Written Answers Nos. 724-751
724. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection what supports are in place for those suffering from long-Covid who are no longer able to continue in employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11831/24]
View answerMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. These include contributory payments, based on PRSI contributions, such as Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension, and non-contributory payments, based on a means test, such as Disability Allowance.
Entitlement to these supports is contingent on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work. It is not dependent on the nature of the illness or disability. Every application for the Department's schemes is individually assessed, in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation. Assessment is based on the medical information provided by healthcare providers and the claimant and taking into account the opinion of the Department’s Medical Assessor.
Illness Benefit is a short-term social insurance scheme. It is available for up to two years for people who have the required social insurance contributions. Their doctor must submit a Certificate of Incapacity to Work to the Department.
Invalidity Pension is a longer-term social insurance scheme, based on PRSI contributions and medical condition. In order 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. Over 57,000 were in receipt of Invalidity Pension in February 2024.
Disability Allowance is a longer-term social assistance scheme. In order to qualify, the person must satisfy a habitual residency condition, a means test and meet the medical requirement. The medical requirement for Disability Allowance is that the person's disability must be expected to last for at least one year, and the disability must substantially restrict a person’s ability to work. Over 162,700 people were in receipt of Disability Allowance in February 2024.
A Temporary Scheme of Paid Leave was developed by the Department of Health for certain public health sector employees who were unfit to work after a COVID-19 infection. This scheme has been extended until 31 March 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
725. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is in receipt of maximum benefit. [11896/24]
View answerState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
The person concerned is currently receiving the maximum weekly payment rate of state pension non-contributory, together with a Fuel Allowance during the winter fuel season, a Living Alone Increase and Telephone Support Allowance. They are also in receipt of the Household Benefits package.
Weekly repayments of €2.50 are currently being deducted from the person's pension payment towards the recovery of a previous scheme overpayment. A statement detailing the outstanding balance has issued to the person concerned.
The person concerned is currently receiving their maximum social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
726. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal (details supplied) by a person; when a decision is likely to be received, as this has been pending for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11922/24]
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 a Carers Allowance appeal by the person concerned was received in that Office on 06 February 2024. The appeal was registered by that office on 08 March 2024. 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 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.
727. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether the Government has a duty to ensure that all children are treated equally and fairly in relation to the school meals programme and the need for gluten free meals for coeliac children, and that no child is left behind or excluded from the benefits of the programme; if she will make it compulsory for schools participating in the programme to cater to the needs of coeliac children if there is a demand for it (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11945/24]
View answer737. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the challenges facing some schools (details supplied) in sourcing venders to provide a hot school meals programme; if any measures are in place to address such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12077/24]
View answer757. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection what supports are in place for small schools that are unable to source a supplier for the hot school meals programme due to suppliers deeming it as an uneconomical move for their business; her plans to ensure that each school approved for the hot school meals programme receives these meals in due course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12554/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 727, 737 and 757 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.
Funding under the School Meals Programme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided. These meals must meet the nutritional standards for the School Meals Programme.
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals were developed by a working group led by the Health and Wellbeing Programme in the Department of Health, in consultation with Safefood and the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.
Each school is required to provide a menu choice of at least two different meals per day and where required, provide a vegetarian or vegan option and an option that caters for students’ religious and cultural dietary requirements. The food provided for those with allergies must comply with the Standards. Guidance on allergies such as coeliac disease and gluten intolerance is available from Safefood.net
Schools are responsible for choosing their own School Meals supplier on the open market in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with Public Procurement rules. Under tender documentation as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, the menu is to accommodate those with food intolerances and allergies, from lactose-free to vegetarian to gluten-free for example. In addition, the supplier is to check with the school upon award of the contract, the details of such to accommodate those potential customers and the supplier must provide clearly visible menu boards with an allergens list.
The Department provides the funding directly to the schools, who are then required to procure the provision of the food in compliance with Government procurement rules and with relevant Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, Food Safety regulations and the Nutritional Standards for School Meals. It is the responsibility of the school to source a supplier that can meet the dietary requirements of all of their pupils.
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. As part of this significant expansion plan, all remaining primary schools were contacted last year and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is 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. There will be an opportunity for the other primary schools who had subsequently expressed an interest, to do so formally during this year.
In circumstances where a school is unable to secure a hot meals supplier due its location or facilities and space, I would suggest they reach out to local caterers or supermarkets within its area. If a school is still unsuccessful in securing a supplier, they should then try to source a local supplier that could instead provide a lunch with drink as an alternative to a hot meal.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
728. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 455 of 5 March 2024, the reason her Department requires the destination of a person's travel as evidence of travel in order to access the two week holiday entitlement under the disability allowance scheme; and in what case or circumstance would a signed letter from the recipient not be sufficient evidence. [11952/24]
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, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
Except in certain exceptional circumstances, DA is not payable for any period in respect of which the claimant is resident outside of the state under Section 249 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.
The decision on the level of evidence required is determined on a case by case basis and can be predicated on the frequency or duration of travel, amongst other matters. The proof of travel plans ensures compliance with the continued eligibility for DA payments during travel periods.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
730. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans, if any, to update the Code of Practice on Determining Employment Status which was published in July 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11990/24]
View answerThe Code of Practice on Determining Employment Status was updated in 2021 by an interdepartmental working group comprising the Department of Social Protection, Revenue and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Following the Supreme Court judgement in the Karshan (Midlands) Ltd t/a Domino’s Pizza case my Department is working with Revenue and the Workplace Relations Commission to update the content in the Code as appropriate.
731. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determining an appeal (details supplied); when a final determination is likely to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12028/24]
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 a Carers Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 31 August 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. These papers were returned to the Appeals Office on 19 October 2023 and referred on 01 November 2023 to an Appeals Officer. The Appeals Officer has requested additional information on certain issues from the person on 08 March 2024. On receipt of the requested information the Appeals Officer will 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.
732. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of review in the case of a person (details supplied) who has applied for an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12029/24]
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 person concerned is in receipt of Invalidity Pension (IP) from my department since 18 June 2015. On 14 September 2023, the person in question was awarded an increase for a qualified adult (IQA) and an increase for two qualified children (IQC) effective from 23 February 2023 and for one qualified child effective from 10 August 2023. He requested a review of the award date of these increases and requested backdating of the IQA and IQC payments to 2018. This review was undertaken and the deciding officer (DO) found that there were no grounds for backdating as the individuals involved were not residing in Ireland with the applicant up to the dates from which the increases were awarded. The person concerned was notified on 20 February 2024 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of a further review or to appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. To date, the Social Welfare Appeals Office has not received a request to appeal this decision.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
733. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision be made in relation to a disability allowance review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12046/24]
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, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
A medical review of this individual's continued entitlement to DA was undertaken. Based on the evidence submitted, the person concerned was found not to be substantially restricted in seeking suitable employment, by reason of a specified disability, which is expected to last for a period of at least one year. The person concerned was informed of this decision in writing dated 9 January 2024 and afforded the right of review and/or appeal.
Further medical evidence was subsequently submitted on 22 January 2024 and, following a review of this documentation, the person concerned was informed on 7 March 24 that the original decision would not be overturned. They were afforded the right to appeal the decision.
If the person concerned wishes to submit further medical evidence, my department will undertake a review of this and will revert to them with a decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
734. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the independent external evaluation of the proposal that claims that higher financial returns can be achieved for automatic enrolment pension participants at lower costs; her plans to publish the report by the independent external evaluator; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12066/24]
View answer738. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the Pensions Council-commissioned independent evaluation report by (details supplied) into the alternative auto-enrolled pensions proposal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12104/24]
View answer739. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the Pensions Council's own evaluation report into the alternative auto-enrolled pensions proposal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12106/24]
View answer740. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Pensions Council has presented her with both the Pensions Council-commissioned independent evaluation report by a person (details supplied) and its own evaluation report into the alternative auto-enrolled pensions proposal by another person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12108/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 734, 738, 739 and 740 together.
The introduction of an automatic enrolment (AE) system is a Programme for Government commitment and a key priority for me as the Minister for Social Protection. Under AE, employees will have access to a savings scheme, co-funded by their employer and the State. For every €3 a worker pays into it, they will have another €4 credited to their account. These contributions will then be invested, with members holding their own individual retirement savings accounts that they can drawdown when they retire. Implementation of the AE system is well underway, with the first enrolments expected late this year.
The proposal referred to in the question had been considered by officials in my Department and elsewhere previously. Then, in the context of the Pensions Council being the independent statutory body established to provide the Minister with advice on pensions matters, I requested the Council, in April 2023, to provide me with its own assessment of the proposal under five different headings.
Membership of the Council has been constituted to ensure the relevant skills, specialist knowledge and experience are in place to allow for the provision of collective advice, information and assistance in the development of pensions policy. On this particular matter, the Council additionally procured the services of an independent academic to assist with its consideration of the feasibility of the proposal.
The Council recently concluded its assessment and has now submitted its final report to me, together with a copy of its independently commissioned technical assessment. I will consider any relevant recommendations of the Council in due course.
As I understand it, the Council intends to publish both its final report and the independently commissioned technical assessment on its website in early April.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
735. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason self-employed people are not entitled to claim carer's benefit; if she will consider changing the eligibility criteria whereby self-employed people can claim carer's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12074/24]
View answerThe main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.
Carer's Benefit is available to 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. It is payable for a period of 2 years (104 weeks) for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 2 years (104 weeks).
Only Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions paid at classes A, B, C, D, E and H are counted towards Carer's Benefit. Contributions paid at class S (self-employed contributions) do not count.
Where a carer cannot satisfy the PRSI conditions attached to the Carer's Benefit payment, application for the non-means tested payment of Carer's Allowance is available.
Self-employed workers whose income is €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable to pay social insurance contributions at the class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. Where all qualification criteria for the particular scheme are satisfied, this class of PRSI gives access to the following benefits:
• Adoptive Benefit,
• Guardian's Payment (Contributory),
• Invalidity Pension,
• Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed),
• Maternity Benefit,
• Parent's Benefit,
• Partial Capacity Benefit (where in receipt of Invalidity Pension),
• Paternity Benefit,
• State Pension (Contributory),
• Treatment Benefit, and
• Widows, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension.
There has been an extensive expansion of access to the range of social insurance benefits for self-employed social insurance contributors in recent years without any increase in the 4% rate of contribution made by them. In effect, self-employed contributors, in return for a contribution of 11 percentage points lower than for employed contributors, have access to benefits which comprise over 90% of the value of all benefits available to employed contributors.
Any changes in access to additional schemes, including Carer's Benefit, for self-employed contributors would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context, including the appropriate contribution rates.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
736. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will adjust the new flexible pension arrangements to allow people under the age of 70 years to work if they so choose and claim contributions towards a State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12075/24]
View answerIn 2023, I introduced legislation for a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in response to the recommendations from the Pensions Commission. This set of measures represented the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.
One of the key measures under these reforms, which came into operation from the 1st January 2024, is the introduction of a flexible pension system in Ireland.
Under this system, there is now flexibility for those reaching State Pension age to defer access to their State Pension (Contributory) at any age from 66 up to the age of 70 and receive an actuarially adjusted higher rate of payment.
A person can use the period between 66 and 70 years of age to build up additional entitlements and, if a person has less than 520 PRSI reckonable paid contributions, they may be able to use this period to establish entitlement to the State Pension (Contributory).
Those who defer claiming their State Pension (Contributory) and continue to work, will have access to certain short-term contingency payments during the period of deferral.
The situation remains unchanged where a person reaches State Pension age and does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for State Pension (Contributory) or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for one of the following:
• The means-tested 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 State Pension (Contributory); or
• An increase for a qualified adult (based on their own means), amounting up to 90% of a full rate State Pension (Contributory) 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's or their own social insurance record. The qualifying conditions for this require fewer contributions paid (260) than the SPC for the maximum personal rate for those aged 66 or over.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
741. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a history of contributions made by a person (details supplied) to determine if they have sufficient contributions to qualify for a State pension (contributory). [12114/24]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 12 May 2022.
I have arranged for a copy of his social insurance contribution record to issue along with an application form for State Pension (contributory).
On receipt of the completed application form, his entitlement will be examined and he will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
742. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department has declined to issue a PPSN to a person (details supplied) given they are an Irish citizen and have been living in Ireland since December 2022, who requires same to access a number of services; if their application will be reviewed with a view to issuing the number as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12161/24]
View answerA Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is a unique reference number that helps a person access social welfare benefits and public services in Ireland. To get a PPS Number, a person must provide evidence of their identity, why they need a PPS Number and their address.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for a PPS Number on 26/02/2024 in order to open a bank account. The application was referred back to the person’s MyWelfare account on 27/02/2024 and 08/03/2024 informing them that a PPS Number is not required to open a bank account and therefore opening a bank account is not a valid reason for obtaining a PPS Number. The person was asked to provide evidence of a valid reason for their PPS Number request and advised that a list of valid reasons is available on www.gov.ie.
Separately, the person concerned contacted the Gardiner Street PPSN and PSC Centre by email on 05/03/2024. On 06/03/2024 a reply issued asking that they provide evidence of a valid reason for their PPS Number request and affording the person the opportunity to speak with an official who would explain the valid reasons for such a request.
Subsequently on 08/03/2024 the person concerned stated that they needed a PPS number to access medical services and to apply for a Social Welfare payment. The application was referred back to the person’s MyWelfare account on 12/03/2024 and on 15/03/2024 requesting that they provide either a completed application form for a Social Welfare payment, a letter from their doctor stating they require a PPSN to access medical treatment or a completed application form for a Medical Card.
To date, my Department has not received the requested documentation, therefore, my officials have been unable to progress the person’s application for a PPS Number. When the necessary documentation is received, the person’s application will be assessed, and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
743. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if additional resources will be provided to the social welfare appeals office to address the three-month delay in registering appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12259/24]
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 significant efforts and resources have been devoted to improvements in the appeal process in recent years. Improvements in appeals processing times are a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer.
A significant Appeals Modernisation Project is currently underway the goal of which is to streamline and enhance the end-to-end appeals process for the customer, the Social Welfare Appeals Office and business areas across the Department. As part of this project a new IT system went live on the 6th November 2023. The new system is helping to reduce the time taken to register and acknowledge appeals lodged with the Appeals Office. Additional staff were assigned to the office as part of the project to assist with the preparation for and transition to the new IT system and the establishment of new procedures.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
744. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff in the independent social welfare appeals office for the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12264/24]
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 table below confirms the number of staff in the Social Welfare Appeals office for the past five years.
|
Appeals Office - end February 2020 Grade |
People |
Posts |
|
Principal Officer |
2 |
2.00 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
40 |
38.75 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
7 |
7.00 |
|
Executive Officer |
12 |
11.35 |
|
Clerical Officer |
25 |
23.80 |
|
TOTAL |
86 |
82.90 |
|
Appeals Office - end February 2021 Grade |
People |
Posts |
|
Principal Officer |
2 |
2.00 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
37 |
36.00 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
7 |
7.00 |
|
Executive Officer |
12 |
11.55 |
|
Clerical Officer |
26 |
24.50 |
|
TOTAL |
84 |
81.05 |
|
Appeals Office - end February 2022 Grade |
People |
Posts |
|
Principal Officer |
3 |
3.00 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
38 |
37.20 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
6 |
6.00 |
|
Executive Officer |
9 |
8.80 |
|
Clerical Officer |
28 |
26.50 |
|
TOTAL |
84 |
81.50 |
|
Appeals Office - end February 2023 Grade |
People |
Posts |
|
Principal Officer |
4 |
4.00 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
39 |
38.20 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
7 |
7.00 |
|
Executive Officer |
10 |
10.00 |
|
Clerical Officer |
24 |
23.00 |
|
TOTAL |
84 |
82.20 |
|
Appeals Office - end February 2024 Grade |
People |
Posts |
|
Principal Officer |
4 |
4.00 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
39 |
38.00 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
7 |
7.00 |
|
Executive Officer |
12 |
12.00 |
|
Clerical Officer |
25 |
23.80 |
|
TOTAL |
87 |
84.80 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
745. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals registered by the independent social welfare appeals office for the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12265/24]
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 table below confirms the number of appeals registered by the Social Welfare Appeals office for the past five years.
|
SWAO Appeals Registered 2019-2023 2019 |
22,397 |
|
2020 |
23,664 |
|
2021 |
24,820 |
|
2022 |
25,093 |
|
2023 |
24,100 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
746. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the average time it takes to complete appeals submitted to the independent social welfare appeals office for the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12266/24]
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 table below confirms the average time it has taken to complete appeals submitted to the Independent Social Welfare Appeals office for the past five years.
|
SWAO Average Processing Times (in weeks) 2019-2023Year |
|
|
2019 |
24.7 |
|
2020 |
16.5 |
|
2021 |
12.9 |
|
2022 |
14.9 |
|
2023 |
16.0 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
747. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12292/24]
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 Invalidity Pension appeal by the person concerned was received in that Office on 19 December 2023. The appeal was registered by that office on 08 March 2024. 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 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.
748. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for a carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12317/24]
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.
I confirm that my Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 9 February 2024.
The application was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 15 February 2024 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
The SWI met with the person concerned on 16 February 2024 and requested additional documents. The SWI issued a follow up letter to the person concerned on the 14 March 2024 outlining the required documents.
Once the documents are received and the SWI has reported, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
749. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if a public services card is required for a person to collect their pension from their local post office or if it is acceptable to use another form of identification, a passport for example to do this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12325/24]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection operates its contract for cash payment services with An Post. The Department and An Post agreed a protocol in 2014, which was renewed in 2019, governing the forms of identification which claimants, or their agents, must produce in order to collect payments. There has been no change in this agreed protocol or in the forms of identification required of claimants to collect their social welfare payments.
Social welfare claimants must present one of the Department of Social Protection payment cards when collecting payments. These cards are; the Public Services Card, the Social Services Card and the Temporary Payment Card.
The Public Services Card, or PSC, is an identity token, issued by the Department, following a face to face registration process which involves the capture of an individual’s photograph and signature plus the verification of identity data already held by the Department. No other identification is required of clients when a PSC is presented.
The Social Services Card, or SSC, is a payment token, used to collect DSP payments. The token is issued to claimants who have not yet been registered for and received a PSC. If presenting for payment with an SSC, a person must also provide additional identification. Ideally this should be photographic. Acceptable forms of photographic ID are:
- Current Passport (For Irish and UK passport holders, a passport which has expired within the previous 12 months is acceptable)
- Current (in date) National ID card for EU citizens other than Ireland or UK
- Current (in date) Irish or UK Drivers Licence or Irish Driver Learner Permit
- Current (in date) Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) Card or Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card
- Emergency Photo ID produced by the Department.
- Garda ID Age Card
If a claimant holds an SSC but does not have appropriate photographic ID then the following documents are acceptable:
- Medical Card and Proof of Address
- Bank Card and Proof of Address
- Recent work ID and Proof of Address
- Recent communication from Public Service body or Local Authority and Proof of Address.
If a customer holds an SSC but is unable to present either acceptable Photo ID or alternative ID, An Post may make payment based on the personal validation of the Post Office staff on the basis that the customer is known to them by sight and name.
Finally the Temporary Payment Card is a paper document issued by the Department for short-term use by a claimant pending receipt of a PSC or SSC. A temporary payment card is valid for a specific period. An Post may not accept the Temporary Payment Card without the additional forms of identification listed above for the SSC.
Ends
750. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of exit and or severance and or redundancy packages granted by her Department, and bodies under her aegis and of bodies she funds in full or in part, of €100,000 and above but less that €200,000, by the amount and by each body in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024. [12357/24]
View answerMy Department, and bodies under the aegis of my Department have not paid exit, severance or redundancy packages above €100,000 but less than €200,000 from 2019 to date in 2024.
751. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial supports available for people to assist in furnishing their unfurnished social home; the eligibility for these supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12467/24]
View answerUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet expenses that an eligible person cannot pay 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. The ANP scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the Designated Persons (DPs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS) 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. The legislation providing for ANPs does not confer a statutory right or entitlement to a payment. The principal consideration in making a payment under the scheme is to address a particular need. Where a tenant cannot furnish their new property from within their own household resources, s/he can apply for an ANP to assist them in furnishing the property. Assistance can be provided in respect of necessary housing related items including bedding, flooring, furniture and household appliances. The level of furnishings and appliances required will depend on an assessment of size and nature of the proposed property, the expected level of occupancy and items already available to the customer. Every case is based on the individual circumstances and needs of the household.
A person can apply for an ANP 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. A completed application form together with any supporting documentation can be returned directly to my Department where the claim will be processed quickly. Where a person has a verified MyGovID they can also apply online for an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) at www.MyWelfare.ie .
I trust this clarifies the matter.
