Written Answers Nos. 413-432
413. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to providing fuel allowance payment rates dependent on household size; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47888/22]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, which is supporting over 370,000 households in 2022, at an estimated cost of €366 million. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. Only one allowance is paid per household.
While consideration is always given to suggested improvements to the Department's schemes, any decision to introduce different rates of Fuel allowance, dependent on household size, would be a fundamental change to the fuel allowance scheme, would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
The Department provides for the additional expense of dependent household members through the payment of an Increase for a Qualified Adult rate and an Increase for a Qualified Child rate on many of its primary payments. Other household members may be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment in their own right.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
414. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of domestic flights for work purposes taken by her, Ministers of State in her Department and Department staff for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [47921/22]
View answerThere were no domestic flights taken for work purposes by myself, Minister O'Brien or Departmental staff during 2019 to 2021, and to date in 2022.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
415. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the maximum State Pension (contributory) is not being paid to a person (details supplied). [47928/22]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 05 September 2015. According to the records of my Department, they have a total of 624 qualifying paid and credited social insurance contributions from their date of entry into self-employment, in April 1988, to end of December 2014.
This equates to a yearly average of 23 contributions giving an entitlement of 85% of the state pension contributory rate of payment, weekly rate of €215.70. In order to qualify for a maximum rate of pension, the person concerned would need a yearly average of 48 contributions.
The person concerned is in receipt of the correct rate of State pension (contributory), commensurate with their social insurance record as held by my Department.
I have arranged for a copy of the person’s social insurance contribution record to issue to them. If they consider that they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department and their pension entitlement can be reviewed.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
416. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of recipients of rent supplement in the estates in an area (details supplied). [47929/22]
View answerRent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme providing support to 10,423 recipients at the end of August 2022.
The 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.
Information on the percentage of rent supplement recipients by estates is not collated.
Information on the number of rent supplement recipients can be provided by county.
Table 1 shows rent supplement recipients by county at end of August 2022.
Table 1 - Rent supplement recipients by county at end of August 2022
|
County |
Number of Recipients |
|
Carlow |
119 |
|
Cavan |
151 |
|
Clare |
61 |
|
Cork |
1,565 |
|
Donegal |
57 |
|
Dublin |
5,225 |
|
Galway |
382 |
|
Kerry |
372 |
|
Kildare |
472 |
|
Kilkenny |
42 |
|
Laois |
44 |
|
Leitrim |
26 |
|
Limerick |
222 |
|
Longford |
33 |
|
Louth |
105 |
|
Mayo |
147 |
|
Meath |
130 |
|
Monaghan |
100 |
|
Offaly |
44 |
|
Roscommon |
57 |
|
Sligo |
62 |
|
Tipperary |
105 |
|
Waterford |
53 |
|
Westmeath |
211 |
|
Wexford |
220 |
|
Wicklow |
418 |
|
Total |
10,423 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
417. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for State pension (contributory) in the name of a person (details supplied) will be approved and paid. [47942/22]
View answerAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned reached pension age on 01 July 2022 and their application for State pension (contributory) was received on 26 July 2022.
An interim decision has been made and the person concerned has been awarded State Pension (contributory) from 01 July 2022 at 85% of the maximum rate. They were notified of this decision in writing on 26 September 2022.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of another social welfare payment until 20 October 2022. State Pension (contributory) will therefore go into payment on 21 October 2022 and any arrears due will be issued at that time.
Upon completion of a further review of home-caring, the entitlement of the person concerned to a higher rate will be re-examined and they will be notified in writing of the decision.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
418. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection when the ex-gratia payment will issue to community employment supervisors in County Donegal given that persons in other counties have received the payment will be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47955/22]
View answer443. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48461/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 443 together.
As the Deputy is aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and CE assistant supervisors sought for several years through their union representatives, SIPTU and Forsa, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsoring organisations.
Following an agreement between the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Social Protection, a final settlement was reached with unions representing CE supervisors and assistant supervisors at the end of 2021. This settlement resolves this long-standing issue through the payment of a once off ex-gratia payment rather than a pension to eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. On the 23rd December 2021, both unions involved confirmed acceptance of this settlement which will benefit approximately 2,500 people employed by CE schemes going back to 2008. It is estimated to have a total cost of over €24 million.
Generally, 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 are now able to apply for this payment.
Over the past number of months, an administrative and ICT system to accept applications and process payments was put in place within the Department of Social Protection. The first group of ex-gratia applications have been received - these relate to persons who retired since 2008. Discussions are ongoing with the Department of Expenditure and Reform as regards the timing of issuing of these payments.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
419. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a State pension (non-contributory) has been reduced for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47978/22]
View answerState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means-test, at application stage and through the lifetime of a claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investment(s) held and inform the Department of any relevant changes in their circumstances that may affect their pension entitlement.
On 16 June 2022, the Department received a request for review of the current weekly rate of state pension non-contributory of the person concerned. On 21 June 2022, a review questionnaire issued to the person concerned in order that their weekly means could be reviewed. The completed questionnaire was returned, together with supporting financial documentation.
Following their assessment, the Deciding Officer determined that the person's means had increased since the previous review and made a revised decision. The person concerned was notified of the revised decision on 16 August 2022, including details of the revised means assessment. The person was also informed of their right, if dissatisfied with the decision, to request a review, or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. There is no record of an appeal received.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
420. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number and location of Citizens' Information Services which have closed in the past six months in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47988/22]
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. CIB provides funding to eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres.
It is important to note that, by law, the CIB is charged with independently overseeing the delivery of its services under its remit. Similarly, each CIS is an independent limited company governed by a voluntary board of directors. These eight CIS companies make decisions independently on the delivery of services in their own regions.
CIB have informed me that there has been one closure of a centre within the last six months.
|
CIC Office |
Closure Date |
Reason for Closure |
|
Rathmines CIC |
24/05/2022 |
South Dublin CIS were issued with a notice to vacate the premises due to the building being sold. |
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.
421. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the decision of the Citizens Information Board to exclude volunteer information providers from their terms of reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47989/22]
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. CIB provides funding to eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres.
It is important to note that, by law, the CIB is charged with independently overseeing the delivery of its services under its remit. Similarly, each CIS is an independent limited company governed by a voluntary board of directors. These eight CIS companies make decisions independently on the delivery of services in their own regions.
The CIS volunteer strategy was developed by the independent regional CIS companies and, as an operational matter, I cannot, as Minister for Social Protection, direct the CIB or the CIS in this regard. I have written to and met with the CIB requesting information on the situation and the implementation of the strategy by the CIS companies.
The CIS is a trusted source of information, advice and advocacy, with a long tradition of volunteering and I have been assured by the CIB that the contribution of volunteers continues to be highly valued in this regard. Volunteers have been returning on a phased basis since mid-2022 and to date, CIB have been informed that 120 volunteers have returned to support the delivery of Citizens Information Services across the country.
CIB is urgently engaging with the regional companies in relation to the continued return of volunteers. In addition, CIB has now agreed Terms of Reference for an independent review of the volunteer programme. The priority for the Board of CIB is that the service provided to the public is of the highest quality, whether provided in-person, online or by phone. The review will engage with internal and external stakeholders, including current and past volunteers, to make recommendations on the re-integration of volunteers to the service.
I trust this clarifies your query on this matter.
423. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when an anomaly (details supplied) will be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48022/22]
View answerThe Yearly Average method of calculating State Pension Contributory payment rates has been used since the introduction of the contributory Old Age Pension (now State Pension contributory) in 1961. Under the Yearly Average approach, anomalies can arise because of the date of entry into insurable employment. A late date of entry into insurable employment can result in an unusually low divisor, and consequently a higher yearly average than would be representative of the number of contributions
To this end, the National Pensions Framework (2010) proposed that the current ‘yearly average’ system, be replaced with a ‘Total Contributions Approach’ (TCA), which would make the level of pension directly proportionate to the number of social insurance contributions made by a person over his or her working life, with significant pension credits granted to people who have taken time out of the workplace to perform caring duties.
In January 2018, the Government announced an Interim TCA to calculate the entitlement of pensioners who reached state pension age on or after 1 September 2012 (i.e. those born on or after 1 September 1946) and who had a reduced rate pension entitlement based on post Budget 2012 rate bands. All pensioners who have reached state pension age since September 2012, therefore, have seen both Yearly Average and interim TCA methods applied and they receive whichever rate is most beneficial.
In September, I announced the Government's intention for a phased 10-year transition to the TCA method and the abolition of the Yearly Average approach for calculating individual State Pension (Contributory) entitlement, to commence from January 2024.
The current model of Interim TCA method (also known as the Aggregated Contribution Method) will become the definitive TCA model, i.e., 40 years, or 2,080 contributions, required to qualify for a maximum State Pension (Contributory) payment rate. The TCA model includes provision for 10 years of PRSI Credits and 20 years of HomeCaring periods, but with a cap of 20 years combined PRSI Credits and HomeCaring periods. This facilitates a more equitable approach as pension outcomes are in line with the total number of contributions paid and credited, with significant provision for years of caring in the home.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
424. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if an alternative tax year can be used to calculate the illness benefit payment rate for a person (details supplied) given that their employment was restricted in 2020 according to Government guidelines during the Covid pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48074/22]
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 €4,138.80 in 2020, and paid 25 PRSI Class A contributions in that year. Their average weekly earnings were calculated as €165.55 per week. This means they qualified at a graduated rate of Illness Benefit payment of €134.20 per week. There are no plans to change the qualifying criteria for Illness Benefit at this time.
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.
425. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider a change in policy that would see those who are in receipt of the widow’s allowance also able to gain access to jobseekers' payments; if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48108/22]
View answerThere are a number of basic principles which underpin the Irish social insurance system, including the general principle of 'one person, one payment', which applies across the social welfare system. Given the contingency-based nature of this system, it can happen that a person may experience more than one contingency at the same time, but generally, as these payments are to help them meet their income needs, he or she can receive only one of those payments. This principle is common to social security systems across the world.
The person concerned is in receipt of Widows Contributory Pension at the maximum personal rate of €213.50 per week, which will increase to €225.50 from next January 2023 as announced in Budget 2023. I have also secured a number of once-off income support measures to assist people with the increased cost of living.
The combined rates of payment if a person was to be paid both a full rate Widow's Contributory Pension and Jobseeker's Benefit (plus allowances), neither of which are subject to a means test, would be significantly higher than those paid to other people supported by my Department. The maximum personal rate of Widow's Contributory Pension already exceeds that of the Jobseeker's Benefit.
The concurrent payment of half-rate Jobseeker’s Benefit in addition to Widows and Widowers Pensions was discontinued as part of Budget 2012, in the context of the Government’s commitments to maintain existing core rates of primary payments for social welfare recipients.
There are no plans to change this underlying principle of entitlement to allow people to claim multiple payments concurrently.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
426. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48109/22]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
In this particular case, the decision was made on 26 May 2022 by a Deciding Officer that Carers Allowance was disallowed on the grounds that the appellant had been assessed with means of €303.82 per week and that this exceeded the statutory means limit for receipt of Carer’s Allowance. The means assessment in this case was based on the appellant's spouse’s earnings from employment.
In considering the appellant's appeal the Appeals Officer examined the means assessment and was satisfied that, based on the information available, the appellant’s means had been calculated correctly and, therefore, her appeal was disallowed. She was advised of the appeal decision on 7 September 2022.
The Appeals Officer acknowledged the difficult circumstances that the appellant had outlined, but also the position that all conditions of the scheme must be satisfied before payment can be made and the Appeals Officer had no discretion to depart from the governing legislation.
Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 provides that an Appeals Officer may review and, if warranted, revise an appeal decision on the basis of new facts or evidence being provided which were not before the Appeals Officer when they made their decision. If the appellant has some new material evidence regarding her means to form the basis of a Section 317 review she may provide it for consideration by an Appeals Officer. In carrying out any such review the Appeals Officer will determine if the matter can be dealt with on a summary basis or if it will be necessary to hold an oral hearing
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
427. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the grounds on which the conclusion was reached that a person (details supplied) was not providing full-time care and attention to their daughter, who has type 1 diabetes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48116/22]
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 my department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 24 May 2022.
Additional information in relation to the person’s employment was requested by a Deciding Officer (DO) on 31 May 2022. A reply to this information request was received on 2 June 2022.
The application was also referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 31 May 2022 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
Based on the information contained in the SWI report, it was decided that while the care recipient requires care, it was not considered to be full-time care and attention for the purposes for CA. The level of care involved did not amount to full-time care. Therefore, the application for CA was disallowed.
The person concerned was notified on 1 July 2022 of this decision, the reasons for it and of their right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision on 14 July 2022 and submitted additional evidence in support of their application.
Following this review the decision has remained unchanged.
The person concerned was notified on 31 August 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. To date this office has no record of a request for an Appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
428. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will request her Department to re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) who has been disallowed the disability allowance; and if the disability allowance will be provided. [48129/22]
View answerI can confirm that the Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 29 April 2022
Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that they were substantially restricted in taking up employment.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 28 June 2022 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
On 11 July 2022 further medical evidence was received and an appeal was lodged with the with the independent (SWAO). The SWAO will notify the person concerned directly regarding the outcome of their appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
429. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of exceptional needs applications that have been received by her Department to date in 2022 the number of applications that have been finalised and approved, respectively; the length of time that it has taken to process these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48170/22]
View answerUnder 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.
The scheme is demand led. Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
There have been 85,322 applications for additional needs payments (excluding supplements) received by the Department to date in 2022 (end of August). Of those registered claims, 56,950 have been awarded. This does not reflect the number of claims that have been disallowed, withdrawn, cancelled or are awaiting further information. These figures represent a snapshot of claim activity and are subject to change.
The Community Welfare Service is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. The current processing data available indicates that 50% of applications for Additional Needs Payments are finalised within 0-4 weeks and that 90% are finalised within 0-8 weeks. In cases where it is evident that a customer is experiencing particular hardship and where their application is complete and accompanied by the required documentation, their application will be prioritised for decision.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment 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.
430. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if Ukrainian refugees are required to pick up their jobseeker’s allowance payments in-person at post offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48194/22]
View answer
Question No. 158 answered with Question No. 153.
431. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48222/22]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the pandemic unemployment payment appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 26 April 2022.
Under social welfare legislation the decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the appeal decision on foot of this additional evidence. The Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or fresh evidence which warranted a revision of his earlier decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 28 July 2022.
Subsequently, the person concerned submitted more evidence and the Appeals Officer again agreed to undertake a review. The Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or fresh evidence which warranted a revision of the original decision and the person concerned was notified of this outcome on 27 September 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
432. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a working family payment application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48323/22]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work weekly payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned and was awarded on 27/09/2022.
The first weekly payment will be lodged to the nominated bank account on 29/09/2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
