Written Answers Nos. 71-82
71. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to make adjustments to the home-maker's scheme; when these changes are planned to come into force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14308/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe homemaker’s scheme was introduced in 1994 to make qualification for State pension contributory (SPC) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age, or incapacitated people, to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being calculated for pension purposes. The effect of this is to reduce the number of years by which the person’s contributions are divided, thereby increasing their yearly average, making it easier for them to qualify for a maximum rate SPC. However, it is important to note that the homemaker’s scheme will not, of itself, qualify a person for a SPC. The standard qualifying conditions for the SPC must also be satisfied. These require a person to enter insurable employment at least ten years before pension age, pay a minimum of 520 contributions at the correct rate (credited contributions do not satisfy this condition) and achieve a yearly average of at least 10 contributions paid or credited on their record.
The Government has no plans to backdate this scheme prior to 1994 as it was previously estimated it may cost approximately €160 million annually to backdate to 1953. In any event, under the current rules, the costs of the scheme are expected to increase in the coming years due to the increase in female employment rates since 1994. Consequently, any decision to change the scheme would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of budget negotiations.
Work has commenced on replacing the current averaging approach used to assess entitlement to the SPC, with a total contributions approach. As part of this work, the position of those who spent a number of years out of the labour force on home-caring duties will be carefully considered, particularly in the context of ensuring equality of outcomes for women and men. It is expected that this approach to pension qualification will replace the current average contributions test for State pension (contributory) from 2020, although that date is subject to change, as it is a very significant reform with considerable legal, administrative and technical challenges to be overcome in its implementation. It is intended that changes would be announced well in advance of their introduction, to allow workers factor this into their retirement planning.
72. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if there are grants available from her Department for home heating solid fuel stoves or ranges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14329/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department provides assistance towards heating costs through the National Fuel Allowance Scheme each year. In 2014 this was paid to over 408,000 eligible households at a cost of approx. €218 million.
The Department does not have a grant scheme that provides for the purchase of solid fuel stoves or ranges.
73. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of postmasters in rural post offices regarding letters being sent from her Department to pensioners promoting ways of collecting pension payments, including through banks, other than collection at their local post office; and if she will meet the Irish Postmasters' Union to discuss those concerns. [14336/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the concerns that have been raised over the past few weeks in relation to the letters that issued from my Department. These concerns have been the subject of much discussion in the Dáil and the Seanad. In addition the Department is currently responding to various representations on the issue.
The letters, which were issued to a small number of customers in receipt of State Pension Contributory and Non-Contributory, were a trial to determine the best means of communicating with people about their payment options. Customer engagement was entirely voluntary with no negative consequences for customers who chose not to respond or engage. Customers can ignore the letter and continue to be paid in the manner they are currently receiving their payment if they so wish. All existing payment options remain in place as heretofore.
Increasing the scale by which State payments are delivered directly into a client account is a key objective of a number of Government policies. These include the National Payments Plan, the Department’s Payment Strategy, the Public Sector Reform Plan, the e-Government Strategy and other government policies. These policies support improved customer service, reflect consumer trends and preferences and can deliver administrative savings.
The Government has consistently stated its commitment to maintaining the post office network as set out in the Programme for Government. It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focussed network of post offices in the community. The Department’s support for An Post is equally apparent. We anticipate this year that we will pay over €50m to An Post under a contract for the cash payment services to welfare customers.
I appreciate the concerns that have been raised. I have previously met with the Irish Postmasters Union and arrangements can be made if they wish to meet with officials from the Department.
74. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will approve and expedite an appeal under the carer's allowance scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14345/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 12th March 2015, 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.
75. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the way persons who are signing on for credits can access a community employment scheme; and her plans to address this matter. [14362/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons signing for credits only (i.e. not in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment) are ineligible for Community Employment. There are no plans to change this.
Unemployed persons not in receipt of payments may, however, be eligible to avail of other up-skilling opportunities, for example, through ETB training for unemployed people. At present, there are 1,009 upcoming day courses and 552 upcoming evening courses. Although not eligible to receive a training allowance while undertaking the course, they may receive some support for expenses on travel, meals and accommodation.
In addition, persons who sign for credits for three months (78 days) of the last six months are eligible to participate in the JobBridge programme.
Persons signing on for credits for 12 months or longer over the previous 18 months are eligible to participate on Momentum courses through SOLAS, provided that they have been actively seeking work.
Persons signing for credits for six months or more are entitled to participate on ETB-run VTOS courses subject to availability. In the case of VTOS courses, participants do not receive a training allowance but may receive travel and lunch allowances.
Springboard and Skillnets courses for unemployed people, funded through the Department of Education and Skills, are also open to people regardless of their social welfare status.
Many other services are also available to people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment. For example employment services, such as advice on job-search activities and the use of online job search tools, are available to people if they register with the Department’s employment services offices regardless of their social welfare status.
The Government is committed to supporting as many people as possible to participate more fully in employment and to become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address barriers they may encounter in finding and sustaining employment.
76. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the way in which the water conservation grant will be paid to residents; and if it will be paid in one payment or in instalments. [14363/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA water conservation grant of €100 will be paid, beginning in September 2015, to households that have registered with Irish Water by 30 June 2015. The Department of Social Protection will pay the grant on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
A website, www.watergrant.ie, has been established to provide information on the application process. This website will be used from the end of August to facilitate on-line applications for the water conservation grant. Additionally, customers will be able to apply for the grant by telephone.
The water conservation grant will issue as a single payment and will be paid to the occupier who registers with Irish Water in respect of a principal private residence.
77. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase the age limit for receipt of child benefit beyond 17 years to include dependent children still in full-time education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14379/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild benefit is a monthly universal payment made to families with children, which assists all parents with the cost associated with raising children. Child benefit is paid to around 616,000 families in respect of some 1.17 million children, with an estimated expenditure of around €1.9 billion in 2014. Child benefit as a “universal” payment is paid in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children up to their 18th birthday who are in full-time education or who have a disability.
Budget 2009 provided for the reduction of the age for which child benefit is paid from under 19 years of age to under 18 years of age. A value for money review of child income supports, published by the Department of Social Protection in 2010, found that the participation pattern of children in education supports the 18 year age limit for child benefit.
For families on low incomes there are a number of provisions to social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
- qualified child increases (QCIs) with primary social welfare payments
- family income supplement (FIS) for low-paid employees with children
- The back to school clothing and footwear allowance for low income families.
The Government is conscious that child benefit is an important source of income for families. Budget 2015 increased child benefit by €5, from €130 to €135 per month or €60 per annum.
However, I have no plans to make any changes to the age threshold for child benefit.
78. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in view of her Department's initiatives to transfer funds electronically directly into personal accounts for persons in receipt of social welfare payments and contributions, the way it is intended to structure this payment process, considering the Government's commitment to post offices nationally; if it is intended that such payments will continue to be processed through the post office network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14431/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSuccessive Governments and this one most notably, have consistently stated its commitment to maintaining the post office network as set out in the Programme for Government. It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focused network of post offices in the community. The Department’s support for An Post is equally apparent. We anticipate this year that we will pay over €50m to An Post under a contract for the cash payment services to welfare customers. This contract, which may be extended up to end December 2019, is very substantial in terms of its reach, value and impact.
Increasing the scale by which State payments are delivered directly into a client account is a key objective of a number of Government policies. These include the National Payments Plan, the Department’s Payment Strategy, the Public Sector Reform Plan, the e-Government Strategy and other government policies. These policies support improved customer service, reflect consumer trends and preferences and can deliver administrative savings.
The Department intends to continue to offer many clients the choice of being paid in cash at the post office, directly into an account in a financial institution or by cheque in some instances. It is not proposed to limit the freedom of such clients to be paid directly into a financial institution if they so choose.
Undeniably, this creates a challenge for the current business model of An Post. But this is not the only challenge. Competition in over the counter cash services, changes in technology and customer retail preferences all contribute to that challenge for An Post services.
I understand the post office network stands well positioned to be a front office provider of choice for Government and the financial services sector. These services will be in both electronic transactions as well as the more traditional over the counter transactions. In this context, I am aware of the plans towards the development and roll out of a new transaction account for customers. I look forward to An Post making this available in the not too distant future as an alternative banking opportunity for this Department’s customers and many others.
79. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the weekly means of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be re-examined as the person claims the incorrect figures are being used and differ from those in the P45 and P60 submitted; and if that person's overall claim will be reviewed as the reduction in benefit is causing them hardship. [14435/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned together with the relevant Departmental papers were received by that office on 23 March 2015 and that 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
81. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if changes to the assessment process for carer's allowance will be reversed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14443/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of section 4 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions Bill), 2015 is to clarify that eligibility for the carer’s benefit (CB), carer’s allowance (CA) and respite care grant (RCG) schemes is determined by a deciding officer on the basis of all of the information, including medical, available to him or her in relation to that claim.
The information considered by a deciding officer includes all of the relevant medical evidence – including that provided by a GP or consultant - that has been submitted by the claimant in support of the claim, as well as, where appropriate, any opinion provided by a medical assessor of the Department and any information provided by the carer in relation to the care provided to the recipient of care.
The new provisions essentially reflect the reality of how CB, CA and RCG claims have been decided since their inception. No change is being introduced in relation to who decides claims for any of these payments - decisions will continue to be made by deciding officers – and I am satisfied that the changes will not have an adverse impact on waiting times for decisions in relation to the schemes.
