Written Answers Nos. 842-861
842. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a rent allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38867/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt appears from the information collected to date that the person concerned does not meet the qualifying criteria set out in the statutory regulations in relation to Rent Supplement. Some further additional information is being sought at this time.
843. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal on an application for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38880/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 13 July 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. When received, 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.
844. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a children's allowance payment has not been paid to a person (details attached) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38893/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild benefit is payable in respect of children who are ordinarily resident in the State. In the case of the person concerned payment of child benefit was suspended from September 2012 as a result of a report from the Garda National Immigration Bureau stating that the family was out of the State. In order to establish the on going entitlement to child benefit, documentary evidence is required in relation to the period spent out of the State. Correspondence issued on 04/09/2012 requesting the customer to furnish confirmation of the dates the family was absent from the State. A reminder letter will issue today. When this documentation is received, the child benefit claim will be reviewed and the person concerned will be notified accordingly.
845. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when one-parent family payment will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38903/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe records of the Department show that no current application for a one parent family payment has been submitted by the person concerned.
846. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when jobseeker's allowance will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38904/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 7th 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 have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer in due course 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.
847. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount of money spent on printing costs by her Department for explanatory materials leaflets and so on setting out changes to social welfare benefits since December 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38911/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not rely solely on printed material to communicate information about social welfare schemes or changes to schemes. All relevant information is published on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie and updated regularly. During 2012 specific information campaigns were undertaken to inform customers of changes to State pension (contributory), State pension (transition), widow(er)’s and surviving civil partner’s contributory pension, national fuel scheme, back to school clothing and footwear allowance and jobseeker’s benefit. These campaigns involved briefings for customer representative groups and the publication of Frequently Asked Questions, drafted in consultation with the representative groups. This information was also made available through the Citizens Information Board website and Twitter.
The Information Leaflets listed have been printed to date in 2012.
|
Booklet No. |
Booklet Name |
Cost (incl. VAT) |
|
SW19 |
Rates of Payment 2012 |
€36,770.85 |
|
SW132 |
Partial Capacity Benefit |
€395.00 |
|
SW22 Total Cost of above (incl. VAT) : |
Family Income Supplement |
€4,621.00 €41,786.85 |
In addition, two “mailshots” to customers were carried out in relation to One-Parent Family Payment. These mailshots related in part to changes in social welfare payments but also covered other purposes:
|
Mailshots |
Cost (incl. VAT) |
|
One-Parent Family Payment (February 2012) |
€15,186.15 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment (July/August 2012) |
€20,515.17 |
|
Total Cost of these 2 mailshots (incl. VAT) : |
€35,701.32 |
Finally, the following forms were printed either due to social welfare changes or were due for reprint in the normal course of events and also included budget changes:
|
Form Name |
Type of Payment |
Cost (incl. VAT) |
|
Farm 12 Budget 2012 |
Farm Assist |
€317.71 (Budget related) |
|
OFP (IS) 16 |
One-Parent Family Payment |
€258.30 (Due for periodic reprint) |
|
OFP (IS) 3 |
One-Parent Family Payment |
€258.30 (Due for periodic reprint) |
|
UP2 |
Jobseeker’s Payments |
Jobseeker’s Payments |
|
Total Cost of these 5 forms (incl. VAT): |
€4,129.48 |
In summary, (inclusive of VAT) the Total Cost of all three categories above, relating fully or partly to changes in social welfare schemes amounts to: €81,617.65.
848. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the information campaign undertaken by her to inform persons affected by changes to the State contributory pension scheme that came into effect in April 2012; her future plans for an information campaign; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38913/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 6 April 2012, the minimum social insurance contributions required to qualify for a State pension (contributory/transition) increased from 260 contributions to 520 contributions. This change had been provided for in legislation since 1997 and has featured in all of my Department’s relevant communications, information leaflets, booklets and on the Department’s website since then. Officials of my Department held meetings in January with the customer groups representing older people to outline the changes to State pension (contributory/transition) that were being introduced this year including the increase in the minimum contribution requirement. Feedback was sought from these groups and included in an information pack that was prepared to further publicise the changes to the scheme.
The finalised information pack was published in early March on the Department’s website, www.welfare.ie and on twitter and was made available through the Citizens Information Board website www.citizensinformation.ie. It was widely circulated to customer representative groups including those representing older people, working age groups, farming groups, trade unions, employer groups, accountancy bodies etc. It was also forwarded to all members of the Oireachtas. Presentations on the introduction of these changes were also made at the Department’s regular briefings with customer representative groups and to members of the public over the course of the year.
I am satisfied that information on the introduction of the changes has been disseminated extensively. The relevant customer representative groups were consulted at an early stage, the information pack was circulated widely, including to members of the Oireachtas, and it is available on the websites of my Department and the Citizens Information Board.
849. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons affected by the changes to the State contributory pension scheme that came into effect on 6 April 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38914/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of minimum paid contributions are required to qualify for a State pension (contributory). The change introducing an increase in the minimum number of paid contributions was provided for in legislation in 1997. The first part of this measure, which increased the minimum qualifying contributions for State pension contributory from 156 to 260, was implemented by a previous government in 2002. The second part, increasing the minimum number of qualifying contributions from 260 to 520 was introduced in April 2012. Those affected from April 2012 amount to an estimated 1,200 people per annum, who will not now qualify for a State pension (contributory), but may have an entitlement to a means-tested State pension (non-contributory).
These changes reflect the comprehensive coverage of the social insurance system and take into consideration the fact that 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. This ensures that those who contribute more during a working life benefit more in retirement than those with lesser contributions. This has been the policy of successive governments since the relevant legislation was first enacted in 1997. 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. There are currently six people of working age for every pensioner and this ratio is expected to decrease to less than two to one by 2050. Therefore, the task of financing increasing pensions will fall to a diminishing share of the population.
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.
850. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated savings from the changes to the State contributory pension scheme that came into effect on 6 April 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38915/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraBecause the State pension is a very valuable benefit it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. The sustainability of pensions into the future is important given the changing demographics, the increased numbers of those over 65 and increased longevity and reduced dependency ratio. That is why there have been a number of changes to State pension including the long heralded move to 520 paid contributions from April 2012 as one of the qualifying conditions for State pension. In terms of savings, based on the current levels of new claims, the savings are expected to be in the region of €6m per annum. This reflects the change in the qualifying rules with a requirement to have a minimum of 520 (ten years) paid contributions. The means tested State pension (non- contributory) will be available for those with an income need.
851. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address concerns among women affected by changes to the State contributory pension that came into effect on 6 April 2012. [38916/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe sustainability of pensions into the future is important given the changing demographics, the increased numbers of those over 65 and increased longevity and reduced dependency ratio. Because the State pension is a very valuable benefit it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. That is why there have been a number of changes to State Pension, including the move to 520 paid contributions from April 2012 as one of the qualifying conditions for State pension. People who leave the workplace for homemaking/caring purposes 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 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. Women who do not qualify for a pension or are affected by other changes to State pension 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, which is a means tested payment, may also be payable.
The Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund shows that, notwithstanding the changes in the contribution rules and associated rates of payment introduced in September 2012, those with lower earnings and those with short contribution histories can fare better than those with full contribution histories, which is of particular importance to women. The report also shows that the Fund provides better value to female than to male contributors.
852. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount estimated to be spent on mortgage interest supplement in 2013. [38931/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Estimates of Expenditure for 2013 for the Department of Social Protection, including the estimate for the mortgage interest supplement scheme, are currently under preparation and will be published at Budget time next December.
853. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38932/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of rent supplement of €283.00 per month which is currently under review. The person concerned has been requested to provide information in order to facilitate the review.
854. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal of an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38945/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officers decision. 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.
855. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding rent in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [38969/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of Rent Supplement from April 2010. During a recent entitlement review details of earnings from part time employment came to light. This income will not disqualify the person concerned from Rent Supplement but will lead to a change in entitlement. This review is still on going as other information requested is still outstanding.
856. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [38970/12]
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 and the application is awaiting examination by a deciding officer for a means assessment and 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.
857. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is on course to target benefit fraud to the value of €625 million in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38974/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a target of reviewing 985,000 individual welfare claims and achieving €645m in control savings in 2012, an increase of €105m on the 2011 target. At the end of July, over €400m in control savings were reported and over 650,000 reviews had been carried out. I fully expect that my Department will achieve the 2012 control targets. It is important to remember that control savings are an estimate of the value of the various control activities across the schemes in payment. They represent an estimate of the value of prevented expenditure from control activity over a future period. Control savings are not actual monies recovered by the Department but are a good indication of the increase in social welfare expenditure that would occur without these activities taking place. These activities also have a deterrent or knock-on effect, which are not readily quantifiable in monetary terms. Control savings are used as a performance indicator for year-on-year activities.
858. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding sick pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38975/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of compelling reasons why the Government is considering the introduction of a scheme of statutory sick pay at this time – firstly, as a measure to help in addressing the growing deficit in the social Insurance Fund; secondly, as a measure to limit progression from short-term illness to long-term illness or disability; and thirdly, to bring Ireland into line with practices in other countries in this area. However, I am acutely conscious of the pressures facing employers in the current economic climate, and in particular, the pressures facing smaller and medium-sized enterprises, including crèche owners.
I can assure the House that the range of complex issues that need to be addressed before any decision could be taken by Government on the possible introduction of such a scheme – the extent of coverage; the rate of payment; possible compensation mechanisms for employers where appropriate and how the scheme would be enforced and policed – will be discussed in the course of the wider process associated with the preparation of Budget 2013, and the views of stakeholder groups, including small- and medium-size business owners, will be taken into account in that process.
859. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to the costs of private child care when means testing children's benefit on income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38976/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild benefit is a universal payment that assists parents with the cost of raising children and it contributes towards alleviating child poverty. The estimated expenditure on child benefit for 2012 is around €2 billion in respect of some 1.15 million children. The Government is conscious that child benefit, as a universal payment, can be an important source of income for all families, especially during a time of recession and high unemployment. The social protection system also provides assistance to low income families with children through the payment of qualified child increases on primary social welfare payments and through the family income supplement payment. Both of these provide a level of assistance which is directly or indirectly linked with a household’s income situation.
I have no plans to implement means-testing of child benefit at this time. However, if the Government decided in principle to progress on these lines, there are many issues that would have to be addressed. These would include not only issues about what factors to take into account but also broader policy, legislative and administrative issues. These would include ensuring that systems are in place to ensure that households only claimed benefits to which they were entitled, as the scale of means testing approximately 600,000 families would be significantly greater than anything required by the current social protection system in terms of means tested payment.
Nonetheless, I am conscious that achieving a better design of the overall system of child income supports, including child benefit, raises complex issues about the effectiveness and efficiency of the full range of income supports currently provided to families and their children. In this context and in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare last year, which has been tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be improved and better poverty outcomes achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes. The Advisory Group prioritised the area of family and child income supports and has completed its work on this area. Their report is currently receiving my consideration and will assist the Government in setting out a pathway towards a more appropriate system of child income supports.
860. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [38979/12]
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.
861. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí cén uair a aontófar an dara scéim teanga leis an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta; agus cén chúis atá leis an moill ar a haontú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39044/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDréachtaíodh an dara scéim Ghaeilge do mo Roinnse sa bhliain 2010. Níorbh fhéidir, áfach, teacht ar réiteach ar an dara dréachtscéim toisc nárbh fhéidir gealltanas a thabhairt go ndéanfaí seirbhís Ghaeilge a thairiscint i ngach áit a bhí ar áireamh sa chéad scéim, cé go bhfuil an Roinn tiomanta do mhéadú a dhéanamh ar líon iomlán na n-áiteanna ina bhfuil seirbhís Ghaeilge ar fáil. B'amhlaidh a bhí toisc nach raibh baill foirne a raibh Gaeilge acu ar fáil níos mó sna hoifigí i dtrácht, toisc ardú céime nó aistriú a bheith faighte acu nó iad a bheith imithe ar scor.Tá srian ar an méid is féidir le mo Roinnse a dhéanamh chun an t-easnamh sin a leigheas de dheasca rialacha státseirbhíse i dtaca le fostaíocht, ath-imlonnú, aistrithe agus arduithe céime don fhoireann. Díríodh aird na Roinne Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe ar an bhfadhb agus tuigim go bhfuil siad ag breithniú na ceiste mar chuid de lucht saothair na státseirbhíse a phleanáil. Beidh toradh an bhreithnithe sin mar chuid de dhara scéim na Roinne. Rud eile a chur leis an mhoill ar thabhairt chun críche na dara scéime ná gur athraigh eagraíocht agus struchtúr na Roinne ar shlite bunúsacha nuair a aistríodh baill foirne agus seirbhísí ó eagraíochtaí éagsúla eile, lena n-áirítear Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte agus FÁS, go dtí an Roinn. B’éigean mórchuid oibre breise a dhéanamh ar an dara dréachtscéim dá bharr. Tá an obair sin fós ar siúl.
