Written Answers Nos. 394-406
394. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the rollout of hot school meals to all DEIS schools; the percentage of DEIS schools that have applied and have programmes up and running; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2655/24]
View answer395. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the rollout of hot school meals to non-DEIS schools; if it is on schedule to commence in April 2024; how schools can apply to be included in the rollout once it is operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2656/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together.
The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. Following the expansion of the programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering 443,000 children are now eligible for funding.
I am committed to continuing to expand the School Meals Programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme that has taken place in recent years. The roll out of the Hot School Meals to all remaining DEIS primary and Special schools began in September 2023, benefiting more than 60,000 children. The processing of applications is currently still ongoing; however at present of the 966 DEIS primary schools eligible for hot school meals, currently 66% have the programme up and running to date in this 2023-2024 academic year. We will have final figures in the next few weeks.
As part of this significant expansion plan, the remaining primary schools were contacted last year and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school was interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals. Expressions of interests were received from over 900 primary schools in respect of 150,000 children and late last year these schools were invited to participate in the Hot School Meals Programme from April 2024. The closing date for submitting completed applications is 1st March 2024. There will be an opportunity for other primary schools who had subsequently expressed an interest, to do so formally later this year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
396. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review correspondence (details supplied); if she will provide an update on this case and ensure parking is provided for staff in her local Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2666/24]
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 matter was brought to the attention of the Department's management who actively engaged with the OPW on this matter. Following this, the OPW reviewed parking facilities at other owned and leased properties to identify surplus parking spaces that could be allocated for my department's staff in Cavan town. As a result of this engagement, the OPW identified some parking spaces in a nearby Government building which can be made available to my Department's staff.
The management of the Cavan office are being kept up-to-date with progress and my department's Facilities Management Unit are currently working with the carpark controller to arrange the necessary access passes for my Department's staff.
397. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has undertaken any assessment of the number of families who may be eligible for the working family payment, but who fail to apply and if she has considered making arrangements with the Revenue Commissioners to transform this payment into a form of credit which could be more easily claimed or automatically accrued by an eligible family. [2692/24]
View answerThe Working Family Payment is a tax-free payment which provides an income top-up for employees, with children, on low earnings. It is a targeted measure that is directly linked to household income and therefore directly supports low-income working families. The average payment made to families is currently some €146 per week. Estimated expenditure on the scheme for 2024 is €375.97 million.
It is difficult to accurately estimate the take-up of the scheme. It is not simply a matter of making a comparison with Revenue data as there are eligibility requirements, other than income levels, that need to be satisfied in order to qualify for the scheme. Currently there are some 46,000 families with approximately 99,000 children in receipt of the payment. Over half of all recipients of the payment are single adult households.
Budget 2024 saw the third successive increase to the weekly earnings thresholds under the payment for all family sizes, by providing a €54 per week increase from January 2024. In addition, as part of Budget 2024, recipients of the payment also received a €400 cost of living payment in November 2023.
There has been an increase in the number of new applications in recent years, driven by both the Department’s promotional activities and recent budget announcements which have proved to be very effective in promoting the scheme.
The overall numbers of households benefiting from the scheme has remained stable, as there is a regular flow on and off the scheme. This is in the context of the very strong performance of the labour market, including an increase in the employment rate for lone parents. It is clear, however, that the increases introduced in recent budgets have helped ensure employees on higher rates of pay continue to be able to avail of the scheme.
I am very conscious of the importance of ensuring that people are aware of and apply for payments for which they are eligible. My Department undertook a public information campaign to promote this scheme in 2023 and this is to be built on in 2024, with a new information campaign to commence later this quarter. The objective of this campaign is to increase awareness of the payment and to highlight that the payment can be applied for online at mywelfare.ie. A mix of print, radio, and social media communication channels are to be used to deliver the campaign.
398. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the number of people who qualify for the carer’s support grant and how many of these receive it automatically because they are already in receipt of a carer’s payment or domiciliary care allowance; how many qualify through a specific application for the grant and whether she has made any estimate of the numbers of eligible families who may overlook applying for this entitlement. [2693/24]
View answerThe annual Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) is paid to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance.
People who are not in receipt of one of these social welfare payments but who are providing full-time care and attention may also be eligible and can apply for the grant as a standalone payment. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but is subject to certain conditions, one of which is that the period of full-time care and attention must last for at least six months. For the purpose of approving this grant, this period of care must include the first Thursday in June.
The CSG is currently payable at a rate of €1,850.
Please find below a table which set out the number of CSG's paid at the end of 2023.
There are no estimates available of the numbers of eligible families who may overlook applying for this entitlement. However, the Department publishes information leaflets as widely as possible and advertises changes of legislation in the National Press. Information Officers are available throughout the country for people to make enquiries as to their entitlements.
|
Carer’s Support Grant qualification by scheme at EOY 2023 |
|
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
60,170 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
76,749 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
2,447 |
|
Standalone Carer’s Support Grant |
6,680 |
|
Total number |
146,046 |
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
399. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the number of persons in receipt of the household benefits package who receive this along with their social welfare entitlement and the number who apply separately for them without having an entitlement to a weekly social welfare payment; if she has any estimate of the numbers over 70 years of age on non-social welfare payments who may be entitled to the payment, but do not apply. [2694/24]
View answerThe Household Benefits Package (HBP) comprises of the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. Only one Household Benefits Package is payable per household. For those aged 70 or over, the HBP is not means tested and there is no requirement to be getting a qualifying payment. For those aged 66 years or over, the HBP may be payable to those who are getting a social welfare payment, or who satisfy a means test. The HBP is also available to some people under the age of 66, who are getting certain qualifying social welfare payments.
At the end of 2023, the records of my Department indicate that the HBP was in payment to some 523,000 recipients. Of these 523,000 recipients, 335,000 were over 70 and in receipt of a social welfare payment and 27,000 were over 70 and not in receipt of a social welfare payment.
It is difficult to estimate the number of people aged over 70 who may be entitled to the HBP, but have not applied. For example, some over 70's may be living with another person who is already in receipt of the HBP, some may not be resident in the State on a full-time basis, or some may be living in residential care settings.
It is open to any person to apply for the HBP. This can be done online at MyWelfare.ie or by submitting an application form to my Department. Application forms are available to download on gov.ie or at any Intreo Centre or post office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
400. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection for further information regarding the case of a person (details supplied [2720/24]
View answerThe General Register Office (GRO) are responsible for maintaining the register of births in Ireland. The register contains the particulars of all births occurring in the State and in certain exceptional circumstances, births that occurred outside the State to children of an Irish Citizen. A birth certificate for a person can only be issued from the register if there is an entry for the person in the register of births.
There is no record of an entry for Mr McLoughlin in the register of births. It appears that Mr McLoughlin was born in Belgium and there would have been no requirement for the particulars of his birth to be recorded in the register of births maintained by the GRO.
The Department of Foreign Affairs are responsible for issuing a Certificate of Freedom to Marry and may better able to assist in these circumstances.
I hope that this is of assistance to the Deputy.
401. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the disability allowance means review for a person (details supplied), and when she could expect the payment to increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2811/24]
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, a means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
My Department received correspondence from the person concerned on 7 November 2023, requesting a review of their DA rate of payment due to a change in the person's circumstances.
Based on the information received, the claim was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the customer's means and circumstances, to enable a decision on the appropriate rate of DA payable.
Once the SWI has submitted their report to the DA section, a decision will be made on the requested review and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
403. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a child was refused to domiciliary care allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2859/24]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the level of care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and the level of the child's 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 and attention must be required to allow the child deal with the activities of daily living.
To qualify for DCA, it must be established in the decision and assessment process or appeal process (where applicable) that the child 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, without their disability/diagnosis.
DCA decisions and assessments are based on the information provided by the applicant in the application process, including any additional supporting documentary (medical) evidence if provided, such as medical professional report(s), diagnostic assessment report(s) or otherwise.
It is important to note that the onus is on the applicant to provide relevant documentary evidence/information if/when available, for consideration.
An application for DCA in respect of the child concerned was received by my Department on 19 April 2022. A deciding officer disallowed their claim as per decision dated 2 June 2022. Based on the information provided, the child was not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA. This determination also considered the supporting medical evidence (GP signed details in application form) that was provided by the applicant.
The deciding officer had regard to the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor in the decision process.
The person concerned requested a review of the deciding officer's decision and also appealed the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
The SWAO functions independently of my department and appeals officers are independent in their decision making role.
Following a review of the application in respect of the child concerned, including all information and evidence available at the time of the original decision and all further information provided in support of the applicant's review request and appeal, a deciding officer decided not to revise the original decision as per further decision dated 29 July 2022.
Further to the person's appeal to the independent SWAO, an appeals officer decided to disallow their appeal, via a summary decision, as per appeal decision dated 10 January 2023, on the grounds that the applicant had not provided sufficient evidence to establish that the relevant child satisfies the conditions for DCA, as provided for in legislation.
According to my Department's records, the person concerned subsequently requested a review of the appeals officer's decision under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act and provided further new additional information in their review request, for re-consideration by the appeals officer.
Following a re-examination of their appeal case, via an online oral hearing requested by the person concerned, under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, including the further additional information and evidence provided in support of their review request, the appeals officer decided not to revise the appeal decision on the grounds that there was no additional information / documentary evidence presented to render the original decision erroneous, as per further appeal decision dated 16 October 2023.
The appeals officer concluded that the person concerned had not provided sufficient (medical) evidence in order to establish that the child concerned has a severe disability that requires continual or continuous care and attention which is substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and that the level of that disability is such that that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months, as provided for in legislation.
The appeals officer also noted in their decision, that the applicant is awaiting a formal diagnostic assessment report to date, in respect of the child concerned.
It is open to the applicant to forward any further new or additional evidence and/or relevant information directly to the SWAO, if/when available, such as a medical professional/specialist's report(s) or a diagnostic assessment report(s), for re-consideration by the appeals officer under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Act.
Alternatively, it is also open to the applicant to re-apply for DCA in respect of the child concerned and include any further new or additional (medical) evidence or relevant information that becomes available, for consideration.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
404. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of disability allowance and State pension (contributory) as of December 2023; and the total spend on each payment in December 2023. [2951/24]
View answerThe number of persons in receipt of Disability Allowance at the end of December 2023 was 162,351 and expenditure for the month of December was €199,650,525.
The number of persons in receipt of State Pension Contributory at the end of December 2023 was 506,723. Expenditure on State Pension Contributory for the month of December was €818,858,449.
405. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered providing a reduction or payment assistance in relation to domestic waste charges for disabled people particularly to persons who have excess charges because they suffer from incontinence or other similar issues that incur extra waste disposal charges. [2954/24]
View answerThere is a range of supports provided by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme. These supports can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).My Department may make an ANP to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and Urgent Needs Payments (UNPs), and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. ANPs are administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties they can apply for assistance by completing a SWA1 form which is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. It can also be requested by calling 0818 60 70 80 and by using this link www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. On receipt of a completed application form and supporting documentation, the person’s claim will be assessed, and they will be advised of the outcome in writing. Alternatively, if the person concerned has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.Supports from my Department however are not intended to cover circumstances where another Government Department or Agency has the primary responsibility. A person in this position is advised to contact their local authority to establish if there is a waste disposal waiver scheme in place. In the absence of such a scheme or if the scheme has been discontinued, the local authority may be in a position to advise the person what alternatives have been put in place.
406. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on the review of an invalidity pension application in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2967/24]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.The Department received a claim for IP for the person referred to on 20 September 2023. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. Notification issued to the person concerned on 11 December 2023 informing her of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
Following the submission of further medical evidence, a deciding officer has reviewed entitlement to IP and, based on all information to hand, has decided that the original decision to refuse her claim remains unchanged. Notification issued to the person concerned on 15 January 2024 informing her of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of further review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
