Written Answers Nos. 1576-1595
1576. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36504/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis lady submitted an application for disability allowance on 30 March 2017.
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 12 July 2017 and of her rights of review and appeal. No appeal/review has been received to date.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1577. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36507/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that an application from the person concerned for disability allowance (DA) was received by my department on 12 April 2017.
The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. The SWI expects to interview this lady shortly. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1578. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36529/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm my department received notification that this gentleman had completed his course on 7 July 2017. Disability allowance payment was reinstated with effect from 19 July 2017. Notification of this decision issued on 7 July 2017.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1579. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an oral hearing for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36537/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that following an oral hearing of the case in question, the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted. The Appeals Officer has advised that a decision will be finalised this week.
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.
1580. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the latest profiles in value and outruns forecasted in her Department for the end of December 2017 and any variances that may arise based on her Department’s performance against profile in gross voted expenditure at the end of June 2017. [36573/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1602. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if there will be an underspend in her Department's current or capital budget for 2017; if so, the subheads that are now below profile and those that may come in below profile at the end of the calendar year; if underspends in her Department will be available to the central Exchequer at year end; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36752/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1580 and 1602 together.
Overall expenditure by my Department was €9,873 million at end of June 2017. This was €66.9 million or 0.7% below profile. Most of the underspend relates to jobseeker’s payments (€27.2m) due to better than expected labour market performance, Administration (18.2 m.) and €7.9m due to a delayed payment to a utility. The remainder of schemes, when taken together, have a small underspend which is marginal given the scale of overall expenditure on these schemes.
Looking at the projected outturn for the year, it is difficult to assess the full-year expenditure for the Department at this stage given that we are just half way through the year and, in particular, the demand led nature of most DSP schemes.
1581. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's benefit application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36582/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s benefit (CARB) from the person concerned on 24 May 2017.
The person concerned informed the Department in writing on 20 July 2017 that she no longer wished to proceed with her application and as a result her application has been withdrawn.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1582. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when the cost benefit analysis of the restructuring of MABS and CIS will commence; the expected date for completion and publication of this analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36591/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Citizens Information Board (CIB) has statutory responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS) and Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).
CIB has already commenced the cost-benefit analysis of the reorganisation of CIS and MABS companies into 8 regions. It expects to complete it for presentation to the Board of CIB at the end of September 2017.
As highlighted previously, cost savings is not the driver of the change from ninety three companies to sixteen. The aim of the change is to improve existing governance arrangements and optimise the benefits from operating a more modern and streamlined citizen focused delivery model. Where efficiencies may occur from the changes, resources will be directed towards improving the range and in some cases the quality of service provision to those who use CIS and MABS services countrywide.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1583. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing funding to the community service programme in line with the recommendation to increase the national minimum wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36592/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1584. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase funding to the community service programme in line with the recommendation increase in the national minimum wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36593/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1583 and 1584 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Community Services Programme (CSP) provides financial support to community companies that provide revenue generating services of a socially inclusive nature. Many of these companies are also funded from other sources and generate revenue from the public use of their facilities and services.
The additional programme cost involved in increasing the CSP contribution to match the minimum wage would be approximately €3m over a full year.
The rate of CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage rate of payment. The funding provided to service providers under the CSP is expressed as a fixed annual co-funding contribution towards the costs of employing a manager or a specified number of full-time equivalent positions.
In 2016, my Department put in place a support fund to assist existing funded companies who are not in a position to cover the increase in the minimum wage. Funded companies were invited to apply for this fund which operates on the basis of a reducing allocation over a 3 year period between 2016 and 2018.
I understand that approximately 84% of funded companies paid their staff above the minimum wage in 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1585. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has considered the impact that the recommendation to increase the national minimum wage will have on income thresholds set to qualify for certain social welfare payments; her plans to increase the income thresholds for social welfare payments in line with the recommendations for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36594/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the recent recommendation by the Low Pay Commission to increase the hourly rate of the Minimum Wage with effect from January 2018. The report of the Commission does not make any mention or recommendations in relation to means tested social welfare entitlements.
The Department operates a range of means tested social assistance schemes where, in order to qualify for the payment, the claimant must satisfy a means test which takes into account the assets and income (including earnings) of the claimant and his or her spouse/partner.
The means test for earnings includes tapering arrangements, whereby a certain proportion of earnings are disregarded in order to provide a financial incentive to work. For instance, for jobseeker’s allowance recipients, the first €20 of daily earnings is disregarded (subject to a maximum of 3 days per week) and 60% of the remainder is assessed as means. Similarly, for one-parent family allowance and jobseeker’s transition recipients, the first €110 of earnings is disregarded and 50% of the remainder is assessed as means. It should be noted that the level of disregards apply equally to those who receive hourly earnings in excess of the minimum wage.
Increases in the minimum wage result in an overall financial gain for means-tested social welfare recipients who are working and on the minimum wage. In addition, means tested social welfare recipients, including recipients who are working, benefitted from the increase of €5 per week in the maximum weekly rates of payment announced in Budget 2017. These increases came into effect last March and included proportionate increases for those claiming an increase for a qualified adult.
Any changes to the earnings disregards or the income thresholds of social welfare schemes would have cost implications and would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
1586. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have been issued a public services card in each year since first introduced; the waiting time to issue a public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36595/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department commenced issuing Public Services Cards (PSC) on a phased basis from October 2011. Since then it has issued over 2.71 million PSCs. A breakdown of the number of PSCs issued per annum is -
PSCs issued from 2012 to 2017 (to date)
|
Year |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017(to date 21/7/17) |
|
PSCs issued |
4,001 |
79,773 |
355,721 |
689,627 |
627,943 |
610,519 |
347,537 |
|
Running total |
4,001 |
83,774 |
435,494 |
1,125,121 |
1,753,064 |
2,363,583 |
2,711,120 |
Over 2.3 million people have now been registered for a PSC. The difference in figures of approximately 400,000 represents PSCs that have been revoked for a variety of reasons including expiry, loss, theft, damage, change in Free Travel entitlement, etc.
Applying for a PSC is a relatively easy process. It typically takes about 10-15 minutes for a person to register and authenticate their identity to get a PSC. There are 100 registration locations nationwide. For the majority of these a person can book an appointment online within 24 hours or, providing they have the relevant documentation, they can be dealt with on a walk-in basis. It takes 5-7 working days for a person to receive their PSC in the post once they complete the registration process. Full details on the PSC are available on the Department’s website at http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Public-Services-Card_holder.aspx
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1587. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the new working family payment that her Department is planning to introduce; the way in which this payment will differ from family income supplement, FIS; if this payment will replace FIS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36596/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has established an internal working group and an Inter-Departmental Group of the relevant Government Departments to consider proposals to advance the Programme for Government commitment on delivering a new Working Family Payment.
The Department has carried out extensive analysis of its existing supports. The analysis is at an advanced stage and shows the existing in-work supports are effective, and work well in assisting individuals into employment. The Department is working on potential proposals as to the most appropriate approach to fulfil the requirements of making work pay and tackling child poverty as outlined in the Programme for Government.
1588. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take following the report by her Department on lone parents and the impact that changes to the one parent family payment had on lone parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36597/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review of the changes to the One-Parent Family Payment, which was agreed during the passage of the Social Welfare Act 2016, is currently well underway and is due to be completed in the coming weeks.
When I receive the report I will examine and consider its contents, including the detailed analysis, that the changes have had on lone parents from a financial, poverty, social and welfare dependency perspectives.
I anticipate that the report will be of assistance to my Department in considering lone parent policy in the future.
1589. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to further extend benefits available to the self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36598/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment “to introduce a PRSI scheme for the self-employed and provide a supportive tax regime for entrepreneurs and the self-employed ”. Significant progress was made on this commitment in Budget 2017. Self-employed contributors now have access to treatment benefits since last March and, from December next will have access to invalidity pension. This is a real and progressive advance in the provision of social protection to the self-employed.
My Department is currently examining the extension of social insurance to cover new risks and contingencies, including developing proposals on a form of jobseeker’s benefit where a person's business fails or they can no longer continue working in their profession or trade. This examination will include how such additional benefits should be financed.
A major input to this examination will be the outcome of the Actuarial Review of Social Insurance Fund which is currently being finalised by independent consultants. The Review generally will project the income and expenditure of the Fund over a 55 year period, taking into account policy, economic and demographic changes since the previous review was undertaken. The Review is also examining the potential costs in future years of extending cover for a range of benefits, including jobseeker’s benefit to self-employed contributors. This examination will include the projected PRSI contribution rates which would be required to extend such cover on a revenue neutral basis, including the already announced extension of cover for invalidity pension. It is planned to publish the completed review in the third quarter of 2017.
The findings of the Review will play an important role in informing the overall debate on policy developments in relation to the Social Insurance Fund in the years ahead including the financial sustainability of the Fund given the expected demographic challenges and consideration of extending the scope of benefits for workers generally, including the self-employed.
1590. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has started contingency planning in the event that the common travel area and the reciprocal arrangements for social insurance and social assistance are not preserved or are altered in the aftermath of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36599/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's long-term objective is to ensure that the reciprocity of civic rights and social welfare rights and entitlements, which currently exist for Irish and UK citizens moving within Ireland and between Ireland and Britain under the Common Travel Area (CTA), are safeguarded and maintained. The importance of maintaining the CTA has been acknowledged in Prime Minister May’s letter of 29 March 2017 triggering Article 50 of the TEU and the European Council guidelines of 29 April 2017.
The Department is continuing its assessment of the implications for relevant social security schemes and services including pensions, Child Benefit and services between Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland. This is part of the ongoing Brexit analysis for input into the detailed planning and wider Government deliberative process.
It is important to state that the current arrangements for social security between Ireland and the UK, and the UK and EU27, have not changed. All social welfare payments, including pensions and Child Benefit, continue to be paid as normal.
1591. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36635/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the gentleman concerned on the 16 June 2017. A Deciding Officer of the department wrote to him on the 20 July 2017 requesting further information relevant to his claim. The claim will be finalised as quickly as possible on receipt of the requested information.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1592. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied). [36636/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 25 May 2017. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on the 03 August 2017. Any arrears due from 25 May 2017 to 02 August 2017 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on the 17 July 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1593. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the impact of the 2012 band changes to the calculation of the contributory State pension; if her attention has been drawn to reports of its disproportionate impact on women that took a break from the workforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36646/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a result of more people living to pension age and living longer in retirement the number of State pension recipients is increasing year on year. This has significant implications for the future costs of State pension provision. This demographic change alone is expected to increase spending on pensions by over €220 million this year - not including the impact of rate increases.
The current rate bands applying to the State pension (contributory) were introduced from September 2012, replacing previous rates introduced in 2000. These rate bands more closely reflect the social insurance contributions history of a person than those in place between 2000 and 2012.
It is estimated that to revert to the previous bands would result in an annual cost of over €60 million in 2018, and this annual cost would increase by an estimated €10 million each following year. The main beneficiaries from such a decision would be pensioners who haven’t made sufficient contributions into the Social Insurance Fund to qualify for a contributory pension at the maximum rate, or the 98% rate applying to those with an average of 40-47 contributions per year, and who do not qualify for means-tested pension payments because they have additional means above a certain level (e.g., in receipt of an occupational pension).
The home-makers scheme makes qualification for a higher rate of State pension (contributory) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme, which was introduced in and took effect for periods from 1994, allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age (or caring for incapacitated people over that age) to be disregarded in the calculation of the yearly average of the pensioner. This will generally have the effect of increasing the yearly average of the pensioner, and may result in a higher rate of pension, depending on their circumstances.
Where people do not qualify for a maximum-rate contributory pension in their own right, the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners in old age. Where their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult amounting up to 90% of a full rate pension, which by default is paid directly to them, and is subject to a personal means-test. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), based on their household means, amounting up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate. There are very significant income disregards in this means test, which result in over 70% such pensioners being paid at the maximum rate.
The Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund confirmed that the Fund provides a better return to female rather than male beneficiaries. This is due to the redistributive nature of the Fund, where an “expensive” weekly PRSI contribution paid in respect of a highly paid worker results in the same entitlements as that paid on behalf of a part-time worker on the minimum wage. The system of benefits also results in cross subsidisation of those who have made fewer contributions into the system. For example, a person with a yearly average of less than 40% of the maximum may receive a contributory pension that is 85% of the maximum rate, where they do not alternatively qualify for a non-contributory pension at up to 95% of the contributory rate.
Over 54% of the payments made by my department to people over 66 are in respect of female beneficiaries, and so changes regarding the pensions paid by the department are likely to affect more women than men, whether they are rate increases, or savings such as these. The main focus of my department is in ensuring that the most vulnerable women and men are protected to the greatest possible extent, while ensuring there is a sustainable system where people are encouraged to work and contribute to the Social Insurance Fund, which pays for those contributory benefits and pensions.
The savings created by the new ratebands were an alternative to cutting the core rate of pensions, at a time when Exchequer savings were required, and other social protection payments were being reduced across the board. Had a similar approach been taken with pensions, affecting everyone over State pension age – regardless of their means and their contribution record – the hardest hit would have been pensioners with no additional incomes, notably those paid a State pension (non-contributory), and widows and widowers living alone on one pension payment. A significantly higher proportion of such pensioners are women, and this would have been expected to result in more women over 65 experiencing consistent poverty, relative to men.
The alternative approach regarding those over State pension age, taken by the Government at that time, made the State pension (contributory) for new pensioners more reflective of contribution history, while maintaining the rates of payment for non-contributory and Widows/widowers pensions, as well as for contributory pensions paid to those who had contributed into the Social Insurance Fund throughout their working lives (i.e. with a yearly average of 40 or more). This approach safeguarded those most vulnerable pensioners, whilst also avoiding a reduction for those who had paid into the system their entire working lives. The most recent CSO figures (from 2015) show that the rate of Consistent Poverty among women aged over 65 is 2.6%, compared to 2.9% for men in the same age group. Both of these figures are substantially lower than the rates of consistent poverty among the working age population.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1594. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the 2017 budget allocation for farm assist; the amount expended to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36693/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra€82.8 million was provided for the farm assist scheme in the 2017 Revised Estimates Volume. Expenditure on Farm Assist to the end of June 2017 was €38.6 million. This is €2.4m lower than profiled due to the average weekly numbers of recipients being lower than expected.
1595. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the 2016 expenditure on the rural social scheme; the 2017 budget allocation for same; the amount expended to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36694/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the rural social scheme (RSS) provides employment opportunities for low income farmers and fishermen who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments. While communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen, participants also have the opportunity to improve existing skills or develop new skills.
Expenditure in 2016 on the RSS was €42.65 million. A budget of €47.66 million is provided for in 2017 with approximately €22.81 million expended to the end of June.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
