Written Answers Nos. 393-406
393. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the current estimated date for the commencement of the provision which would see a specific pension for carers; if phasing arrangements are planned for the introduction of same and if she will outline the detail. [42139/23]
View answerThe 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.
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 State Pension (Contributory). They may for example have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years' paid contributions.
Last year, I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system, including the enhancement of 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 to incapacitated dependents 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.
394. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the current estimated date for the commencement of the provision which would see auto-enrolment for a pension top-up; if the phasing arrangements are planned for the introduction of same and if she will outline the detail. [42140/23]
View answerThe introduction of an Auto Enrolment Retirement Savings System is a Programme for Government commitment, and a key priority for me as Minister for Social Protection.
Last year, I published 'The Design Principles for Ireland’s Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System', which set out the new system in detail. Implementation of the AE system has been gathering pace since then, with the first enrolments expected in the latter half of 2024.
A dedicated project team in the Department of Social Protection is solely focused on implementing the agreed design, including by drafting the necessary legislation that will underpin it, designing the organisational structures and the technical system to operate it, and communicating this landmark reform to stakeholders and the public.
It is my intention to publish the AE Bill during this current session of the Dáil, with initiation of its passage through the Oireachtas immediately thereafter. This will be a major milestone in progressing towards the implementation of AE.
Work also continues on putting the administrative and operational processes in place, in order to ensure that contributions in the AE system can commence in 2024. In this context, a phasing arrangement, such as enrolment by cohorts of participants by size of employers, as happened in the UK for example, is not currently envisaged.
Where a phasing approach will be adopted is in the setting of the contribution rates. Here the rates for employers and employees will start out at 1.5% of gross salary, rising by 1.5 percentage points every three years, and reaching the full rate of 6% for both in year 10. This will be topped up by the State at a rate of €1 for every €3 that the employee contributes. For employees, the phasing in of contribution rates on a staged basis will allow time for the contribution rate to 'bed in' and earnings to adjust before the next increase. For employers, this approach gives very clear certainty as to the rates that will be applicable so as to facilitate the gradual absorption of these labour costs, thereby easing the burden on employers in implementing this reform.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
395. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a carers allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42145/23]
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.
A person can be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses for a maximum 18.5 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
The Department received two applications for CA from the person concerned on 27 February 2023.
Both applications for CA was disallowed on the grounds that the person concerned was engaged in employment for more than the maximum permitted number of hours per week.
The person concerned was notified on 25 April 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
On 12 May 2023, the person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of their application. Following examination of this, a request for additional information issued on 24 August 2023 regarding the person's schedule of hours and payslips.
On 4 September 2023, the Department received the schedule of hours and a letter from her employer. On 21 September 2023, a further request issued to person as, according to information received from Revenue, certain earnings appeared to be different to the evidence provided by the applicant.
On 27 September 2023, the application was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector to assess these discrepancies and to confirm whether the hours of employment are within the conditions for receipt of CA.
Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
396. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of recipients of rent supplement for the most recent date available, with a breakdown by county and total cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42154/23]
View answerRent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme supporting 8,540 active recipients at the end of August 2023. The provisional expenditure for rent supplement paid by the Department of Social Protection at end of August 2023 was €42.6 million.
The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Rent supplement recipients by county is provided in the attached tabular statement.
Tabular Statement
|
County |
No. of recipients - end August 2023 |
|
CARLOW |
97 |
|
CAVAN |
121 |
|
CLARE |
57 |
|
CORK |
1,244 |
|
DONEGAL |
66 |
|
DUBLIN |
4,181 |
|
GALWAY |
311 |
|
KERRY |
298 |
|
KILDARE |
357 |
|
KILKENNY |
53 |
|
LAOIS |
35 |
|
LEITRIM |
29 |
|
LIMERICK |
198 |
|
LONGFORD |
47 |
|
LOUTH |
94 |
|
MAYO |
135 |
|
MEATH |
116 |
|
MONAGHAN |
82 |
|
OFFALY |
58 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
57 |
|
SLIGO |
53 |
|
TIPPERARY |
99 |
|
WATERFORD |
49 |
|
WESTMEATH |
173 |
|
WEXFORD |
196 |
|
WICKLOW |
334 |
|
TOTAL |
8,540 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
397. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42175/23]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 16 June 2023.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse / civil partner / 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 application for CA was disallowed as the means of the person concerned were determined to exceed the statutory limit.
The person concerned was notified on 8 July 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and their right of review and appeal.
A review of this decision was requested on 7 September 2023 and, following this review, the deciding officer found that the means still exceeded the statutory limit and that, consequently, there would be no change to the original decision.
The person concerned was notified on 26 September 2023 of this review decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
398. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42178/23]
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.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 28 June 2023.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses for a maximum of 18.5 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
The application for CA was disallowed on the grounds that person concerned was engaged in a Community Employment scheme for more than 18.5 hours per week.
The person concerned was notified on 31 July 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of their application.
Following a review of this information, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 26 September 2023, with effect from 14 September 2023.
The first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on 5 October 2023.
Arrears for the period 14 September 2023 to 4 October 2023 will issue on 5 October 2023.
The person concerned was notified on 26 September 2023 of the revised decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
399. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on an application for disability allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42181/23]
View answerDisability 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.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 30 January 2023. As their initial application did not contain all the information required to make decision, an information request letter was sent to the person concerned on 3 February 2023. The information request allows the person 21 days to provide the required information in order to determine eligibility for DA.
As the person concerned failed to supply the requested information, their means could not be determined and the claim was disallowed on this basis. The person was notified of the decision in writing on 22 March 2023 and advised of their entitlement to request a review/appeal of the decision. They were also notified of the outstanding documents required to determine means.
On 13 April 2023, the person concerned submitted part of the outstanding documents. A review of the claim was initiated and an information request for the rest of the outstanding documents issued on 2 May 2023. I can confirm that only part of the requested documentation were submitted on 16 May 2023.
As the person concerned failed to supply all requested information, their means could not be determined and the claim was disallowed on this basis. They were notified of the decision in writing on 26 May 2023 and advised of their entitlement to request a review/appeal of the decision. They were also notified of the outstanding documents required to determine means.
Following contact from the person concerned, the information request of 2 May 2023 was reissued on 19 June 2023. I can confirm that the outstanding information was supplied on 28 June 2023.
The application was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. The SWI submitted their report on 18 August 2023.
Following a review of all available information, it was determined that the weekly means of the person concerned were €378.98 which is higher than the statutory limit of €346.00. The person concerned was notified of the decision to disallow their claim by letter on 27 September 2023. They were also informed of their entitlement to request a review/appeal of the decision. I can confirm that, to date, a request for review/appeal has not been received.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
400. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection when a letter of confirmation of the QAA increase will be sent to a person (details supplied); when will arrears issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42182/23]
View answerThe customer is in receipt of an increase for a qualified adult on their spouse’s State Pension (Contributory).
An increase for qualified adult is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed the means limit. Where a qualified adult has weekly means in excess of €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment.
As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that claimants are receiving their full and correct entitlements, ongoing reviews are carried out.
The person concerned was in receipt of the increase for a qualified adult on their spouse’s State Pension (contributory) at the weekly rate of €57.70. It was decided that they are entitled to €176.70 per week from 01/01/2020 and €169.70 per week from 01/01/2023. The increased rate is in payment to the person concerned since 22/09/2023 at their nominated post office. In order to issue the arrears due, the person concerned has been requested to provide details of their nominated financial institution.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
401. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on an application for disability allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42184/23]
View answerDisability 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.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 16 August 2023.
On 31 August 2023, an information request was sent to the person concerned as the initial application did not contain all the information required to make a decision. I can confirm that this information was received on 6 September 2023.
The person concerned was awarded DA and notified of the decision in writing on 28 September 2023. They will receive their first payment via their chosen payment method on 4 October 2023.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustments are calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
402. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on an application for disability allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42185/23]
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 in that office on 20 June 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 11 July 2023 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 26 July 2023.
The Appeals Officer has advised that he will shortly make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
403. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42200/23]
View answerDisability 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.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 2 August 2023. As their initial application did not contain all the information required for a decision, an information request letter was sent to the person concerned on 23 August 2023 to supply this supporting documentation. I can confirm that this information was received on 19 September 2023.
Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, his DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 26 September 2023. They were given the right to request a review or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). I can confirm that no request for a review or an appeal has been received to date.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
404. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on an application for disability allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42202/23]
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 in that office on 24 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.
405. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on an application for disability allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42206/23]
View answerThe person concerned was in receipt of Disability Allowance (DA) from 14 March 2018.
A review of their entitlement commenced in April 2023, and they were requested to provide relevant documentation to a Social Welfare Inspector.
This information, to validate their ongoing DA entitlement, was not provided and therefore their weekly payment was suspended with effect from 31 May 2023. A letter advising the person concerned of this decision issued to their home address on 24 May 2023 giving them 21 days to provide any statement or further evidence.
Subsequently, the Department received information indicating that this individual was no longer residing in the State. A letter issued to the person concerned on 11 September 2023 advising that their Disability Allowance had been terminated with effect from 31 May 2023 as they had failed to show that their means do not exceed the statutory limit and that the evidence available to the Department indicated that they were not residing in the State. This letter offered the right to seek a review and/or an appeal.
To date, the person concerned has not made contact with the Department nor have they furnished the outstanding documentation. It is open to them to contact the Social Welfare Inspector in order for a further meeting to be arranged to review their claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
406. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on an application for disability allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42207/23]
View answerDisability 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.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 7 July 2023. On 28 July 2023, they were requested to supply supporting documentation which was missing from the initial application, in order to make a decision on their eligibility.
Upon review of the supporting documentation, the person concerned has been awarded DA with effect from 12 July 2023 and the first payment will be made by their chosen payment method on 18 October 2023.
Arrears of payment due from 12 July 2023 to 17 October 2023 will issue as soon as possible, once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 26 September 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
