Written Answers Nos. 822-841
822. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason it has been deemed that a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is being over-accommodated with respect to their rent supplement payment; if she will review the decision to cease their rent supplement payment on 30 November 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38713/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded rent supplement from the 20th August 2011 on the basis of S.I. No. 412 of 2007, Part 6 Article 38 of which states that a designated person may award a supplement in any case where it appears that the circumstances of the case so warrant. A thorough review is currently being undertaken on his claim. The Department will be in touch with the client this week in relation to outstanding information required.
823. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding pension entitlements under proposed new rules (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38735/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is an important context to the proposed changes to State pension provision. Given the scale of the fiscal crisis and because spending on social protection accounts for nearly 40% of current Government expenditure, you will appreciate that savings have to be found in the social welfare system.
As social structures in Ireland are changing rapidly, the structures of our social support need to change to accommodate this and the changes to State pension have been made in the context of changing demographics and the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives.
In addition to the budgetary imperative, there is an important long-term policy context for the proposed changes to State pension, which includes gradually increasing the State pension age to 68 years and introducing changes to the pension rate bands for customers who reach pension age on and from September 2012. There are currently six people of working age for every pensioner and this ratio is expected to decrease to approximately two to one by 2050.
Therefore, the task of financing increasing pensions will fall to a diminishing share of the population.
This has obvious and significant implications in relation to the future costs of State pension provision. The period for which an average pension will be paid will be greater than the period for which a pension is paid at present. The standardisation of State pension age to age 66 is one of the measures planned which aims to increase the sustainability of the Irish pension system.
It is important in assessing any rates of payment, that we focus on the real impact of social welfare payments. In this regard, it should be noted that older people do not experience the levels of poverty that existed in the past. This can be clearly seen in a wide range of data such as the significant reduction in the ‘risk of poverty’ rate from 27.1% in 2004 to 9.6% in 2010. The consistent poverty rate over the same period also declined from 3.9% to 0.9%. If one examines deprivation rates from a gender perspective, it can be seen that in 2009, the deprivation rate of older men at 7.6% was lower than the deprivation rate of older women at 11.1%. However, in 2010 this pattern has reversed and the data now shows us that older women suffer lower rates of deprivation at 6.9% compared to 11.8% for older men.
The State pension is a very valuable benefit. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives.
Recent changes to State pension supports the direct link between contributions made and the rate of pension received which underpins State pension policy. By aligning the rate of pension paid with the contribution made ensures that those who contribute more during a working life benefit more in retirement than those with lesser contributions. The sustainability of pensions into the future is also important given the changing demographics, the increased numbers of those over 65 and increased longevity and reduced dependency ratio.
In relation to women who leave the workplace for homemaking/caring purposes, they can, if eligible, avail of the homemakers scheme which helps to provide a higher rate of pension for those who meet the qualifying conditions.
It should be noted that women who do not qualify for a pension or are affected by the rate band change may, if their spouse is in receipt of a State pension contributory, receive a qualified adult payment at a higher rate where they satisfy a means test. A State pension non-contributory pension, which is a means tested payment, may also be payable. The Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund shows that those with short contribution histories have the potential to fare better than those with full contribution histories. This is particularly helpful to women. The Fund also provides better value to women than to men.
An information campaign in relation to all of the changes to State pension has been underway since March 2012 and all information can be accessed at www.welfare.ie. My Department met with the relevant representative groups and information leaflets were disseminated to all relevant groups as part of the information campaign.
824. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether it is fair and reasonable for carer's allowance applicants to wait over 12 months to have their claims processed; her views on whether it is fair and reasonable for applicants who have given up their job to care for someone on a full-time basis to have to wait over 12 months for payment; her plans to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38744/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is currently a significant backlog of claims awaiting decision in carer’s allowance. The Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer's allowance claims, currently an average of 28 weeks, is not satisfactory, but I am satisfied that the Department is taking appropriate action to resolve the situation.
Carer's allowance section has recently completed a major service delivery modernisation project to improve the efficiency with which it processes applications from clients for carer's allowance. The project involved the development of IT functionality and associated business process re-organisation. Full deployment of the new system for Carer’s Allowance was completed in June 2012.
Following the completion of the modernisation project, an in-depth business process improvement (BPI) project commenced for the carer’s allowance scheme. This project focused on optimising output and customer service and the reduction of backlogs. The outcome of the review is the division of work into two steams. One concentrates on dealing with new claim intake and processed these without delay and the other on the backlog which is ring-fenced with a clear targeted plan for its elimination. Implementation of the plan commenced on Monday 3 September and will be closely monitored and managed to ensure it achieves its outcome. However, it will take a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level. The allocation of available resourced to this task continues to be monitored.
825. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection if the 12 months a participant spends on a TÚS programme counts as eligibility for access to a community employment scheme for that person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38747/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra874. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any scheme or programme that would allow a person (details supplied) in County Wexford to continue working on a community project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39250/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 825 and 874 together.
As the criteria for community employment are currently framed, time spent on Tús or similar schemes does not count towards the qualifying period for eligibility. Discussions are underway in the context of the review of these and other schemes to identify the changes needed to eligibility criteria to ensure progression to the labour market or to further training and development following an assessment and referral process.
826. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in determining the outcome of an appeal in respect of a disability allowance claimant (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38748/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11th January 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 4th July 2012 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
827. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal in respect of invalidity pension will be determined in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38752/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 3rd September 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
828. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10; if she will expedite this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38765/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
829. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38767/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question. The medical assessment has been completed. The application is currently with a social welfare investigative officer for a means assessment. Once the investigative officer has finalised and submitted the report a deciding officer will make a full decision. The application will be processed as quickly as possible and when a decision is made the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
830. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38772/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question. The medical assessment has been completed. The application is currently with a social welfare investigative officer for a means assessment. Once the investigative officer has completed and submitted the report a deciding officer will make a full decision. The application will be processed as quickly as possible and when a decision is made the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
832. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current level of payment of disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38782/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of disability allowance at the maximum personal weekly rate of €188.00 plus a fuel allowance of €20.00 which is paid during the free fuel season.
833. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current entitlement to back to school allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38786/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has not made an application for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance to date. The scheme remains open until the 30th of September 2012 and an application was posted to him today. The person concerned should complete the form and return it to PO Box 131 before the 30th of September 2012.
834. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the rent supplement payment of €790 for Leixlip, County Kildare, is correct in view of the increased competition within the rental market in north Kildare; her views on whether such a level of rent supplement is realistic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38792/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently over 90,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided €436 million for 2012.
The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market. Analysis shows that for Kildare, there are properties available within the maximum rent limits for rent supplement recipients. The maximum rent limit for a couple or one parent family, with three children in County Kildare is €790.
Latest figures show that there are currently 4,341 rent supplement recipients in County Kildare. When compared with Census 2011 household data this shows that 36% of properties rented from private landlords are in receipt of rent supplement in County Kildare.
The number of rental properties available in North Kildare is somewhat lower than the numbers available in the rest of the county. It must be stressed, however, that the purpose of the rent limit review was to ensure availability of accommodation for rent supplement tenancies and not to provide rent supplement tenants with access to all housing in all areas.
Department officials dealing with rent supplement tenants will continue to ensure that their accommodation needs are met; there will be no incidence of homelessness due to these changes.
The Department will continue to monitor rent levels throughout the country but at this point I have no plans to revise the existing rent limits.
835. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has been informed by her Department that their landlord must reduce their rent again from €800 to €725; her views on whether this rate is correct in view of the increased competition within the rental market in north Kildare; her further views on whether this level of rent supplement is realistic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38811/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe maximum rent limit for a one parent family, with two children in County Kildare is €725. Analysis shows that for Kildare, there are properties available within the maximum rent limits for rent supplement recipients. A review of this case is being undertaken and the person concerned will be informed of the outcome once the review is completed.
836. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the relationship between the rent allowance section of her Department and local authority housing departments; the new procedures that have been put in place in relation to the assessment of housing applicants seeking rent supplement from her Department; her views on whether the systems in place are adequate to enable fast and efficient processing of genuine applications for rent allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38813/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently over 90,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided €436 million for 2012.
At the time of application for a rent supplement, the claimant must: have been residing in private rented accommodation (where at the commencement of the tenancy the person could have reasonably afforded the rent and has experienced a substantial change in his or her circumstances where they are now unable to pay the rent) or accommodation for homeless persons or in an institution (or any combination of these) for a period of 183 days within the preceding 12 months of the date of claim for rent supplement, or have an assessment of housing need carried out within the 12 months preceding the date of claim and have been deemed to be eligible for and in need of social housing support.
In all other cases, a person who wishes to apply for rent supplement will be referred, in the first instance, for an assessment of eligibility for social housing support by a housing authority. Only when the person has been assessed as being eligible for and in need of social housing support, does the person become eligible for consideration for rent supplement. There has been no recent change to these eligibility criteria.
The timescale for determining applications is dependent, among other things, on the availability of the required information, such as details of the applicant's income, bank statements etc. In addition, some aspects of the application are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where investigations such as home visits or third party evidence are required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.
The provision of a prompt service is a major objective for the Department’s staff dealing with applications for rent supplement. However, this is tempered by the necessity to ensure that every case is fully investigated and that all cases are dealt with in a consistent and fair manner. I am satisfied that the Department’s staff dealing with rent supplement applications make every effort to ensure claims are processed in an efficient manner.
837. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an appeal for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38822/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27th August 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 11th September 2012 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
838. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick can be now processed without any delay. [38824/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15th March 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 3rd July 2012 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
839. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify an anomaly which has shown up on the system where a farmer has retired under the EU Commission early farm retirement scheme at the age of 55 years and was advised that participation in the scheme would cover any PRSI contributions necessary to allow them to qualify for the full contributory pension at age 66 years, but it has now transpired that there was no PRSI paid even though the pension was taxable and they now do not qualify for a full contributory pension; if she will investigate same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38833/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder social welfare legislation, certain payments received by way of pension are excluded from income on which PRSI is charged. As payments received under the Early Retirement Scheme are regarded as payments received by way of pension, they are not subject to PRSI.
The operation of the Early Retirement Scheme is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
840. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of her policy review of the domiciliary care allowance scheme; the membership of this review group; the terms of reference of the review; the number of times the review group has met; when the review group is next scheduled to meet; the way interested parties can make submissions to the review group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38847/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review of the operation of the domiciliary care allowance scheme, announced to the house in May 2012, has commenced and is progressing according to plan.
The membership of the group under the chair, Ms. Sylda Langford, is comprised of representatives from the Department of Social Protection, other relevant Departments/public bodies, an expert with relevant experience in the area and four parent/advocacy group representatives.
The group has met on two occasions to date with the next meeting due to be held in October.
An advertisement, inviting submissions from interested parties, was published in the national press on the 20th August. In addition every recipient of DCA was written to and advised of the scheme review and afforded the opportunity to contribute to the work of the group by making a submission on any relevant issues. The closing date for receipt of submissions is 28th September.
The terms of reference for the group are as follows:
1. Examine and report on the policy objectives and legal provisions underpinning the DCA scheme;
2. Review the current administrative, medical assessment and appeals processes underpinning the scheme, including an examination of the duration of review periods for the scheme based on the medical condition of the children involved and taking account of other priority demands on the medical resources of the Department;
3. Review the Medical Guidelines and the Report of Expert Medical Group having regard to the 3 years operational experience since they were introduced;
4. Liaise with the Advisory Group on Tax and Welfare in the context of their review of DA/DCA issues and incorporate any relevant findings into the administrative arrangements for the DCA scheme;
5. In light of the foregoing, consider whether any legislative changes are required in relation to the scheme and whether the current administrative, medical assessment and appeals processes need further refinement to meet the overall policy objectives of the scheme; and
6. Make recommendations to the Minister for Social Protection by end December 2012 on the basis of these findings.
841. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when invalidity pension will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she will facilitate an oral hearing in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38866/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.
This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of her claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that the person concerned is not eligible for invalidity pension as she does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was disallowed by a deciding officer. The person in question was notified of this decision and the reason for it.
Further medical evidence was subsequently submitted by the claimant. This additional evidence, along with the original information, was evaluated by a different medical assessor who also expressed the opinion that the person concerned does not satisfy the medical criteria. Accordingly, the deciding officer has confirmed the original decision and the claimant has been notified of the outcome.
The person concerned has been advised of her right to appeal the decision. Should she wish to do so, she has been advised that she should appeal in writing to the Social Welfare Appeals Office as soon as possible, clearly stating the grounds for her appeal.
