Written Answers Nos. 375-395
375. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection why a constituent (Details Supplied) whose illness benefit payment has been reduced should be penalised due to Government decisions to close her industry in March 2020. [45735/22]
View answerIllness Benefit is a social insurance scheme provided by my Department to those who cannot work due to illness and who have the required number of Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions.
The rate of Illness Benefit payable to a person is based on their average weekly earnings while in employment in the relevant tax year. For claims made in 2022, the relevant tax year is 2020.
A person who was out of work during the Covid-19 pandemic and in receipt of Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) or a Jobseekers payment with an underlying entitlement to PUP, has been attributed PRSI credited contributions at the appropriate class for their employment. Please note that these attributed contributions are not included in the calculations of a person's average weekly earnings, so as to not adversely affect the calculation of their weekly earnings.
The person concerned had earnings of €4226.25 in 2020, and paid 18 PRSI Class A contributions in that year. Their average weekly earnings were calculated as €234.79 per week. This means they qualified at a graduated rate of Illness Benefit payment of €162.90 per week.
If the person concerned is experiencing difficulties in meeting their basic financial commitments they may contact the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre to see if they qualify for assistance under the terms of the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
376. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a non-contributory pension will be re-instated for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45746/22]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of state pension non-contributory since 12 June 2009. A review questionnaire issued to the person on 20 June 2022 for completion and return, to determine if they were receiving their correct weekly pension entitlement. The completed questionnaire was returned on 27 June 2022. Following on from the returned questionnaire, on 29 June 22, the Deciding Officer sought from the customer the most recent six months financial statement for his financial account. The letter also notified the person that failure to submit the requested statements may result in the suspension of their payment.
The requested statements were not received and as a consequence on 5 September 2022, the State pension non-contributory payment was suspended. An advance notice of the suspension from that date should have been provided to the person but due to an oversight this did not happen. Once we became aware of the oversight, their payment has been immediately re-instated. The Deciding Officer telephoned the person concerned and confirmed that their due payments will be available for collection at their nominated post office on Friday, 23 September.
A reminder for the requested information was issued on 13 September 2022 so the Department can conclude its means review. The Department will be in contact with the person concerned over the coming period in this regard. On completion of the review, the person will be notified of the outcome, in writing.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
377. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if the remuneration for supervisors of community employment schemes has been linked to any grade in the public service; and the progress in negotiations to recognise such people in terms of pay and conditions, and pension rights. [45755/22]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring authorities who are the legal employers of CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors. CE sponsoring authorities receive state funding from the Department to cover the cost of remuneration, and to support training and material costs. Therefore, the position is that CE scheme supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector, that receive public funding.
As such, pay and conditions of CE supervisors are matters for the employer and not my Department as the employees concerned are not public servants, but employees of individual schemes. There is no link to grades or rates of pay between CE supervisors and public servants.
Earlier this year unions representing CE supervisors did submit a claim, to increase the pay of CE supervisors, to my Department as the funder of schemes. My officials have had an initial meeting with unions and have agreed to meet again later in the year’.
My Department acknowledges the valuable and dedicated service that CE 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.
My Department is fully committed to the future of CE and will continue to support and improve CE for the benefit of the supervisors and participants, given the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
378. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when the State pension (contributory) arrears will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry following a successful backdating appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45789/22]
View answerThe pension rate of the person concerned was reviewed. An increase in the rate of payment was awarded and backdated to their 66th birthday. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing. The higher rate of payment and arrears due will be paid on Friday 23 September 2022.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
380. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the changes her Department are introducing to the Community Welfare Service throughout the country; if these intended changes include the centralisation of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45827/22]
View answerA comprehensive review of the Community Welfare Service (CWS) was undertaken in the Department during 2021 with the purpose of determining the best future operating model for delivering the service. The review identified substantial benefits to standardising and streamlining the Community Welfare Service and in order to progress this, a national organisational structure was established.
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. There has been a number of innovations this year to increase 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 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 and it has been found to be very effective in releasing Community Welfare Officers (CWO) from the requirement to undertake administrative tasks and to focus on delivery of services. It allows for increased capacity for CWOs to meet with customers as required and to process claims. This model will be extended to cover all CWS areas across the country in the coming weeks.
Technology plays a big part in how we can improve our citizens access to Community Welfare Services. It is expected that video call technology will be available shortly to allow customers to connect directly with a CWO.
A freephone National Contact Phoneline for CWS was launched in June this year which further enhances access to the CWS nationwide. This is a dedicated phoneline available to people across the country to get information on the CWS and access to a CWO to seek assistance and support. Customers can contact the phoneline at 0818 60 70 80. Since the phoneline commenced operation, more and more people are availing of the opportunity to have their issues resolved by this method rather than by calling into an office. Arrangements are also in place for onward follow-up by a local CWO if an issue to this contact phoneline cannot be resolved.
The Department is also assessing the provision of an online Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme application process. The provision of SWA1 forms online will ensure that those who wish to access this scheme without needing to attend an office can do so.
Customers now no longer have to meet in person with a CWO to make a claim. This change ensures enhanced access to the Community Welfare Service. It means for instance that those who require community welfare assistance in a more remote rural area no longer have to wait for an outreach service to be available on a particular day. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices are open five days per week and any person who needs to access the Community Welfare Service can attend an office or can call the phone line to make an appointment for a consultation on the same day with a CWO.
This is not intended to dilute or replace customers access to a CWO. Indeed the continued availability of locally based CWO is a cornerstone of the service. 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.
It is vital that the Community Welfare Service is an easily accessible, flexible, and responsive service to meet the varied needs of vulnerable people, particularly in a time of crisis or emergency. While changes to modernise and improve the service for customers are a feature of the service, continued in-person customer engagement remains a pivotal feature within the community welfare service.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
381. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the full-year cost of increasing the disability allowance for all recipients to €350 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45838/22]
View answerThe estimated full-year cost of increasing the disability allowance for all recipients to €350 per week, with a proportionate increase for qualified adults is €1.2billion.
This costing is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2022 and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
382. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the full-year cost of increasing all headline social protection payments to €300 per week, excluding the disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45839/22]
View answerThe estimated full-year cost of increasing all headline social protection payments to €300 per week excluding disability allowance with a proportionate increase for qualified adults is €4.3 billion.
This costing is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2022 and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
383. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the possibility of some closures of physical Citizen Information Centres, and her assessment of the impact this may have on those who have weak digital literacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45848/22]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory agency tasked with providing information, advocacy and advice to citizens. These important services are delivered by eight independent regional Citizen Information Service (CIS) companies.
The CIB provides funding to the eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres. It is very important to note that, by law, the CIB is charged with independently overseeing the delivery of the services under its remit. Similarly, each CIS is a limited company governed by a voluntary board of directors. These companies make decisions independently on the delivery of services in their own regions.
I met with both the CEO and Chair of the Citizens Information Board recently and made clear my strong views that, given in particular the current cost of living crisis and the challenges facing people across the country, there should be no closure of any Citizen Information Offices.
CIB have informed me that face to face services continue to be an integral part of the CIS service offer. CIB have advised also that it does not intend that there will be any further permanent closure of offices, other than in circumstances that would be beyond the control of CIB or the regional CIS companies - for example, where buildings are sold and leases terminated.
Nationally, 89 Citizens Information Centres are currently open and remain available to provide information, advice and advocacy. Information on service locations and opening hours can be found on centres.citizensinformation.ie/.
Additionally, for customers who may not be able to access this information on the website, they can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS) on 0818 07 4000, which is open Monday to Friday from 9am – 8pm .
It is incumbent on CIB and the CIS Boards to ensure that a high-quality service is delivered nationally which will continue to provide essential information, advice and advocacy to the citizens of Ireland in the most effective manner possible.
384. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that carers who apply for carer's allowance do not have their spouse's travel-to-work income included in the means assessment where the spouse has availed of the cycle-to-work scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45852/22]
View answerThe system of social assistance supports provides 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.
A travel expenses disregard is included in the Carer's Allowance means test on an administrative basis. Where an allowance in regard to travel is already in place, such as a car allowance or the cycle to work scheme, the travel expenses disregard in the means test is not applied.
I acknowledge the crucial role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. That is why I introduced significant improvements to the means test for Carer’s Allowance, which were announced as part of Budget 2022 and came into effect in from June.
The general weekly income disregard for Carer's Allowance was increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for a couple. This enabled more carers to become eligible for the scheme, and those currently in receipt of a reduced payment may now receive a higher payment.
The capital disregard was also increased from €20,000 to €50,000. This allows carers who have accumulated savings, often to provide care for a loved one, to retain an entitlement to Carer's Allowance.
In addition to these changes to the means test, all recipients of a weekly carers saw their payment increase by €5 per week from the beginning of January. Those with children will also have benefitted from an increase in the qualified child payment - €2 increase for children under the age of 12, and €3 for children aged 12 and over - bringing these payments to €40 and €48 per week respectively.
Any further changes to the means test for Carer’s Allowance would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
385. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection whether she is considering expanding the grant towards the cost of a wig or hairpiece for those suffering hair loss due to illness to also include children suffering hair loss due to illness whose parents have the necessary PRSI contributions or self-employed equivalent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45853/22]
View answerAs part of Budget 2022, I announced an expansion to the range of services available under the Treatment Benefit scheme. The new grant announced came into effect on 28 May 2022 and it provides a contribution of up to €500 once every calendar year towards the cost of non-surgical hair replacement, for example wigs and toupees, for people who suffer from hair loss due to disease. This grant is provided under the Medical Appliances stream of the Treatment Benefit scheme. In addition to this grant, eligible contributors can also benefit from dental, optical and aural benefits under the Treatment Benefit scheme.
As of 16 August 2022, 416 people benefited from the grant to the value of €206,836.
Eligibility for this grant is based on a medical and a contributory condition. It provides benefits to insured and eligible contributors to the Social Insurance Fund under PRSI Classes A, E, H, P or S and their dependent spouses and partners with a gross income of €100 or less per week. Benefits under the Treatment Benefit scheme are only available to adults and cannot be claimed for dependent children.
My Department keeps the current range of schemes and supports under review to make sure they continue to meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarified the matter for the Deputy.
386. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a State pension rate for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45874/22]
View answerWidow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s non-contributory pension (WNCP) is a residency-based means tested payment. All income and earnings, including pensions, capital and property excluding their own home, is assessable as means. A person is obliged to declare all their income and notify the Department in writing of any change in their circumstances.
For the purposes of the means-test, it is necessary for applicants to provide full details of any income(s), assets, savings and investments they hold. Following the award of pension, a reporting obligation continues to apply whereby the pension recipient must notify the Department in a timely manner of any change in their circumstances that may impact on their pension entitlement.
The means of the person concerned was last reviewed on 18 October 2019. The means established were derived from a pension received from the UK. The employment of the person concerned was also assessed at that time, but was below the applicable weekly disregard of €100.00. The means from capital of the person concerned was also below the applicable disregard of €20,000.
The Deputy's representation will be taken as a request for review. In this regard, a review questionnaire has issued to the person concerned. On return of the means details, a Deciding Officer will review the person’s pension entitlement. The person concerned will be notified of the review outcome, in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
387. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review of the State pension (contributory) for a person (details supplied) will take place. [45900/22]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 03 January 2022. An application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 18 January 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. Factors such as an individual’s social insurance record, their attachment to the workforce, and their countries of employment affect the rate of pension entitlement.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 406 paid full-rate social insurance contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory).
They were notified in writing of this decision on 01 February 2022, provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based, and afforded the right of review and/or appeal. Upon receipt of further information, a review of their contribution history record can be carried out and their entitlement to State Pension (contributory) re-examined, if applicable.
It is also open to them to apply for State Pension (non-contributory). This is a means-tested payment with the maximum rate set at approximately 95% of the state pension (contributory) rate.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
388. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedure for individuals and families seeking international protection to secure PPS numbers; the number of such applications currently pending; and the average length of time that it takes to provide the PPS numbers, from the date of application. [45922/22]
View answerThe vast majority of applications for Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) from International Protection applicants are made in the counties of Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. My Department has a dedicated service for applicants in those counties.
This service involves various Non-Governmental Organisations assisting applicants in completing their application and sending those documents to a dedicated email address in my Department. Applications received through this service are currently processed within 3-5 days. There is no waiting list at the moment.
PPSN applicants in other parts of the country can apply for a PPSN online on the Department’s MyWelfare service (www.MyWelfare.ie) or by contacting their nearest PPSN Allocation Centre.
My Department does not collect data on processing times for applications made via MyWelfare by International Protection applicants. However, the national average processing time for PPSN applications is currently 2.8 weeks, where the application has been fully completed and the required supporting documentation has been provided.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
389. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any social welfare payments that take a person's outgoings, for example a monthly mortgage payment, into account when calculating an entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45924/22]
View answerThe system of social assistance supports provides 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.
By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure.
Introducing a rent or mortgage disregard for means testing would have significant budgetary implications and would give rise to inconsistencies in how means tests are applied across schemes. It would also significantly increase the complexity of the means assessment.
In assessing maintenance payments in the means test, the housing costs actually incurred by the claimant, up to a maximum of €95.23 per week, may be offset against the maintenance payment, with half the balance of any remaining amount being assessed as means in the calculation.
Any changes in this regard would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
390. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection if entitlements to a benefit payment are restricted to those who ceased employment in 2019, 2020 and subsequent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45939/22]
View answer391. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons who took early retirement in 2016 are entitled to a benefit payment for the 12 months up to and reaching the age of 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45940/22]
View answer392. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale for excluding persons aged 65 years from a benefit payment depending on when they ceased employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45941/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 390 to 392, inclusive, together.
The Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, provided under the Jobseekers Benefit scheme, was introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to address the position of people who are required to or choose to retire at age 65 before the pension age of 66.
The payment is designed to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at 65 until they qualify for the State Pension at age 66. The social insurance contribution requirements are not as high as for receipt of the State Pension, and people retiring at age 65, given they have a recent attachment to the workforce, should, in most cases meet the required PRSI conditionality. The scheme is not designed for those who took early retirement some 6 years ago in 2016.
To be eligible for the payment a person must satisfy the qualifying conditions of the scheme including the PRSI social insurance contribution requirement.
A person must have paid 104 PRSI insurable employment contributions at class A, H or P or paid 156 class S contributions if they are self-employed. The second contribution condition requires that a person must also have 39 reckonable contributions paid or credited in the Governing Contribution Year (GCY). The GCY for 2022 is 2020. At least 13 of these contributions must be paid. Where a person does not have 13 paid contributions in the GCY they can be from 2 years before the GCY, the last complete tax year or the current tax year. Alternatively, a person could qualify if they have at least 26 reckonable contributions paid in both the GCY and the year immediately preceding the GCY.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
393. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of family income supplement and working family payment in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022. [45943/22]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment for employees with children. It supports people who are on low pay. To qualify for WFP, a claimant must have at least one child who normally lives with them and who they support financially. The child must be under 18 (or between 18 and 22 if they are in full-time day education). WFP was formerly known as Family Income Supplement.
As of August 2022 there were 48,466 recipients of WFP. The table beneath outlines the number of recipients of WFP as of 31st December each year from 2016 to 2021.
Table: recipients of WFP at 31 December
|
Year |
Recipients |
|
2016 |
57,567 |
|
2017 |
57,745 |
|
2018 |
54,116 |
|
2019 |
53,104 |
|
2020 |
48,188 |
|
2021 |
45,365 |
394. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount spent on the family income supplement and working family payment in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022. [45944/22]
View answerThe table below shows the expenditure on Family Income Supplement/Working Family Payment for the years 2016 - 2021 and year to date (end-August) 2022:
|
Year |
€000 |
|
2016 |
415,437 |
|
2017 |
414,630 |
|
2018 |
410,546 |
|
2019 |
397,204 |
|
2020 |
377,312 |
|
2021 |
338,407 |
|
2022* |
220,900 |
*2022 expenditure is up to end August 2022 and is provisional.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
395. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by her Department in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [45962/22]
View answerMy Department currently has 14 (fourteen) live studies in progress. Details of these are set out in tabular format below:
|
Live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned |
Expected completion date |
|
|
1. |
A survey of employers to ascertain their views of the Department’s employer services. |
Ongoing on a quarterly basis. |
|
2. |
The General Register Office (GRO), which operates under the aegis of my Department, has led an interdepartmental working group to consider how to revise the death registration process to provide for more timely death data and to align our processes with international best practice. The GRO published a consultation document on proposals identified by the working group to improve the timeliness of death registration. |
The public consultation process was completed in Quarter 2, 2021 and the final proposals of the Working Group are to be presented to the Minister for Social Protection in Quarter 3, 2022. |
|
3. |
The GRO has engaged with the Department of Justice, reviewing proposals for development of the Registration of Wills Bill 2021. This Bill was introduced in the Seanad in October 2021. |
Quarter 3, 2022. |
|
4. |
The GRO is currently conducting an internal review of the Civil Registration Act, with a view to proposing amending legislation to improve functionality and prepare for digital registration services. |
Quarter 3, 2022. |
|
5. |
Independent evaluation of the School Meals Programme. |
Quarter 4, 2022. |
|
6. |
As part of the 3-year contract for the provision of poverty and social inclusion research, the Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) is currently undertaking a review of the existing indicators used in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion. |
Quarter 4, 2022. |
|
7. |
OECD - Joint Research Centre (JRC) evaluation of the Community Employment and Tús Schemes. |
Quarter 4, 2023. |
|
8. |
The Working Group on Food Poverty developed a research proposal to identify the drivers of food poverty and mitigating factors at a local level using a case study approach. |
Quarter 4, 2022. |
|
9. |
Mid-Term Review of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion. |
Quarter 4, 2022. |
|
10. |
Review of Certain Rules for Leased Land for State Pension Non-Contributory and Farm Assist. |
Quarter 3, 2022. |
|
11. |
The Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund. |
Quarter 3, 2022. |
|
12. |
Report on the inclusion of all half-rate Carer’s Allowance recipients under the Fuel Allowance Scheme. |
Quarter 3, 2022. |
|
13. |
Strategic Review of the Abhaile Service |
Ongoing |
|
14. |
Report on arrangements for cohabiting couples in the Department of Social Protection schemes. |
Quarter 3, 2022 |
