Tuesday, 6 Dec 2022

Written Answers Nos. 339-358

Social Welfare Code

Questions (339)

Michael Ring

Question:

339. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will allow paid voluntary contributions to be reckonable for treatment benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60209/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Treatment Benefit is a social insurance scheme provided by this Department. Under this scheme, eligible contributors can access dental and optical services, and grants towards certain medical appliances (hearing aids, medical lenses or wigs).

Contributions made under social insurance (PRSI) Classes A, E, P, H or S count towards eligibility for Treatment Benefit. The amount of social insurance contributions required depends on the person's age.

Voluntary Contributions facilitate employees or self-employed persons who are under the age of 66 and are no longer subject to compulsory PRSI, to pay contributions directly to the department on a voluntary basis.

The system of voluntary contributions was designed to protect certain future payments: State Pension (Contributory), Widow(er)’s Contributory Pension and Guardian’s Contributory Payment entitlements.

These contributions do not cover short-term benefits provided under the Illness, Jobseeker, Maternity, Paternity, Occupational Injury or Treatment Benefit schemes, and they cannot be used to satisfy the social insurance requirements of an Invalidity Pension.

I am not considering changing the qualifying criteria for Treatment Benefit at this time. 

My Department keeps its schemes and services under regular review. Any changes to the current system would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context, taking account of the prevailing economic circumstances, and in particular the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (340)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

340. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has enough PRSI contributions to avail of the PRSI treatment benefit specifically free hearing aids; if there are any other benefits currently available that the person may not be availing of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60218/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependent spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions. 

The person concerned has the required number of PRSI contributions paid to qualify for the treatment benefits scheme and is qualified for life. 

The medical appliance scheme provides for a 500 euro grant towards the purchase of up to two hearing aids every 4 years. As the person concerned availed of the hearing aid grant in 2020, he will not qualify again until January 2024.

Under the dental benefit scheme, a qualified person can get a free examination and a subsidised dental cleaning once per year.

Under the optical scheme, they can get a free examination, together with free or subsidised spectacles/contact lenses every two years; repairs to spectacles are also covered.  

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (341)

Mark Ward

Question:

341. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available for fuel allowance applicants who are marginally over the qualifying limit; if exceptions can be made for these people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60219/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.

The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible.  To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria including a means test and the household composition criteria.  This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.  

Fuel Allowance can only be awarded if an applicant satisfies the qualifying conditions and cannot be awarded on a discretionary basis to those who are marginally above the qualifying limit.

In Budget 2023, I secured funding for the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme.  It is estimated that this expansion could bring up to 81,000 additional households into the scheme.  The changes announced take effect from the first week in January.   

For applicants aged 70 and over, there is a new means test limit of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple.  Under the formula used to assess means for the Fuel Allowance for over 70s, the threshold for capital that is disregarded in the assessment will increase from €20,000 to €50,000.  Also, from next January, an over-70 applicant no longer needs to be in receipt of a qualifying payment.  Existing household composition rules continue to apply.   

For applicants under age 70, the weekly means threshold is being increased by €80, from €120 to €200 above the appropriate weekly rate of State Pension Contributory. 

From January 2023, Disablement Benefit and Half-Rate Carer's Allowance payments will be disregarded when assessing means for Fuel Allowance purposes. 

The Government has, therefore, implemented significant improvements through Budget 2023.  Any proposal to further increase the allowable means for Fuel Allowance purposes or any further changes to the eligibility criteria would have to be considered in this context and in the context of the overall policy and budgetary situation.

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.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (342)

Mark Ward

Question:

342. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if individuals who qualify for the living alone allowance can be considered for the fuel allowance if they are over the qualifying limit by the amount received in their living alone allowance; if exceptions can be made in these cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60220/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.

In the case of applicants in receipt of the Living Alone Increase (LAI), the Fuel Allowance guidelines indicate that an extra allowance equivalent to the LAI rate may be applied to the allowable means for Fuel Allowance purposes. This ensures that the LAI does not affect a person's entitlement to Fuel Allowance.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (343)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

343. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the age limit of a child for parents (details supplied) claiming job seekers transitional payment while the parent is in university; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60231/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department provides a number of options for income support to lone parents once their entitlement to the One-Parent Family Payment ceases.  These include the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment where the youngest child is aged 7 to 13 years, inclusive, and the Jobseeker’s Allowance payment which may be paid to lone parents where the youngest child is aged 14 or over. 

The Working Family Payment is also available to lone parents who are working 19 or more hours per week.  Lone parents currently on Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment who increase their working hours to 19 or more per week can transfer to the Working Family Payment.  Lone parents who move to that payment may also apply for the Back to Work Family Dividend. 

To extend eligibility for the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment as proposed would be contrary to the policy goal of the changes to the One-Parent Family Payment scheme introduced since 2015.  Those changes were designed to tackle long-term social welfare dependency and its associated poverty risks.  This is done through a tapering of income supports and a more active engagement process offering enhanced educational, training and employment supports.

The Deputy may wish to know that there is a fund called The Student Assistance Fund that provides financial support to full or part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college.  Students can apply for the Student Assistance Fund to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties.  The Student Assistance Fund is designed to provide a source of financial support in addition to a SUSI grant.  The Student Assistance Fund is managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Question No. 344 answered with Question No. 338.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (345)

Carol Nolan

Question:

345. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will support changes to the operation of community employment schemes to allow those who turn 66 years of age to remain on as participants in such schemes; if she will address concerns raised with me by a CE scheme supervisor around wages for the CE scheme and the material grant allocation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60266/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

Community 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. CE sponsoring bodies receive state funding to cover the salary costs of supervisors, assistant supervisors, and participant remuneration, along with training and material costs from my department.

If participants were permitted to remain on CE after they have reached state pension age, it could undermine CE as an active labour market programme - with the objective of helping people back to work. 

I place great value on the role played by CE supervisors, assistant supervisors and participants in local communities across the country.  CE supervisors and assistant supervisors are not employees of the department and are not public servants.  They are employees of individual schemes. The department is the funder of schemes.  This means that any discussions on employment related matters including pay are complex. 

In this context, my department officials continue to follow-up on this issue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and continue to engage with Fórsa and SIPTU, the Trade Unions representing CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. Fórsa and SIPTU have recently referred a pay claim to the conciliation service of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the WRC has issued an invite to the department to take part in the conciliation process. 

Any increase in pay rates that would potentially increase the overall cost to the state of funding schemes, or state funded activities in the wider community and voluntary sector, must take into consideration the potential cost to the exchequer.  Given these budgetary implications, and the referral of other similar claims to the WRC, the Department is following-up with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, prior to responding to the invite from the WRC.  

Responding to the issue raised in respect of materials funding for CE, the materials grant is a contribution towards the running costs of the scheme and covers consumable services and materials necessary for the effective operation of the CE project. The rate is individual to each scheme and is determined by scheme costs and participant numbers. It is expected that the sponsor group will cover any shortfall that arises. Where a CE sponsor organisation is experiencing difficulty with rising costs and is seeking further funding under the materials grant, they should make an application for further funding through the Community Development Officer assigned to their CE scheme.

It is estimated that the expenditure on materials grants will be of the order of €12.3 million this year and I am very pleased that the provision for material grant funding was increased in Budget 2023 to €13.5 million next year.

I trust this clarifies the issues raised for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (346)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

346. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any plans to extend the fuel allowance to persons on a scheme (details supplied). [60278/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022.  The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.

The Job Initiative Scheme provided full-time employment for people 35 years of age or over who had been unemployed for five years or more.  Since November 2004, there has been no recruitment to the Scheme.  Since January 2004, participants on the Job Initiative Scheme cannot retain their entitlement to Fuel Allowance while participating on the scheme.  This decision was taken as the minimum rate of payment to participants on the scheme was significantly higher than the rate of qualifying Social Welfare payments. 

There are no plans to allow participants on the Job Initiative Scheme to access the Fuel Allowance scheme. Any decision to provide participants on the Job Initiative Scheme with access to the Fuel Allowance payment would change the targeted nature of the Fuel Allowance scheme, as it would be awarding the payment to people in full-time employment who are not in receipt of a qualifying Social Protection payment.

The minimum rate of payment to a Job Initiative participant is still significantly higher than most Social Welfare primary payments, including payments such as Illness Benefit and Jobseeker's Benefit, which are also non-qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance. 

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.

Citizens Information Services

Questions (347)

David Stanton

Question:

347. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that citizens information outreach programmes have ceased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60321/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The 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, 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 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.

Any operational changes or decisions are therefore a matter for CIB and the independent boards.  As Minister, I cannot direct them regarding operational decisions. 

CIB has confirmed that, while there has been a reduction in the number of outreach services compared to pre-COVID-19 figures, the provision of outreach services has not ceased. Currently, five outreach locations are served and CIS management and Boards continue to review the viability of outreach services. In doing so, they consider available resources and public demand across each region to ensure those most in need of services are provided for.

In some cases, the support of volunteers is necessary to operate outreach clinics without impacting the core service offer. Volunteers are continuing to return to the service post-Covid-19, but numbers are still lower than previously. CIB has commissioned an independent review of the programme of volunteering in CIS with a view to finding the best way to re-engage them in the service. It is expected that the review will be concluded in December and its recommendations will directly inform CIB’s new three-year strategy 2023-2025. 

The priority for CIB is that the service provided to the public is of the highest quality and is available and targeted at those who need it most.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (348)

Gary Gannon

Question:

348. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection when community employment ex-gratia payments are to be processed; and if it will be in 2022. [60357/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

The Deputy will be aware that a final settlement was reached with unions at the end of 2021 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.  The settlement resolves this long-standing issue through the payment of a once off ex-gratia payment to eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors.  Some 2,500 people employed by CE schemes going back to 2008 will benefit at an estimated 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. 

The first group of ex-gratia applications have been received - these relate to persons who retired since 2008.  In total, 630 completed applications have been received to date.  Work on processing payments is underway, with payments starting to issue from this week. The recipients will receive notification by text or e-mail when their payments are issuing.  It is my intention that all payments due will issue before the Christmas break.   

Processing and payment of claims for people who retire during 2023 and in subsequent years will continue as they retire and submit their claims.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (349)

Holly Cairns

Question:

349. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the means testing system to qualify for carers allowance to consider applicants with income that can vary from year-to-year such as farmers or the self-employed. [60377/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Social welfare legislation provides that, for social assistance schemes, income and capital (such as savings, investments and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her partner, where applicable, is assessable for means assessment purposes.  The purpose of the means assessment is to maintain the policy of ensuring that social welfare expenditure is targeted to those who need it most.

All of the claimant’s sources of income are added together and taken into account when deciding whether they qualify for a means-tested payment, or the level at which they are paid.

Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement. Depending on the circumstances in each case and to make best use of resources, a review may only concentrate on a specific condition of entitlement.

If a customer has a change in circumstance, they can request a review of their means assessment.

Over the last number of years, I have made significant changes to the means test for Carer’s Allowance. The income disregard is now €350 per week for a single person and €750 per week for a couple. I also increased the capital/savings disregard from €20,000 to €50,000. These changes mean that disregards in the Carer's Allowance means test are now one of the highest in the Social Welfare system, most notably with regard to a spouse’s earnings.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Welfare Services

Questions (350)

Alan Kelly

Question:

350. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of full-time community welfare officers based in County Tipperary in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to-date in 2022, in tabular form. [60391/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

There are currently 14 (WTE 13.3) Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) based in County Tipperary.

Given the fluctuation in demand for the Community Welfare Service, particularly during the pandemic when resources were allocated to areas where they were most needed, staffing numbers within locations changed frequently.  Therefore, it is not possible to provide accurate information relating to number of CWOs for years prior to 2022.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Community Welfare Services

Questions (351)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

351. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that scheduling changes were made in the community welfare service in Carrick-on-Suir in recent months, leaving no community welfare service available for walk-in and emergency cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60411/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

In January 2022, a commitment was given to have an on-duty Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) available in all major Intreo Centres.  In order to deliver this level of service in the Clonmel Intreo Centre, it was necessary deploy resources to Clonmel that had been temporarily assigned to Carrick-on-Suir. 

It is important to note that the CWOs in Clonmel can facilitate an urgent or scheduled meeting with a client at a mutually agreed location, including at the Carrick-on-Suir Social Welfare Branch Office or the client’s home.  An appointment can be setup within a short of time of a request, usually on the same day. 

In addition, it is now possible for a client to make a claim, or to make an enquiry about a claim without attending in person if it is more convenient for them.  Customers can contact the Community Welfare Service (CWS) through the CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80.  This enhances the local service to people as phoneline cases can be escalated quickly if urgent local action is required, such as a need for an immediate cheque payment.  Where it is clear a person has an urgent need, every effort is made to ensure they receive a payment that day.  Customers can also contact the local CWS by email at [e-mail].

A person can make an application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) by completing a SWA1 form, which is widely available.  It can be downloaded at www.gov.ie.  It is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices.  It can also be requested by email, by phone and by using the Request Application Form page available on www.gov.ie.  The completed application form should be returned to the Department where it will be processed quickly.

If the Deputy is aware of any constituent who has experienced difficulty in accessing the CWS, I would ask that he brings this to the attention of my Department.

The CWS continues to provide local access to local CWOs in local areas right across the country and I have no plans to change this aspect of the service. 

I trust this clarifies the matter.

State Pensions

Questions (352)

Pauline Tully

Question:

352. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are in place for long-term carers who do not currently qualify for the State pension in anticipation of the introduction of the enhanced State pension in January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60423/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

This Government acknowledges the important contribution that carers provide and is fully committed to supporting them in that role.  Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, often to raise families or to provide another full-time caring role.  PRSI Credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate. 

It should be noted that, if a person does not qualify for a State Pension (Contributory), he or she may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the rate of the State Pension (Contributory).  Alternatively, an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is paid, generally, where a pensioner has an adult dependent who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate State Pension (Contributory) in his or her own right.  The payment rate for the IQA is up to 90% of a full contributory pension.  The most advantageous payment for a pensioner will depend upon their individual circumstances.

Despite the existing measures within the State Pension system that recognise periods spent caring, long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension.

I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in September.  The measures are in response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations and represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.  One of the most important reforms agreed by Government is enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years as recommended by the Pensions Commission.  This measure reflects the vital role that carers play throughout their lifetime and will be implemented from January 2024 through:

- A scheme to ensure that long-term carers can be attributed with contributions for gaps in their contribution record arising from their time spent caring; and

- The establishment of a ‘Family Carer Register'.

My officials are currently working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of legislation and development of administrative and IT systems as necessary.  As part of the work to implement the new scheme, relevant Government Departments, and other stakeholders, will examine options for the creation of a statutory ‘Family Carer Register’ to help identify long-term carers.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (353)

Pat Buckley

Question:

353. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) living alone will not qualify for the living alone allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60430/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Living Alone Increase is a weekly payment for people who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone.  For those aged 66 or over these payments include State pension (contributory), State pension (non-contributory), Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (contributory) pension, Widow's/Widower's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and Deserted Wife's Benefit. 

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned is a qualified adult on their spouse’s pension.  They are not in receipt of a qualifying payment paid in their own right, and therefore the person concerned is not eligible for the Living Alone Increase.

The person concerned may wish to consider applying for State pension (non-contributory).  This is a means-tested residency-based payment for persons of pension age. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

State Pensions

Questions (354)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

354. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the contributory pension application for a person (details supplied); when will a decision be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60445/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned reached pension age on 20 September 2022.  Their application for State pension (contributory) was awarded from this date at a weekly rate of €215.70.  The person concerned was notified in writing on 01 December 2022. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (355)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

355. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a recent application for disability allowance will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60451/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Disability 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 assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions. 

I confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this lady on 15 September 2022.

Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, her application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.  The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 12 November 2022.

Following the submission of Further Medical Evidence (FME) by the Person concerned on 23 November 2022, their case has been reviewed and they have been awarded disability allowance with effect from 21 September 2022.  The first payment will be made by her chosen payment method on 11 January 2023.

Arrears of payment due from 21 September 2022 to 10 January 2023 will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (356)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

356. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she can set out his rationale for not providing persons in receipt of the State pension with the additional once off €500 payment. [60467/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

In response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, I announced on Budget Day that my Department will spend approximately €1.2 billion on social welfare measures to help individuals and families through this difficult period. This included a range of double payments and one-off measures that were targeted at those who are most vulnerable including older people, families, carers and those living with disabilities. 

These measures include an Autumn Double Payment, which was paid in mid-October to over 1.4 million people, including pensioners.

In November, my Department paid a range of cost of living supports, which included: 

- A €400 lump sum payment to all households in receipt of Fuel Allowance, many of whom are pensioners.

- An additional €200 Lump Sum Payment to all persons in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance, the majority of whom are pensioners.

In December, the Christmas Bonus Double Payment will be paid to all Pensioners, Carers, Persons with Disabilities, One Parent Family Payment and other Social Protection recipients.

As we turn to 2023, I announced a €12 euro increase in weekly rates of payment for pensioners and people of working age to take effect from January 2023.  This measure alone will cost almost €900 million euro. It is the largest budget increase in weekly payments since the mid-2000s.

I was very aware, when addressing my Budget priorities for 2023, that many older people fall just outside the qualifying criteria for Fuel Allowance and that this payment does not reach everybody.  So, in Budget 2023, we focused on expanding the scheme to reach more households.  

One of the reforms to the Fuel Allowance Scheme is that, from January 2023, a new means threshold will be introduced for people aged 70 years and over.  The new means threshold will be €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple.  Under the formula used to assess means for the Fuel Allowance for over 70s, the threshold for capital that is disregarded in the assessment will increase from €20,000 to €50,000. This is a significant expansion of the means threshold for those aged 70 or over.

As part of this measure, those aged over 70 no longer have to be in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare payment to access the Fuel Allowance payment.  However, to qualify for the Fuel Allowance, they will still have to satisfy all other relevant qualifying criteria.

This reform seeks to ensure that older people not currently in receipt of Fuel Allowance, but who are marginally outside the thresholds, will now be covered by the scheme.  This reform is being made as older people can often be more vulnerable to the effects of energy poverty. 

Other measures announced by Government in Budget 2023 - such as three energy credits worth €600 in total - will also assist pensioners.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

International Protection

Questions (357)

Pauline Tully

Question:

357. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the State pension entitlements that exist for a person claiming refugee status here along with a dependent adult; if a husband and wife claiming refugee status are entitled to a full pension payment each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60475/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department is committed to providing people fleeing the war in Ukraine, who have been granted Temporary Protection status, the supports and services they need. Under the Temporary Protection Directive, people displaced from Ukraine are entitled to the full range of welfare supports on the same basis as any Irish citizen.

As such, if a person who has been granted Temporary Protection status is over the age of 66, they will be entitled to apply for the State Pension (Non-Contributory). Recipients of that payment may be entitled to an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) if they have an adult dependent under the age of 66. The dependent may be entitled to a payment in their own right such as Jobseeker's Allowance. If both the husband and wife are aged over 66, they will both be entitled to the State Pension (Non-Contributory) in their own right.

Those who have been granted refugee status, regardless of nationality or prior place of residence, are also entitled to the same range of supports as an Irish citizen, including the State Pension (Non-Contributory). 

Those who apply for international protection, sometimes called "claiming asylum", are entitled to direct provision and receive accommodation, meals and a weekly payment of €38.80 per adult while their application is being processed.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (358)

Colm Burke

Question:

358. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason those on illness benefit were not included in the recent cost of living payments; if consideration would be given to including them retrospectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60476/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

In response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, my Department will spend approximately €1.2 billion in social welfare measures to help individuals and families through this difficult period. 

One of these measures is the Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment, paid to those who qualify for the Christmas Bonus, and the Cost of Living Disability Support Grant, paid to recipients of long-term disability payments.

Traditionally, Illness Benefit was not a qualifying payment for the Christmas Bonus and for this reason it was not a qualifying payment for the October Cost of Living Double Payment. It is a short-term scheme and hence was not a qualifying payment for the Disability Support Grant. 

Illness Benefit has a high degree of churn with people coming onto the scheme and moving off every week, often with very short duration claims.  For example, between July and September 2022, almost 115,000 Illness Benefit claims were awarded and, of these, only 21,000 remain in payment.  This indicates a churn of 82% over just a three-month period.  The average duration of a claim for Illness Benefit is only 6 days. In addition, many Illness Benefit payments are paid directly to the employer. 

However, I do appreciate that individual circumstances can vary from case to case, and therefore I asked my officials to examine this issue in respect of people who are in receipt of Illness Benefit for longer periods of time.

I am pleased to confirm that people who have been on Illness Benefit for 12 months or longer will qualify for this year's Christmas Bonus. This will impact approximately 17,500 Illness Benefit recipients at a cost of €4 million.  The Bonus will be paid in the week beginning 12 December.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.