Written Answers Nos. 67-78
69. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine a flaw in the home loan scheme whereby if a person still has an interest in the family home, they do not qualify (details supplied); whether this issue can be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48965/23]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage scheme for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
The 'Fresh Start' principle applies to applications for the Local Authority Home Loan where persons who previously purchased or built a property, together with a spouse, a civil partner or a person with whom they were in an intimate and committed relationship may be eligible if the following 3 conditions are met:
• the marriage, civil partnership or relationship concerned has ended, and
• the person is now applying to purchase a property on their own or with a different person, and
• the person has divested themselves of their interest in the previous property.
The "Fresh Start" principle does not apply to an applicant who wishes to buy out their former partner following a separation as they currently own a home.
The regulations underpinning the Local Authority Home Loan are kept under continuous review; however, I have no plans at present to change this eligibility criterion.
70. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a flood relief scheme for ordinary householders will be instigated by his Department similar to the enhanced emergency business flooding scheme; what scheme has been put in place for a location (details supplied); if he can ensure that the Dublin based flood damage victims will have the same access to financial support as rural flood victims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49055/23]
View answerMy Department undertakes the Lead Government Department role, as set out in the Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Framework (2017), in relation to the coordination of national level responses to flooding emergencies, where warranted. My Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management undertakes this role and works closely with Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams.
The Department of Social Protection operates the Humanitarian Flood Relief Scheme for householders, supporting uninsured householders affected by flooding. This Scheme is operated locally by DSP Intreo Centres with assessments carried out by the Community Welfare Officer, working with the relevant local authority. Householders in need of assistance should contact their local Community Welfare Officer who will guide them through the application process. This includes support for immediate needs, household goods and appliances, and assistance with structural repair of flood damage to uninsured dwellings.
Similarly, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is responsible for the activation of the flood support scheme for small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations unable to secure flood insurance and affected by flooding. This scheme is administered by the Irish Red Cross who liaise directly with affected eligible business owners.
71. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason people who are building a one-off house this year and receive their water from a group water scheme will not have their fee waived under the temporary development contribution waiver arrangement; if he has plans to include people on group water schemes in the temporary development contribution waiver arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49081/23]
View answerOn 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under Housing for All to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and wastewater standard connection charges.
Group Water Scheme charges do not fall within the scope of the measures approved by Government. The water connection charge refund scheme will only apply to water and wastewater connection charges payable to Uisce Éireann.
72. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make funding available to homes in County Tipperary that have been damaged by flooding following recent storms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48919/23]
View answerOn the 24th of October 2023, my department opened two Emergency Business Flooding Schemes for small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations unable to secure flood insurance and affected by flooding in Counties Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Kilkenny and Louth. On the 1st of November 2023 this was extended to provide Emergency Humanitarian Aid to those affected in Louth, Wexford and all areas affected by flooding in the period 24 October 2023 to 5 November 2023.
The scheme administered though the Red Cross is available to businesses with up to 20 employees, (whole-time equivalents), community, voluntary and sporting bodies that through no fault of their own cannot secure flood insurance.
Businesses from County Tipperary may apply for the scheme once they meet the eligibility criteria.
73. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a qualified adult (details supplied) being added to a disability allowance claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48848/23]
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.
My Department received correspondence from the person concerned on 27 September 2023, notifying a change of circumstances potentially impacting their DA payment.
I can confirm that, following a review, the person concerned was assessed with nil means from 6 September 2023 to 3 October 2023 for the period their partner was in receipt of Illness Benefit.
In addition, the qualified adult allowance in respect of this individual's partner has been reinstated effective from 4 October 2023, along with an Increase for dependent children at the full rate.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 3 November 2023. The payment with this increase in the weekly DA rate will be made through the preferred payment method on 15 November 2023.
Arrears of payment due from 6 September 2023 to 14 November 2023 will issue as soon as possible, once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
74. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection if the back to education allowance, or any other re-education allowance, is available for redundant workers over the age of 50 years who recently ceased employment following the closure of a company (details supplied) and who wish to re-train in another career; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48871/23]
View answerMy Department provides a range of educational supports to assist people to develop their skills to regain employment. These supports include the Back to Education Allowance, the Training Support Grant and options which allow a jobseeker to retain their Jobseeker's payment while they take part in a training or education course.
The Back to Education Allowance provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who pursue full time courses of education at further or higher level. The focus of the scheme is to assist social welfare recipients to improve their qualifications and as a result improve their access to sustainable employment. The Government has provided €49.08 million for the scheme in 2023.
Jobseekers awarded Statutory Redundancy under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 as amended have access to the Back to Education Allowance scheme immediately on being made redundant or within one year of the award of the Statutory Redundancy. The jobseeker must establish an entitlement to a qualifying social welfare payment immediately prior to commencement of an approved course of study.
The Back to Education Allowance scheme also supports students who participate on courses provided through the Government's Springboard+ and Human Capital Initiative. These initiatives offer free and heavily subsidised courses at certificate, degree, and masters level leading to qualifications in areas where there are employment opportunities in the economy.
The Training Support Grant provides quick access to short-term training to support jobseekers access work opportunities. The grant is used to meet a skills gap or training need where this cannot be provided by a state provider within a reasonable time, and in cases where an intervention is needed to access a work opportunity. To be eligible for the Training Support Grant a customer must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and meet the conditions of the scheme. There is no waiting period.
The Part-Time Education Option enables jobseekers to retain their Jobseeker's payment while undertaking a part-time course of study, provided that they continue to satisfy the conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking employment on an on-going basis.
The Education, Training and Development Option enables jobseekers to retain their Jobseeker's payment while undertaking full time courses of study of short duration. To qualify for this option a person must be in receipt of Jobseeker's payment for at least 6 months immediately prior to commencing an approved course.
Any person seeking to return to education should engage with their local Intreo Centre. The Employment Services team provides help and advice on employment, training and personal development opportunities, with a focus on individual customer needs to help them enter the workforce.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
75. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered increasing the current limit of €5,000 of unearned income over which a person is deemed to be a "chargeable person" and is liable to pay the PRSI charge at 4% on all their unearned income; the date when the current limit was set; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48909/23]
View answerPRSI class S applies to self-employed people including certain company directors, members of a local authority and certain persons' unearned income such as investments and rents. The current minimum threshold for class S is €5,000 per year. Once income is €5,000 or more in a contribution year, such contributors are liable to pay social insurance contributions at the class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500.
The Report of the Commission on Pensions, published in October 2022, examined increasing entry thresholds, in particular for PRSI class A contributors. It found increasing such thresholds would reduce social insurance cover for those persons with very low incomes and so this was not recommended as an option.
Therefore, there are no plans, at this stage, to increase the current minimum threshold of €5,000 for class S contributors, including those who are liable due to unearned income.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
76. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a grant for hearing aids, when they are in receipt of the State pension (non-contributory), live alone, have a full GMS card and the deterioration in their hearing has become a health and safety issue within their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48931/23]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
In order to qualify a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based.
The person concerned does not qualify for treatment benefit under the Department's PRSI scheme. Although she has the required 260 total paid contributions, Department records show that she does not have the 39 paid or credited contributions in the relevant tax years. If this information is incorrect, the person concerned can have their record corrected by contacting the Treatment Benefit section.
If the person concerned is the holder of a medical card, she may have an entitlement to benefit under the HSE scheme. She should contact her local HSE health office for advice on her entitlement under that scheme.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
77. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any consideration is being given to broadening the eligibility for the State maternity benefit so as to ensure PhD candidates can receive its benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48933/23]
View answerMaternity Benefit is a statutory payment made for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed women who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. The fundamental qualification criteria for Maternity Benefit are that a woman must be in insurable employment and entitled to statutory maternity leave or be in insurable self-employment.
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has policy and legal responsibility for Maternity Leave. Any changes to current maternity leave provisions to include PhD candidates are a matter for his Department to consider in the first instance.
Any proposal to change the qualifying criteria for the associated Maternity Benefit would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
78. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection to consider changing the criteria for entitlement to invalidity pension for self-employed people who became permanently incapacitated prior to December 2017 (details supplied); if she will review this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49002/23]
View answerInvalidity Pension is a social insurance scheme paid from the Social Insurance Fund. Eligibility is based on Pay Related Social Insurance contributions and medical condition. To qualify, the person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months; or must be permanently incapable of work.
Claimants must have 260 weeks of paid contributions since starting work and 48 weeks of paid or credited PRSI contributions in the last or second-last complete year before the 'relevant date' – this is the date of the start of the person's permanent incapacity for work as determined by the department. This date is usually after a year of being incapable of working but can be less where a person is considered permanently incapable of work.
There has been an extensive expansion of access to the range of social insurance benefits for self-employed contributors in recent years without any increase in the 4% rate of PRSI contribution made by them. From December 2017, self-employed people who have paid the required Class S PRSI contributions have become eligible to apply for Invalidity Pension. It is not possible to apply eligibility on a retrospective basis before this point.
Self-employed people may qualify for other long-term payments, such as Disability Allowance. Disability Allowance is a social assistance payment for people with a disability who are aged 16-66 and are a resident in the State. Applicants are subject to medical and means assessments.
My department keeps its income supports under review to make sure they meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
