Written Answers Nos. 268-289
268. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline step-by-step the investigation process that is undertaken by her Department when a concerned Irish citizen reports a person they are concerned is committing benefit fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26644/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department receives reports of possible fraud from members of the public in relation to the operation of its schemes. All anonymous or confidential reports are examined and, where the information is relevant, they are referred to scheme areas or Inspectors for follow-up action. While it is important to note that a payment is not suspended or stopped on the basis of an anonymous report, it may “trigger” a review of a customer’s entitlement. Depending on the circumstances of the case, a Social Welfare Inspector may deem it appropriate to carry out a full review of the circumstances and means of the customer. S/he will then submit their report to a Deciding Officer for decision regarding the individual’s on-going entitlement to the social welfare payment.
Anonymous reports are not available to Deciding Officers when they are making their decisions on cases. The Deciding Officer’s decision must be based on the full facts and circumstances of the case and, as a result, statistics are not available on the number of anonymous reports that result in a decision to reduce or terminate an entitlement.
It should be borne in mind that while there is often a perception of fraud in individual cases, when a case is examined the individual may be doing something that is allowed under the rules of the particular payment that they receiving e.g. it is legitimate for someone to be working and receiving a One Parent Family Payment, provided their earnings are within the limits and the Department is aware of the situation.
269. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to review the ongoing age reduction changes pertaining to the one parent family payment in view of the severe hardship it is imposing on those affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26663/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of recipients of the One Parent family Payment (OFP) stood at 77,400 in April, 2014. The cost of the OFP scheme was €935 million in 2013 and is estimated to be €863 million in 2014. Both the OFP maximum personal rate for the parent (€188 per week) and the increase for each additional qualified child (€29.80) remain untouched since 2011. An OFP recipient can also earn up to an average of €425 per week and still receive the OFP payment.
The OFP scheme has played an important role in providing income support to lone parents since its introduction in 1997. However, in the past, this income support was passive in nature, with little systematic engagement being made by the State with recipients. This engendered long-term social welfare dependency and associated poverty among one-parent families. Despite significant levels of State spending on OFP the results have been poor in terms of tackling poverty and social exclusion rates among lone parent families who continue to experience higher rates of ‘consistent poverty’ in comparison to the population generally.
The reforms to the OFP scheme that were introduced in Budgets 2011, 2012, and 2013, aim to address these issues. They aim to provide the necessary supports to lone parents to help them to escape inter-generational poverty and joblessness, to participate in education and training, to develop their skills set and by entering the workforce to attain financial independence for both themselves and their families. The reforms to the OFP scheme also aim to bring Ireland’s support for lone parents in line with international provisions – where there is a general movement away from long-term and passive income support.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2012, introduced changes to the OFP scheme, including the phased reduction of the maximum age limit of the youngest child at which a recipient’s payment ceases to 7 years from 2014 for new entrants and from 2015 for existing recipients. Transitional arrangements will apply during the period between 2013 and 2015, depending on the date that a recipient first claimed the OFP payment. By 2015, the maximum age limit of the youngest child will be 7 years for all OFP recipients. Special Provisions exist for customers who are in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) and, also, for those who are recently bereaved. These savers can extend payment of the OFP beyond the maximum age limit threshold for these customers.
As an additional support for previous OFP recipients with young children, the JA transitional arrangement was introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2013. This caters for OFP recipients who lose their entitlement to the OFP payment from 4 July, 2013, onwards, who have a youngest child aged under 14 years, and who are entitled to the JA payment. These customers are exempt from the JA conditions that require them to be available for, and genuinely seeking, full-time work, and also, from having to prove unemployment. They can work part-time without restrictions and still receive the JA transitional payment – subject to the jobseeker’s allowance means test.
OFP recipients affected by the age reform are supported by the Department to transition to other social welfare income support payments as appropriate. These include the family income supplement (FIS), the carer’s allowance (CA) payment, the jobseeker’s allowance (JA) payment and the JA transitional arrangement. The Department engages with these customers well in advance of their payment ending to support them through this change and to ensure that they continue to receive social welfare income support as appropriate.
OFP customers leaving the scheme, who are also in receipt of Family Income Supplement, will be moved to an increased Family Income Supplement payment. OFP customers leaving the scheme, who are also in receipt of a half rate Carer’s Allowance payment, will be moved to a full-rate Carer’s Allowance payment. The majority of customers who do not fall into this category can apply for the JA payment or the JA transitional arrangement. Applications for these income support payments are expedited for these customers.
Previous OFP recipients who avail of a jobseeker’s payment, including the JA transitional arrangement, are required to engage with the Department’s activation service where they are provided with access to a range of educational and employment supports to increase their skills and move them into the labour market. As such, lone parents are now obliged to engage in education, training, and employment programmes in order to retain their social welfare income support payment. This is a significant reform for lone parents as it is the first time that this cohort have access to the Department’s full activation process and services to assist them to make their way towards employment and financial independence. Lone parents who do not engage in the activation process will be subjected to the same penalty rates and disallowances as every other jobseeker. There are no plans to review these reforms to the OFP scheme.
270. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26675/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 26 May 2014, 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
271. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford who is in receipt of disability benefit receives €191 per week only and not the full amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26707/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rate of illness benefit payable, to the person concerned, is determined by the average weekly earnings in the governing contribution year as provided for and defined in Section 41 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 and Articles 26 and 27 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. 142 of 2007).
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 16 June 2014, 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
272. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons receiving disability allowance, illness benefit and invalidity pension this year, and every year since 1994, broken down by benefit category; the total number of persons in receipt of one or more of these allowances each year; and the total cost to the Exchequer for each of these years. [26734/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the tabular statement.
|
Year |
Disability Allowance |
Disability Allowance |
Invalidity Pension |
Invalidity Pension |
Illness Benefit |
Illness Benefit |
|
- |
Recipients |
Expenditure €000 |
Recipients |
Expenditure €000 |
Recipients |
Expenditure €000 |
|
1994 |
- |
- |
40,226 |
217,335 |
41,869 |
210,029 |
|
1995 |
- |
60,947 |
42,092 |
224,052 |
41,830 |
212,651 |
|
1996 |
37,054 |
157,533 |
43,046 |
241,034 |
42,460 |
212,596 |
|
1997 |
43,192 |
192,822 |
43,633 |
253,023 |
43,500 |
228,439 |
|
1998 |
47,126 |
219,550 |
44,925 |
264,259 |
43,766 |
241,437 |
|
1999 |
50,431 |
245,160 |
46,946 |
279,576 |
45,535 |
262,702 |
|
2000 |
54,303 |
279,176 |
48,663 |
311,511 |
46,940 |
280,828 |
|
2001 |
57,655 |
332,308 |
50,615 |
354,459 |
50,715 |
329,897 |
|
2002 |
62,783 |
407,585 |
52,147 |
403,617 |
54,590 |
385,297 |
|
2003 |
67,720 |
463,608 |
53,414 |
440,263 |
57,464 |
433,455 |
|
2004 |
72,976 |
544,489 |
55,864 |
487,375 |
58,726 |
479,611 |
|
2005 |
79,253 |
630,728 |
58,352 |
548,285 |
61,845 |
540,245 |
|
2006 |
83,697 |
738,431 |
51,954 |
602,414 |
65,774 |
627,642 |
|
2007 |
89,048 |
901,131 |
53,956 |
618,133 |
70,404 |
755,077 |
|
2008 |
95,754 |
1,052,660 |
53,725 |
685,717 |
73,609 |
852,305 |
|
2009 |
99,576 |
1,142,769 |
52,922 |
681,642 |
77,665 |
919,783 |
|
2010 |
101,111 |
1,109,505 |
50,766 |
639,994 |
81,253 |
942,571 |
|
2011 |
102,866 |
1,089,178 |
49,792 |
606,502 |
73,397 |
875,549 |
|
2012 |
101,784 |
1,087,513 |
50,053 |
604,024 |
64,429 |
773,959 |
|
2013 |
106,279 |
1,140,916 |
53,196 |
707,769 |
58,990 |
648,938 |
|
May 2014* |
108,274 |
498,161 |
53,342 |
281,735 |
58,468 |
259,019 |
Disability Allowance, formally Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance, was administered by the Health Boards up to October, 1996 and statistics for this period are not available.
* Expenditure for the year to date in 2014 is estimated
273. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures contained in the OECD review of the Irish pension system she intends to implement in the short, medium and long term; her plans to look at the age of retiring to take account of greater life expectancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26744/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OECD Review of Pensions in Ireland, which was published last year, provides an international perspective on Ireland’s retirement-income provision. Whilst endorsing pension policy reforms undertaken to date, the report also makes a number of recommendations for future reform in the key parameters of Irish State, occupational and private pension schemes and outlines options for more profound structural reforms of the retirement income system. In considering these alternatives, the OECD highlighted that it should be kept in mind that each of the national schemes and reforms discussed in the review was adopted in a specific national economic, social and political setting and that there is no blueprint for future reform which Ireland could take off-the-shelf and implement directly. As was expressed by the OECD, any solution has to fit the Irish situation.
A key recommendation made by the OECD is to improve the adequacy and sustainability of pensions by increasing coverage in the supplementary part of the pensions system through a universal mandatory or quasi-mandatory employment-based pension system and/or through improving existing financial incentives. This recommendation is in line with the Programme for Government commitment to reform Ireland’s pension system to progressively achieve universal coverage, with particular focus on lower-paid workers.
The fundamental policy rationale in this area is to ensure that those who do not currently have a supplementary pension are assisted and encouraged towards having one. As I have previously stated, a soft-mandatory approach such as that envisaged by an auto-enrolment scheme, using scale to achieve greater cost efficiencies for the member, has been proven a successful and proactive way in which we can increase supplementary pension coverage. However, it is recognised that introduction of any such initiative would be best supported by a more favourable economic environment than is currently the case.
With respect to OECD recommendations about Defined Benefit schemes, legislation has recently been introduced to provide for minimum guarantees for scheme members in the case of double insolvencies. This legislation removes the absolute priority order for pensioners and facilitates a greater degree of risk sharing across all members of DB schemes.
In relation to the State pension, reforms will continue with the current PRSI system and, as highlighted by the OECD, to strengthen the link between social insurance contributions and benefits received. In this regard, a number of significant reforms have already been introduced and further reforms are scheduled for the years ahead.
Firstly, from September 2012, new rate bands for State pension were introduced. These additional payment rate bands more accurately reflect the social insurance history of a person and ensure that those who contribute more during a working life benefit more in retirement than those with lesser contributions.
Secondly, with effect from April 2012, the number of paid contributions required to qualify for a State pension increased from 260 paid contributions to 520 paid contributions.
Thirdly, it is planned to introduce a “total contributions approach” to determine eligibility for a State pension. The level of pension paid will be directly proportionate to the number of social insurance contributions made by a person over his or her working life. The proposed date for the introduction of a move to a total contributions approach is 2020, but this may be subject to change.
Finally, recent reforms to the pension system include a gradual increase in State pension age to 68 years and the abolition of the State pension (transition). In January 2014, State pension age was standardised at age 66 with the cessation of State pension transition. The State pension age will increase to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 years in 2028. These reforms were introduced in the context of changing demographics and the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives.
In relation to the issue of retirement age, I would like to clarify that there is no statutory compulsory retirement age for employees in Ireland. The setting of retirement age is a matter for agreement within the employer/employee relationship and the contract of employment. Arising from changing demographics, policy reform will continue to support longer working lives and to focus on the need to provide for sustainable and adequate pensions.
274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when a decision will issue in respect of an appeal for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26768/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence including that adduced at the oral hearing, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
276. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of participants aged 18 to 25 years on the momentum programme in receipt of €160 per week; and the number of participants aged 18 to 25 years on the momentum programme in receipt of a weekly payment of more than €160 a week. [26792/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe numbers of participants on Momentum at the end May 2014, aged 18-25 years and in receipt of a rate of payment up to and including €160 per week, and greater than €160 per week are set out in the table.
|
- |
- |
Weekly Rate |
Weekly Rate |
|
- |
- |
<€160 |
>€160 |
|
Full time |
195 |
132 |
63 |
|
Part time |
76 |
38 |
38 |
|
Total |
271 |
170 |
101 |
279. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that two members of staff who are redeployed from FÁS to her Department and are carrying out all of the higher grade duties whilst on secondment to LES Limerick on a continuous basis for 16 years have not received the acting up allowance of €16,135 since January 2012; that they have been informed that this allowance will not be paid until they sign their transfer contracts, however, this allowance is not reckonable for superannuation purposes even though they now pay full pension contributions due on their full salary for the past 16 years; her plans to regularise this situation and if not, the recourse the employees have to ensure regularisation of their situation whilst retaining their rights as civil servants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26828/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of 771 FÁS staff, including the two individuals who are the subject of the Deputy’s question were transferred to my Department on 1 January 2012 on foot of a Government decision. In accordance with the terms of the Public Service Agreement 2010 to 2014 these staff were transferred in their substantive grade on no less favourable terms and conditions in relation to pay and pension.
The two staff in question were transferred to my Department in their substantive FÁS grade i.e. Clerical Officer. Prior to their transfer they were on secondment from FÁS to a local partnership company for which they received a non-pensionable allowance in accordance with the rules governing secondment. My Department have been advised by Solas, (formerly FÁS) that as the allowance is non pensionable in accordance with the rules of the FÁS Superannuation Scheme, no pension contributions were ever deducted from the allowance. However, the allowance is subject to the Public Service Pension Related Deduction (Pension Levy) which is deductible from gross remuneration for all staff.
In 2012, following their transfer to DSP, the two staff members involved were advised that their secondment arrangements would continue as long as the Partnership Company require their services and that the appropriate allowance could only be paid on receipt of the required signed transfer contract that applied to all staff transferring from FÁS. However, both officers have to date declined to do this. The allowance will be back dated once the transfer contract is signed and confirmation that the higher duties were carried out throughout the period.
281. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Intreo office will open at Bishops Square, Dublin 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26833/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the grant of planning permission from Dublin City Council work is expected to commence on site in Bishops Square in July 2014 with a completion date anticipated in October 2014 and the full integrated service fully operational before the end of 2014.
282. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare payments cashed through Donaghmede post office, Dublin 13, in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26841/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe volume of social welfare payments cashed through Donaghmede PO, Dublin 13, for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 are set out in the table.
|
Period |
Volume of transactions |
|
1 Jan to 31 Dec 2011 |
114,412 |
|
1 Jan to 31 Dec 2012 |
112,800 |
|
1 Jan to 31 Dec 2013 |
112,149 |
283. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal is being subject to harassment that goes beyond appropriate and acceptable behaviour by a social welfare inspector; if she can provide any evidence that this person is not fully compliant with the terms and conditions of their claim for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26871/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is currently in receipt of a basic weekly payment under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme and has been asked by an Inspector of the Department to provide specific information in order to confirm his ongoing entitlement to this payment. The Department of Social Protection is committed to providing a professional, efficient and courteous service to all customers, providing and delivering the highest quality of service in accordance with the guiding principles of Quality Customer Service which have been adopted across the public service and endorsed by Government. It is important that the person concerned engages with the Social Welfare Inspector to ensure that there is no disruption to his payments.
285. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that have been temporarily accommodated by its new communities unit, Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 in 2013; the locations of the accommodation used; the nationality of those accommodated; and the average length of time that persons have been accommodated for. [26904/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of 2,756 customers were accommodated on a temporary basis by the New Communities Unit over the twelve months, January to December 2013. This is an average of approximately 53 per week. The accommodation provided to the customers was located in Dublin postal districts 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 14, 24, and in County Dublin. The nationalities of those accommodated include Polish, Romanian, Moldovan, Lithuanian, Latvian, Nigerian, Bulgarian, South African, Somalian, Mauritian and American. The average length of stay per booking is 12 weeks.
286. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a review of carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; if she will expedite the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26929/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 31st May 2013. The application was refused by a deciding officer on the grounds that the care recipient was not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in Regulations. He was notified of this decision on the 18th July 2013, the reasons for it and of his right of review or appeal. The person in question appealed this decision and submitted further medical evidence on the 26th of August 2013 and the 26th of March 2014. The decision of the deciding officer remains unchanged however. This file is currently being prepared for submission to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The Social Welfare Appeals Office will be in touch with the person directly regarding the progress of the appeal.
288. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the recently released live register figures, May 2014, include or exclude persons who are involved in social welfare work placement schemes (details supplied); and if not included if she will provide exact figures of persons participating in the schemes. [26948/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total live register at the end of May stood at 388,764, which includes people working part time and signing for unemployed days (Jobseeker’s Allowance Casuals and Jobseeker’s Benefit Casuals). Also included in the live register are people signing on for Credits but not receiving any money (Jobseeker’s Benefit Credits only) and Springboard participants, who are in part-time education.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of people who are exluded from the Live Register but engaged on CE schemes, TUS schemes, JobBridge, BTWEA Self-employed, BTEA back to education, VTOS and Partial Capacity Benefit, where available, is detailed in the tabular statement for the end of April 2014.
|
Scheme (Source: Central Statistics Office) |
Participants |
|
Community employment (excluding supervisors) |
22,961 |
|
TUS |
7,419 |
|
JobBridge |
6,750 |
|
Back to work enterprise allowance scheme - self employed |
10,406 |
|
Back to education allowance (BTEA) |
23,335 |
|
Total |
70,871 |
|
Scheme (Source: Department of Social Protection) |
Recipients |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
1,284 |
VTOS: VTOS participants are estimated at 5,000 each year.
289. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether it is fair and equitable that a person (details supplied) should be at a financial disadvantage on reaching their 66th birthday and being transferred from disability allowance to the State pension non-contributory due to different regulations regarding the assessment of means; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26959/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial welfare legislation provides that where a person was in receipt of certain payments including disability allowance immediately before becoming entitled to the state pension non-contributory, the weekly rate of pension payable shall be the greater of an amount equal to the rate of disability payment which was payable in accordance with the disability allowance rules immediately before pension age or the amount of State pension (non-contributory) calculated in accordance with the rules for that scheme. The case of the individual referred to by the Deputy is currently being re-examined and the Department will be in contact with her shortly in this regard. My officials will advise the Deputy of the outcome of this process.
