Written Answers Nos. 175-192
175. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he has or plans to engage with the Ministers for Finance and Agriculture, Food and the Marine in respect of accessing the revenues raised from the betting duty and betting intermediary duty for his use in the context of funding sport, sport Ireland, the sports capital grant scheme and the large-scale infrastructure scheme. [21028/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the distribution of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund is a matter for the Minister for Finance. The possibility to augment the current betting levy regime for the purposes of partially funding the drive to increased sports participation continues to be raised by the sports sector and numerous sporting organisations have made proposals in recent years for what they feel would be a fairer distribution of the fund. In late 2021, my Department engaged with the Department of Finance regarding such proposals. The Department of Finance advised that money raised from betting duties, goes into general Exchequer funds rather than being ring-fenced for particular purposes.
Funding to sport has grown very significantly in the lifetime of this Government and we are on track to meet the commitment set out in 2018 to double the overall level of funding from €111 million to €220 million by 2027. The total amount of funding allocated to Sport in 2023 is €175 million and I am determined to see the improved investment levels continuing in the years ahead. Government has also provided significant support to the sports sector during the COVID-19 pandemic and under the current Sports Energy Support Scheme.
The Government is also committed to continued capital investment in sport infrastructure under both the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund.
176. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has any plans to reduce the cost of monthly rent paid by tenants who are already in cost rental homes and are struggling to pay the amount charged to them, given their current incomes; if those in current cost rentals will see a reduction with such plans; if so, the timeframe involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20836/23]
View answerHousing for All targets the delivery of 18,000 new Cost Rental homes to 2030. 2022 represented the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing, including Cost Rental homes, and this momentum will continue with delivery increasing significantly this year. A strong pipeline is in place and under continuous development by local authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies using the Cost Rental Equity Loan, and by the Land Development Agency.
The core principle of Cost Rental is that the rents cover the development, management, and maintenance costs of the homes, so that the long-term future of the homes is financially secure, but that rents are not subject to the pressures of the open market. Rents will increase only in line with consumer inflation, remaining stable in real terms, while continuing to cover ongoing costs. Cost Rental homes also come with the added advantage of long-term tenancies and certainty of rent.
It is not intended for Cost Rental to overlap with, or replace existing social housing supports for low-income households, which remain a parallel priority for me and the Government. Cost Rental is designed to assist middle-income households who do not qualify for social housing supports such as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), but who are facing affordability pressures on the private rental market. Cost Rental is a major step forward in providing much-needed affordable rental options to households with incomes above the limits set for social housing.
However, in recognition of the potential changes in household circumstances that can occur during a tenancy, Section 34 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides that HAP maybe available to Cost Rental tenants, where they are assessed as eligible for social housing supports, after the Cost Rental tenancy has lasted for more than six months. This acknowledges the policy objective that costs are covered by rents, thereby securing the financial future of the model, while at the same time making Cost Rental a secure long-term accommodation option for households whose circumstances may change during a tenancy.
177. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if delays in An Bord Pleanála may affect projects under the Cork area commuter rail programme in meeting deadlines for European and other funding opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20862/23]
View answerAs Iarnród Éireann is not a body under the aegis of my Department, I am not in position to respond to the funding arrangements for the rail project referred to in the Question.
An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, I as Minister am specifically precluded from exercising power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is or may be concerned.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
The Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022, which was signed into law in December 2022, addressed certain initial matters which required immediate action on foot of the Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála, Phase 1 of the Office of the Planning Regulator Review of An Bord Pleanála, and other matters relating to addressing board vacancies and addressing the Board’s caseload, including:
• Increasing the limit on the maximum number of members of the Board from 10 to 15, so as to ensure that the increasing caseload can be managed, and the appropriate quorums and suitable allocation of case files can be assured, and
• Expanding the provision to appoint temporary ordinary board members to allow for the appointment of serving or former civil servants, public servants, or employees of the Board for a term of up to a year.
• The total number of Board members in An Bord Pleanála is now 15, the maximum now provided for under the legislation and the greatest number of serving Board members ever.
• In November 2022, following an updated assessment by the Board of resourcing issues likely to emerge as a result of planning applications for the National Development Plan and other infrastructure projects, the Board's new marine functions, as well as a number of senior positions approved under the Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála, and in accordance with the An Bord Pleanála 2022-2023 Workforce Plan, the Board sought sanction for 34 additional posts. My Department provided sanction for these additional 34 posts in December 2022 and An Bord Pleanála is in the process of filling these positions.
• On 27 March 2023, An Bord Pleanála sought approval from my Department for a total of 59 new posts under Phase 2 of the An Bord Pleanála Workforce Plan 2022-2023 a. My Department approved this Phase 2 plan on 4 April 2023.
• There are currently more people working at An Bord Pleanála than at any time previously and further to recent approval and sanctions this will be increased to almost 300 people by year end. Together with the recent appointment of 15 board members, this will enable the backlog in cases, including strategic infrastructure development (SID) applications for rail-related projects, to be addressed.
178. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grant assistance is available to homeowners to carry out renovations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20875/23]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist eligible people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (max grant €30,000), the Mobility Aids Grant (max grant €6,000) and the Housing Aid for Older People (max grant €8,000). A means test applies to each grant scheme.
The Housing Aid for Older People scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant qualifying works comprise essential works which make a property habitable including structural repairs or improvements, upgrade to electrical wiring, repair or replacement of windows and doors, provision of heating (where there is no central heating or it is broken beyond repair), etc. The detailed administration of the schemes is the responsibility of the local authorities, therefore the qualifying works is a matter for consideration and decision on a case-by-case basis by the local authority within the scope of the grant scheme.
Further details on these schemes are available on my Department's website at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/
179. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 505 of 21 March 2023, if he will examine including the widower’s or surviving civil partner (contributory) pension as a qualifying payment for the tenant purchase scheme considering it is contributions-based and has the same rates as the State pension (contributory) which does meet the minimum income threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20893/23]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, or joint tenants, of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme.
To be eligible, applicants must meet certain criteria, including a minimum annual reckonable income of €12,500. The minimum income requirement has a dual purpose. It ensures the scheme remains sustainable and the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charging period.
For these reasons, certain income is not considered reckonable when determining an applicant's primary income. This includes the Widow's, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension which, for those aged 66 and under without child dependents, is currently below the minimum reckonable income threshold.
That said, changes in relation to reckonable income are being considered by my department, together with other potential changes to the scheme, as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
180. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the analysis into the availability of land for the delivery of social and affordable homes through to 2030 will be published; what is the additional land need in hectares broken down by local authority to deliver 24,000 social homes between now and 2030; to state how much is in the current land acquisition fund; the applications that have been made to this fund; and if the fund will be increased if demand exceeds the initial allocation. [20920/23]
View answerHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Following the publication of the Housing for All, each local authority was required to produce a Housing Delivery Action Plan. The Plans include details of planned delivery of social and affordable housing for the period 2022-2026, including the locations at settlement level. The Plans also included details of the proposed delivery streams for housing, land available to deliver housing, and land acquisition requirements. Moreover, my Department is also committed to supporting increased construction by Approved Housing Bodies and the Land Acquisition Fund will support the acquisition of land by local authorities for AHB construction projects. In this regard, my Department does not hold details of the land requirement in hectares and there are no plans to publish details of land requirements at the national level. Details of the land requirements at local authority level are available in the Housing Delivery Action Plans published on local authority websites.
To support local authorities to acquire land to deliver new build social housing schemes, I established the Housing for All Land Acquisition Fund in 2022. The Housing Agency is responsible for the operational arrangements and an initial allocation of €125m was provided to the Fund. A circular has issued to all local authorities inviting them to submit applications to the Housing Agency. An initial round of assessments will be held on applications submitted prior to 5 May with further assessment on a monthly basis thereafter. The allocation of additional capital to the Fund will be kept under review, subject to demand from local authorities.
181. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the Youth Homeless Strategy 2023-2025 commitments to offer LGBTI+ Youth Homelessness Training Workshops for service providers to ensure a better understanding of LGBTI+ issues and the various forms of discrimination; and to develop privacy and safety strategies for young LGBTI+ people using emergency accommodation, informed directly by LGBTI+ youth, which could be implemented by the homeless service providers. [20975/23]
View answerIn line with commitments made in both the Programme for Government and Housing for All, a national The Youth Homelessness Strategy was published in November 2022. The Strategy aims to help young people aged 18 – 24 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It sets out 27 key actions to prevent youth homelessness; improve the experiences of young people accessing emergency accommodation; and assist young people in exiting homelessness.
The Strategy recognises that there are certain cohorts of young people who face additional challenges as a result of their background and/or day-to-day lives. These cohorts are particularly at risk of becoming homeless and are disproportionately represented in the young homeless population. Informed by research and recommendations received via consultations undertaken during the development of the Strategy, six vulnerable cohorts were identified and specific actions provided for each vulnerable cohort. Members of the LGBTI+ community are one of the six vulnerable cohorts.
The Strategy recognises that members of the LGBTI+ community may be disinclined to engage with homeless services out of fear that their identities will not be understood or respected. Action 19 outlines the need to offer LGBTI+ Youth Homelessness Training Workshops for service providers to ensure a better understanding of LGBTI+ issues and the various forms of discrimination.
To assist in ensuring that emergency accommodation can be a safe and inclusive environment for all; action 20 commits to developing privacy and safety strategies for young LGBTI+ people using emergency accommodation, informed directly by LGBTI+ youth, to be implemented by homeless service providers.
A Steering Group has been established under the auspices of the National Homeless Action Committee to drive the delivery of all actions within the Strategy and ensure that an integrated, whole-of-Government approach will be taken when implementing the Strategy’s actions. Actions 19 and 20 are, respectively, Q4 2023 and Q1 2024 actions. Progress on these actions will be advanced within these timeframes.
A copy of the Youth Homelessness Strategy 2023-2025 can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/69597-youth-homelessness-strategy/
182. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority home loans that have been issued by each respective local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20981/23]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for those who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
Information on drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals up to Q3 2022 is available on my Department’s website at the following link, which will be updated as soon as figures are available:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid
183. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the schemes and initiatives his Department has introduced to benefit rural Ireland since 2020. [21004/23]
View answerThe schemes and initiatives introduced by my Department to benefit rural Ireland, since 2020 are set out in the attached table.
|
Scheme, Initiative, Grant etc. |
Launch Date |
Completion Date (or ongoing) |
Description |
|
European LIFE Programme Participatory Schemes |
Ongoing |
Ongoing |
Participatory schemes to assist the European LIFE programme projects by linking payments to farmers to the environmental quality of a farm, with higher nature quality resulting in a higher payment level.; providing training to farmers to promote good practice and Habitat Management Agreements which focus on the delivery of specific works by landowners which support the aims of the European LIFE projects |
|
Community Monuments Fund |
2020 |
Ongoing |
Annual grant scheme established in 2020 to provide support for local archaeological heritage, supporting community heritage groups, local authorities and custodians in the care of archaeological monuments. Including 2023 awards announced last month (April), 476 projects have benefitted from the fund to the tune of €19.2m with many of these in rural areas. |
|
Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Grants |
June 2020 |
Ongoing |
Improved and expanded Domestic Waste Water Treatment System grant launched in June 2020. Financial assistance is provided to householders to replace, carry out remediation work, repair, or to upgrade their domestic waste water treatment systems. |
|
Grant for the improvement of a private water supply to a house |
June 2020 |
Ongoing |
Financial assistance provided to householders through grants for the improvement of a private water supply to a house. |
|
The Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme (PRBRIS) |
June 2021 |
Ongoing |
A once off, area based financial incentive and voluntary land purchase scheme which enables the conservation of protected peatlands. The scheme is open to applications from eligible property right holders who wish to have their lands included as part of a restoration scheme or where access is required for restoration measures within protected raised bogs. The scheme is administered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme (PRBRIS) started out, and was successfully implemented, as a pilot program under the EU LIFE Raised Bog Restoration Project (LIFE14_NAT_IE_000032) otherwise known as “The Living bog”. |
|
Grant for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs for villages and settlements without access to Public Waste Water Services |
April 2022 |
Ongoing |
The Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs for villages and settlements without access to Public Waste Water Services is an advance measure of the next Multi-annual Rural Water Programme. An allocation of €50 million has been committed under the National Development Plan for the period 2021-2025 specifically for this measure. The funding is intended to support demonstration projects that could inform a longer-term strategic approach to this issue. The strategic objectives of the funding measure are: Providing opportunities for rural housing development; Addressing risk to public health; and Preventing water pollution. |
|
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant |
July 2022 |
Ongoing |
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, launched in July 2022, under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund provides grant funding to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. It was expanded in November 2022 to include properties in rural areas and cities. From 1 May 2023, a number of changes are being made to the Grant to further increase the support being provided to bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. These changes include: · The inclusion of properties which will be made available for rent, along with those which will be used as a principal private residence; · Changing the eligibility date of vacant and derelict properties from 1993 to ones built up to and including 2007; and · Increasing grant rates from €30,000 to €50,000 for vacant properties and from €50,000 to €70,000 for derelict properties |
|
Ready to Build Scheme |
September 2022 |
Ongoing |
The Ready to Build Scheme as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched in September 2022. Under this scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available at a discounted rate to individual purchasers who will self-build their own home and live in it as their principal private residence. It is intended that the local authority will either supply existing sites in their control or purchase sites or make them available for development by providing services and access to the sites concerned. The level of discount to the individual will depend on the level of servicing cost incurred by the local authority before the sale of the site but will not exceed €30,000. The amount of such discount will be reflected in the sale price of the site to the purchaser. All available sites will be advertised on the relevant local authority’s website and / or in relevant local publications along with a closing date for receipt of applications. |
|
Ring-fenced Thatched Structures Fund |
December 2022 |
Ongoing |
A new dedicated stream under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) for Ring Fenced Thatched Structures, including an additional €500,000 of funding. The purpose of this fund is the repair and protection of thatched structures, along with supporting the employment of conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment. |
|
Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) Activation Programme |
April 2023 |
Ongoing |
A new CPO Activation Programme with targets identified for each local authority. The Programme involves a proactive, systematic and planned approach to the identification of vacant and derelict properties and engagement with owners of those properties to bring them back into use. It also includes guidance and supports for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful. |
|
Temporary Development Levy Waiver Scheme and Refund of Water Connection Charges |
April 2023 |
April 2024 |
Temporary time-limited arrangements are in place to waive local authority development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges. They apply to all permitted residential development that commence on site within one year of 25 April 2023 (i.e. not later than 24 April 2024) and is completed not later than 31 December 2025. |
184. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many new builds have been completed in rural areas since 2020. [21005/23]
View answerMy Department does not publish specific data on new builds in rural areas however, data in relation to new dwelling completions, broken down by Local Electoral Area is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis and can be accessed via the following link:
www.cso.ie/en/statistics/buildingandconstruction/newdwellingcompletions/
Housing for All Progress Reports are also published on a quarterly basis and can be accessed on my Department's website via the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/
185. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available for the hospitality sector which is struggling to recover its staff levels from pre-pandemic levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20949/23]
View answer'Pathways to Work 2021 – 2025’ outlines the Government’s national employment services strategy to support those who have lost jobs, or who are otherwise unemployed, find new jobs. The second strand of the Pathways strategy, ‘Working for Employers,’ focuses on helping employers hire workers and to encourage recruitment of unemployed jobseekers.
I am acutely aware of reports of labour and skill shortages in some sectors, which I appreciate is a particular concern in the hospitality sector. It is, however, important for employers to be aware that, alongside these skills shortages, there remains a pool of labour available with approximately 179,001 people on the Live Register as of last week. To support the recruitment by employers of jobseekers into vacancies, there are a range of supports available to employers to support their recruitment. These include JobsPlus, Wage Subsidy Scheme for People with Disabilities and the Work Placement Experience Programme. These initiatives provide valuable subsidies to business and I urge employers in the hospitality and other sectors to avail of them.
Intreo has a dedicated Employer Relations team operating across the country. The team support recruitment and sectoral engagement with employers, promotes awareness of Intreo schemes and programmes available to employers. They also provides a EURES service to assist in recruitment across the EU/EEA, works with the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland with other stakeholders to support cross border employment mobility. The team coordinates the work placement employment programme and delivers the jobsireland.ie recruitment portal and web service. The team also organise the recruitment campaigns for sector or specific roles and deliver recruitment events, large job fairs and Information roadshows.
The Employer Relations team engages with employers at a sectoral level by representing the department at various sectoral working groups including the Tourism and Hospitality Careers Oversight Group. Engaging individually with employers, as well as through sectoral groups, such as the Irish Hotels Federation, Fáilte Ireland and the Restaurant’s Association of Ireland, they invite recruiting employers to take part in recruitment fairs or recruitment open days. These services are provided without a charge to the employers.
In 2022 ERD engaged in 70 careers fairs and 70 recruitment events at which 75,717 jobseekers and 2,380 employers attended. 26 events were specifically aimed at the hospitality sector at which 1,295 jobseekers and 55 employers attended. In addition, 110,653 hospitality sector communications were issued to jobseekers and 265 placements were confirmed.
To date this year, there have been six specific job fairs and recruitment events aimed at the hospitality sector at which 651 jobseekers and 36 employers attended. In addition, over 117 job supports were made for 775 jobs in the sector resulting in 60,207 job matches and 59 confirmed placements to date. In total 87,818 communications have been issued by employer relations staff in connection with the sector regarding jobs placements, job fairs or hospitality training courses.
In addition, EURES Ireland provides services to employers who have difficulty recruiting staff in Ireland, to support recruitment from EU and EEA countries. EURES Advisers across the department, who specialise in European recruitment and mobility matters, are available to assist employers by offering advice on recruiting in Europe for hard-to-fill vacancies. They are part of a European Network of more than 1,000 EURES Advisers working together to assist with the recruitment needs of employers. Employers are encouraged to advertise their vacancies on JobsIreland.ie and these vacancies are transferred to the EURES Portal where they can be matched with suitable jobseekers from across the EU. EURES Ireland works closely with Fáilte Ireland to promote the EURES service to all its members and provide information and support for recruitment events and recruitment projects across the EU.
Last year, EURES Ireland has promoted Irish hospitality vacancies at recent recruitment events in Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Cyprus, the Netherlands and Spain. On 17th November 2022, 55 employers from the hospitality sector registered for ‘Bienvenidos a Irlanda’ 2022 - Irish Recruitment Day in Spain, an online and on-site recruitment event. Four hospitality employers attended on-site in Madrid along with representatives from Fáilte Ireland, the Irish Hotels Federation and the Restaurant Association of Ireland who also presented at the event.
I trust this clarifies my department's engagement with the sector.
186. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of the community welfare office service in Mountmellick, County Laois; if she will make appropriate arrangements to reinstate the service as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20847/23]
View answerThe delivery of crucial and locally based community welfare services to meet the challenges and the needs of citizens in Mountmellick, Co. Laois and across the country is a priority for me and for my Department.
A Community Welfare Officer (CWO) is available to meet with citizens from Mountmellick during business hours Monday to Friday at my Department’s office in Portlaoise. If a person is unable to travel to Portlaoise, a CWO can meet with the person at a mutually agreed location, including at their home.
While local face-to-face engagement with clients continues to be a cornerstone of the community welfare service, it is important to mention that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make an application and any person who needs to access the Community Welfare Service (CWS) can call the CWS National Contact Phoneline at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO. A person can speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to travel to meet with a CWO in person. CWS staff working on the phoneline are dealing with approximately 5,000 callers per month. This service is proving very popular with customers in rural areas, who can have their needs met without the requirement to travel.
A person can apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) payment by completing a SWA1 form which is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. It can also be requested by calling 0818 60 70 80 and by using this link www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. A completed application form together with any supporting documentation can be returned directly to my Department where the claim will be processed quickly.
A recent development to MyWelfare.ie means a person can apply online for an Additional Needs Payment (ANP). The provision of the ANP online application allows a person make an application online whilst also providing documentation in support of their claim.
The CWS continues to provide a flexible service to meet the different needs of customers, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. It is important that this service is easily accessible and responsive to our client’s needs.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
187. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a pension increase is due to a person (details supplied). [20856/23]
View answerThe person concerned is the beneficiary of an Increase for Qualified Adult allowance on their spouse’s State Pension (contributory). They are in receipt of the maximum weekly allowance of €237.80.
The additional allowance of €10 per week when a person reaches 80 years of age is not paid in respect of qualified adults. A person must be in receipt of a pension in their own right to receive this allowance.
It is open to the person concerned to apply for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). I have arranged for a State Pension non-contributory application form to issue to them.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
188. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on the review of a decision on a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20999/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I confirm that my department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 13 February 2023. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, their 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 22 March 2023 and they were given the right to a review or an appeal. Further medical evidence was received on 11 April 2023 and a review of this decision was carried out. The original decision was upheld and the person concerned was notified in writing on 24 April 2023.
It is open to the person in question to reapply for DA or request an appeal of the decision 24 April 2023, to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
189. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a UK social insurance record has been received to complete the review of an invalidity pension application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21000/23]
View answerInvalidity Pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The Department received an application for IP for the person concerned on 9 November 2022. To qualify for IP, a claimant must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution years before the relevant date of their claim.
The person in question does not have the required 260 paid PRSI contributions in Ireland. The claim was refused under national legislation on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. The person was notified on 30 November 2022 of this decision, the reasons for it and was given the right to request a review and/or appeal.
As the person concerned had previously worked in the United Kingdom (UK), a request was made to the UK Authorities for his UK contribution record. My Department requested details of his insurable employment from the UK Authorities on 20 December 2022 through the normal channels. No reply was received and follow up requests were issued to the UK authorities on 4 January 2023 and, most recently, on 28 April 2023. To date, the requested information has not been received.
Claims processed under Bilateral/EU Regulations are more complex and can take longer to finalise as the Department is highly dependent on receiving necessary information from other States. The Department will continue to pursue the details of his entitlement and he will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
190. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21010/23]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
My Department received the initial application for IP from the person on 15 February 2023. On 5 April 2023, this individual submitted the required GP report to support their application. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied.
A notification of the decision issued to the person concerned on 2 May 2023 informing them of this decision, the reasons for it and of their right to request a review and/or appeal of this decision. I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
191. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21011/23]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The person referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 30 March 2023 and will receive her first payment to her nominated bank account on 18 May 2023. Arrears of payment due from 30 March 2023 to 17 May 2023 will issue as soon as possible, once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of overlapping payments (if applicable). The person in question was notified of this decision on 2 May 2023.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
192. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that can be taken to provide welfare payments to people who are changing from one type of payment to another for example jobseeker’s to carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21017/23]
View answerA person who is changing payment from Jobseeker’s Allowance to Carer’s Allowance will be advised to apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment from their local Community Welfare Officer while awaiting a decision on their Carer’s Allowance claim.
A revised decision will be made on their Jobseeker's Allowance claim as they are no longer deemed to be available for full-time work as they are declaring on their Carer’s Allowance application that they are caring for another person in a full-time capacity.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
