Written Answers Nos. 91-100
91. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to reinstate the multiple payment of child benefit to parents of twins, triplets, and so on, which were previously given at primary and post-primary school entry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24248/23]
View answerChild Benefit is a universal monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their eighteenth birthday who are in full-time education. Payment up to age 18 is also made in respect of children who have a disability. Estimated expenditure on the scheme will be approximately €2.1 billion in 2023.Since 1 January 2014, the standard monthly rate of €140 for Child Benefit applies to each child. Twins are paid at one and a half times the standard monthly rate for each child, that is, €210 per month for each twin. All other multiple births are paid at double the standard monthly rate for each child, that is €280 per child.These increased payments continue for as long as all of the children remain qualified. The additional monthly premia in respect of multiple births acknowledges the existence of additional costs for parents of multiple births.There are currently no plans to reintroduce the multiple births grant to parents of twins, triplets and quads. This measure was discontinued in January 2012 following a value for money report.Families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of targeted social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22 including the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides targeted assistance to families on low incomes with the costs associated with returning to school each autumn. In 2022, over 50,000 families in respect of 273,263 children benefitted from this scheme at a cost of over €85 million.I am pleased to say that the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance has been increased by €100 for each eligible child, as a cost-of-living measure in 2023. This will bring this year's rate for under 12s to €260 per eligible child, with €385 paid for each eligible child aged 12-22.I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
92. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has measured the progress and success of the school meals programme relating to diet, attendance and educational attainment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24447/23]
View answer101. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for the implementation of the recommendations of the recently published independent evaluation of the school meals programme; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24633/23]
View answer109. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite the process of extending school meals to all schools way before the previous timeline (details supplied). [22812/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 101 and 109 together.
The School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations benefitting 260,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.Budget 2023 provided €94.4 million for the programme. The Government recently approved an additional €14.5m to allow access to the Hot School Meals scheme for all remaining DEIS schools from September 2023.On 30th March, I published an independent evaluation of the School Meals Programme which sets out the positive impact the Programme is having in terms of children’s education and wellbeing. This evaluation is evidence-based and sets out a series of recommendations for expanding the School Meals Programme into the future. There is an overwhelming consensus among all participants in the evaluation that the school Meals Programme is effective and indicates strong support for extending the School Meals Programme.In the evaluation, 74% of Principals indicated that it improved physical health, 54% of Principals indicated that it approved attendance and 51% of Principals indicated that it improved performance. The evaluation also recommends future research into the impact of the School Meals Programme through the collection and collation of longitudinal data on academic and health outcomes.Funding under the School Meals Programme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided. These meals must meet the nutritional standards for the school meals programme. The Nutritional Standards for School Meals were developed by a working group led by the Health and Wellbeing Programme in the Department of Health, in consultation with Safefood and the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.All schools must satisfy the nutritional standards, must submit a sample menu with their application and must provide detailed records at the end of each school year. Expenditure on unhealthy food items is deducted from the funding allocation. Since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, I have increased the number of schools with access to the Hot School Meal option from 37 to over 500. I am committed to continuing to expand the School Meals Programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme that has taken place in recent years. In this regard, I intend to roll out the Hot School Meals to all remaining DEIS primary and special schools from September 2023. This will increase the numbers on the scheme dramatically to 1,000 schools and 150,000 children.As part of significant plans to extend the Hot School Meals to all children in the coming years all remaining primary schools have been contacted and have been asked to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals. From 2024, I intend commencing the roll-out of Hot School Meals to all remaining primary schools on a phased basis.I trust this clarifies the matter.
93. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection her proposed timeline regarding the development of administrative and IT systems to facilitate the provision of pensions to carers. [24659/23]
View answerThis 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 is acknowledge that, despite the schemes already in place, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension. They may, for example, have difficulty establishing the minimum requirement of 10 years' paid contributions.I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in September 2022. 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. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of paid contributions to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record and by establishing a register of family carers for this purpose.Department officials are currently working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of legislation and development of administrative and IT systems for implementation by January 2024. This will include identifying the eligibility criteria for those who will be attributed the equivalent of paid contributions for periods of long-term caring.I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
94. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the one-parent family payment. [24299/23]
View answerI was pleased that Budget 2023 included a social welfare package worth almost €2.2 billion. I am very mindful that lone parents are a group at risk of poverty and for that reason I was particularly pleased to provide a number of measures in Budget 2023, which benefit lone parents.The One-Parent Family Payment rate increased by €12, from €208 to €220 per week from January 2023. In addition, the rate of Increase for a Qualified Child increased by €2 to €42 per week in respect of a qualified child under age 12, and by €2 to €50 per week in respect of a qualified child aged 12 or over.Recipients of One-Parent Family Payment were amongst those who received a double weekly payment in October as well as the Christmas bonus double payment in December. Like all families with children, lone parents received a double payment of Child Benefit last November. Lone parents in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will have also received three fuel lump sums last year, and those receiving the Working Family Payment would have received a €500 lump sum last November and a higher rate of the payment from January as the income thresholds on that scheme were increased.Just last month those in receipt of the One-Parent Family payment would have received a €200 cost of living payment. Further measures are in train - including a further Child Benefit payment of €100 will be payable in early June and there will also be an additional €100 available as part of Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance again this year, as well as a further extension of the Hot School Meals programme.Any further changes to scheme payment rates would need to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
95. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 28 March 2023, the status of the promised straw-man proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments; the timeline for the public consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24649/23]
View answerMy Department has committed under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to develop and consult on a Strawman proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments. The Strawman also intends to simplify the system and take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay report, the Pathways to Work report and the findings of the Cost of Disability Report. Work on the Strawman is at an advanced stage and I expect to bring it forward for publication in the coming weeks. I intend to carry out a wider consultation process with all stakeholders and advocacy groups following publication.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
96. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the date in June that she expects the lump sum child benefit payment of €100 per child to be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24446/23]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17, if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.The additional lump sum payment of €100 per child will be paid in June subject to the necessary legislation being passed by both the Dail and Seanad.
97. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of the farm assist payment for each year from 2016 to 2019 inclusive; how these numbers compare with the number of recipients of this payment for 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24682/23]
View answerFarm Assist is a means-tested payment for low-income farmers. To qualify, you must be a farmer in the State, aged between 18 and 66, and satisfy a means test.The number of individuals in receipt of Farm Assist on the 31st December in the years 2016 to 2019 were 7,828, 7,234, 6,535 and 5,971 respectively. The number of recipients at the end of each year from 2020 to 2022 stood at 5,511, 5,004 and 4,501 respectively.
98. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the adequacy of supports for people with disabilities who want to start their own business; if there are any tailored supports specifically for people with disabilities who want to start their own business; if she has any plans to introduce tailored supports specifically for people with disabilities who want to start their own business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24676/23]
View answerThe Department's disability-related schemes have been structured to support recipients to pursue employment opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment. We have a number of employment supports available. The Partial Capacity Benefit scheme allows a person who is in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit to enter or return to employment or self-employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment. Following a medical assessment if a person's restriction regarding their capacity for work is rated as moderate, severe or profound, their payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% of their previous payment respectively while in employment. Partial Capacity Benefit has also been designed so that there are no restrictions or limits on earnings or on the number of hours a person can work.A person in receipt of Disability Allowance or Blind Pension who pursues employment or self-employment can avail of an income disregard of €165 per week. In addition, 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 are disregarded for the purpose of the means test.In the case of self-employment, the income is taken to be the gross profit less allowable work-related expenses, but not drawings. Where the person has taken “drawings” from the business which are greater than the level of income thus calculated, the drawings are assessed as cash income.All expenses directly related to self-employment can be offset against income from self-employment. However, there is no exhaustive list of all expenses allowed since expenses vary with the nature and extent of the self-employment.The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme has been designed to support persons, including persons with disabilities, to take up self-employment opportunities. It allows a person to retain 100% of their payment in year one and 75% in year two, including any increases for a qualified adult and qualified children in payment. The Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant is designed for a person with a disability who has been offered employment, is in employment or is self-employed, and requires a more accessible workplace or adapted equipment to do the job. S/he may be able to get a grant towards the costs of adapting premises or equipment. A maximum grant of €6,350 is available towards the cost of adaptations to premises or equipment. Applications in excess of this sum are considered on an individual basis up to a maximum of €9,523 if specialist training for assistive technology is required.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the number of appeals against decisions made by her Department have increased or decreased in respect of means-tested payments; the number of applicants refused payment for whatever reason to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24622/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision-making functions.The table below provides the number of appeals in respect of means tested payments received in the period January to April in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Appeals Received in respect of Means Tested Payments
|
- |
Jan-Apr 2021 |
Jan-Apr 2022 |
% Change |
Jan-Apr 2023 |
% Change |
|
Total |
4,311 |
4,317 |
0.1% |
4,572 |
5.90% |
All claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers and Designated Persons are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded by the Department and approximately 1% are appealed. The Department endeavours to ensure that these cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.There is active engagement between the Appeals Office and the Department to ensure that the appeals process operates efficiently and that where the Deciding Officer's decision is not revised in favour of the appellant that the appeal file papers are provided as quickly as possible to the Appeals Office for consideration by an Appeals Officer.The Department has advised that the number of applicants refused payment for whatever reason in the period January to April 2023 was 41,250.I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
100. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals received by the social welfare appeals office per month since 2021; the current average processing time for an appeal with the social welfare appeals office; the efforts being made to reduce appeal processing times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24671/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.The number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office per month since the start of 2021 is set out in the table below.
|
- |
Appeals received 1st January 2021 - 30th April 2023 |
||
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
January |
1,431 |
2,287 |
1,405 |
|
February |
2,132 |
2,055 |
2,054 |
|
March |
2,210 |
2,200 |
2,504 |
|
April |
2,022 |
1,940 |
2,002 |
|
May |
1,887 |
1,426 |
|
|
June |
1,987 |
2,501 |
|
|
July |
1,908 |
2,287 |
|
|
August |
1,706 |
2,315 |
|
|
September |
2,191 |
2,203 |
|
|
October |
3,100 |
2,061 |
|
|
November |
2,351 |
2,207 |
|
|
December |
1,895 |
1,611 |
|
|
Total |
24,820 |
25,093 |
7,965 |
All claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers and Designated Persons are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded by the Department and approximately 1% are appealed. The Department endeavours to ensure that these cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.The desire to process appeals quickly has to be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and of high quality and made in accordance with the legislative provisions and the general principles of fair procedures and natural justice.The current average processing times for an appeal with the Social Welfare Appeals Office are 18.3 weeks for a summary decision and 31.6 weeks for a decision by way of oral hearing. These figures are based on appeals finalised from January to April 2023.Significant efforts and resources have been devoted to improvements in the appeal process in recent years. As a result, average appeal processing times have generally improved between 2018 and 2022 from 30.0 weeks for an oral hearing in 2018 to 26.0 weeks in 2022, and from 24.8 weeks for a summary decision in 2018 to 15.0 weeks in 2022. The average time for all appeals finalised in 2022 was 14.9 weeks.There is active engagement between the Appeals Office and the Department to ensure that the appeals process operates efficiently and that where the Deciding Officer's decision is not revised in favour of the appellant that the appeal file papers are provided as quickly as possible to the Appeals Office for consideration by an Appeals Officer.Further improvements in appeals processing times are a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
