Written Answers Nos. 432-451
432. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an appeal for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33570/23]
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 Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 1st March 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
These were received on 6th April 2023 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 9th May 2023.
The Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 29th May 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
433. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person has been receiving jobseekers' allowance for 18 months then applies for disability allowance, whether their jobseekers' allowance payment cease immediately; if not, if it continues until a decision regarding the disability allowance is issued; if there is a requirement for the person to apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim; if the disability allowance application is unsuccessful, the payment that the person reverts back to; if a person is awarded disability allowance and transitions from jobseekers' allowance, if this changes their eligibility for the Christmas bonus associated with long-term social welfare payments; if a person receiving disability allowance is permitted to participate in a part-time Springboard course or other ETB training options; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33575/23]
View answerA person in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance may make an application for Disability Allowance.
Jobseeker’s Allowance should continue to be paid until a decision, including an Appeal where applicable, is made on the Disability Allowance claim.
If the application for Disability Allowance is unsuccessful for failing to satisfy the medical eligibility criteria for receipt of Disability Allowance, payment of Jobseeker’s Allowance may continue, subject to all qualifying conditions being satisfied.
If the application for Disability Allowance is unsuccessful but the person does not satisfy all the Jobseeker’s Allowance qualifying conditions including being capable of work, the person could apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment from their local Community Welfare Services.
Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions. Assessment is based on how the persons disability restricts their capacity to work.
The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances, and the information they provide in support of their claim. An applicant for DA can remain on their current welfare payment until they await a decision on their DA application. Where DA is awarded, they will transition to their new DA payment. A disallowance on DA will not impact their Jobseekers payment.
When an application for DA is processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome in writing.
The Christmas Bonus is payable to recipients of DA who are in payment at the date that this bonus is due to be paid.
My Department’s Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is available to DA customers. Springboard courses are supported through the BTEA. For a part-time springboard course, this does not impact the payment of DA providing they receive no payment while studying.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
434. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide the names and contact information of all special advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33590/23]
View answerI have one special adviser assigned to me in the Department to Social Protection. His details, including contact information are as follows: Mr. Pauric McPhillips pauric.mcphillips@welfare.ie
435. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason older persons are required to fill out an eight-page application form when renewing their free travel pass. [33612/23]
View answerThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by, for example, Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, Luas, Local Link and services provided by around eighty private transport operators.
Following clarification from the Deputy, this question relates to the Free Travel application form (known as an FT1).
Of the eight page form, the Deputy will appreciate that only 5 pages contain fields for completion. The form is easy and quick to complete and designed to allow determinations to be made efficiently on all three Free Travel Pass types; personal, spouse/civil partner or companion. The applicant completes the relevant parts only.
It should be noted that most Free Travel recipients are awarded automatically, upon qualification for certain social welfare payments such as: Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, State Pensions and Widow's Contributory Pension (at age 66). None of these customers are required to complete an application form for Free Travel.
Others, living legally and permanently in the State, who may be eligible for Free Travel, include those over age 66 who do not automatically receive free travel, and those under 66 years who are: - blind or severely visually impaired but not in receipt of a Blind Pension;
- in receipt of Incapacity Supplement or Workmen's Compensation Supplement with Disablement Pension, for at least 12 months; - in receipt of a Social Security Invalidity, Incapacity Pension or Benefit, or an equivalent payment for at least 12 months, from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral Social Security Agreement; or,
- widowed or a surviving civil partner aged between 60 and 65 who qualifies for a concessionary Free Travel Pass.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
436. 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. [33635/23]
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 an application for IP from the person concerned on 9 November 2022. To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter-alia, 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 year before the relevant date of their claim.
The person in question does not have the required 260 paid PRSI contributions in Ireland. The application was refused on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. A notification of the decision, to refuse his claim, issued to the person concerned on 30 November 2022.
As the person concerned had previously worked in the United Kingdom, a request was made to the UK authorities on 20 December 2022, on 4 January 2023 and 28 April 2023 for his UK contribution record. To date, the requested information has not been received from the UK authorities and this information was requested again on 4 July 2023.
Unfortunately, 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 endeavor to establish the entitlement of the person in question and he will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
437. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give due consideration to extending the treatment benefit scheme (currently available to dependent spouses, civil partners or cohabitants of qualified persons subject to certain conditions), to dependent children up to the age of 18 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33639/23]
View answerIn general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. However, my Department administers the Treatment Benefit scheme which provides dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people.
The Treatment Benefit scheme is an insurance-based scheme which provides benefits to eligible contributors towards the provision of treatment and appliances. These treatments are also available to their dependent spouse or partner if applicable.
Eligibility for Treatment Benefit is based on age and social insurance contributions. People’s social insurance contributions made under Pay Related Social Insurance Classes A, E, H, P and S count towards the Treatment Benefit scheme. Benefits under the Treatment Benefit scheme are only available to adults and cannot be claimed for dependent children.
I am not considering changing the qualifying criteria for the Treatment Benefit scheme at this time; however we keep our schemes and supports under review to make sure they continue to meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
438. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for jobseeker's transition payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33703/23]
View answerJobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) is a means-tested payment. A person may qualify for this payment if they do not live with a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and their youngest child is between 7 and 14 years old.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was in receipt of a One-Parent Family Payment (OPFP) since 17/09/2020 and Carer’s Allowance (CA) since 09/03/2023. OPFP is a payment for parents under 66 years who are parenting without the support of a partner and whose youngest child is under 7 years of age. A person’s eligibility to OPFP ceases when their youngest child turns 7. However where a person is also receiving CA, the OPFP may continue until their youngest child turns 16 or until their CA stops, whichever is earlier.
At the time of the person’s application for JST in March 2023 they were also in receipt of CA, no action was taken on this application as a person cannot receive both JST and CA concurrently.
As the person’s CA claim closed on 19/04/2023 and their subsequent CA application on 30/05/2023 has been disallowed, the person’s application for JST has now been awarded at a weekly rate of €312. A letter advising the person of the decision issued on 07/07/2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
439. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Social Welfare appeals office will accept and register an appeal from a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who was waiting for further medical evidence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33750/23]
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 Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 6th July 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
440. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people on partial capacity benefit who have had their living alone allowance terminated in the past six months, broken down by month, in tabular form; and the savings accrued by her Department as a result of same. [33764/23]
View answerMy Department provides a wide range of income supports and employment supports to assist jobseekers and existing employees with disabilities.
As a standard part of its operations to ensure payment integrity, and in line with recommendations from the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Department undertakes reviews of claims on all schemes from time to time in order to ensure that people are on the correct rate of payment and that their ancillary allowances are also correct. These reviews would include an assessment of whether or not a person continued to satisfy the conditions for entitlement to an ancillary payment where they move between main schemes (for example, if they moved from a disability payment to a jobseeker payment).
Recently, the Department issued letters to a small number of Partial Capacity Benefit customers in relation to their entitlement. As is appropriate, these letters outlined the purpose of the review and the potential consequences that might arise once a review is completed.
In writing to customers, the Department incorrectly indicated a disqualification on Living Alone Allowance. In fact, when a person with a Living Alone Allowance moves from an illness or invalidity payment to PCB, their Living Alone payment is also adjusted to 50%, 75% or 100% in the same manner as the underlying payment. It was an error, therefore, to say that the payment would be completely disallowed.
The Department has already identified this error and has not made any changes to the payments made to the people concerned. Their Living Alone Allowance will be unaffected. The Department has written to the people concerned to apologise and to advise them to disregard the earlier letter.
In a very small number of new customers cases transferring to PCB, the Department has written to them about their allowance telling them their payment and backdated to their date of transition to PCB.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
441. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review of eligibility for domiciliary care allowance can be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33795/23]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention in the home which is substantially over and above the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age. The child must be likely to require this level of care for at least 12 consecutive months. Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability or diagnosis, but on the impact of the disability in terms of the child's medical and additional care needs.
An application for DCA in respect of their child was received from the person concerned on 18 May 2023. A deciding officer disallowed their claim, as per decision dated 15 June 2023. Based on the information provided, the child concerned was not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA. This determination also considered the supporting medical evidence that was provided by the person concerned in their application.
To date, the person concerned has not provided any new or additional information or evidence for further consideration.
On foot of your request for a review of eligibility for DCA in this case, a review of the applicant's application and the decision will be undertaken. This review will include all information and documentary evidence that has been provided by the person concerned in their application of 18 May 2023. It is also open to the person concerned to forward any further new or additional information or documentary evidence that was not previously available with the initial application, in support of their review request.
Once the review is completed, the person concerned will be notified directly in writing of the review outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
442. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the total funding provided by her Department to all support groups, organisations or advocacy groups that support the disability sector in 2022 and planned for 2023, in tabular form, by name, location, budget and number of staff employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33802/23]
View answerMy Department provides a wide range of both income supports and employment supports to assist both jobseekers and existing employees with disabilities, and employers seeking to hire a jobseeker, or support an existing employee, with a disability.
The Department has also, for a number of years, provided funding via the Citizens Information Board and under the Dormant Accounts Fund to groups/organisations that support the disability sector.
The Citizens Information Board, a statutory body charged with providing independent information, advice and advocacy services to the public on a range of issues. The Citizens Information Board funds and supports three Service Delivery Companies that support people with disabilities. These are:
• The Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS): established in 2007, this service provides, and advocates for, high-quality Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation services to ensure Deaf people can access public and social services and take part in Irish society as full and equal citizens.
• The National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) provides a free and confidential issues-based representative advocacy service to adults with a disability. This service works across four regional areas - Midlands North East, Greater Dublin, Fingal and Wicklow, Southern Region and Western Region.
• The Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (RISLI) is a standards-based registration system for ISL interpreters. It aims to strengthen and guarantee the quality of ISL provision in Ireland, by ensuring that ISL Interpreters reach specified standards to be admitted on the Register. RISLI also aims to support ISL interpreters to meet and maintain these standards by partaking in Continuous Professional Development to maintain their registration status.
Table 1 below indicates the funding allocated by the Citizens' Information Board to the three services. It should be noted that is is not possible to give the Deputy a specific location, or the number of staff employed as these services are provided on a national level.
Table 1: Funding to Citizens Information Board Service Delivery Companies for disability supports in 2022 and 2023
|
Service Delivery Company |
2022 Funding |
2023 Funding |
|
SLIS |
€836,855 |
€725,543 |
|
NAS |
€3,143,746 |
€3,157,393 |
|
RISLI |
€157,717 |
€331,051 |
In addition, the Citizens Information Board (CIB) operates the website citizensinformation.ie that provides information on entitlements, supports and services for persons with disabilities, while the national network of Citizens Information Centres, operated by the CIB Service Delivery Company the Citizens Information Service, also provide advocacy and representation services to persons with disabilities, including in relation to social welfare appeals.
Under the Dormant Accounts Action Plans 2021 and 2022- Measure to Support the Employment of People with Disabilities - a total of 45 projects were awarded up to €7.6 million in funding. The programme started on 1 September 2021 and was due to conclude at the end of December 2022. I extended this time frame to the end of 2023 and in this regard made provision for a further €5 million under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2023. This measure is managed by Pobal on behalf of my Department.
The data concerning these groups is presented in tabular form in the Addendum below as requested by the Deputy, Tables 2 and 3 refer.
The Deputy should note the following:
• The Budget amounts shown reflect the amount of grant allocation to the organisations in respect of the periods and does not take account of the actual expenditure of the grant by the organisations.
• With regard to Table 2, the Deputy has asked for data in respect of 2022; however these are grant allocations awarded on foot of a competitive process. The activity began on 1 September 2021 and in this regard the total grant allocation to the organisation has been provided in respect of the period 1 September 2021 to 31 December 2022.
• 45 groups were initially awarded funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund 2021 Measure, 3 of the projects did not proceed with their activities. The 3 projects are County Kildare Leader Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee, St Christopher's Services Company Limited By Guarantee and West Cork Development Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee *
• 37 organisations sought an extension of funding to the end of 2023.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Addendum
Table 2: Funding under Dormant Accounts Funds 2021 and 2022 for groups that support the disability sector
|
Name |
Location |
Budget |
Staff Numbers |
|
Ak Inspired Ability Company Limited by Guarantee |
Kerry |
€200,000.00 |
4 |
|
Blossom Ireland Community Inclusion |
Dublin |
€194,646.00 |
2 |
|
Bluestack Special Needs Foundation Company Limited By Guarantee |
Donegal |
€199,956.00 |
4 |
|
Bray Area Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee |
Wicklow |
€197,163.00 |
4 |
|
Breffni Integrated Company Limited By Guarantee |
Cavan |
€12,100.00 |
0 |
|
Brothers of Charity Services Ireland (Limerick) |
Galway |
€174,307.00 |
2 |
|
Central Remedial Clinic |
Dublin |
€200,000.00 |
2 |
|
Co Wexford Community Workshop (New Ross) Company Limited By Guarantee |
Wexford |
€200,000.00 |
4 |
|
COPE Foundation |
Cork |
€200,000.00 |
4 |
|
County Kildare Leader Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee* |
Kildare |
€200,000.00 |
3 |
|
Disability Federation of Ireland |
Dublin |
€63,741.00 |
1 |
|
Down Syndrome Ireland |
Dublin |
€197,391.00 |
2 |
|
Dublin City University |
Dublin |
€199,973.00 |
3 |
|
Dublin South City Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€200,000.00 |
3 |
|
Empower Local Development Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€124,609.00 |
2 |
|
Fingal Leader Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€191,929.00 |
2 |
|
Forum Connemara Company Limited By Guarantee |
Galway |
€198,330.00 |
4 |
|
Galway City Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee |
Galway |
€173,593.00 |
2 |
|
Gheel Autism Services Company Limited By Guarantee |
Kildare |
€89,255.00 |
1 |
|
I.W.A. Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€200,000.00 |
3 |
|
IRD Duhallow Company Limited By Guarantee |
Cork |
€200,000.00 |
3 |
|
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind |
Cork |
€155,058.00 |
3 |
|
KARE, Promoting Inclusion For People with Intellectual Disabilities |
Kildare |
€188,153.00 |
2 |
|
Knockanrawley Resource Centre Company Limited By Guarantee |
Tipperary |
€194,535.00 |
2 |
|
Leitrim Integrated Development Company Limited By Guarantee |
Leitrim |
€111,502.00 |
1 |
|
Limerick Youth Service |
Limerick |
€199,849.00 |
3 |
|
National Association For Spina Bifida And Hydrocephalus Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€161,352.00 |
3 |
|
Not So Different Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€200,000.00 |
1 |
|
Offaly Integrated Local Development Company Limited By Guarantee |
Offaly |
€190,847.00 |
2 |
|
Peter Bradley Foundation Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€200,000.00 |
4 |
|
Roscommon Integrated Development Company Limited By Guarantee |
Roscommon |
€198,763.00 |
4 |
|
SOS Kilkenny CLG |
Kilkenny |
€87,648.00 |
2 |
|
Specialisterne Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€200,000.00 |
3 |
|
St Christopher's Services Company Limited By Guarantee* |
Longford |
€200,000.00 |
3 |
|
St. Cronans Association Company Limited By Guarantee |
Tipperary |
€135,915.00 |
2 |
|
St. Michael's House |
Dublin |
€199,939.00 |
4 |
|
The Down Syndrome Centre Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€112,100.00 |
2 |
|
The Organic Centre Company Limited By Guarantee |
Leitrim |
€40,016.00 |
1 |
|
The Rehab Group |
Dublin |
€134,456.00 |
1 |
|
Tipperary Regional Youth Service Company Limited By Guarantee |
Tipperary |
€200,000.00 |
3 |
|
Triest Press Company Limited By Guarantee |
Roscommon |
€49,645.00 |
1 |
|
Walkinstown Association For People With An Intellectual Disability Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€200,000.00 |
4 |
|
Walkinstown Green Social Enterprises Limited |
Dublin |
€200,000.00 |
4 |
|
West Cork Development Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee* |
Cork |
€200,000.00 |
3 |
|
Wexford Local Development |
Wexford |
€198,247.00 |
3 |
|
Totals |
€7,575,018.00 |
116 |
Table 3: Funding under Dormant Accounts Funds Action Plan 2023 for groups that support the disability sector
|
Name |
Location |
Budget |
Staff Numbers |
|
Ak Inspired Ability Company Limited by Guarantee |
Kerry |
€150,000 |
4 |
|
Bluestack Special Needs Foundation Company Limited By Guarantee |
Donegal |
€149,967 |
4 |
|
Bray Area Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee |
Wicklow |
€147,872 |
4 |
|
Brothers of Charity Services Ireland |
Limerick |
€129,656 |
2 |
|
Central Remedial Clinic |
Dublin |
€135,000 |
2 |
|
Co Wexford Community Workshop (New Ross) Company Limited By Guarantee |
Wexford |
€150,000 |
4 |
|
COPE Foundation |
Cork |
€150,000 |
4 |
|
Disability Federation of Ireland |
Dublin |
€47,806 |
1 |
|
Down Syndrome Ireland |
Dublin |
€148,049 |
3 |
|
Dublin South City Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€150,000 |
3 |
|
Empower Local Development Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€93,454 |
2 |
|
Fingal Leader Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€143,825 |
2 |
|
Forum Connemara Company Limited By Guarantee |
Galway |
€148,748 |
4 |
|
Galway City Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee |
Galway |
€130,195 |
2 |
|
Gheel Autism Services Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€66,941 |
2 |
|
I.W.A. Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€150,000 |
3 |
|
IRD Duhallow Company Limited By Guarantee |
Cork |
€150,000 |
3 |
|
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind |
Cork |
€116,293 |
2 |
|
KARE, Promoting Inclusion For People with Intellectual Disabilities |
Kildare |
€104,431 |
2 |
|
Knockanrawley Resource Centre Company Limited By Guarantee |
Tipperary |
€125,901 |
2 |
|
Leitrim Integrated Development Company Limited By Guarantee |
Leitrim |
€83,626 |
2 |
|
Limerick Youth Service |
Limerick |
€149,887 |
3 |
|
National Association For Spina Bifida And Hydrocephalus Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€120,191 |
2 |
|
Not So Different Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€149,967 |
1 |
|
Peter Bradley Foundation Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€150,000 |
4 |
|
Roscommon Integrated Development Company Limited By Guarantee |
Roscommon |
€149,072 |
5 |
|
SOS Kilkenny CLG |
Kilkenny |
€65,736 |
2 |
|
Specialisterne Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€150,000 |
3 |
|
St. Cronans Association Company Limited By Guarantee |
Tipperary |
€101,933 |
3 |
|
St. Michael's House |
Dublin |
€149,954 |
3 |
|
The Down Syndrome Centre Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€84,075 |
3 |
|
The Organic Centre Company Limited By Guarantee |
Leitrim |
€30,012 |
1 |
|
The Rehab Group* |
Dublin |
€99,277 |
1 |
|
Tipperary Regional Youth Service Company Limited By Guarantee |
Tipperary |
€150,000 |
3 |
|
Triest Press Company Limited By Guarantee |
Roscommon |
€37,233 |
1 |
|
Walkinstown Association For People With An Intellectual Disability Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
€150,000 |
4 |
|
Walkinstown Green Social Enterprises Limited |
Dublin |
€150,000 |
4 |
|
Total |
€4,559,101 |
100 |
443. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will support the establishment of a national council on advocacy to assist in developing common quality standards across providers of independent advocacy services, minimum datasets for reporting, validated measures of outcome and continuous professional development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33804/23]
View answerIn relation to your query regarding the establishment of a National Advocacy Body, this is more appropriately addressed to the Minister of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
In relation to existing independent advocacy services funded by my Department, the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) is funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), a statutory body under the aegis of my Department.
NAS has a mandate under the Citizens Information Act 2007 and Comhairle Act 2000 to support the provision of advocacy for people with disabilities. NAS provides a free and confidential issues-based representative advocacy service to adults with a disability. NAS has a particular remit for people with disabilities who are isolated from their community and services, have communication differences, are inappropriately accommodated, live in residential services, attend day services, or have limited informal or natural supports.
Separate to its functions under CIB, NAS also operates the Patient Advocacy Service (PAS). PAS is commissioned and funded by the Department of Health and is a free, independent and confidential service that provides information and advocacy to people who want to make a formal complaint through the HSE ‘Your Service, Your Say’ complaints policy, in relation to their care in a public acute hospital or in the aftermath of a patient safety incident. PAS also provides advocacy to users of HSE funded nursing homes.
In addition, my Department, through funding to CIB, also funds the Citizens Information Service, which, through a national network of Citizens Information Centres, provides free and confidential advocacy services, as well as information and advice.
444. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an overpayment appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry registered in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33821/23]
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 Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case.
Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
445. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if additional resources will be provided to the social welfare appeals office to address the five-week delay in responding to email representations from Oireachtas members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33822/23]
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.
I have been advised that additional staff are being assigned to the office and expect that response times will improve as soon as the new staff are in place and fully trained.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
446. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date on introducing a total contributions approach with respect to the State pension (contributory) applications; when he expects this to be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33824/23]
View answerIt is worth noting that, since 2018, the Total Contributions Approach has been used in the calculation of State Pension (Contributory) payments, alongside the Yearly Averaging approach which was introduced in 1961, with the applicant receiving the better of the two calculations.
One of the landmark reforms to the State Pension system I announced last September is a ten-year phased transition to the Total Contributions Approach and the abolition of the Yearly Average method, as recommended by the independent Pensions Commission following its in-depth analysis of the State pension system.
This fairer system, which removes existing anomalies with the Yearly Averaging system, will calculate pension payments based on the number of social insurance contributions made by a person over his or her working life, with significant pension credits granted to people who have taken time out of the workplace for caring responsibilities.
During the transition period, individual pension rates will be based on the best of the Total Contributions Approach, or a rate based on a mix of the Yearly Average and Total Contributions Approaches, with the proportion accounted for by Yearly Average reducing from 90% to zero over 10 years and the proportion accounted for by the Total Contributions Approach increasing commensurately.
Officials in my Department are currently working on the legislation and systems to support the introduction of this change, which will be effective from 2024.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
447. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing the jobseeker’s transitional payment scheme age cut-off by one year to 15 years of age. [33825/23]
View answerThe Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment provides income support to lone parents whose youngest child is aged 7 to 13 years, inclusive. When their youngest child turns 14, a person may be eligible for Jobseeker’s Allowance payment.
The Working Family Payment is also available to lone parents who are working 38 or more hours per fortnight. That scheme is payable where a person has a child up to age 18 or age 22 if in full time education. Lone parents currently on Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment can transfer to Working Family Payment where they satisfy the hours worked requirement and the other scheme conditions.
A person who takes up or is in insurable employment or takes up self-employment within four weeks of the end of their Jobseeker's Transitional Payment claim can qualify for Back to Work Family Dividend which is payable over a two-year period. In year one, the rate of payment is based on the person's Qualified Child entitlement, subject to a maximum of four children, on the date of exit from their primary payment. Fifty per cent of that amount is payable in year two.
Working Family Payment and Back to Work Family Dividend can be paid concurrently.
I am advised that the cost of increasing the age limit for a qualified child for the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment (JST) until the youngest child reaches 15 is not possible to estimate in the time available. However, I have asked my officials to examine the matter further and revert to the Deputy directly.
In any event, extending the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment beyond the 14th birthday of a person’s youngest child would have the effect of delaying the interaction of affected customers with the Department’s Intreo services. The primary aim of the current system is to reduce long-term welfare dependency, and associated poverty, among lone parents, and to improve their access to education, training, and employment support services. Improved access to these services will enhance their skills-set and job-readiness, thereby assisting with their transition into the workforce, and with their subsequent attainment of financial independence.
For these reasons, I have no plans to change the position at this time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
448. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision can be expected to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33840/23]
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 Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 5th July 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
449. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in receipt of the guardian payment for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form; and its current level of remuneration. [33882/23]
View answerIf either parent, or step-parent, had worked at any time and paid social insurance (PRSI) for 26 weeks, the child is entitled to the Guardian’s Payment (Contributory).
Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) is a non-contributory payment for a child who is not entitled to the contributory payment. The means test for this is based on the child’s means.
Payment is made to the child’s guardian until the child turns 18 or, if the child is in full-time education, until they turn 22. The maximum Guardian’s Payment is €203 a week.
The number of recipients of Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) and Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) between 2019 and 2023 is shown in the table below. For the years 2019 to 2022, recipients are taken at the 31st December of that year. For 2023, recipients are taken as at the 31st May.
Table 1: Recipients of Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) and Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory), by year.
|
Year |
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
|
2023 |
1,204 |
585 |
|
2022 |
1,192 |
594 |
|
2021 |
1,177 |
578 |
|
2020 |
1,179 |
553 |
|
2019 |
1,164 |
542 |
450. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of TV licences issued via her Department’s free schemes in each of the past six months, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33933/23]
View answerThe Free TV Licence is one element of the Household Benefits Package. The other elements are Free Electricity Allowance or Free Gas Allowance. Only one Household Benefit package is payable per household.
For those aged 70 or over, the package is not means tested and there is no requirement to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment. For those aged between 66 and 70, a person may qualify for the package if they are in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, or satisfy a means test. Those aged under 66 may qualify if receiving certain disability related payments (or an equivalent payment from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement), or Carer's Allowance (if applicant is living with the person they are caring for). Details of the qualifying criteria for the Household Benefits Package are available on www.gov.ie
According to the records of my Department, the number of households awarded a Free TV Licence in each of the past six months, is shown in the table below.
|
2023 |
No. of households awarded Free TV Licence |
|
January |
4,554 |
|
February |
4,301 |
|
March |
4,927 |
|
April |
3,838 |
|
May |
3,475 |
|
June |
4,056 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
451. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in each of the past six months who were claiming illness benefit while living outside the State, in tabular form; if they were claiming a child payment, if the children were living outside the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33934/23]
View answerThe table below outlines the number of recipients of Illness Benefit at the end of each month from December 2022 to May 2023 whose last know address was either unknown or outside of the State. It is not possible to determine the number of child beneficiaries of a child related payment that are living outside the State.
Table 1: Illness Benefit recipients with unknown addresses or living outside the State, by month.
|
Month |
Recipients |
|
May-23 |
724 |
|
Apr-23 |
742 |
|
Mar-23 |
752 |
|
Feb-23 |
765 |
|
Jan-23 |
782 |
|
Dec-22 |
789 |
