Paul Kehoe
Question:1041. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38679/23]
View answerSocial Welfare Payments
Questions (1041)
Written answers
Carer's Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.
It is a condition for receipt of Carer's Allowance that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention. This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
It is also a condition for receipt of Carer's Allowance that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding their claim.
An application for Carer's Allowance was received from the person concerned on 20 March 2023.
The application was disallowed on the grounds that the medical evidence submitted in respect of the care recipient did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied and also for failure to provide requested information. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 12 April 2023 and informed of their right of a review and appeal.
Following a request from the person concerned for a review of this decision and the submission of information on 18 April 2023, a Deciding Officer decided that the full-time care and attention conditions remained unsatisfied. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 4 July 2023 and informed of their right to appeal this decision.
The Department has confirmation that the person concerned has requested an appeal with the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). To date, no appeal has been registered but when such notification is received by Carer's Allowance section, the file will be forwarded to the SWAO for their independent determination.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (1042)
Paul Murphy
Question:1042. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the fuel allowance threshold for people who live alone in Budget 2024, considering that it costs the same to heat a home regardless of the amount of people there, and that the threshold for a couple is double that for someone living alone. [38705/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €412 million in 2023. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
As part of the overall welfare Budget 2023 package of €2.2 Billion, a number of considerable reforms were made to the Fuel Allowance Scheme including the introduction of changes for those aged over 70.
These reforms included a new means threshold for those aged over 70 of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. The means threshold is based on gross income. The increased allowable means threshold for people who are married, cohabiting or in a civil partnership acknowledges that the overall cost of living for this cohort is higher than for a single person and the fact that the Department pays an Increase for a Qualified Adult on many of its primary payments is recognition of this.
The Government will continue to monitor the cost-of-living situation closely and how it can support people on low incomes and those on social welfare payments who are at risk of fuel poverty. However, any further widening of the thresholds for accessing the fuel allowance scheme can only be considered while taking account of the overall policy and budgetary situation.
Finally, my Department 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (1043, 1044, 1045)
Brendan Smith
Question:1043. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason applications under the exceptional needs scheme are not being processed locally; if she agrees that this scheme has been of critical importance to many families when emergencies arose and the swift response of Department officials at local level has been essential in assisting such families through difficult situations; if she will revert the centralisation of such decision making in the best interests of administering the scheme efficiently and helping people for whom it is intended in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38751/23]
View answerBrendan Smith
Question:1044. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a hub has been established in Galway to process applications under the exceptional needs scheme for areas such as Cavan and Monaghan; if she will revert the decision making to local level to ensure the scheme is administered efficiently and in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38756/23]
View answerBrendan Smith
Question:1045. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the status and remit of the hub that has been established in Galway to administer the exceptional needs scheme; if other responsibilities have been centralised to that office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38757/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1043 to 1045, inclusive, together.
Decisions on applications for Additional Needs Payments (including what were previously known as Exceptional Needs Payments) ) continue to be made locally.
The CWS is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. There are no backlogs and claims work on hand is within the scheme's normal processing levels. Fully completed applications, where the required documentation is supplied, are processed within two weeks. It is important to note that where it is clear that a person has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the claim is processed on the same day. Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) are very experienced and can generally assess when a case is so urgent that it requires an immediate response. Approximately 19% of customers attending the CWS in the Intreo Centres get a payment on the same day.
In order to assure a consistent level of service local Community Welfare Officers are now supported by a national Administration Support service based in a number of hubs around the country. This removes the administrative overhead on CWOs who now receive decision-ready claims to finalise. A CWS Response Team also assists local CWOs with decisions on claims where this is necessary due to the volume of pending claims or to cover leave, etc. The Galway Hub is a clerical support team based in Galway who deal solely with the administrative aspect of the application process. Decisions on applications are made locally by the local CWO. There are no undue delays in the Administration Support Hubs and all claims received into a support hub are made ready for decision as quickly as possible and are returned digitally back to the local based CWO, for example back to Cavan, within a short time for decision.
The delivery of crucial and locally based Community Welfare Services to meet the challenges and the needs of citizens in Cavan, Monaghan and across the country is a priority for me and for my Department. In this regard, a CWO is available to meet with citizens from Cavan during business hours Monday to Friday at Cavan Intreo Centre and also by appointment at Ballyconnell Branch Office. If a person is unable to travel to Cavan or Ballyconnell, a CWO can meet with the person at a mutually agreed location, including at their home. In Monaghan, Community Welfare Outreach services are available in Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones and Monaghan Town.
While local face-to-face engagement with clients continues to be a cornerstone of the CWS, it is important to mention that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make an application for assistance and any person, located anywhere across the Country, who needs to access the CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO.
CWOs working on the national phoneline are dealing now with approximately 2,000 callers per week. This service is proving very popular with customers in rural areas, including areas in Cavan and Monaghan, who can have all their community welfare needs met without the requirement to travel.
As you may be aware, a person can also now apply online for an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) via www.MyWelfare.ie. This service means that there is no requirement for a person to travel to make a claim if that is their preference.
Alternatively, a person can make an application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) by completing a SWA1 form which is available in all Intreo Centres and Social Welfare Branch Offices. This form can also be requested by calling freephone 0818 60 70 80 or at this link www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. The completed application form together with any supporting documentation should be returned to Community Welfare Services, Western Support Team, PO Box 13599, Galway, Freepost FGA 7634 where the claim will be processed through its initial stages promptly and assigned to a local CWO to finalise. If any further clarification or information is required on a claim the person will be contacted directly by community welfare staff.
The CWS continues to provide a flexible service to meet the different needs of customers, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. It is important that this service is easily accessible and responsive to our client’s needs.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Question No. 1044 answered with Question No. 1043.
Question No. 1045 answered with Question No. 1043.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (1046)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1046. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38792/23]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 in that office on 9 August 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.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (1047)
Michael Ring
Question:1047. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the sequence of events in relation to a claim (details supplied) and explain the reason it has been referred back to the appeals office by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38800/23]
View answerWritten answers
Carer'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 confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 8 April 2022.
One of the qualifying conditions is that the means of the person concerned must be less than the statutory limit.
It is also a necessary condition for receipt of CA that the applicant must furnish any certificates, documents and information, which may affect their right to that payment, that an officer of the Minister may require.
On 12 April 2022, my Department requested statements for the previous 3 months for any accounts held by the person concerned or her spouse in any Bank, Post Office, Revolut, Building Society, Credit Union, or any other Financial Institution. If any accounts were closed, it is required to provide proof of closure from the financial institution stating the date of the account closure. Statements were also requested for both spouses' English pensions.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the Deciding Officer (DO) decided that the claim was disallowed as the claimant had failed to disclose their means to an officer of the Department and failed to disclose all bank accounts and details of English pensions as requested to determine the means.
The person concerned was notified on 26 May 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.
Following this decision, a review of the claim was requested by the applicant. However, the decision remained unchanged as the person did not provide all of the information and documentation requested.
The person concerned was notified on 24 August 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO)
On 3 November 2022, the Department was notified that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
The decision of the Appeals Officer (AO), dated 3 February 2023, was to allow the appeal.
However, the Department could not implement the decision of the AO as the appellant was requested by the DO to provide up to date details of a number of specific bank accounts and the appellant did not do so. An up to date means assessment could not be determined without this information.
The Appeals Office agreed to look at a possible review of the case under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005.
Under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005, an Appeals Officer may at any time revise any decision by an Appeal Officer –
(a) Where it appears to him or her that the decision was erroneous in the light of new evidence or new facts which have been brought to his or her notice since the date on which the decision was given, or
(b) Where the effect of the decision was to entitle a person to any benefit within the meaning of Section 240 and it appears to the Appeals Officer that there has been any relevant change of circumstances which has come to notice since that decision was given.
The case is currently with the Appeals Officer for consideration of review and, once a decision has been made, the appellant will be notified directly of outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Pension Provisions
Questions (1048)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:1048. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether an individual in receipt of carer's allowance or carer's benefit can have them considered towards the contributions criteria for the State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38819/23]
View answerWritten answers
This 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. Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate. In addition, PRSI credits are awarded to those in receipt of Carer's Benefit and Carer's Allowance. These credits and other measures may be used to increase the rate of State Pension (Contributory) payment subject to certain conditions.
Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory). They may for example have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years' paid contributions.
In September 2022 I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system. 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.
The Long-Term Carer's Contributions (LTCC) will be available to those who provided full time care for 20 years (1040 weeks) or more to an incapacitated dependent. The periods of care-giving do not need to be consecutive. I expect to bring the legislation required to introduce the LTCC before the Oireachtas soon, with the scheme being fully implemented from January 2024. This month, my Department launched an online system for people to register for LTCC. This will facilitate the expeditious processing of LTCC upon enactment of the legislation.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (1049)
Willie O'Dea
Question:1049. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that an individual (details supplied) is having money deducted from their pay which they did not agree to; if she will request that the deductions be stopped; if she will provide a full breakdown of the total overpayment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38899/23]
View answerWritten answers
The individual has received correspondence from my Department's HR area and the National Shared Services Office regarding the details of the salary overpayment and options in relation to recouping this debt in accordance with the relevant policy. Unfortunately the officer has failed to respond or engage with my HR officials to date. I would encourage her to make contact with DSP's HR area to engage with them in an effort to work out a more acceptable recoupment plan that will suit her needs.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (1050)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1050. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38910/23]
View answerWritten answers
Carer'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.
It is a condition for receipt of Carer's Allowance that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding their claim including that requested by a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI).
An application was received from the person concerned on 3 February 2023. The application was referred to a local SWI on 8 February 2023 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means, confirm the number of hours worked per week and that all of the conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are satisfied.
On receipt of the SWI report, the Deciding Officer was unable to determine if these conditions were satisfied, as the person concerned had failed to provide all of the information requested by the SWI, and they did not qualify for Carer’s Allowance. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 4 May 2023 and of their right to request a review and/or an appeal.
On receipt of correspondence, a review initiated on 22 June 2023.
This application was reassigned to the SWI on 22 June 2023 to determine whether all conditions were satisfied. Further information was received on 4 September which is currently being assessed.
Once the Social Welfare Inspector has reported, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (1051)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1051. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38912/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has not received an application for Carer’s Allowance from the person concerned. However, the person did apply for Carer's Benefit.
Carer's Benefit is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
An application for Carer’s Benefit was received from the person concerned on 10 January 2023. The claim was disallowed as the care recipient was deemed not to require full time care and attention based on the submitted medical information. Notification of this decision was issued to the person on 2 February 2023.
A request for an appeal of this decision was received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 24 February 2023.
The Appeals Officer examined all the relevant information and upheld the Department's original decision. Notification of the Appeal outcome issued directly to the person concerned on 5 July 2023.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (1052)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1052. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38914/23]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's Benefit is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions; employment conditions; show that they are providing full-time care and attention; and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
Applications for Carer's Benefit in respect of two care recipients were received from the person concerned on 21 August 2023.
To ensure fairness, applications are worked on in chronological date order of receipt. The applications of the person concerned are currently awaiting review by a Medical Assessor of my Department to assist in determining whether the medical eligibility criteria of the scheme have been met. The outcome of this review will be considered by a Deciding Officer who will also examine all other factors related to the qualifying conditions for Carer’s Benefit. If any further information is required from the person concerned, this will be requested in writing.
Once all relevant information is available, the applications will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be contacted directly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Funding
Questions (1053)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1053. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount carried over by her Department's allocation in each of the years 2020 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form. [38951/23]
View answerWritten answers
The capital allocation for my Department is primarily used to deliver IT modernisation and to carry out refurbishments on the Department’s buildings.
The amount of capital carryover by my Department, as outlined in the audited Appropriation Accounts from 2020 to 2022 inclusive, is broken down as follows:
|
2022 to 2023 €'000 |
2021 to 2022 €'000 |
2020 to 2021 €'000 |
|
|
Capital Carryover Amount |
1,390 |
1,200 |
910 |
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (1054)
Michael Ring
Question:1054. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance payment (details supplied) will be restored to the claimant's bank account rather than in-person collection at a post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39071/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
My Department periodically reviews claims for compliance risks, to ensure there is an entitlement to a payment.
A review of this individual's entitlement to Disability Allowance remains underway. The control measure introduced, to pay their Disability Allowance through the Post Office, will remain in place at least until the review is completed. My Department will provide an update once the review is completed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Pensions Reform
Questions (1055)
Ivana Bacik
Question:1055. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on progress to implement the respective recommendations of the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality and the Citizens' Assembly in relation to women whose pensions are reduced due to the marriage bar. [39119/23]
View answerWritten answers
The impact of the marriage bar on State Pension eligibility for many women varied depending on the sector they worked in and whether they returned to paid employment. Therefore, it is difficult to identify all those whose entitlement to State Pension was impacted by the marriage bar. It is also worth remembering that most civil and public servants recruited prior to 1995 are not entitled to the State Pension (Contributory) and would not have been entitled to it had they continued working as a civil or public servant, regardless of gender and marital status, due to the application of a modified PRSI rate.
The State Pension (Contributory) system currently gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, often to raise families or in a 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. Since April 2019, State Pension (Contributory) applications are assessed under all possible methods with the most beneficial payment rate paid to the applicant.
Where a person reaches State Pension age and does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for a State Pensions (Contributory) [SPC] or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for one of the following:
• The means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory) [SPNC];
• which is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment of 95% of the SPC; or
• An increase for a qualified adult, amounting up to 90% of a full rate SPC pension where their spouse has a contributory pension; or
• Where their spouse/civil partner is deceased, a widow's/widower's/civil partner's contributory pension, which they may claim either based on their spouse's or their own social insurance record. The qualifying conditions for this require fewer paid contributions (260) than the SPC and the current maximum personal rate for those aged 66 or over is €265.30, i.e., the same as the maximum rate of the SPC, with allowances (e.g., the Living Alone Increase) payable where applicable.
Despite the existing measures within the State Pension system that recognise periods spent caring, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the SPC. They may for example have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years' paid contributions.
Consequently in 2022 I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system to enhance 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.
The Long-Term Carer's Contributions (LTCC) will be available to those who provided full time care for 20 years (1040 weeks) or more. The periods of care-giving do not need to be consecutive. I expect to bring the legislation required to introduce the LTCC before the Oireachtas soon, with the scheme being fully implemented from January 2024. This month my Department launched an online system for people to register for LTCC. This will facilitate the expeditious processing of LTCC upon enactment of the legislation.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (1056, 1057)
Ivana Bacik
Question:1056. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to provide public transport financial relief to carers. [39121/23]
View answerIvana Bacik
Question:1057. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend free travel for all carers. [39122/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1056 and 1057 together.
The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million.
It is important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is 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. Therefore, the free travel pass is a secondary benefit directly linked to the person being in receipt of Carer's Allowance.
Therefore, while a carer may be providing care to a person who needs support, entitlement to a free travel pass is linked to entitlement to the Carer's Allowance payment and is not issued solely because a person is providing care. Extending the eligibility of the free travel scheme to carers not in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare payment such as Carer's Allowance 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, I would like to highlight that the Department does provide 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 may be paid to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the individual case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 1057 answered with Question No. 1056.
Parental Leave
Questions (1058)
Paul Murphy
Question:1058. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of extending parental leave and benefit by 19 weeks for mothers and 43 weeks for fathers to bring paid leave entitlements for both parents to 52 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39123/23]
View answerWritten answers
Currently, seven weeks Parent's Leave and Benefit is available to all eligible parents of children born or adopted from 1 November 2019. Parent’s Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed people who are on Parent’s Leave from work who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. In 2023, it is estimated that my Department will spend in excess of €89 million on Parent’s Benefit in respect of an average of 6,040 recipients per week.
Any decision to extend the period of Parent’s Leave for employees is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who has policy and legal responsibility for Parent's Leave. An extension of this leave would require careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The cost of extending Parent’ Benefit by 19 weeks for mothers is approximately €243.7 million. The cost of extending Parent’ Benefit by 43 weeks for fathers is approximately €551.6 million. These estimates are based on a full year basis and on the number of recipients in 2022.
It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated number of recipients.
In line with the EU Work-Life Balance Directive, Parent’s Leave and Benefit will be increased by an additional two weeks to nine weeks by August 2024. When the current durations of Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s Leave are combined this adds to 42 weeks of paid leave for a two-parent family. This will increase to 46 weeks by August 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (1059)
Niall Collins
Question:1059. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a submission (details supplied); if her Department can support this submission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39162/23]
View answerWritten answers
At the outset I would like to state that I am familiar with the submission forwarded by the Deputy. I have met with the founders of the organisation concerned and heard first-hand their personal story. I am aware of the very valuable work they are carrying out in terms of easing the financial burden of families with children who have life limiting conditions. Many of the costs incurred by these families include travel, accommodation, petrol, subsistence due to the necessity to attend healthcare and medical settings with their children, e.g. hospitals.
As the Deputy is aware, the key role of the Department of Social Protection is to provide income supports where an income need may arise due to unemployment, illness/disability and caring responsibilities. The payments provided support people who cannot earn an income, or can only earn a limited income, and who have no other means or resources to rely upon. In this regard my department supports family carers directly and not through the mechanism of onward funding through a third party.
The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending in 2023 is expected to amount to almost €1.6 billion on these payments.
• The Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers. It is a means tested social assistance payment awarded to those carers who are caring for certain people who require full-time care and attention. The objective of the payment is to provide an income support to carers whose earning capacity is substantially reduced as a consequence of their caring responsibilities and in so doing to support the ongoing care of the person in respect of whom care is being provided. As of July, there were 94,100 recipients of Carer's Allowance.
As part of Budget 2022, I introduced measures which allowed carers to have a higher weekly household income and a higher level of savings, and still qualify for a Carer's Allowance payment. Many carers who did not qualify for a payment due to means were able to access the Carer's Allowance system for the first time. These were the first changes to the means test in 14 years:
• The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was increased from €20,000 to €50,000, aligning it with that which applies for Disability Allowance.
• For carers who work, the weekly income disregard was increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
• The Carers Benefit payment is an entitlement based on social insurance contributions. Carer’s Benefit is a non-means tested payment made to insured people who may be required to leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care. It is payable for a period of 2 years (104 weeks) for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 2 years (104 weeks). As of July, there were 3,857 recipients of Carer's Benefit.
• The non-means tested Carer's Support Grant is automatically paid to people in receipt of Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care allowance in June of each year. Other carers not in receipt of a carer’s payment may also be eligible for the Grant. The objective of the Carer’s Support Grant is to support carers in their caring role and carers may use the grant in a manner that is appropriate to their needs. The grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for to take account of the additional cost of providing care and to recognise the particular challenges faced by these carers. As part of Budget Measures 2021, the rate of the grant was increased by €150. The new rate of €1,850 is the highest rate of the grant since its introduction. There are currently 128,375 carers in receipt of the Grant in respect of some 144,930 care recipients.
• Domiciliary Care Allowance is a non-means tested monthly payment to a parent /guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. As of July, Domiciliary Care Allowance was being paid to some 52,378 families in respect of 58,780 children.
In acknowledging the financial burden families of sick children face I have made significant changes to the Domiciliary Care Allowance payment over the last two years:-
• As part of Budget 2022, the period during which Domiciliary Care Allowance can be paid for children in hospital was extended from 3 months to 6 months.
• As part of Budget 2023 and with effect from January, Domiciliary Care Allowance is available for babies who remain in an acute hospital after birth for a period of 6 months. During both these extended periods of eligibility and where other conditions are met, a carer may also receive Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit and the Carer's Support Grant
• The monthly payment was increased by €21 to its current rate of €330.00.
It is also worth noting that under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, the Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This could include payment for costs such as travel and necessary temporary accommodation while attending hospital appointments. These payments are administered by the Community Welfare Service of the Department and are payable at the discretion of the CWS officer taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
I acknowledge that the work of the organisation concerned is beneficial and important to many families across the country, however it is not part of the remit of my department to provide income supports to family carers in this manner.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to keep the range of supports provided directly to family carers under review to ensure they meet their stated objectives. However, any further changes, would have to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Pension Provisions
Questions (1060)
Michael Creed
Question:1060. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has such a low rate of invalidity pension; the reason this pension is subject to income tax; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39193/23]
View answerWritten answers
Invalidity Pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The person concerned is in receipt of Invalidity Pension at the maximum weekly personal rate and has a Free Travel pass.
Invalidity Pension is regarded as income for tax purposes and any liability for tax will depend on the circumstances of the person concerned. Personal taxation is a matter between the person in question and the Revenue Commissioners. All queries in relation to a tax liability should be directed to the Revenue Commissioners.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.