Written Answers Nos. 838-853
838. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give due consideration to expanding the criteria for the household benefits package to include all cancer patients upon diagnosis until treatment is finished; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28243/23]
View answerThe Household Benefits Package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €285 million this year on HHB for over 511,000 customers.
People over the age of 70 receive the HHB package, with one package provided per household. The package is also available to people living in the State aged 66-69 years who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments or who satisfy a means test. The package is available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
It is important to note that, in general, access to the HHB Package for those aged under 66 is a secondary benefit linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit. As many illnesses or physical conditions have an impact ranging from mild to severe, entitlement to these social welfare schemes is not provided on the basis of a diagnosis but on the basis of the impact of that diagnosis on the individual concerned and in the case of Disability and Carer's allowance to an assessment of their means. In this way, resources can be targeted to people in most need.
Extending the eligibility of the HHB package to the cohort of people the Deputy has suggested would change the nature of the scheme and would require additional funding and administrative staff and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
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 and include help towards costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
839. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider introducing a new statutory payment for employees and self-employed people with chronic illnesses to attend medical appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28246/23]
View answerSince 1 January 2023, customers have a right to three days’ sick pay a year under the statutory sick pay scheme. Under that scheme, sick pay may be paid by an employer at 70% of a person’s normal pay, up to a maximum of €110 a day for the first three days of an absence due to illness. The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment has policy responsibility for statutory sick pay. In addition, employees may be accommodated by their employers in attending medical appointments as part of their working arrangements. There is no statutory entitlement to payment for attending appointments and there are no current proposals to provide for such a payment.
Illness Benefit is the main short-term income support provided by this department to those who cannot work due to illness of any kind and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for Illness Benefit is based on medical certification and social insurance contribution conditions made. It is paid from the Social Insurance Fund and Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) paid under Classes A, E, H and P count towards Illness Benefit. Self-employed people generally contribute to the Social Insurance Fund under Class S and do not qualify for Illness Benefit.; however, like employees, self-employed people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability may qualify for Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance.
With regard to additional supports, this department also provides Additional Needs Payment under our Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This includes exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently on a social welfare payment or in employment. The payment amount will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Payments are made at the discretion of the Community Welfare Officers administering the scheme, considering all the circumstances of the case.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
840. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 106 of 23 May 2023, the reason those on non-contributory pensions were omitted from the Spring bonus cost-of-living supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28366/23]
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.The payment was made to primary recipients of a qualifying payments - including an estimated 98,000 recipients of the Non-Contributory State Pension.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
841. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection when a reply will issue from her Department to an email received on 31 May from a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28372/23]
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 now confirm that, following receipt of confirmation of a change in circumstances, the payment rate of CA to the person concerned has been re-examined on means only and the Deciding Officer has decided that they are entitled to an increase in their current weekly rate with effect from 23 March 2023.
Their increased payment will issue on 15 June 2023 and any arrears due will issue via their nominated payment method. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 8 June 2023, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
842. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of medical assessors assigned to examining applications for domiciliary care allowance and the number of medical assessors assigned to examine DCA appeals, in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if separate medical assessors are assigned to both the application and appeals process. [28391/23]
View answerThe Medical Review and Assessment Service (MRAS) is the principal control and medical guidance mechanism for all illness, disability and carers' schemes administered by my Department. This includes the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) scheme.
As part of the decision-making process, applications for DCA are referred to an MRAS departmental Medical Assessor (MA) for their professional opinion. The deciding officer has regard to this MA opinion in the decision process.
For the purpose of assessing applications for DCA, including reviews and appeals, generally a range of 4-7 MAs are allocated on a full-time basis. Overall, there is a focus on new applications due to the substantially higher volume of MA referrals in this category. The above 4-7 MAs are also assigned to examine DCA appeals and reviews as required.
There is no distinction in MAs that are allocated to examine new DCA applications and those allocated to examine reviews and appeals. However, for review cases and particularly for appeal cases, an alternate medical assessor is assigned.
The above data in respect of each of the past ten years is not available.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
843. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of deciding officers in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and the number of appeals officers assigned to assessing both applications and appeals, respectively for domiciliary care allowance. [28392/23]
View answerThe processing of new applications for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a priority of my Department and is monitored on an ongoing basis with particular focus on processing times, to ensure a timely service to applicants.
For the purpose of DCA claim processing, there are currently 12 deciding officers assigned on a full-time basis to assessing new applications. There are 10 deciding officers assigned to DCA appeal activity including the processing of appeal related reviews and customer review requests.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) is the office of my Department responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social protection entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision-making functions.
The SWAO has advised that there are currently 41 Appeals Officers who make decisions on all appeals relating to social protection schemes and entitlements. This includes DCA appeal cases.
The above data in respect of the past 10 years is not available.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
844. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the claim of a person (details supplied) to determine if they are in receipt of the correct benefit at the maximum rate and if they are entitled to other benefits; and she will provide a record of their contributions. [28409/23]
View answerState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and habitually residing in the state, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
The person concerned is in receipt of state pension non-contributory. Based on their assessed weekly means, they are entitled to a reduced-rate pension (together with a living alone increase, telephone support allowance, and a fuel allowance (payable during the winter season)).
Following receipt of correspondence from the person concerned on 11 April 2023, a review of their state pension non-contributory entitlement was undertaken. A Deciding Officer has recently completed their review and decided that the person’s pension entitlement remains unchanged and that they are receiving the correct weekly payment rate. The person concerned also continues to receive their household benefits package and is therefore receiving all social welfare benefits payable.
On 8 June 2023, the person was notified in writing of the outcome of their state pension non-contributory review and of their right to request a review of the decision, or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
A copy of the person’s social insurance contribution record has been requested and will issue to the customer in the coming days.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
845. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to a State pension (contributory) based on their contributions and recent application; and if their record of contributions will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28472/23]
View answerThe person concerned made an application for a State Pension Contributory on 3 September 2018. It was determined that they had an entitlement to this payment with a yearly average of 24 social insurance contributions at a rate of €207.10.
At the time of their application, the person was in receipt of the Increase for a Qualified Adult allowance on their spouse's State Pension Contributory. As the rate of this weekly payment was €218.00 it was more beneficial to the customer that they continue on this payment.
The Increase for Qualified Adult allowance payment has recently been reviewed and this review has resulted in a reduction in the rate of payment.
If the person now wishes to have State Pension contributory awarded to them, they should write to our pension office at the Department of Social Protection, Social Welfare Services Office, College Rd, Sligo, F91T384, and their application will be reviewed.
I have arranged for a copy of the person's social insurance record to issue to them.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
846. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the of eligibility for a carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28473/23]
View answerCarer's Allowance 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.
Once claims are in payment, my Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement and, if so, that the customer is in receipt of the correct rate of payment.
My Department is currently conducting a means review of recipients of full rate Carer's Allowance payment where a significant period of time has elapsed since the last review of their means occurred.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
The means test for Carer's Allowance is one of the most generous in the Social Protection System. Currently, €350 of gross weekly income is disregarded in the calculation of means for a single person; the equivalent for a person who is married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting is €750 of combined gross weekly income.
In the case of the person concerned, a means review was initiated in February 2023. The outcome of this means review, based on the information available to the Deciding Officer, determined that the person concerned had assessable means of €38.84 once the current disregard of €350 was applied. This resulted in a new rate of €203.50 effective from 22 June 2023.
The person concerned was notified on 9 June 2023 of this outcome, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
847. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the situation regarding eligibility for the €100 additional payment for children's allowance, and in particular, eligibility with regard to students in Leaving Certificate classes who have not been approved for the recent June bonus payment. [28490/23]
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, or who have a disability. Estimated expenditure on the scheme will be approximately €2.1 billion in 2023.
The €100 Child Benefit bonus payment is payable in respect of all qualified children for the month of June. The payment of €100 per child was paid on the first Tuesday of this month, the sixth of June.
Child Benefit for children aged 16 and 17 in full-time education is paid on the basis that their attendance is certified by the school or college they attend. The school or college certifies the child’s attendance up to the end of the school year, which, in the case of those children doing State exams, would include the month of June.
Child Benefit ceases in the month of a child’s eighteenth birthday regardless of their education status thereafter. Therefore, any Leaving Certificate student under the age 18 as of the first of June would remain a qualified child for the purposes of Child Benefit for the month of June, and the additional payment of €100 would have been paid in respect of that child.
There are currently no plans to extend Child Benefit in respect of post-primary students who are over 18 years of age. Such an extension would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context. Families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
• Increase for a Qualified Child (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments;
• the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
• the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with older children participating in full-time education.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
848. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision on a treatment benefit application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be re-examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28560/23]
View answerThe 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 does not qualify for treatment benefit in her own right as she paid a class of PRSI contribution which is not reckonable for treatment benefit.
She cannot be considered for Treatment Benefit under her spouse's social insurance record as her weekly income exceeds the limit.
I trust this clarifies matters for the deputy.
849. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to expand the eligible non-profit bodies which can access CE scheme workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28597/23]
View answerThe Community Employment (CE) programme aims to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their local communities on a temporary fixed term basis. There are currently over 18,600 participants on CE with a Budget of almost €367 million for 2023.
CE schemes are typically sponsored by voluntary and community organisations wishing to benefit the local community. As the employers, these sponsoring organisations contract with the Department of Social Protection, on an annual basis, to provide participants with good quality work experience.
Eligible work placements under these schemes are identified by the scheme sponsors in response to an identified community need and provide development opportunities for participants. The projects and work undertaken must not displace or replace existing jobs. CE sponsor groups provide valuable and dedicated services in communities all over the country.
The Deputy’s office has clarified that the eligible non-profit bodies referred to in the question are public libraries. Local Authorities have primary responsibility for managing and developing library services which are staffed by public servants and part of the State's public services. They would not meet the qualifying criteria for CE placements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
850. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection to extend eligibility for child benefit for a child aged 18 years or older who is still in post-primary education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28598/23]
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, or who have a disability. Estimated expenditure on the scheme will be approximately €2.1 billion in 2023.
There are currently no plans to extend Child Benefit in respect of post-primary students who are over 18 years of age. Such an extension would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
Families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
• Increase for a Qualified Child (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments;
• the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
• the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with older children participating in full-time education.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
851. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the children’s allowance has not been extended to the parents of 18-year-olds who are still in full-time second level education, given that as a result of Government policy in relation to school-starting age, more and more young people are still in second level education after their 18th birthday than was historically the case; her views on whether these supports should be extended in cases such as this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28600/23]
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, or who have a disability. Estimated expenditure on the scheme will be approximately €2.1 billion in 2023.
There are currently no plans to extend Child Benefit in respect of post-primary students who are over 18 years of age. Such an extension would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
Families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
• Increase for a Qualified Child (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments;
• the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
• the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with older children participating in full-time education.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
852. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the security protections in place for remote workers within civil and public service organisations to safeguard against personal information of members of the public in audio, text and electronic form being inadvertently exposed to unauthorised third parties within the remote setting; if she can provide a copy of the remote working best practice guidelines for civil and public service workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28641/23]
View answerOn 12th September 2022, my Department implemented a formal Blended Working policy under which staff members may apply for a blended working arrangement, with attendance both in the office and remotely, subject to role suitability and other conditions.
The Department's Blended Working Policy was developed in accordance with the Framework for Blended Working for Civil Service Organisations, which was launched by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) in March 2022.
The Department's Blended Working Policy sets remote working best practice guidelines and also general rules in relation to Blended Working that:
• In order for an Officer's application for a Blended Working Arrangement to be considered the Officer must first complete an Applicant Declaration that their workstation allows compliance with data security and applicable confidentiality standards, that they will continue to comply with all of their obligations as a civil servant, including all legislative obligations, and remain bound by all relevant organisational policies and procedures, and that they continue to be bound by the same standards and behaviours whether working in the office, or remotely.
• All staff must ensure that they comply with all relevant health and safety obligations and confirm that the workstation allows compliance with data security and applicable confidentiality standards.
• The work of the Department requires some staff to undertake highly sensitive and confidential work and as such access technologies / equipment / data accessible in office locations.
• Local printing is not facilitated at home locations.
• That staff are reminded of their responsibility to take necessary precautions to safeguard the equipment and ensure that the appropriate policies are followed in relation to security, personal data, and work use.
The Department's policy details Security, Confidentiality, Secrecy and Standards of Behaviour as follows:
• Work related documents must be stored securely.
• Business calls should be conducted in a confidential setting.
• Sensitive or confidential documents must be password-protected and devices must be shut down when not in use.
• Screens must be locked when the employee is away from the device at any time.
• Organisational IT equipment must be used in line with relevant organisational policies.
• Lost or stolen devices must be reported immediately to the employer in line with the relevant organisational procedure.
• Freedom of Information (FOI) – all records on computers/laptops etc., including instant messaging conversations are encompassed under the FOI Acts.
• Standards of Behaviour – staff working remotely are governed by the same standards of behaviour as when in the office environment – respect, dignity, conduct, professionalism etc.
• Disclosure of information - staff remain subject to obligations in respect of confidentiality and the requirement under the Official Secrets Act 1963 to avoid improper disclosure of information gained in the course of their official work.
In addition to the usual Data Protection training which is undertaken regularly, staff are also made aware by way of the Department's Blended Working Policy that their obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018 are not confined to the employer’s work premises.
In 2022, the Department developed and deployed an e-learning module to support the Department's Blended Working Policy, which reinforces that staff will always need to comply with data security and confidentiality standards, regardless of where they work. The e-learning module also states that staff must continue to comply with all their legislative obligations as a Civil Service and remain bound by all relevant policies and procedures, regardless of the location from which their work is being carried out.
853. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if a factory (details supplied) in Carrickmacross was part of any application for the immigrant investor scheme; the details of any application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27093/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/.
As Minister, I do not comment on individual IIP applications, or whether particular undertakings have benefited from investment under the programme.
