Written Answers Nos. 534 - 558
534. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13635/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a review of her claim the lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 19 January 2017. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 30 March 2017. Any arrears due from 19 January 2017 to 29 March 2017 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on the 15 March 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
535. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a domiciliary care allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13641/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received in respect of this child on 23rd January 2017. The application will be considered by a Deciding Officer and the decision notified to the applicant as soon as possible. It is currently taking up to 14 weeks from date of receipt to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
536. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) who has lodged an appeal against a decision not to grant them a disability allowance will have the appeal decided; the reason for the delay with the appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13646/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a successful review, the man has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 16 November 2016. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 5 April 2017.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
537. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an injury benefit application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13652/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraInjury Benefit is payable in respect of incapacity for work due to an accident arising out of and in the course of employment. For the purposes of the scheme an accident while on an unbroken journey between one’s normal place of residence and one’s place of employment is regarded as an accident at work.
Injury Benefit was claimed on the basis that the accident happened while travelling from work. However, on examination of the case, a Deciding Officer held that the accident did not come within the scope of the regulations governing the Injury Benefit scheme as the injury occurred neither at the place of employment nor on a journey to or from the place of employment. The claim was therefore disallowed. This decision was upheld by the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office, following an appeal by the customer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
538. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal had their partial capacity benefit reduced despite having supplied his Department with a signed declaration as evidence of their child dependant continuing in third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13664/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPartial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a scheme which allows a person, who may not have full capacity for work, return to employment and continue to receive a payment from my Department. Under the scheme increases are payable in respect of qualified children up to the age of eighteen.
These increases can be paid up to the age of twenty two where evidence is shown that the child is in full-time education. The person concerned is in receipt of PCB and has three children, two of whom are aged over eighteen.
Payment of a child dependant increase in respect of one child over eighteen was restored on 1 February 2017 when evidence of continuing attendance at a third level course was received by the Department. Arrears from 16 September 2016 to 25 January 2017 were paid at that time.
Another child reached eighteen years of age on 12 January 2017 and, following receipt of evidence that the child was still in full-time education, payment of the child dependant increase in respect of this child was restored on 14 March 2017 with arrears from 12 January 2017 to 8 March 2017 paid at that time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
539. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was refused disability allowance; if their case is open for further medical evidence to be submitted for consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13668/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis lady submitted an application for disability allowance on 8 September 2015.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 9 November 2015 and of her rights of review and appeal. No request for review or appeal was received.
If the person in question believes they may qualify, it is open to her to reapply by completing and submitting to the Department the relevant application form (DA1).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
541. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person registered with Turas Nua cannot take part in a community employment scheme which could lead to full-time employment; if so, the reason for this rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13742/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe activation supports and services which are available to those who are long-term unemployed include the JobPath employment activation service and work experience and training schemes such as Community Employment (CE) and TÚS.
The JobPath service procured by my Department provides additional resources to enable it to provide a high quality, case-managed employment support service for people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed.
The aim of the JobPath service is to assist participants in finding sustainable full-time paid employment by providing intensive individual support and assistance. It is distinct from the Community Employment scheme which provides part-time employment and training opportunities in local communities for people on a range of Social Welfare payments including long-term unemployment payments as a stepping stone back to employment. I should emphasise that Community Employment does not, nor is it intended to, provide full-time sustainable employment.
Jobseekers can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time; this is to ensure that the best use is made of the available places and to allow the scheme and service providers time to work with the participants. However, people who on the date of their referral to JobPath have a written offer with a start date within four weeks for CE will be facilitated to take up their placement.
The referral period for the JobPath service is typically for a year. At the end of the 52 weeks, Jobseekers who have not been successful in finding suitable employment may, subject to an assessment by an Intreo case officer, apply for other activation supports such as CE.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
542. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's benefit appeal by a person (details supplied); when the appeal was registered; the date the relevant departmental papers and the comments by or on behalf of the deciding officer were sought; the date they were received; when this appeal will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13745/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
543. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the first date when a person (details supplied) was allowed rent supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13748/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe client concerned was first awarded rent supplement on 8th April 1999 and remained in payment until May 2016.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
544. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13756/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness Benefit is payable in respect of incapacity for work due to illness.
The person concerned was in receipt of Illness Benefit from 24 November 2014 to 7 July 2015. It came to the Department’s attention that the qualifying conditions for receipt of the benefit were not satisfied for some of this period. An overpayment was therefore assessed and a letter informing the person of the position was issued on 9 July 2015. To effect recovery of the overpayment some deductions were made from a subsequent illness benefit claim which the person concerned had during the period from 28 December 2015 to 2 April 2016. Where overpayments occur it is departmental policy to seek recovery, where possible.
There is a disablement benefit claim currently in payment but no deductions have been made from this payment.
It has been decided to carry out a full review of this person’s case and, when completed, the person concerned will be notified of the position.
I trust that this explains the matter for the Deputy.
545. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if the figure he gave to Dáil Éireann on 7 March 2017, estimating the cost of reverting to the State pension rate bands that existed prior to the changes introduced in 2012 of approximately €60 million if introduced in January 2018, included the increase in the State pension rate in 2017; and, if not, if he will provide an updated figure. [13773/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy should note that it is very difficult to calculate the figure requested with accuracy. While it is relatively easy to estimate the potential increases in existing State Pension (contributory) payments, it is likely that there would also be costs arising from people who are currently on other payments (such as the State pension (non-contributory) or Increases for Qualified Adults) as a rate band change could see them qualify for a higher rate of contributory pension. The extent of that additional cost is not easy to ascertain as the people concerned may not have made a claim for a contributory pension, and their individual entitlements would not, in many cases, become clear until they made such a claim.
The reply given in the answer referenced by the Deputy stated "It is estimated that the cost of reverting to the rate-bands which existed between 2000 and 2012 would be over €60 million in 2018, if introduced from January 2018, and that this annual cost would rise at a rate of some €10 million each year."
I am informed that the calculations which arrived at this figure were done in advance of the Budget changes. However, if one were to apply the recent rate increases to this figure on a pro rata basis, it would increase the estimated cost to "over €61.3 million", and I believe it would be conventional to still refer to such an estimate as "over €60 million".
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
546. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans in place to centralise the operation of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service and the Citizens Information Service; the reason for this change; his views on concerns in relation to such a merger over fears that a number of offices will close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13779/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset it is important to note that the Citizens Information Board (CIB) assures me that there will be no job losses, no closure of services, no change to service delivery locations and no change to the terms and conditions of serving staff during the lifetime of the restructuring programme. Most importantly, there will be no disruption to CIS and MABS services for those who use them.
The Citizens Information Board (CIB), which has statutory responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and the Citizens Information Services (CIS), decided on 15th February 2017 to restructure the governance arrangements of these services. The decision comes after a lengthy and extensive analysis of options and a detailed consultation period with all stakeholders on the need for a more streamlined governance model. The decision was communicated by the Board to all CIS and MABS Boards and to all staff on 15th February 2017.
It is worth clarifying that the new governance arrangements are not aimed at centralising the services provided by CIS and MABS. The decision taken will simply reduce the number of individual local CIS and MABS company boards from ninety three (93) to sixteen (16). A new regional board structure will be put in place which will comprise eight (8) CIS boards and eight (8) MABS boards.
The restructured governance arrangements being implemented at local company board level only will bring the CIS and MABS organisations more into line with modern public service governance guidelines and requirements where significant State funding is involved. In 2017, CIB is set to receive State funding of €54 million, of which €15 million is allocated to CIS services (including €13.1 million to the 42 local Citizens Information Services, €1.2 million to Citizens Information Phone services and, the balance, €0.7 million to central and other supports), and €24.6 million is allocated to the network of MABS services (including €15.4 million to the 51 local MABS, €0.3m to National Traveller MABS, €2.0 million to MABS National Development Company, €3.3 million to the MABS Dedicated Mortgage Arrears initiative, €3.5 million to the Abhaile Scheme and the remainder €0.1m to MABS central supports).
A more streamlined governance structure will result in a more targeted use of valuable staff resources, redirected to increased front-line service delivery, made possible by reduction in the current significant administrative burden associated with maintaining ninety three (93) individual companies nationwide.
Following on from the decision of the Board, a Restructuring Implementation Group is being set up by CIB to examine all aspects of implementing the new sixteen (16) board model. This work will include examination of the establishment costs of the new structure and the potential for future savings derived from the reduction in the administrative burden associated with ninety three (93) individual local companies. Current costs are an aggregate of the costs incurred by each of the ninety three (93) local companies on items such as audit fees, professional fees (including legal services), payroll administration and board of director expenses. While cost is not the driver of the restructuring project, some efficiencies are likely to result from moving to a reduced sixteen (16) company model. The main aim of the project is to improve existing governance arrangements and optimise the benefits from operating a more modern, streamlined and customer focused service delivery model.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
547. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when the carer's allowance section of his Department will send a file to the appeals office for a person (details supplied) who is appealing a decision made on their carer's allowance application. [13783/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a result of an appeals officer’s decision, the person concerned was awarded carer’s allowance (CA) on 6 March 2017 for a 2nd care recipient. The first payment of CA at the higher rate of payment issued to her nominated post office on 16 March 2017.
Any arrears of allowance due from 26 May 2016 to 15 March 2017 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified on 6 March 2017 of these details.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
548. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will have a decision on a review of their carer's allowance. [13801/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of carer’s allowance (CA) at a reduced rate of payment since 10 December 2013.
As her financial circumstances have changed from 30 September 2016 her claim was due for review.
The review has been completed and she has been awarded an increased rate of payment of CA from 6 October 2016. The first increased payment will issue on 23 March 2017 and on a weekly basis thereafter. Arrears from 6 October 2016 to 22 March 2017 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified on 15 March 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. Please do not hesitate to contact Philip in my office if you need further assistance with this query.
549. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider granting an extension to a person (details supplied) participating in a community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13806/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware Section 3.1.1 Eligible Applicants of the CE Procedures Manual provides that "With effect from 3rd April 2000, lifetime participation on Community Employment by an individual will be limited to 3 cumulative years (156 weeks) for persons under 55 years of age."
The participant concerned is under 55 year of age and is therefore only eligible to a maximum total of three years on CE. The participant commenced on CE on 17 March 2014. She completed three years on the CE Scheme on 10 March 2017. Her participation cannot be extended beyond this date as she has exhausted her available time on CE, as permitted under the CE Procedures Manual.
A Case Officer from the Department has written to the participant to invite her to meet with the case officer to discuss future career options.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
550. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of reinstating the full payment of €193 for those aged under 26 in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, supplementary welfare allowance and the back to education allowance. [13844/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra560. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing family income supplement by 10%. [13855/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra562. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the living alone allowance by €10 per month. [13857/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra565. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing carer's allowance and carer's benefit by €3, €5 and €7. [13860/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra572. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing disability allowance by €5, €10 and €20. [14033/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra573. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the respite care grant by €100, €250 and €325. [14034/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra574. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending the fuel allowance payment by three weeks and by five weeks. [14035/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra577. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the blind pension payment by €2, €5 and €10. [14038/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 550, 560, 562, 565, 572 to 574, inclusive, and 577 together.
In Budget 2017, I was pleased to increase the rate of Back to Education Allowance for those on age-related reduced rates of payment to €193 per week. This change will come into effect from the academic year commencing in September. The cost of increasing the reduced weekly rates of €102.70 and €147.80, which are payable to recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance under 26 years of age, to the maximum rate of €193 per week is estimated at €117.4 million in a full year.
The cost of increasing Family Income Supplement by 10% is estimated at €42.2 million in a full year.
The cost of increasing the Living Alone Allowance by €10 per month (weekly equivalent of €2.31) is estimated at €23.6 million in a full year.
The full year cost of increasing Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit by €3, €5 and €7 per week is estimated at €8.5 million, €14.2 million and €19.9 million, respectively.
The full year cost of increasing Disability Allowance by €5, €10 and €20 per week is estimated at €35.1 million, €70.1 million and €140.3 million, respectively.
The full year cost of increasing the annual Carer’s Support Grant by €100, €250 and €325 is estimated at €9.9 million, €24.6 million and €32.0 million, respectively.
The estimated full year cost of extending the duration of the fuel season by three weeks and five weeks is €26.4 million and €44 million, respectively.
The full year cost of increasing Blind Pension by €2, €5 and €10 week is estimated at €0.14 million, €0.35 million and €0.71 million, respectively.
These costs include the cost of proportionate increases for qualified adults, and those on reduced rates of payment, where applicable. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2018.
551. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of exiting the JobPath contract early. [13845/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra552. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year financial implications of ceasing to direct jobseekers to JobPath. [13846/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 552 together.
The JobPath contract contains provision for early termination notwithstanding any dispute which may arise and which is covered elsewhere in the contract.
Written notice must be served on the contractor 6 months in advance of a termination.
The amount of compensation to be paid to the providers is stipulated in the contract, however, this information is commercially sensitive and to publish same would place the State at a disadvantage both in terms of the contracts now in place and any future procurement that may be undertaken.
The estimated budget for JobPath 2017 is €65m, the actual expenditure will depend on the number of referrals and the resulting number of clients who enter full employment, for which the contractor can claim a sustainment fee. This may represent a saving to the Exchequer but the saving will also be dependent on the cost of replacement services, as there is insufficient capacity immediately available to absorb the referrals that would have gone to JobPath.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
553. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of an increase in funding required by the local employment service to facilitate a referral increase of 5%. [13847/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has contracted for the provision of Local Employment Service (LES) in 26 locations with 22 different contractors via a network of offices and outreach clinics.
Funding for the provision of the LES is not based on referral numbers, rather it is based on the ratio of clients per Mediator and the number of one to one meetings they are required to offer to each client. This ratio has been revised in recent contracts and currently stands at 120 clients per Mediator. This approach is in line with best practice and OECD benchmarks, which indicate that smaller caseloads are the key to the provision of this type of intensive support and assistance for jobseekers, particularly the long-term unemployed.
Total funding for the LES has been maintained at €20m annually since 2013.
554. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of an additional 4,000, 5,000 and 10,000 community employment places. [13848/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) schemes provide part-time temporary work in local communities, including opportunities for training and development as a stepping-stone back to employment, for people in receipt of a range of social welfare payments.
These schemes help to break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market. My Department is also conscious of the valuable contribution the schemes are making in the provision of services to individuals and communities across Ireland. At the end of December 2016, there were 22,356 participants employed on CE schemes.
The estimated full-year cost of an additional 4,000, 5,000 and 10,000 CE places, based on 2016 overall cost figures, would be as follows:
|
Community Employment Places |
Full-year cost |
|
4,000 |
€63.2m |
|
5000 |
€79m |
|
10,000 |
€158m |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
555. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of an additional 500 rural social scheme places. [13849/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the rural social scheme (RSS) is to provide income support for farmers and fishermen. All participants must be actively engaged in farming or fishing. As the Deputy is aware, I have allocated an additional 500 places on the RSS, commencing in 2017. This is the first increase in places since 2006 and will expand the overall number of participants from 2,600 to 3,100. In allocating the additional places, the Government recognises the benefits the RSS provides for participants and their families, as well as the valuable contribution the scheme makes to the provision of services in communities across Ireland.
The full year cost of an additional 500 RSS places, based on 2016 overall cost figures, is estimated at €8.5m.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
556. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of restoring the back to school clothing and footwear allowance in full. [13850/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when children start school each autumn. The BSCFA is not intended to meet the full cost of school clothing and footwear but to provide assistance towards these costs. The Government has provided €37.4 million for the scheme in 2017.
End of year records show that under the 2016 BSCFA scheme, payments were made to over 154,000 families in respect of some 283,000 children, of whom 166,000 were aged 4-11 years and 117,000 were aged 12 years and older. The rate of payment was €100 in respect of children aged 4 to 11 and €200 for children over 12 years in second level education.
In 2011 rates of payment were €200 and €305. Using the number of children covered by the scheme in 2016 as a basis, the full-year additional cost to increase the BSCFA to the 2011 rates would be €28.9 million. Using the same basis, the additional cost to restore the 2012 payment rates, which were €150 and €250, would be approximately €14.2 million.
Changes to increase the rate of payment of any scheme administered by the Department would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
557. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of allowing lone parents in employment whose children are aged between seven and 14 to receive both the jobseeker's transition payment and family income supplement if they meet the qualifying criteria. [13851/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe jobseeker’s transitional payment (JST) is available to lone parents (both former one-parent family payment recipients and new lone parents), who have a youngest child aged 7 to 13 years, inclusive. These customers are exempt from the jobseeker’s allowance conditions that require them to be available for, and genuinely seeking, full-time work.
While it is a condition of the JST scheme that recipients must continue to parent alone, this is not a qualifying condition of the family income supplement (FIS) and so this information is not maintained for FIS recipients. From the data currently available on household composition within the FIS scheme, it is not possible to determine which FIS recipients, who are also lone parents, would satisfy the eligibility criteria to qualify for a JST payment. It is therefore not possible to provide an accurate costing of extending the payment of FIS to JST recipients.
Budget 2017 contained several measures which benefited JST recipients. These included the 85% Christmas Bonus, which was paid to JST recipients in early December and the increase in the weekly earnings disregard for JST recipients from €90 to €110. This increase came into effect in early January 2017. JST recipients also benefited from the €5 weekly increase in social welfare payments which took effect earlier this month.
558. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of making jobseeker's transitional payment and the SUSI grant payable to lone parents regardless of the age of the youngest child or whether the family is in receipt of rent supplement. [13852/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLone parents who wish to undertake a full-time third level education course can continue to receive income support from my Department irrespective of the age of the youngest child or whether or not they are in receipt of rent supplement.
For those lone parents in receipt of the Jobseeker’s Transitional payment, without rent supplement, they may have access to both the SUSI maintenance grant and the SUSI free fees grant.
For those lone parents who are in receipt of rent supplement and who wish to undertake a full-time course, they must transition to the Back to Education Allowance to continue receiving their income support from my Department. These lone parents may also be eligible for the SUSI free fees grant. However, they are not eligible for the SUSI maintenance grant in accordance with SUSI eligibility rules, which fall under the remit of the Department of Education and Skills.
Any changes to the rules of eligibility to the SUSI maintenance grant are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills. The estimated cost of paying the SUSI maintenance grant to a lone parent, irrespective of the age of the youngest child and whether or not they are in receipt of housing support, is therefore a matter for the Department of Education and Skills.
