Written Answers Nos. 477-491
477. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on her efforts to extend the free travel pass to people with epilepsy who cannot drive due to their condition; when she hopes to bring this into action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54771/23]
View answerThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million.
As part of Budget 2024 I was particularly pleased to extend my Department’s Free Travel Pass to support people who are medically certified as unable to drive including those with Epilepsy.
The measure will expand access to the Free Travel scheme to:
• People who have never been able to drive due to a disability.
• Drivers who have a license and have been deemed medically unfit to drive for a period of one year or longer.
There will be no requirement to satisfy a means test or that the person be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment to qualify for the medical free travel pass.
My officials are currently working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of relevant qualifying criteria and development of administrative and IT systems as necessary. The expected implementation date for the measure is July 2024.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
478. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the key policy achievements realised and new initiatives taken by her Department during 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54794/23]
View answerMy Department has delivered significant achievements during 2023. The Social Protection Budget for 2024 is the largest in the history of the State. Budget 2024 will provide almost €2.3 billion in measures to assist households with the cost of living. This includes across-the-board increases of €12 per week in all core payments and will be combined with a series of lump sum payments for carers, people with disabilities, working families as well as those living alone on low incomes.
There will be a Christmas Bonus paid in December to almost 1.3 million welfare recipients and for the first time this will be followed by a January Cost of Living Bonus, which will also support pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, jobseekers, and families.
Some of the key budget increases also include a €300 cost of living lump sum to all households getting the Fuel Allowance, a double payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children under 18, a €400 lump sum for people getting the Carers Support Grant, the same amount for people getting Disability Allowance, Blind Pension or Invalidity Pension and a €100 cost of living bonus for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child (to be paid per qualified child).
Recently I announced changes to the State Pension (Contributory) that are being introduced in January 2024. These changes include improved access to state pensions provision for long-term carers. These changes will see carers receive the equivalent of paid contributions for caring periods of over 20 years to cover gaps in their contribution record needed to obtain the State Pension (Contributory). This acknowledges the important role family carers play in Irish society. As per the Government decision in response to the Pension Commissions recommendation, the Government has decided that the State Pension age is remaining at 66 years of age but to facilitate those that which to defer their State Pension Contributory, they will be able to do so on foot of the legislative changes I am currently bringing through the Oireachtas in the Social Welfare Bill 2023.
My Department continues to provide support and advice to those Ukrainians fleeing the crisis in their own country. The priority for the Department is the allocation of PPSNs and the provision of income supports. By end November 2023, PPSNs issued to some 101,176 people, while income supports were paid to 42,376 adults.
During November 2023, my officials from the Community Welfare Service were at Dublin airport to meet and assist, where necessary, persons arriving from Gaza. This participation will remain ongoing for the duration of these arrivals. The Community Welfare Service was also at the forefront in assisting families affected by the floods in Cork and Galway.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
479. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54811/23]
View answerThe Free Travel Scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. This increases to 1.75 million customers when spouses and companions are included. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million.
The Free Travel Companion Pass scheme was introduced in 1990 for persons who qualify for the Free Travel scheme and who, on account of their disability, are unable to travel alone. It enables a person 16 years of age or over to accompany the pass holder free of charge.
In order to use the Free Travel Companion Pass, the companion must be accompanied by the person who is unfit to travel alone. Removing this requirement would change the purpose and the nature of the Free Travel Companion Pass.
The retention of 20% fare reductions for all, originally introduced as a temporary cost-of-living measure, has been secured for another year as part of Budget 2024. This reduction is welcomed and should be taken into consideration as part of the transport supports secured by Government to ensure that people will continue to benefit from cheaper public transport fares.
I would also like to advise that my Department does provide Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. This support is for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources and are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
480. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the average wait time for an urgent needs payment in Cork city. [54832/23]
View answer481. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the average wait time for an appointment with a community welfare officer in Cork city. [54833/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 481 together.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department can make an additional needs payment (ANP) to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. An ANP is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain other supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources, and are deemed to be necessary. Work on hand for ANPs is within the scheme's normal processing levels and fully completed applications are processed within two weeks. Applications for ANPs are varied and often quite complex, reflecting the individual circumstances being experienced. Where an application cannot be finalised promptly, the delay is normally due to the need for additional information or documentation and the time it takes for the customer to respond. Upon receipt of this information, the application is then processed quickly. It is important to note that where it is clear that a person has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure they receive a payment on the same day. Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) are very experienced and can generally assess when a case is so urgent that it requires an immediate response. The Community Welfare Service (CWS) is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made quickly. The 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. CWOs are physically on site daily in over 50 Intreo Centres across the country where they are available to be seen without an appointment, during business hours Monday to Friday including at the Cork City Intreo Centre. In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and DSP offices, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home. 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 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 officers on the CWS phoneline are dealing with over 4,300 callers per week. 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 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. I trust this clarifies the matter.
482. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who have availed of an urgent needs payment in the last quarter of 2023 and the same period in 2019 and 2022, respectively, in Cork City, in tabular form. [54834/23]
View answerUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.
The schemes are demand led and 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.
Additional Needs Payments statistics are maintained on a county basis. Table 1 shows the number of Urgent Needs Payments issued in County Cork in Q3 in the years 2019, 2022 and 2023. Q3 statistics have been used in order to provide a like for like comparison, given that the last quarter is not yet available for 2023.
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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 - The number of Urgent Needs Payments awarded in County Cork in Q3 in the years 2019, 2022 and 2023
|
Year |
Number of Urgent Needs Payments Issued |
|
2019 Q3 |
10 |
|
2022 Q3 |
11 |
|
2023 Q3 |
2 |
483. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in receipt of child benefit in Cork city in 2023. [54836/23]
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.
At the end of November 2023, the number of customers in receipt of Child Benefit in Cork City and County was 72,546. A breakdown by town and city is not available so, unfortunately, a breakdown of recipients in Cork City only is not available.
I trust this clarifies the situation.
484. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that car parking facilities will be maintained for her Department’s staff at Thomas Ashe Street, Cavan town (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54846/23]
View answerAccommodation for my Department is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by the OPW on our behalf. The accommodation is typically shared with other Government Departments and Offices with limited car parking spaces available to staff.
This has been brought to the attention of the Department's management who are currently actively engaging with the OPW on this matter.
On foot of this engagement, the OPW are reviewing parking facilities at other owned and leased properties in Cavan town to establish if there are surplus parking spaces that can be allocated to staff affected by the sale of this car park.
485. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the reason tripartite talks between her Department, ILDN and Tús co-ordinators have been cancelled repeatedly by a principal officer (details supplied); when urgently needed talks will resume to address the 15% disparity in pay between Tús and CE supervisors, who have been eager to resolve this disparity for the past 18 months; if she will acknowledge the work that Tús supervisors do in supporting essential community services and its similarity to the work of CE supervisors; if she will recognise that a proposed deadline of 8 December 2023 is imminent and that further industrial action is likely in the event of a failure to engage immediately and fully; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54867/23]
View answer493. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of a campaign to close the 15% pay gap between Tús supervisors and CE supervisors; if she is aware that some Tús supervisors are so badly paid that they qualify for the working family payment; if she will ensure that this pay gap is closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55057/23]
View answer496. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale for the 15% pay gap between Tús and community employment supervisors; the efforts being made to close this gap; the timescale they envision this process will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55140/23]
View answer501. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions that are being taken to address the pay disparity between Tús and CE supervisors (details supplied), given the prolonged negotiations and delay; the steps being taken to prevent potential industrial action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55238/23]
View answer511. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the progress regarding the pay parity claim by RSS and Tús supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55403/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 485, 493, 496, 501 and 511 together.
My Department operates a number of employment support schemes; including Tús, Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and Community Employment (CE), for long term unemployed persons and low income farmers/fishers. I would like to acknowledge the important role that Tús and RSS supervisors play in providing valuable opportunities to participants in supporting the delivery of key services to local communities across the country.
It should be noted that Tús and RSS supervisors are employees of the individual Implementing Bodies (Local Development Companies), which are funded by the Department.
Earlier this year, union representatives and employers agreed, with the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the support of Department officials, a wage increase of 5% for supervisors employed on Tús, RSS and CE schemes.
Officials in my Department continue to hold regular meetings with the supervisor's representative associations to discuss issues in relation to the delivery of all employment programmes. In recent meetings the representatives raised the issue of pay parity for Tús and RSS with CE supervisors.
It is important to note that there are differences in the work undertaken by CE supervisors compared to that undertaken by Tús and RSS, relating, for example, to the preparation of individual learning plans. As a consequence, we would expect the service fees paid to the service providers to reflect this difference in scope.
My Department, as funder of these schemes, and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform are considering the complexities involved in addressing this issue. It is also important to note that any changes to the fees paid or the funding model will require the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure , NDP Delivery and Reform.
Pending the outcome of these discussions, officials in my Department will continue to work with the Implementation Bodies and staff representatives in an effort to resolve the issue.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputies.
486. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that people who will be completing 12 months on illness benefit in the period between the payment of the Christmas bonus and Christmas Day are not included in the payment; and if a person (details supplied) who commenced illness benefit on the 12 December 2022 will be paid the Christmas bonus [54894/23]
View answerIllness Benefit is a payment for those who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance contribution conditions. Illness Benefit is paid for a maximum of two years and is classified as a short-term scheme.
A Christmas Bonus will be paid to long-term Illness benefit customers in the week commencing 4th December. For the purposes of this bonus, long term is classified as those who have accumulated 306 paid days by Sunday 26th November 2023. Customers who accumulate 306 paid days after this date, between the payment of the Christmas bonus and Christmas Day are not included in this bonus.
The person concerned had 291 paid days by Sunday 26th November and as such does not qualify for the Christmas Bonus.
I hope this clarifies the position for the deputy.
487. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive a decision regarding the review of their carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54926/23]
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 14 January 2015.
Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews to ensure that there is continued entitlement to payment. A review of this person's claim commenced in May 2023 which resulted in the payment being suspended from 13 July 2023. The reason for this suspension was that the person concerned failed to submit requested information within the requested timeframe.
The information requested was submitted by the person concerned on 1 December 2023. Following receipt of this information, CA was reinstated with effect from 13 July 2023. The first payment was made on 7 December 2023. Arrears for the period 13 July 2023 to 6 December 2023 will also issue.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
488. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the 2023 carer’s support grant will be paid to a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54937/23]
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.
The person concerned was awarded CARB from 17 August 2023.
Carers who are in receipt of, or entitled to receive, Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance on the first Thursday in June are paid the Carers Support Grant (CSG) automatically on that date.
As the person concerned was awarded Carer's Benefit after the CSG issue date of 1 June 2023, they would not be automatically entitled to the 2023 CSG through this scheme. The CSG will automatically issue to the person concerned in 2024 and 2025 once they are in receipt of CARB on the relevant CSG issue dates for those years.
A carer who is not in receipt of one of these payments on the first Thursday of June may still qualify for the standalone Carer’s Support Grant and must complete the appropriate application form to be considered for that scheme.
Some of the qualifying conditions for the standalone CSG include the following:
The Carer must:
• be aged 16 or over;
• be ordinarily resident in the State;
• care for the person on a full-time basis and be providing care for the person for at least six months. This period of care must include the first Thursday in June;
• not be employed or self-employed for more than 18.5 hours per week;
• not be attending a training or educational course for more than 18.5 hours per week;
• not be in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance or be signing for credited contributions.
An application form for the standalone Carers Support Grant has issued to the person concerned. If the person wishes to apply for the standalone CSG for 2023, the medical report section is not required to be completed as they have been deemed eligible through the CARB scheme.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
489. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the Social Welfare (Child Maintenance and Liable Relatives Provisions) Bill; and when this Bill will progress. [54942/23]
View answerThe Report of the Child Maintenance Review Group was published last November and the Government has accepted the Group's recommendations regarding the social welfare system. These changes will decouple child maintenance and social welfare and are significant reforms, which will be of great benefit to lone parents.
As a consequence, child maintenance payments will be disregarded in the means test for social welfare payments. This measure will mean that many lone parents currently on reduced rates of payment will see their payment increase and some additional lone parents will qualify for a payment. It is estimated that this measure will be of direct benefit to approximately 16,000 lone parents at a cost of approximately €10 million per year.
These changes require amendments to both primary and secondary legislation as well as changes to some of the Department’s systems, application forms and processes. In terms of the changes to primary legislation, the draft Heads of Bill have undergone pre-legislative scrutiny at the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, and work on drafting the Bill has been ongoing. It is my intention to publish the Bill before the end of the year.
I trust this clarifies the position.
490. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 331 of 21 November 2023, if she will now expedite a positive decision based on the medical evidence provided (details supplied). [54956/23]
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 can confirm that my Department received a DA application from the person concerned on 23 May 2023. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this application, it was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying conditions were not satisfied. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision and they were given the right to review and or appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
My Department received a representation from the Deputy, on behalf of the person concerned, on 28 August 2023, requesting an appeal of the decision dated 14 August 2023. In addition, the Deputy advised that a medical report to support this application would follow. I can confirm that the Deputy's email correspondence was acknowledged on 29 August 2023. To date, no further medical information has been received in respect of this individual.
An appeal request has been forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The person concerned will be notified directly regarding the outcome of the appeal by the SWAO.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
491. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54962/23]
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 4 August 2022.
To qualify for CA the person being cared for must be:
• over the age of 16 and so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention
or
• aged under 16 and getting a Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA)
The CA application was disallowed on 5 January 2023 as the person being cared for was aged under 16 and DCA was not in payment. The DCA has since been awarded.
The application was referred back to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 14 October 2023 to assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
Following the SWI report, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 8 December 2023 with effect from 7 April 2022 and the first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on 14 December 2023.
Arrears for the period 17 April 2022 to 13 December 2023 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified on 8 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.
