Written Answers Nos. 78-102
78. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the location in County Laois where face-to-face meetings with a community welfare officer takes place; and the procedure to obtain such a meeting. [46322/23]
View answer114. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of face-to-face meetings that took place between community welfare officers and applicants for supplementary welfare allowance in the first six months of 2023. [46323/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 114 together.
The Community Welfare Service (CWS) provides a flexible service to meet the different needs of clients, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. It is important that this service is easily accessible and responsive to our clients’ needs.
In County Laois, a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) is available to meet with clients in the following locations:
• Government Buildings Portlaoise (walk-in open service with no appointment needed, daily Monday to Friday during business hours).
• Rathdowney Branch Office (every second Thursday from 10am-12pm and/or by appointment as arranged).
• For other locations across Laois, where a CWO is not available on site, an appointment can be made and the CWO is available to travel out to meet customers anywhere in the county as required.
It is important to mention that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make a claim and any person who needs to access the CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment to meet with a CWO locally or to speak directly to a CWO.
An appointment can be arranged within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home. Alternatively, a person can speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to travel to meet with a CWO in person. Currently the CWOs on the phoneline are dealing with over 4,300 callers per week. This service is proving very popular with clients in rural areas, including from Laois, who can have their needs met by speaking directly to a CWO on the phone, without the requirement to travel.
When the CWS becomes aware that a client has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the person receives a prompt service. Where possible, this is a same-day service.
A person can apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) payment by completing a SWA1 form, which is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. The completed application form should be returned to the CWS together with all supporting documentation. Alternatively, if a person has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.
The delivery of crucial and locally based Community Welfare Services to meet the challenges and the needs of citizens in County Laois and across the country is a priority for me and my Department.
Records of face-to-face meetings that took place between CWOs and applicants for SWA are not held.I trust this clarifies the matter.
79. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider an increase in the top-up payments to the CE, TUS and RSS schemes in line with the national minimum wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46365/23]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection operates a number of employment support schemes for long term unemployed persons which also assist communities across the country in the provision of vital services, including Community Employment (CE), Tús and the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). The Department is very conscious of the important role that these work programmes play and wish to support these schemes.
It should be noted, that as part of the Budget 2024 measures, CE, Tús and RSS participants will receive an increase in their weekly payment arising from the increase in core social welfare payments of €12.00 per week with effect from 01 January 2024. Participants also receive the weekly top-up allowance of €27.50. In effect, these changes ensure that the minimum payment for participants will increase from €247.50 per week to €259.50 per week from January 2024. Additionally, there will be proportional increases for qualified adult dependents and qualified child dependents.
The rates are not comparable to hourly rates such as the National Minimum Wage. However, for the Deputy’s information, CE, Tús and RSS participants work 19.5 hours per week, so if an hourly rate was applied to the weekly minimum rate for these scheme participants, it would equate to €13.30 per hour. From 01 January 2024, the National Minimum Wage will increase to €12.70 per hour. This will be €0.60c less than the notional hourly rate on CE, Tús and RSS.
CE, Tús and RSS participants will also benefit from the additional supports announced in Budget 2024. Scheme participants who are in receipt of a Fuel Allowance will be eligible for a non-taxable €300.00 cost of living lump sum to be paid the week beginning 20 November 2023. Additionally, participants who are in receipt of an increase for a Qualified Child Allowance will receive a non-taxable €100.00 cost of living lump sum is to be paid per qualified child in the week beginning 27 November 2023. Moreover, the Christmas double week bonus is payable to all CE, Tús and RSS participants in the week beginning 4 December 2023; and similarly, a January cost of living double payment will be paid to all CE, Tús and RSS participants in the week beginning 29 January 2024.
I wish to re-iterate that the Department is fully committed to the future of employment support programmes and will continue to support and improve the schemes for the benefit of eligible participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
80. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the changes to child benefit arising from Budget 2024; when these changes will take effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46381/23]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
The extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education was one of my key priorities as part of Budget 2024.
This is a significant change to the Child Benefit payment which will require technical and operational changes to the social welfare system before implementation. For this reason, the change will take effect from September 2024. Where a child in full time education turns 18 in the meantime, they will be covered by the extension from September 2024 until they turn 19.
With many children now starting primary school at age 5, together with the increase in pupils doing transition year, there has been an increase in the number of 18 year old's still in secondary education. I believe the extension of Child Benefit to 18 Years Old's in full-time education is a long-term change for the better and will support families across Ireland into the future.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
81. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for aligning people’s unemployment benefits with their previous earnings. [46382/23]
View answerAs part of Budget 2024 I secured provision for a Pay-Related Benefit for Jobseekers to be introduced later in 2024, subject to further Government approval of the scheme. This would link the rate of benefit to a person’s previous earnings.
The aim of a pay-related benefit scheme is to soften the income shock that a worker may face if they suddenly lose their job. The introduction of a pay-related benefit system would bring Ireland in line with other European countries and would represent a significant change to the Irish social welfare system.
Following commitments made in the Programme for Government, the Economic Recovery Plan and Pathways to Work, I launched a public consultation on proposals to introduce a new Pay-Related Benefit for Jobseekers in December 2022. The Department has undertaken an extensive consultative process and engagement with stakeholders on a potential design as to how pay-related benefit could work to facilitate the sharing of ideas and views which will be essential to the development of a proposal for Government. The contributions of stakeholders will inform the design of proposals that I intend to bring to Government.
I trust this clarifies the position.
82. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if time spent acting as a carer can be applied when calculating illness benefit; if time spent caring for children can be applied when calculating illness benefit; if it is possible to apply this retrospectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46366/23]
View answerIllness Benefit is the main income support provided by my Department to those who cannot work due to illness of any kind and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for Illness Benefit is based on medical and contribution conditions and it is paid from the Social Insurance Fund. Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) paid under Classes A, E, H and P count towards Illness Benefit. Claimants must have a minimum of 104 social insurance contributions and must meet other conditions in relation to when these were paid and whether they are paid or credited contributions.
Carers are entitled to credits when in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit. These credits can be used along with paid contributions for the purpose of qualifying for Illness Benefit. It should be noted that, as a general rule, people in receipt of full-rate Carer’s Allowance or Carer's Benefit cannot be in receipt of an overlapping second payment, for example Illness Benefit, at the same time.
Given that Illness Benefit may be paid for up to two years, subject to the other scheme conditions being met, I consider the current qualifying requirements to be proportionate and appropriate.
In circumstances where people are ill but do not qualify for Illness Benefit, my Department provides means tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. An Additional Needs Payment may also be available to people who have expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income.
If there is a particular case of concern for the Deputy, I would ask that it is brought to the attention of my department for advice.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
83. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an online system will be made available for application for the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46445/23]
View answerThe SAFE registration process, which my Department uses to authenticate a person's identity, is a face to face process which results in the issuing of a Public Services Card (PSC). Currently, it is not possible for a person who does not already have a PSC to acquire one without attending an in-person appointment.
However, my Department is currently developing an online service to allow qualifying individuals to authenticate their identity and obtain a PSC without having to attend an in-person appointment.
The new online service, following a period of testing, is expected to be made available during the first quarter of 2024.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
85. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of the carer’s allowance; and the number who were in receipt of the allowance in each of the past ten years. [46376/23]
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.
The total number of recipients currently in receipt of a Carer’s Allowance payment is 94,807. Please find the following table attached for the yearly statistics from 2012:
|
Carer’s Allowance – no. in receipt of Carer’s Allowance 2012 to date 2023 |
|
|
YTD 2023 |
94,807 |
|
2022 |
92,268 |
|
2021 |
90,896 |
|
2020 |
88,906 |
|
2019 |
84,028 |
|
2018 |
79,914 |
|
2017 |
75,264 |
|
2016 |
70,459 |
|
2015 |
63,003 |
|
2014 |
59,380 |
|
2013 |
57,136 |
|
2012 |
52,209 |
86. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has received any reports on the onerous nature of applying for the domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46410/23]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age, and the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. This level of care must be required to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living, in areas such as mobility, personal care, feeding / diet, communication, sleeping, behaviour, safety, sensory issues, and any other additional needs.
However, eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the child's disability /diagnosis but rather on the impact of the disability, in terms of the associated level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of the same age without their disability.
The decision and assessment process that applies in the consideration of whether a child meets the conditions for DCA includes the examination of all relevant factors identified as impacting on the child's level of additional care needs.
In general, social protection schemes with qualifying medical criteria such as DCA tend to require extensive, detailed information and evidence to be provided in the application process, in order to make an appropriate decision on entitlement. In accordance with the type or nature of the child's disability / diagnosis and the resulting level of care needs, some applications for DCA may require more extensive supporting evidence, medical or otherwise, to be provided for consideration in the assessment and decision process, in order to establish that the relevant child satisfies the criteria for the allowance.
It should be noted that the DCA application form (Dom Care 1) is designed and structured in accordance with the nature of the scheme and the qualifying criteria for the allowance for the purpose of capturing all relevant information, including the series of questions on this form relating to the child's care needs. My Department regularly reviews scheme application forms, including the DCA application form, to ensure that it is user friendly for the applicant, while also taking account of the nature of the scheme and the qualifying criteria for the scheme.
In relation to the DCA assessment process, all applications are referred to a Departmental Medical Assessor (MA) on receipt, for their professional opinion. The departmental MA, based on the information provided by the applicant in the application form as well any supporting medical evidence, considers the severity of the child's condition, the expected duration and the associated care needs and provides their professional opinion in relation to the child's eligibility for DCA. The deciding officer has regard to the departmental MA opinion in the decision process.
Applicants for DCA are required to complete the application form (Dom Care 1), which details the relevant child's disability and associated care needs. In cases, where a part(s) of the application form is inappropriate to the child's age or the child's specific disability, the applicant is not required to provide the relevant detail(s).
In addition to the details provided by the applicant in the completed application form, the applicant may provide any additional or further information such as a care diary, family impact statement, or any other supporting documentary evidence that is relevant to their application, such as a medical professional report(s) if available or, for example, a copy of the child's need's assessment as completed by the HSE. All details provided by the applicant in the completed application form, along with any other additional information and / or supporting evidence if provided by the applicant, provide the basis for the DCA assessment and decision process.
On occasion, an applicant or their representative may express dissatisfaction with the application process, in particular relating to the level of detail, including documentary medical evidence, relating to the child's specific disability and related care needs that may be required in some cases. However, all children require a level of age-appropriate care and the DCA application form is structured accordingly for the purpose of capturing any relevant information that may assist the assessment and decision process and in establishing that the child satisfies the conditions for the allowance.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
87. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) regarding their entitlement to partial capacity benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46339/23]
View answerPartial Capacity Benefit is a scheme which extends the Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension schemes to recognise and respond to the reality that some people in receipt of these payments have a capacity to engage in open market employment while continuing to need to receive some income support from the State.
People in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit (the latter for a minimum of 26 weeks) who wish to return to work may be eligible for Partial Capacity Benefit if their capacity for work is reduced as a result of their medical condition. An application must be received prior to an individual commencing employment. The Department may accept an application if it is received within 21 days of starting work.
The person concerned applied for Partial Capacity Benefit on the 22 September 2023 and their claim was disallowed.
The claimant requested a review of the original decision. Following this review, it was determined that they did not have the required 156 days on Illness Benefit to facilitate a transition to Partial Capacity Benefit. The person concerned had been in receipt of Illness Benefit for 147 days and was not in receipt of that benefit on the day of their Partial Capacity Benefit application as their Illness Benefit claim closed on 4 September 2023.
The claimant was notified of the review decision in correspondence dated 6 October 2023.
The person concerned had requested an appeal of the original decision on 26 September 2023 and notification of an appeal has been received in the PCB section on 18 October 2023. Once the appeal has been decided, the customer will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies for the Deputy.
88. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to tackle the introduction of booking fees of between €2-€10 by private transport companies for some passengers who avail of the free travel scheme, to ensure that public transport remains free for those who are eligible for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46411/23]
View answerThe Free Travel Scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those under age 66 on certain qualified payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State. The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and a range of transport services offered by some 74 private operators countrywide.
Under the Free Travel scheme, there is no requirement or impediment for transport operators to provide additional services such as a seat booking service. Some travel operators have introduced online booking services for customers who wish to guarantee their seat on a particular service. This is entirely a matter for the transport operator concerned.
Customers wishing to avail of Free Travel do not have to pre-book services with any operator participating in the Free Travel Scheme. They can continue to present on their preferred day of travel and avail of Free Travel using their Public Services Card.
It is open to any Free Travel customer who wants to be guaranteed a seat on a particular service to book their seat in advance, where a pre-booking facility exists. My Department has no control over the fee a transport company may charge for their seat pre-booking facility.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
89. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection if personal assistants, who work with those with disabilities at third-level institutes and who have to sign on for jobseeker’s allowance during term breaks, including the summer, can have a streamlined application process due to the nature of their work contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46188/23]
View answerEducational Sector Workers including Personal Assistant’s who are assigned students with additional needs at third level institutes, who wish to avail of income support while temporarily laid-off during the school term breaks, including the summer, can apply for a jobseeker’s payment but must satisfy all the qualifying conditions to receive this payment. This includes completing the relevant claim application forms and supporting documentation a in a timely manner while also being available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work at each school break.
Seasonal workers including educational workers should apply for a jobseeker’s payment as soon as they become unemployed. A jobseeker’s payment is paid for days of unemployment where the person is not being remunerated for by their employer, including receipt of any holiday pay entitlement during the school break.
Educational sector workers, who are employed on a temporary basis and who have previously been in contact with the Department, are issued with a repeat jobseeker’s application form and holiday form in advance of the school holiday periods. This advance process facilitates an efficient service to these customers and allows for speedy processing of their claim when the period of unemployment actually arises.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
91. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason no additional one-off payment of one-parent family payment was included in Budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46426/23]
View answerI was pleased that Budget 2024 included a social welfare package worth almost €2.3 billion, the biggest in the history of the State. The package contained a balanced mixture of once-off lump sum measures set to be delivered over the coming weeks along with a significant rate increase and is combined with a targeted package to support the most vulnerable. The measures are designed to support the most vulnerable in our society with the increased cost of living and the measures have a particular focus on tackling child poverty.
This extensive package includes measures in relation to the One Parent Family Payment which is a payment for lone parents, under 66, whose youngest child is under age seven.
In December, recipients of One-Parent Family Payment will receive a lump sum payment of €100 in respect of each child for whom they receive an Increase for a Qualified Child. In addition, recipients of One-Parent Family Payment will be amongst those who receive a Christmas bonus double week payment in December and a cost-of-living double week payment in January.
Lone parents in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will receive a lump sum payment of €300 in November. Every household will also receive three energy credits of €150 each which are due to be paid by April 2024.
Approximately half of the payments of the €400 cost of living lump sum payment, which will be made to recipients of the Working Family Payment in November, will be made to lone parents.
I have also provided for a €12 increase in the personal rate of working age payments such as One-Parent Family Payment. This will increase the personal rate from €220 to €232, per week from January. In addition, the rate of Increase for a Qualified Child will increase by €4 to €46 per week in respect of a qualified child under age 12 and by €4 to €54 per week in respect of a qualified child aged 12 or over from January. As a result, these rates will have increased by €10 for under 12s and by €14 for over 12s over the last four Budgets.
This wide array of measures clearly demonstrates the huge focus the Government has placed on assisting people and families with the cost of living.
A preliminary Social Impact Analysis undertaken in relation to the Budget 2024 Social Protection package shows a very progressive impact of the Budget package, with lowest income deciles benefitting most.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
92. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the way her Department supports the National Employability Service; the outcomes of any such supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46453/23]
View answerMy Department currently provides employment services for people with disabilities through 23 EmployAbility contracted service providers across the State. The budget allocation for 2023 provides €10.9 million to run the service.
The EmployAbility service is dedicated to improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities or with any long-term medical condition, illness or injury who wish to take up employment. Under the current contracts clients engage with the service for up to 18 months, with support provisions including both support in finding employment, as well as in-employment support once placed into a job. Engagement with the service is voluntary. Annual referrals to the EmployAbility service average at approximately 2,700 to 3,000 per annum.
My Department is currently undertaking a procurement process to update current EmployAbility services in order to comply with legal advice from the Attorney General and Chief State Solicitor’s Office and to meet the Department’s objective of shifting emphasis from financial monitoring of service providers to focusing on service quality for clients.
It is not the intention of this procurement to significantly change the services currently provided to clients, reflecting the overall effectiveness of the current service. The new EmployAbility model, which will facilitate a gradual increase in referral numbers, instead aims to enhance the autonomy of the service providers to enable them to more effectively provide a high-quality supported employment service for people with disabilities.
93. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she agrees with the principle of restoring the State pension to its 2020 spending power; and if she will commit to doing this within the lifetime of this Government. [46388/23]
View answerI am very aware of the impact that the increased cost of living has had on households over the last two years. This is why Government has provided an unprecedented response that aims to ease the financial pressure on households throughout the State.
Over the last three Budgets, the personal rate of the State Pension (Contributory) has increased by €29 per week and €55.10 for a couple with a qualified adult allowance in payment. While these increases in the weekly rate did not on their own match the sharp increase in prices over the period, the combination of these weekly rate increases with significant cost of living payments more than bridges this gap.
Similar to last year, the 2.3 billion euro Budget 2024 package provides a mixture of exceptional cost of living payments delivered over the coming weeks, along with a significant rate increase in January. This approach will ease the pressure that many households, particularly pensioners, face over the winter months, and provides for the weekly rate increase from January.
Post-Budget analysis from the ESRI shows that the package of measures introduced under Budget 2024 will insulate most households from rising prices next year.
The double payment to be made in January will be paid at the higher 2024 rate, having a value for a single pensioner of €277.30 – equivalent to over €5 per week over the year, as does the double payment to be made at Christmas – so over €10 per week in additional annualised value from these two payments alone.
Pensioners living alone, and in receipt of Fuel Allowance will also receive combined bonus payments of €500 – equivalent to a value of about a further €10 per week when spread across the year.
Many pensioners have also benefitted from the significant changes in eligibility for Fuel Allowance, and all pensioners will also receive the additional energy credits in the coming months.
94. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that are being taken, in conjunction with other Departments, to address the issue of unemployment blackspots across the State, with particular reference to those in Limerick city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44416/23]
View answerThe CSO’s Labour Force Survey is the official measurement of unemployment in the State. It is welcome that the most recent unemployment rate for the State is 4.4 per cent in Q2, 2023, which is a level generally considered to be full employment.
The unemployment blackspots profile was developed by the CSO using Census 2016 employment data. Census 2022 employment data is scheduled to be released in November. It should be noted that this profile is indicative, and not based on the internationally accepted methodology for the measurement of unemployment.
Employment services are provided across the State, including Limerick city, under the framework of the government’s national employment services strategy, Pathways to Work 2021-2025, which was launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy aims to support people in returning to work after the pandemic and to support those who faced barriers to employment before the pandemic in finding and sustaining quality employment.
The approach adopted by my Department is that the services delivered by the public employment services, delivered by Intreo and Intreo Partners, are focused on unemployed individuals rather than on areas. This means that those areas where unemployed individuals are most concentrated will also be the areas that receive a greater share of income support payments and activation and employment services.
The Department provides a range of services to jobseekers in Limerick city through Intreo the Public Employment Service (PES). Two Job Coaches and ten Employment Personal Advisors (EPAs) serve Limerick city through Intreo. Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Services (LAES) and Intreo Partners National Employment Service (NES) are contracted by the Department to provide intensive individual support to long-term unemployed jobseekers referred by Intreo. So far in 2023 there were a total of 2,190 referrals to Intreo Partners from the Limerick Intreo Centre (1,224 referrals to Intreo Partners LAES and 966 referrals to Intreo Partners NES).
Regular activities by the Limerick PES include Jobs Fairs, which are regularly held in each of Limerick City’s regeneration areas; information sessions for Community Employment (CE) schemes with scheme coordinators; and information sessions for One Parent Family and Jobseekers Transitional Payment recipients.
The PES collaborates with local stakeholders including Skillnet Ireland and the local Chamber of Commerce, and monthly meetings are held with the PAUL Partnership around the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance. There is a dedicated EPA who attends the Limerick City Regeneration Committee’s monthly meetings, and a dedicated EPA to respond to employer queries about Employer Services offered by the Department.
I am therefore confident that the range of measures being undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with other relevant Departments, agencies and stakeholders, is effective at working with jobseekers across the State, including in Limerick city.
96. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the qualified child payment only saw an increase of €2 in Budget 2023 and €4 in Budget 2024, despite the ESRI repeatedly pointing out that substantially increasing the payment has the potential to make significant reductions in child poverty. [46361/23]
View answerThe Government is keenly aware of issues in relation to child poverty, and these issues have formed a critical input into the development of the Budget 2024 package which I am very pleased includes a Social Welfare package of almost €2.3 billion, the largest in the history of the State. The measures contained in the Budget are designed to support the most vulnerable in our society with the increased cost of living and there is a particular focus on tackling child poverty.
I provided for the weekly rates of the Increase for a Qualified Child to increase by €4 to €46 per week in the case of children under age 12 and by €4 to €54 per week in the case of children aged 12 or over. These increases will take effect from January at an estimated cost of €60.9 million in 2024. As a result, these rates will have increased by €10 for under 12s and by €14 for over 12s over the last four Budgets. This is just one of the Budget measures targeted at low income families with children.
I have also provided for a €100 cost of living lump sum for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child, to be paid in respect of each qualified child, at an estimated cost of €37 million in November 2023.
In addition, Budget 2024 provides for a €54 weekly increase in the Working Family Payment income limits for families of all sizes from January. I have also provided for a €400 lump sum payment to all families in receipt of the payment in November 2023 at an estimated cost of €18.4 million. Recipients of this payment are by definition, low income employees with children.
The double payment of Child Benefit in November will benefit 650,000 recipients in respect of over 1.2 million children at a cost of €178.8 million.
I have also extended Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education from next September. This was one of my key priorities as part of Budget 2024 and I believe it is a long-term change for the better which will support families across Ireland into the future.
As a result of Budget 2024, families in receipt of payments such as One-Parent Family Payment will also benefit from a double weeks' payment in December as well as a double weeks' payment in January. Families in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will also receive a €300 lump sum payment in November.
In addition, the Budget provided for a €12 increase in the weekly personal rate of working age payments bringing the rate to €232 from January.
In addition, I secured funding as part of the Budget to expand the successful Hot School Meals Programme to a further 900 primary schools across the country from April 2024 meaning we are well on course to meeting my ambition of expanding the Hot School Meals Programme to all primary schools well ahead of the 2030 target.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
97. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number and percentage of lone parents in receipt of the working family payment from the beginning of 2018 until the end of 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46363/23]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support which provides an income support for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them.
The table below outlines the number and percentage of one parent households in receipt of Working Family Payment from December 2018 to December 2022 inclusive:
|
Month |
Year |
WFP Customers |
Number of One Parent WFP Customers |
% Of One Parent WFP Customers |
|
December |
2018 |
54115 |
25701 |
47% |
|
December |
2019 |
53103 |
26239 |
49% |
|
December |
2020 |
48188 |
24707 |
51% |
|
December |
2021 |
46010 |
26386 |
57% |
|
December |
2022 |
47268 |
29228 |
62% |
Corresponding figures for December 2017 are not readily available.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
98. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of additional needs payments made, where a family requested such a payment to cover the costs of a therapy or service required as an urgent need, by county, from 1 January 2023, in tabular form. [46386/23]
View answerUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
In general, additional needs payments are not intended to cover circumstances where responsibility rests with another Government Department or Agency. The provision of therapy services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health. While statistics are maintained on the number of payments made under the Additional Needs Payment scheme, it is not possible to identify payments made to persons requesting assistance with such services.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
100. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address the current backlog in processing applications for child benefit. [46180/23]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
The extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education was one of my key priorities as part of Budget 2024.
With many children now starting primary school at age 5, together with the increase in pupils doing transition year, there has been an increase in the number of 18 year olds still in secondary education. I believe the extension of Child Benefit to 18 years old's in full-time education is a long-term change for the better and will support families across Ireland into the future.
At the end of September, average processing times were 3 weeks which is within expected performance levels. There are many different types of claims and processing times will vary but there are no backlogs in any area of Child Benefit.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
102. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of persons who were allowed to remain long-term on illness benefit when restricted duration was first introduced, but who now on reaching retirement age, find that the required paid stamps have increased to 520 paid stamps, and thus have no pension rights, whereas persons on invalidity pension who also have been long-term unable to work, are allowed waive the obligation; the number of persons that are on long-term illness benefit; and her views on the fairness of this apparent differential treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46423/23]
View answerIllness Benefit is the main income support provided by my Department to those who cannot work due to illness of any kind and who are covered by social insurance.
In 2007, and again in 2008, customers on continuous duration Illness Benefit were written to and advised of the option of applying for Invalidity Pension. This correspondence included a reference to persons on Invalidity Pension being automatically transferred to the State Pension (Contributory) at age 66.
A change in the rules and regulations governing the Illness Benefit scheme in 2009 included the introduction of a limit on the period for which Illness Benefit can be paid. Subject to the level of relevant PRSI contributions paid, Illness Benefit is now only payable for a maximum period of 2 years. In 2009, those persons who were at that time in receipt of Illness Benefit on a long-term basis were, as an exceptional measure, retained on Illness Benefit, subject to continued appropriate certification, on a continuous duration basis.
Currently there are over 7,000 continuous duration Illness Benefit customers. It has been and is open for any person on continuous duration Illness Benefit to make an application for Invalidity Pension at any stage. A project was started in 2020 to contact continuous duration Illness Benefit customers advising them of the option of applying for Invalidity Pension. However, this had to be paused due to the unprecedented challenges on the Department arising from the pandemic. Work in contacting these customers re-commenced during 2023.
Where a person reaches State Pension age and does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory) (SPC) or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for one of the following:
The State Pension (Non-Contributory) which is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 95% of the SPC; or
An increase for a qualified adult (based on their own means), 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/partner's or their own social insurance record. The qualifying conditions for this require fewer contributions paid (260) than the 520 required for the State Pension Contributory.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
