Written Answers Nos. 1-13
11. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the length of time that an applicant for a carer's allowance and-or a carer's benefit must currently wait for receipt of a payment; the reasons for this delay; the measures she will take to shorten this time in view of the hardship caused by the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33040/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarers receive significant income supports from the Department - among the highest rates of income support in Europe. The income disregard and means test for carers is the most generous within the social welfare system. Furthermore, the respite care grant is paid to carers with no requirement to satisfy a means test.
A total of €822 million is provided for carers payments in 2015. Carers Allowance is the main income support. Since 2004 the number of people in receipt of carer’s allowance has increased from over 23,000, to just over 58,000 at the end of August this year - an increase in excess of 150%.
The average time taken to award a new carer’s allowance application is currently 17 weeks and for carer’s benefit it is 10 weeks. Processing times for these schemes have risen somewhat recently. The main driver of this increase is the significant surge in new carer’s allowance applications - an increase of 18% in 2014 over 2013 and a further increase of 6% in 2015 over the same period in 2014.
Additional resources to ensure that this average time is reduced over the remainder of 2015 have now been deployed. In addition, applicants are encouraged to complete the application form fully and attach all the supporting documentation in order to minimise processing times generally,
I can assure the Deputy that the department is committed to ensuring that claims are processed as expeditiously as possible and each scheme area is continuously monitored and reviewed to ensure customers are responded to as quickly as possible.
12. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the current number of recipients of rent supplement; the number receiving uplifts in their rent supplement; her plans to increase rent supplement levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33017/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 65,000 people at a cost of €298 million in 2015.
Over 13,700 rent supplement tenancies have been awarded this year, of which almost 4,300 are in Dublin, showing that landlords are accommodating significant numbers under the scheme.
A review of the rent limits undertaken earlier this year found that the impact of increasing limits at a time of constrained supply will increase costs disproportionately for the Exchequer with little or no new housing available to recipients.
Rather than increasing limits at this time rent supplement policy will continue to allow for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of current limits. Flexibility is provided under the National Framework for Tenancy Sustainment for both existing customers of the scheme and new applicants. Under this measure tenant’s circumstances are considered on a case-by-case basis, and rents are being increased above prescribed limits as appropriate. This flexible approach has already assisted approximately 4,000 households throughout the country to retain their rented accommodation. In addition, the Department, in conjunction with Threshold, operates a special Protocol in the Dublin and Cork areas where supply issues are particularly acute, with plans to extend this arrangement to Galway City.
I can assure the Deputy that where Departmental staff are notified of a threat of tenancy loss these measures are implemented as appropriate. Persons in receipt of rent supplement at risk of losing their tenancy are advised to contact the Department’s Community Welfare Service or Threshold’s Tenancy Protection Service without delay.
13. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that the free travel pass is protected in Budget 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33022/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Additionally, customers aged 66 years and over can travel for free on journeys within Northern Ireland. There are currently approximately 836,000 customers with direct eligibility for Free Travel with an annual allocation of €77 million. When companion and spousal passes are taken into account, over 1.3 million people benefit.
It should be noted that the cap on the scheme which was imposed by the previous Government in 2010 was removed in the last year, and I’m glad to say that this has allowed new routes to be admitted to the scheme.
The Government, in its statement of priorities for the period 2014 to 2016, is committed to the full retention of the Free Travel Scheme. This commitment recognises the importance of the pass to pensioners, people with disabilities and carers. Since its introduction in the 1960s, it has been highly valued as it allows beneficiaries to participate and remain active in the community.
I have stated on a number of occasions that I believe that this is a very good scheme which should remain in place, and I am committed to its retention.
The Government will finalise its consideration of the Budget in the coming weeks and the outcome of this process will be announced on Budget Day.
