Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:66. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of raising the one-parent family payment income disregard to €120 in 2016. [25527/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne-Parent Family Payment Expenditure
Ceisteanna (66)
Freagraí scríofa
The estimated cost of increasing the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) income disregard to €120 in 2016 would be approximately €11.8 million.
This is based on earnings data for relevant OFP recipients in January 2015. It also takes account of the implementation of the final phase of the OFP age reforms on 2 July 2015 when the age of the youngest child for receipt of OFP will reduce to 7 years for all recipients thereby reducing the number of OFP recipients by approximately 30,000.
One-Parent Family Payment Expenditure
Ceisteanna (67)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:67. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2016 of raising the child cut-off age for the one-parent family payment to 12 years old. [25528/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information that the Deputy has requested is currently not available in the Department. Given the complex nature of the request, the Department will provide the information directly to the Deputy in due course.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Expenditure
Ceisteanna (68)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:68. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated additional cost in 2016 of reopening her Department's diet supplement scheme to new applicants from 1 January 2016. [25530/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Diet supplement, administered under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, is payable to some 4,500 qualifying persons, in receipt of the supplement prior to February 2014, who have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition.
During 2013, the Department commissioned the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) to update their previous research on the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets. Pricing for a selection of foods based on branded and own label foods was surveyed in a sample of retail outlets for each diet. The research showed that the average costs across all of the retail outlets of the diets supplemented under the scheme could be met from within one third of the minimum personal rate of social welfare payment, i.e. the SWA rate of €186 per week. The scheme was discontinued on the basis of this evidence.
The additional cost of re-opening the scheme to new applicants would be determined by the numbers that may qualify for the support, their income and dietary requirements. The average payment under the scheme is currently approximately €42 per month.
Any changes in social welfare supports generally would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
Farm Assist Scheme
Ceisteanna (69)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:69. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year additional cost under the farm assist scheme of reducing the assessment of means from self-employment, including farming, to 85% and reinstating the deductions from income in respect of children which were discontinued in April 2013. [25531/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The farm assist scheme was introduced in 1999 to replace 'Smallholders Unemployment Assistance' for low income farmers, without the requirement to be available for and genuinely seeking work. The 2015 Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure this year on the farm assist scheme of €88.7 million and it is expected that an average of 9,400 individuals will be in receipt of this payment each week.
Changes to the scheme in 2013 have brought it into closer alignment with the jobseeker's allowance scheme's treatment of self-employed persons.
In respect of the farm assist scheme, estimates at the time indicated that changing the rate assessment of means from self-employment, including farming, from 100% to 85%; and re- introducing deductions from income for children of €127 per year for each of the first two dependent children and €190.50 per year for each subsequent child; would be approximately €5 million in a full year.
Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
Ceisteanna (70)
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:70. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reassessing the access that unemployed persons whose spouses are working have to training courses or upskilling options; if she will consider changing the current regime in order that persons precluded from receiving social welfare payments because their spouses are working could access back-to-work aids such as access to training places or upskilling options; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25536/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The key objective of activation policy and labour market initiatives is to offer assistance to those most in need of support in securing work and achieving financial self-sufficiency.
This policy objective therefore prioritises scarce resources to those in receipt of qualifying welfare payments. Accordingly the employment services and schemes provided by the Department are focused in the first instance on this cohort of unemployed people.
However, many services are 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.
With specific reference to upskilling opportunities, unemployed persons not in receipt of payments are eligible to avail of such 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.
Additionally, an unemployed person who does not qualify for a social welfare payment due to the assessment of their means may be eligible to sign for social insurance contribution credits.
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 entitled to participate on Momentum courses through Solas, provided that they have been actively seeking work, although they will not receive any payment. 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.
The Pathways to Work 2015 strategy includes a commitment to develop and evaluate actions to extend services to people not on the Live Register and improve the promotion/communication of existing activation options. This will be considered in the light of the developing labour market and budgetary context.
In short, 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.
Social Welfare Application Forms
Ceisteanna (71)
Joe Carey
Ceist:71. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will withdraw the revised application forms issued by her Department and replace them with the previous issue of forms, where payment at the post office was the first option given and no recommendation was made on the application form as to the best payment option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25541/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In order to recognise the general societal trend to electronic payments the Department has been changing some of its application forms.
The amendments do not remove the option to be paid at the post office. This option remains on the forms. Therefore, customers are free to opt to receive their payment at the post office if they wish. I also want to emphasise that the department continuously reviews its forms to ensure that they are amenable and relevant to all customers. In order to ensure that the department's forms present payment options equally, I have asked the department to update them to ensure that a neutral wording in relation to payment options is provided and to also ensure that one payment option is not favoured over another.
Free Travel Scheme Review
Ceisteanna (72)
Anne Ferris
Ceist:72. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 289 and 290 of 1 April 2014, if the working group referred to in her reply has concluded its work yet; if there is a report available from the working group; if the working group considered whether bus passes will continue to be accepted on Dublin Bus routes 17, 17a, 18, 75, 76, 76a, 102, 104, 33a, 33b, 45a, 59, 63, 111, 114, 161, 184, 185, 220, 236, 238, 239 and 270, once they are put out for tender under a public service contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25550/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Free Travel Scheme permits customers to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, LUAS and a range of services offered by up to 90 private operators in various parts of the country. Free travel is also available on cross border journeys to and from Northern Ireland. Customers aged 66 years and over can travel for free on journeys within Northern Ireland. There are currently approximately 828,000 customers in receipt of free travel.
In 2012, along with the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I established an interdepartmental working group to review the free travel scheme. The purpose of the review was to examine and report on the current operation and future development of the free travel scheme. Owing to the range of policy changes implemented since its establishment, the scheme is now universally available to all persons permanently living in the State aged 66 and over as well as carers in receipt of carers allowance and certain others such as persons in receipt of disability allowance and invalidity pension. The interdepartmental group has concluded its work and I expect to see a copy of its review shortly.
While the privatisation of public transport services is a matter for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, it is my understanding that any tendering process will include a requirement for successful bidders to accept the free travel pass.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (73)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:73. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25560/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that the department received an application for carer's allowance from the person in question on the 11th June 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Disability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (74)
Pat Breen
Ceist:74. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a disability allowance application will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25563/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person in question has been awarded a disability allowance payment with effect from 4 March 2015. First payment will be on 8 July 2015 and any arrears due will follow shortly.
Social Welfare Appeals Status
Ceisteanna (75)
John McGuinness
Ceist:75. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for jobseeker's allowance or benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [25583/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 17th June 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.
Jobseeker's Allowance Payments
Ceisteanna (76)
Niall Collins
Ceist:76. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the file of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8, noting that this person is suffering hardship because of the rates the person is receiving; if these entitlements could be increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25586/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned has been receiving payments of jobseeker's allowance since June 2013. She is currently in receipt of the correct rate of payment for her age. The next increase she is due to receive will become applicable when she reaches 25 years of age. This is subject to any future budgetary changes that may occur in the rates of jobseeker's allowance.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (77)
John McGuinness
Ceist:77. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance currently under appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [25588/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 17th June 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.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (78)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:78. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for supplementary welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25592/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 9th June 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.