Written Answers Nos. 182 - 199
183. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for a child dependant increase in jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when a decision will be made on this matter. [19966/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11th May 2015. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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.
184. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer of increasing the State pension by €5 a week. [19993/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer of increasing the living alone allowance by €2.50 a week. [19994/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer of fully restoring the Christmas bonus for recipients of the State pension. [19996/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra188. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer of extending the period covered by the fuel allowance scheme from 26 weeks to 32 weeks. [19997/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 184, 185, 187 and 188 together.
The cost of increasing the State Pension Contributory (SPC) by €5 per week is just over €92 million in a full year. This cost includes the cost of proportionate increases for qualified adults and proportionate increases for those on reduced rates of SPC. The cost of increasing the State Pension Non Contributory by €5 per week is almost €25.5 million in a full year.
A €2.50 weekly increase in the Living Alone Allowance in 2016 would cost almost €24 million in a full year.
Payment of a Christmas Bonus equivalent to 100% of existing entitlement levels to State Pension Contributory and State Pension Non Contributory recipients is €86 million and €20 million, respectively, a total of €106 million.
The cost of extending the duration of Fuel Allowance Scheme by 6 weeks, from 26 weeks to 32 weeks, is estimated at almost €45 million in a full year.
It should be noted that these costings are subject to some change over the coming months, in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2016.
186. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer of restoring the telephone allowance. [19995/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall concern of Government in its Budgets has been to protect the primary social welfare rates. Expenditure on pensions at approx. €6.675 billion is the largest block of expenditure in the Department in the Estimate for 2015, representing approx. 34.4% of overall expenditure. Because of demographic changes, the Department’s spending on older people is increasing year on year. The Department had to make provision for an additional €168 million this year for the increasing number of pensioners. Maintaining the rate of the State pension and other core payments is critical in protecting people from poverty.
The decision to discontinue the telephone allowance provided annual savings of €48 million and meant that the Department was able to retain the other valuable elements of the household benefits package such as the electricity and gas allowance and the television licence. The Department will spend approx. €237 million this year on these elements of the household benefits package for over 415,000 customers. I am keenly aware of the impact on the Department’s clients and particularly those who are living alone. In Budget 2015, I was able to increase the rate of the living alone allowance to €9.00 per week. The fuel allowance scheme and the free travel pass were also protected for older people and people with disabilities.
189. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19999/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 3 March 2015. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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.
190. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have received funding for hearing aids; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20008/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecords on the number of people who have received funding for hearing aids since the treatment benefit scheme commenced, over 40 years ago, are not available. However in 2014, 7,085 people received funding for hearing aids and a further 2,292 people have received funding in the current year to date.
191. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have received funding for hearing aids, and have listed blindness as an additional disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20009/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statistics requested are not available, such information is not requested from applicants as it is not relevant to the scheme. Entitlement to the hearing aid grant is based on a requirement for a hearing aid and having paid the required PRSI contributions.
192. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a deaf person does not receive a deaf pension similar to the pension received by a blind person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20061/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department provides a comprehensive range of income supports for people with disabilities.
More recently-introduced income supports for people with disabilities provide support based on need rather than on the nature of the disability and I have no plans to change that approach by introducing any new schemes or allowances, based on specific disabilities.
The blind person's pension (BPP) is a unique scheme in that it is the only social welfare payment which was introduced to cater for a specific disability. It was originally legislated for under the Blind Person's Act, 1920 and separate treatment of people who are blind reflected the perceptions around the nature of disability at that time.
193. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason persons who are deaf and blind do not receive an allowance similar to the blind and deaf allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20062/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department provides a comprehensive range of income supports for people with disabilities including blind pension.
The blind person's pension (BPP) is a unique scheme in that it is the only social welfare payment which was introduced to cater for a specific disability. It was originally legislated for under the Blind Person's Act, 1920 and separate treatment of people who are blind reflected the perceptions around the nature of disability at that time.
More recently-introduced income supports for people with disabilities provide support based on need rather than on the nature of the disability and I have no plans to change that approach by introducing any new schemes or allowances, based on specific disabilities.
194. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in view of the cuts made to the national network service in 2013 and 2014, a service which offered many persons with disabilities the opportunity to re-skill and receive extra payment for doing so, the options available to a person who is forced to be on the invalidity pension to gain extra income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20077/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile it is not clear to what "national network" service the Deputy is referring, the position is that a person in receipt of invalidity pension can apply for partial capacity benefit (PCB), which allows a person with a disability, who has a reduced capacity to work, to take up employment (or become self-employed) and continue to receive a social welfare income support payment.
To qualify for PCB, a person on invalidity pension must receive written approval to work from the Department but there is no restriction on a person’s earnings or on the number of hours he/she can work.
I introduced this scheme in 2012 to acknowledge the fact that some people on invalidity pension (and illness benefit) would have a residual capacity for employment and might wish to pursue options in this area, while still retaining a degree of social welfare income support.
195. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if information technology systems have been developed in her Department to allow for the recording and analysis of data on the nature of businesses supported under the back-to-work enterprise allowance scheme and the short-term enterprise allowance scheme, and to record business success and failure; and the principal scheme outcomes identified by her Department using this data. [20082/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department provides income support payments in the form of the back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) and the short term enterprise allowance (STEA) to those who satisfy specific qualifying criteria and are setting up a self-employed business. For BTWEA to be approved, the business venture must be developed with the support of – and be recommended by - one of the Local Development Companies. These companies operate under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. While the Department maintains data in respect of the payment of BTWEA, it does not hold detailed data in respect of the businesses being supported.
However, the Deputy should note that the Department has recently commenced a review of the BTWEA, including the business planning processes involved and the need for combined information systems covering payments and business data. It is expected that this work will be completed in late 2015.
196. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of Intreo case officers by area. [20083/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCase Officers employed by my Department, operating across 13 Divisions, deliver activation and case management services through the network of Departmental Intreo Centres. Case Officers generally work in teams dedicated to activating clients and supporting them in various ways in their efforts to regain employment. The team-based approach helps to maximise efficiency and effectiveness and to ensure that a streamlined service is provided to jobseeker clients.
The total number of DSP staff currently dedicated to providing activation and case management support services is 500 (Whole-Time Equivalents), not including clerical support. In addition there are 42 Case Officer vacancies across the Divisions at present. The number of Case Officers assigned to any given area is kept under review in the context of demand for services locally.
This number of Case Officers is subject to change over time as staff retire, are re-assigned, promoted etc. In common with all Government Departments, my Department must operate within an Employment Control Framework target, set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and within this activation and control functions are prioritised as resources allow.
The employment service provision of my Department is supplemented by the contracted Local Employment Service which provides vocational guidance, employment supports and mediation to jobseekers and others. In the region of 160 mediators are currently employed by 21 Local Development Companies and 1 Community Group as part of the contractual arrangements in place with my Department.
197. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently availing of each job activation programme; and the estimated expenditure on each for 2015. [20084/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of persons currently availing of each job activation programme under my remit and the estimated expenditure is detailed in the table.
Working Age Employment Support Recipients April 2015 and 2015 Expenditure Estimate
|
Scheme |
~Number of Recipients |
Expenditure €000 |
|
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors) |
24,394 |
373,300 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
2,523 |
45,000 |
|
TUS-Community Work Placement Initiative |
7,705 |
112,700 |
|
Job Initiative |
1,012 |
21,200 |
|
Back to Work Allowance Scheme-Employee |
0 |
|
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme-Self Employed |
11,490 |
123,300 |
|
National Internship Scheme – JobBridge |
5,231 |
77,210 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
23,268 |
146,600 |
|
Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme |
381 |
1,900 |
|
Gateway |
2,080 |
22,375 |
|
Jobplus |
4,670 |
25,500 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
1,475 |
11,500 |
|
Other Employment Supports* |
N/a |
63,545 |
|
Community Services Programme |
N/a |
45,000 |
|
Back to work Family Dividend |
Scheme not commenced |
22,000 |
|
Totals |
84,229 |
1,091,130 |
~ The number of recipients may differ from the statistics on job activation programme participants published on the Central Statistic Office’s website due to differences in the calculations based on timing and method utilised
* Includes expenditure on Assistance towards training for BTW participants, Technical Employment Support Grant (funded from National Training Fund), Credit Union loan guarantee scheme, Activation and Family Support Programme (AFSP), special payments to long term unemployed and lone parents, Drugs Task Force, European and Other Initiatives, Local Employment Service, Jobs Clubs, Wage Subsidy Scheme, EmployAbility Service and Disability Activation and Employment Supports
198. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for disallowing a claim for supplementary welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 who has a claim for jobseeker's allowance made in March 2015 pending, following that person's dismissal from employment after 15 years in employment. [20114/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe client, who holds an Immigration Stamp 1 until 5 June 2015 applied for Jobseeker’s Benefit on the 19th of March 2015 following dismissal from his employment a month earlier. His work permit enables him to remain in Ireland if he does not enter employment without his employer obtaining a permit and he may not remain later than the specified date.
On making his application, the client was advised to notify the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) that he had lost his job, to seek a review by them of his leave to remain in the State and to provide confirmation accordingly. Four separate attempts were made to contact the client by telephone, email and finally by post during March to remind the client of the need for this evidence to no avail, hence the Jobseeker’s claim was closed.
When the client re-presented in early May 2015, he was again advised of the necessity to contact the GNIB and that he could claim Supplementary Welfare Allowance in the interim. Advice from the Department of Justice and Equality has been that the client holds a work permit which will expire on 5th June 2015, but no further application has been received for leave to stay in the country.
Accordingly, a decision was made to award the claim up to the date the work permit expires. The claim was backdated to 18th February 2015, i.e. when he ceased working, but with an effective payday only from 23 April as he incurred a nine week disqualification period due to his dismissal from the employment. His first payment will be in the Post Office on Wednesday 27 May 2015.
199. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment of carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20136/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appeal of the person concerned against a refusal of carer’s allowance (CA) has been allowed and the application was awarded on the 20th May 2015. The first payment of CA is due to issue to the post office on the 28th May 2015. The arrears of allowance due from the 31st July 2014 to 20th May 2015 have also issued. The person in question was notified of these details on the 20th of May 2015.
