new model that is based on a not for profit approach. As part of this process, I published A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service on 26 February 2021. This paper sets out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and will replace the current system.
As part of the implementation process, the White Paper indicates that further analysis will be carried out, during the transition period, on what the optimal delivery vehicle for the new service might be in the longer term. Given the nature of the service, this will include consideration of the establishment of an independent body in the form of a new statutory agency of DCEDIY to provide the service.
A process to review timelines for implementation of the White Paper is currently underway and will take account of both the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the crisis in Ukraine and the impact of the substantial increase in the numbers seeking international protection. One element of future work will be to look in more detail at the question of whether or not an agency should be established to manage this area of work.
