Written Answers Nos. 362-375
362. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants turned down for the care allowance, the number awarded on appeal and the number awarded on second application in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53631/23]
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 number of CA applications disallowed, awarded on appeal, and awarded on reapplication for 2021, 2022 and to 31 October 2023 are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
No. of applicants turned down (disallowed) for Carer’s Allowance |
No. of applicants awarded on appeal |
No. of applicants awarded on reapplication |
|
2021 |
9,134 |
829 |
1,840 |
|
2022 |
10,115 |
787 |
2,024 |
|
2023 (to 31/10/2023) |
9,351 |
560 |
2,069 |
The Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) functions independently of this Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. All appeals are referred to the Department in the first instance so that the original decision can be reviewed. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with the appeal request and, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding officer. It is important to highlight the value of providing all relevant information at the initial application stage as this will increase the likelihood of achieving a positive result earlier in the process. If a review does not result in a favourable outcome, then the file is forwarded to the SWAO without delay.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
363. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department operates an X account, formerly Twitter, or any other social media account, and if such accounts are verified through a subscription fee; the policy in place that guides when any of these accounts can ‘like’, endorse or support a posting on X or other social media platforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53662/23]
View answerMy Department uses social media platforms to enhance communication and engagement with our customers and stakeholders. The Department uses X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube to reach a wide audience to communicate important customer updates as well as news, events and initiatives.
The Department does not pay any subscription fees for the use of its social media channels.
The Department’s Social Media Policy, outlines the terms and conditions of the Department’s social media engagement. The social media policy confirms that staff will only engage with comments from users that are respectful and that we will not engage with any inappropriate, offensive or abusive commentary.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
364. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will have an application for carer’s allowance reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53669/23]
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 increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.
The person concerned is in receipt of CA for one care recipient since 12 October 2023.
An application for CA for a second care recipient was received on 12 October 2023.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA 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.
The evidence submitted in support of the application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied for the second care recipient.
The person concerned was notified on 17 November 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 this review, the decision has remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified on 1 December 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
365. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection the rate of contributory pension that will apply to those who have an entitlement to the maximum rate of contributory pension from January 2024 should they decide to defer drawing down their pension until they reach ages 67, 68, 69 and 70 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53670/23]
View answerIn 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 measures I announced is the introduction of flexibility to the State Pension (Contributory) from 1 January 2024. This will allow a person to defer access to their State Pension (Contributory) up to the age of 70 and receive an actuarially based increase in their weekly payment rate.
The rates will be set out in the Budget annually and based on actuarial factors, which will be reviewed every five years in line with the actuarial review of the Social Insurance Fund.
Based on the January 2024 rate of State Pension (contributory) of €277.30, the proposed maximum rates for each year of deferral in 2024 are:
• €290.30 at age 67
• €304.80 at age 68
• €320.30 at age 69 and
• €337.20 at age 70.
As the measure is being introduced for those who turn 66 from January 2024, the first people to be eligible for a higher rate will be those who turn 67 in January 2025. Even if the base rate of €277.30 changes in the next budget, these rates provide an indication of the scale of the actuarial increases that will apply.
As the State Pension age remains at 66 years, a person can still draw their State Pension (Contributory) at State Pension age.
As the Deputy is aware, a Bill to give effect to this and other State pension reforms is currently before the Oireachtas, and I expect the legislation to be enacted by the end of the year.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
366. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing request for a carer's allowance appeal will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53698/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on the 14 March 2022.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the original appeal decision on foot of this additional evidence. Regrettably the Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or fresh evidence which warranted a revision of his earlier decision. The person concerned has been notified of the outcome of this review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
367. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for the carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) was rejected despite them providing full-time care to two older neighbours [53725/23]
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.
Two applications for CA were received from the person concerned on 19 May 2023.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person concerned must be providing full-time care and attention. The legislation provides that a carer is regarded as providing full-time care and attention to a relevant person where the number of hours of care provision is not less than 35 hours in a period of 7 consecutive days, and care is provided on any 5 days, whether consecutive or not, within a period of 7 consecutive days.
The Deciding Officer decided that this condition has not been satisfied in either application. Although the person concerned is providing a certain amount of care, the level provided is not considered to be full-time.
The person concerned was notified on 13 July 2023 of these decisions, the reason for them and of their right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of these decisions and submitted additional evidence in support of their applications. Following this review, the decisions remained unchanged.
The person concerned was notified on 27 November 2023 of these decisions, the reason for them and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
368. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review a case with regard to the free school meals initiative (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53727/23]
View answerThe School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,700 schools and organisations benefitting 300,000 children at present. It provides regular, nutritious food to children who may be unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The Programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
I can confirm that an official of my Department has contacted the Principal of the school referred to by the Deputy to advise that there are numerous suppliers of school meals in Ireland and that a school can explore other options for procuring school meals, such as local restaurants, cafés, supermarkets and shops for the provision of their school meals.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
369. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s position on issuing social welfare payments, for example, illness benefit, to public sector workers who are over the age of 66 years (pension age) but who are not due to retire until 70 years of age (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53741/23]
View answerIllness Benefit is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for Illness Benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. People must have made the required number of contributions under PRSI Class A, E, H or P to qualify. Currently, a person must be under 66 in order to be eligible for Illness Benefit, which aligns with the age at which the State Pension is available.
Once a person reaches 66 years of age they may be entitled a State Pension (Contributory), depending on their contribution history. A person can draw their State Pension (Contributory) and continue to work. If they do not have sufficient PRSI contributions for a State Pension (Contributory) they may be entitled to the State Pension (Non-Contributory), subject to a means test.
With regard to additional supports, my Department also provides an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This includes exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently on a social welfare payment or in employment. The payment amount will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Payments are made at the discretion of the Community Welfare Officers administering the scheme, considering all the circumstances of the case.
I trust that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
370. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a social welfare appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53744/23]
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 16 October 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 in due course 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.
371. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a social welfare appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53745/23]
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 21 August 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 21 September 2023.
The case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 5 October 2023, who will in due course 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.
372. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if all arrears are paid and up to date in the case of a person (details supplied); whether any outstanding moneys are owed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53771/23]
View answerCarer's benefit (CARB) 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 CARB was received from the person concerned on 7 September 2023.
The person's application was initially refused. However, following the receipt of further information from the customer, a review of the application resulted in the award of CARB with effect from 13 July 2023. The first payment issued on 26 October 2023.
The person concerned was in receipt of another Social Welfare payment up to 25 October 2023. As CARB cannot be paid concurrently with another Social Welfare Payment, arrears were withheld from 13 July 2023 to 25 Oct 2023 pending confirmation from the other scheme of payments received during the relevant period.
Arrears have now been processed and the person concerned will receive the arrears via their nominated payment method on 7 December 2023.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
373. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she would provide clarification as to whether children who turned 18 this year but are still attending secondary school are entitled to have their child benefit reinstated after the recent budget 2024 announcement, noting that if this measure only came into effect from September 2024, this would put all leaving certificate students who turn 18 years of age before completing their secondary school education next year at a disadvantage; and if a student decides after their leaving certificate to continue with full-time education, if they would be entitled then to receive the extended child benefit. [53788/23]
View answerThe extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education was one of my key priorities as part of Budget 2024. The measure is expected to benefit approximately 60,000 18-year-olds each year at an estimated cost of €21.6 million in 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-year-olds in full-time education is a long-term change for the better and will support families across Ireland into the future.
This is a significant change to the Child Benefit scheme 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.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
374. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection how much her Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether her Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53807/23]
View answerAll campaigns are developed carefully in collaboration with our media buyer using the best mix of media formats to ensure that messages target members of the public effectively while ensuring the best value for money.
The Department continues to keep its approach to advertising on this channel under ongoing review. However, I can confirm that the Department is not currently advertising on the social media platform X.
Decisions on what platform to use for public information campaigns will be made on a case-by-case basis, with advice and recommendations from our media buying agency.
Please see breakdown of expenditure (all figures are ex VAT and fees) on the platform in tabular form:
X (Twitter)
|
2019 |
€23,864.94 |
|
2020 |
€35,282.55 |
|
2021 |
€29,242.31 |
|
2022 |
€21,271.55 |
|
2023* |
€42,320.70 |
|
Total |
€151,982.06 |
*Figures available up to 15/11/2023.
375. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if self-employed individuals are excluded from the rent supplement scheme regardless of whether they meet the requirements of the means test, as outlined by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53819/23]
View answerRent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme supporting 8,455 active recipients at the end of October 2023.
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.
A person will not qualify for rent supplement if they are in full-time employment for 30 hours or more per week, inclusive of self-employment. Claims from self-employed people are assessed on the individual circumstances of each case. All applicants must satisfy the entire eligibility criteria for entitlement to rent supplement.
Responsibility for the provision of rental assistance to those with a long-term housing need rests with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Under Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), you are allowed to work full-time while still receiving housing support. The engagement of people in employment is one of the key benefits for both individuals and their families under the Housing Assistance Payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
