Written Answers Nos. 218-229
218. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action he will take following the late discovery of a report (details supplied) identifying No. 18 Moore Street as a pre-1916 structure which was submitted to his Department a number of years ago but was not made available to the Moore Street Advisory Group despite the repeated requested of its members. [22315/23]
View answerThe report referred to was the subject of a recent Freedom of Information request and was released in full. The report does not identify No. 18 Moore Street as a pre-1916 structure. It stated that No.18 Moore Street was 'in ruins' in 1916 and that a portion of its 19th century facade remains to the first floor at the front.
An earlier report (2005) produced by the same firm for Dublin City Council specifically on No. 16 Moore St. contained the same information and was available to the Moore Street Advisory Group (MSAG) and this opinion was discussed at a number of meetings of the MSAG.
219. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of reviews of carer's allowance that took place in 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22186/23]
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 can advise the Deputy that 12,735 reviews of Carer’s Allowance claims took place (were started) in 2022, and 6,190 to date in 2023. The figures include reviews on new claim decisions, Control reviews and reviews requested by the customer due to a change in circumstance.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
220. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans, if any, to address the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22232/23]
View answerIllness Benefit is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance.Eligibility for Illness Benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. People must have made the required number of contributions in Class A, E, H or P to qualify. Currently there are no plans to extend entitlement to illness benefit to those persons who pay Class S PRSI.In general, self-employed people make PRSI contributions at Class S which does not count towards eligibility for Illness Benefit. However, self-employed contributors who cannot work due to an illness or a disability may apply for Disability Allowance, a means-tested social assistance payment, or Invalidity Pension, a social insurance payment.Illness Benefit is funded by the Social Insurance Fund through PRSI contributions. The Fund is central to our social protection system and the Government needs to ensure that it can provide adequate and sustainable social insurance pensions and benefits for a growing and ageing population.Self-employed people pay contributions to the Fund at a lower rate of 4%. This is 11 percentage points lower than the combined employer and employee contribution of 15.05% made in respect of employed contributors. However, self-employed contributors do have access to over 90% of benefits available from the Fund. These are:
• Adoptive Benefit;
• Guardian's Payment (Contributory);
• Invalidity Pension;
• Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed);
• Maternity Benefit;
• Parent's Benefit;
• Partial Capacity Benefit (where in receipt of Invalidity Pension);
• Paternity Benefit;
• State Pension (Contributory);
• Treatment Benefit; and
• Widows, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension.
The only benefits that Class S PRSI does not provide access to are Carer's Benefit, Health and Safety Benefit, Illness Benefit, and Occupational Injuries Benefits.
Any changes would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context, including the contribution rates for self-employed contributors.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
221. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the most recent €200 cost-of-living payment was not also paid to dependents on other’s social protection payments, when other payments such as this previously had been (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22249/23]
View answerThe €200 Spring lump sum payment was paid to 1.3 million recipients in receipt of long-term social welfare payments. This lump sum was paid in late April and cost approximately €261 million.
This support was paid on a similar basis to the Christmas Bonus, including to those on jobseeker's payments or Illness Benefit for over 12 months; with the addition of recipients of the Working Family Payment.
The payment was made to primary recipients of a qualifying payment only.
It is part of a range of additional Cost of Living supports valued at over €400 million announced in February, following on from the largest Social Protection Budget in the history of the state last September, which will provide support to people and families - other supports will include a €100 Child Benefit lump sum in June and a €100 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance lump sum.
The Increase for a Qualified Adult can be awarded to a person whose spouse/civil partner/co-habitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means do not exceed a means test income limit, based on the means held solely or jointly by the qualified adult.
If a person does not qualify for a social insurance payment based on their PRSI contributions, they may qualify for a means-tested social assistance payment.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
222. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has considered any other proposal for an auto-enrolment pension system where one system could be up to 70% better value than that currently being designed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22112/23]
View answerThe introduction of an automatic enrolment (AE) system is a Programme for Government commitment and a key priority for the Minister for Social Protection. Under AE, employees will have access to a savings scheme, co-funded by their employer and the State. For every €3 a worker pays into it, they'll have another €4 credited to their account, and the contributions will all then be invested. It will be supplementary to the State Pension and will be of particular benefit to the estimated 65% of people working in the private sector who are not currently paying into a supplementary pension scheme. Implementation of the AE system is well underway, with the first enrolments expected in 2024.
The proposal referred to in the question has been considered by officials in my Department and discussed with other relevant Government Departments and agencies. I recently referred this proposal to the Pensions Council for an independent external evaluation of the issues involved.
The Pensions Council was set up to advise the Minister for Social Protection on matters relating to policy on pensions. Membership of the Council has been constituted to ensure the relevant skills, specialist knowledge, and experience is in place to allow for the provision of collective advice, information and assistance in the development of pensions policy. The Minister has now requested the Pensions Council to prioritise this piece of work and in advance of progressing the legislation required to underpin the AE system later this year.
It should be noted that the investment approach for the AE system that has been agreed to by Government will see most participants placed in a default fund, which will be based on a life-cycle investment strategy using a pooled contribution and returns approach. This investment approach, as set out in the General Scheme/Heads of a Bill, is based on objective research and robust evidence in terms of real-life outcomes. The design has also been informed by international experts provided through the European Commission’s Technical Support Instrument, which assists EU Member States implementing administrative and institutional reforms.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the adult dependent allowance is outstanding is the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22345/23]
View answer225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the fuel allowance is outstanding is the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22347/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 225 together.
The person concerned reached pension age on 10 March 2023. An application form for State Pension (contributory) was received on 17 January 2023.
The person concerned was awarded State Pension (contributory) at the maximum weekly rate of €265.30 from 10 March 2023.
The person concerned advised on their State Pension (contributory) application form that they did not wish to apply for an increase for their spouse or for the fuel allowance.
I have arranged for an application form for an increase in respect of their spouse and the fuel allowance to issue to the person concerned. On receipt of the completed application forms, their entitlement will be examined, and they will be notified of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which household benefits are outstanding in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22346/23]
View answerAn application for Household Benefits was received from the person concerned on 21 November 2017. A decision to award the person's claim was made on 25 November 2017 and they were notified in writing at that time.
The Electricity Allowance is credited directly to the customer's Electric Ireland account. The deduction can be viewed on the reverse of their electricity bill, under the heading of standing charges and other items. The rate of Electricity Allowance is €1.15 per day, which equates to approximately €35 per month.
The person concerned is also in receipt of a Free TV licence, valued at €160 per year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current entitlement in respect of appropriate social welfare support in the case of a person (details supplied) who was previously in receipt of benefit which was transferred to an allowance, and who was previously employed under RCT but has not worked for some time; if payment will be restored as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22348/23]
View answerJobseeker’s Allowance (JA) is a means-tested payment made to people who are unemployed and seeking full-time work, who do not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) or whose entitlement to JB has expired. Amongst other qualifying conditions, a person must satisfy a means test which is an assessment of all household income, savings, shares, investments or property that a person owns, apart from their own home. A means test will also include any income that a person’s spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was awarded Jobseekers Benefit for the Self Employed (JBSE) with effect from 17/10/22. This benefit expired on 26/04/23 and the person subsequently applied for JA on 04/05/2023. On the same date, the person was sent a written request for the following information:
- Fully completed UP1F form – Information in relation to Self-Employment
- Itemised profit & loss for the previous tax year
- Most recent tax returns
As the person was self-employed, upon receipt of the requested information listed above an appointment will be made for them with a departmental official in relation to their claim . When this process has been completed, the persons claim will be assessed, and they will be notified of the outcome in writing.
If the person has any difficulty in providing any of the requested information they should contact my Department.
If the person is experiencing financial difficulty, it is open to them to apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) payment while their JA claim is pending. The SWA scheme which is the safety net within the overall social welfare system helps eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. The basic SWA provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) might be approved for payment of guardian’s payment (non-contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22352/23]
View answerGuardian's payment non-contributory is a means-tested payment, based on the means of the child. This includes any savings, assets or income, including income from employment, the child may have.
Following a standard review of the claim, the deciding officer assessed the child's income from employment. As the means had increased since last assessed, the deciding officer reduced the rate of payment. The person concerned was notified of the decision, including details of the means assessment and 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. The person concerned has appealed the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and we are awaiting the outcome of the appeal.
In the meantime, the person concerned continues to be paid guardian's payment non-contributory at a reduced rate.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if extra payment support or bonus is likely to be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of those recently paid to social welfare recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22353/23]
View answerI have introduced a range of measures to support individuals and families with the cost of living. This includes a €200 lump sum payment, which was paid to over 1.3 million recipients of long-term social welfare payments in April.
People receiving Child Benefit will receive an additional lump sum of €100 per child in June 2023; and an additional €100 payment for each child for whom the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is to be paid in 2023.
The person concerned received the Spring cost of living payment of €200 in their nominated bank account on 28/04/2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when favourable consideration might be given to an application for a State pension (non-contributory) in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22359/23]
View answerState pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, who have a right of residence and habitually reside in the State and who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
The person concerned applied for state pension non-contributory on 27 February 2023. The file was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation and a report was submitted to the Deciding Officer on 15 March 2023.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned first entered insurable employment in Ireland in 2016. In 2017, following representations by the person to proposals by the Minister of Justice to deport them, the Minister for Justice as an exceptional measure granted the person temporary permission to remain in the State, on a Stamp 1 basis, for two years. The residence permit is subject to a range of conditions, including the condition to make every effort to gain employment and not be a burden on the State. The person concerned currently holds a Residence Permit with an expiry date of 12 October 2023.
Taking into account the Stamp 1 conditions as applied by the Department of Justice to the person's temporary residence permit, the Deciding Officer disallowed the person’s state pension (non-contributory) application, as the habitual residency condition was not satisfied. On 18 April 2023, the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision and of their right to request a review of the decision, or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
To date, there is no record of the person concerned appealing the decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
