Written Answers Nos. 154-164
154. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a school will be included in a programme (details supplied) with effect from September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15805/24]
View answerThe 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. 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 8th April 2024.
My officials advise me that the school referred to by the Deputy did not express an interest in response to the initial call, under which 900 schools are now being included in the programme. However, the school has since contacted the Department to express their interest in the Hot School Meals Programme and there will be an opportunity for this school, and the 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.
155. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of a €1 increase in each of the social insurance schemes, social assistance schemes, other weekly schemes and other scheme payments, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15916/24]
View answerThe estimated full-year cost of a €1 increase in each of the social insurance schemes, social assistance schemes, other schemes is set out in the table below.
The costs are on a full year basis and are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2024. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
It should also be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults where relevant.
|
Payment |
Personal |
Qualified Adult |
Total |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
||
|
Social Insurance Schemes |
||||
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
€ 25.44 |
€ 2.49 |
€ 27.93 |
|
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension |
Under 66yrs |
€ 1.48 |
€ 1.48 |
|
|
Over 66Yrs |
€ 4.81 |
€ 4.81 |
||
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
Under 66yrs |
€ 0.08 |
€ 0.08 |
|
|
Over 66Yrs |
€ 0.14 |
€ 0.14 |
||
|
Invalidity Pension |
€ 2.84 |
€ 0.17 |
€ 3.01 |
|
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
€ 0.12 |
€ 0.00 |
€ 0.12 |
|
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
€ 0.06 |
€ 0.06 |
||
|
Death Benefit Pension |
€ 0.02 |
€ 0.02 |
||
|
Disablement Pension |
€ 0.24 |
€ 0.24 |
||
|
Illness Benefit |
€ 2.72 |
€ 0.09 |
€ 2.82 |
|
|
Injury Benefit |
€ 0.03 |
€ 0.00 |
€ 0.03 |
|
|
Incapacity Supplement |
€ 0.04 |
€ 0.00 |
€ 0.05 |
|
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
€ 1.83 |
€ 0.07 |
€ 1.90 |
|
|
Jobseeker's Benefit (Self Employed) |
€ 0.03 |
€ 0.00 |
€ 0.04 |
|
|
Carer's Benefit |
€ 0.20 |
€ - |
€ 0.20 |
|
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
€ 0.00 |
€ - |
€ 0.00 |
|
|
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit |
€ 0.99 |
€ - |
€ 0.99 |
|
|
Paternity & Parent's Benefit |
€ 0.35 |
€ - |
€ 0.35 |
|
|
Social Assistance Schemes |
||||
|
State Pension (Non Con) |
€ 5.11 |
€ 0.11 |
€ 5.22 |
|
|
Blind Person's Pension |
€ 0.05 |
€ 0.00 |
€ 0.06 |
|
|
Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension |
€ 0.06 |
€ 0.06 |
||
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
€ 0.00 |
€ 0.00 |
||
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
€ 2.33 |
€ 2.33 |
||
|
Carer's Allowance |
Under 66yrs |
€ 2.55 |
€ - |
€ 2.55 |
|
66yrs or Over |
€ 0.10 |
€ - |
€ 0.10 |
|
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance |
Under 66yrs |
€ 0.70 |
€ 0.70 |
|
|
66yrs or Over |
€ 0.43 |
€ 0.43 |
||
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
€ 0.03 |
€ 0.03 |
||
|
Jobseeker's Allowance Max Rate |
€ 6.90 |
€ 0.82 |
€ 7.73 |
|
|
JA age 18 to 24 |
€ 0.76 |
€ 0.01 |
€ 0.77 |
|
|
Disability Allowance |
€ 8.32 |
€ 0.56 |
€ 8.88 |
|
|
Farm Assist |
€ 0.20 |
€ 0.06 |
€ 0.26 |
|
|
Employment Support Schemes (BTWA & BTEA) |
€ 0.26 |
€ 0.05 |
€ 0.31 |
|
|
Employment/Internship Schemes (CE, Tús, RSS etc.) |
€ 1.41 |
€ 0.20 |
€ 1.61 |
|
|
Work Placement Experience Programme |
€ 0.02 |
€ 0.01 |
€ 0.03 |
|
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
€ 0.63 |
€ 0.06 |
€ 0.69 |
|
|
TOTAL |
€71.28 |
€4.72 |
€75.99 |
* Rounding may affect totals.
|
Changes to other Schemes/Payments |
Total €m |
|
€1 change in the monthly rate of Child Benefit |
€14.78 |
|
€1 change in the rate of Fuel Allowance |
€12.48 |
|
Change to the duration of the Fuel Allowance - cost of an additional week |
€14.71 |
|
€1 change in the rate of Qualified Child Increase - age under 12 |
€12.01 |
|
€1 change in the rate of Qualified Child Increase - age 12 and over |
€4.46 |
|
€1 change in the rate of Living Alone Allowance (for everyone) - Pensioners only Other schemes (Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension |
€12.28 €10.47 €2.26 |
156. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the current young jobseeker’s rate of €129.70 by €1 per week. [15917/24]
View answerAge-related reduced rates apply to jobseekers aged 18 to 24 years and were introduced to prevent long-term welfare dependency by encouraging participation in training and employment programmes.
Budget 2024 increased the maximum personal rate for a young adult to €141.70 per week from January 2024.
There were 11,079 jobseekers on age related reduced rates in March 2024.
The estimated full-year cost of increasing the current reduced jobseeker’s rate by €1 per week is approximately €576,000, based on the current number of recipients.
We have record levels of employment in Ireland at present. My priority is supporting and improving the capacity of people to take up employment, education and training opportunities to help them enhance their employment prospects over time, as well as their ability to earn an adequate income to support themselves and their families into the future. If a young jobseeker participates in education or training, they receive the full rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance of €232 rather than the reduced rate. If they participate on the Work Placement Experience Programme, their weekly rate increases to €335.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
157. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of introducing a child benefit double payment. [15918/24]
View answerThe estimated full-year cost of introducing a child benefit double payment is €177.4 million.
It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
158. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending child benefit to 18-year-olds still in secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15919/24]
View answerIn Budget 2024, the Government decided to extend the payment of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds who are in full-time education or have a disability. This was one of my key priorities in the Budget.
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. It requires technical and operational changes before implementation. We had originally provided that the change would take effect from September this year. However, I am very pleased that we are now able to bring this important change in from an earlier date and I have secured Government approval to do that. As a result, the measure will be brought in from May. In the region of 60,000 children are expected to benefit from this measure annually. The estimated full-year cost of extending Child Benefit to 18-year-olds still in secondary school is €43.2 million.
I trust this clarifies the position.
159. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer of the JobPath scheme. [15920/24]
View answerReferrals to the JobPath service ceased in June 2022 and the service is now in a run-off phase. The estimated full-year cost in 2024 is €3m.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
160. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of including the working family payment as a qualifying payment for fuel allowance. [15921/24]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The Fuel Allowance is paid to social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income.
The estimated cost of including the Working Family Payment as a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance is €22 million. This is based on 24,000 additional households qualifying for Fuel Allowance at a weekly rate of €33 and a 28-week fuel season.
Any further widening of the qualifying criteria for accessing the fuel allowance scheme can only be considered while taking account of the overall policy and budgetary situation.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
161. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the annual carer’s support grant by €1. [15922/24]
View answerThe estimated full year cost of increasing the Carers Support Grant by €1 from €1,850 annually to €1,851 is €0.2m.
It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2024.
162. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the qualified child increase by €1 for children under the age of 12 years and €1 for children over the age of 12 years, respectively. [15923/24]
View answerThe estimated full year cost of increasing the Increase for Qualified Child by €1 for children under 12 years of age is €11.8m.
The estimated full year cost of increasing the Increase for a Qualified Child by €1 for children aged 12 and over is €4.4m.
It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
163. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending carer’s benefit to the self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15924/24]
View answerMy Department has made significant improvements to self-employed people's access to social insurance schemes in recent years, including extending access to invalidity pension, jobseeker's benefit and treatment benefit to the self-employed.
These improvements are part of the Government’s stated aim of creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurship, including providing an income safety net to employees and the self-employed alike.
Self-employed workers who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. This provides them with access to the following benefits: State pension (contributory), widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension (contributory), guardian’s payment (contributory), jobseeker's benefit for the self employed, invalidity pension, maternity benefit, adoptive benefit, paternity benefit, parent's benefit, and treatment benefit.
This compares favourably with employees who, in general, are liable to the Class A rate of 4%. In addition their employers are liable to PRSI at the rate of 8.8% on weekly earnings up to and including €441 or at the rate of 11.05% where weekly earnings exceed €441. Accordingly, the combined rate of PRSI rate paid in respect of Class A employees is 12.8% or 15.05%, depending on the level of weekly earnings. These Class A employees are entitled to the full range of social insurance benefits.
The estimated full year cost in 2024 of extending Carer's benefit to those who are self employed is €7.1 million. This costing is sourced from the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund 2020.
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.
164. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of individuals who have contacted the community welfare office on account of the fact that they could not receive the mortgage interest tax credit due to having insufficient income and income tax credits; the number of such individuals that have received a payment as a result; the total value of such payments made as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15938/24]
View answerIn Budget 2024, the Government announced a new temporary mortgage interest tax credit (MITC). This MITC applies to the 2023 tax year only.
The vast majority of people who are eligible should be in a position to avail of the credit through the tax system and should engage with Revenue on this matter. However, it is estimated that there may be a small number of people who are not liable for tax but who meet the scheme eligibility criteria. People not eligible for the budget 2024 MITC through Revenue may register with my Department by sending an e-mail to cwsmitc@welfare.ie.
To date, my Department has received just three queries in relation to the new temporary MITC. Additional information has been requested in each of these cases in order to process their applications.
If the Deputy has a specific example of somebody who is not liable for tax but who he feels is eligible for the MITC, I would ask him to please bring the person's details to my Department's attention.
