Written Answers Nos. 455-470
455. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was not eligible to receive the fuel allowance; and if the decision can be reviewed. [47636/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week from October to April, to some 376,000 low income households to assist them with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
In order to be eligible for fuel allowance, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a household means test and live alone or only with certain other qualified people.
The applicant concerned resides with their spouse, who is in receipt of Illness Benefit. Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for fuel allowance eligibility purposes. On that basis, the application for fuel allowance from the person concerned was disallowed and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 25th October 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
456. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of dental work now covered by PRSI for a person (details supplied). [47651/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraQualification for Dental Benefit is based on satisfying certain PRSI conditions, which vary with age. For a person over 25 years, they must have paid 260 PRSI contributions at either Class A, E, H, P or S since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the tax year on which the claim is based, the governing contribution year (GCY). For someone aged 66 or over, the GCY can be either two or three years before the person turned 66 years. These are the general qualifying conditions, without the details of the person concerned it is not possible to be more specific.
The dental benefit scheme now provides for a contribution towards the cost of a scale and polish or protracted periodontal treatment from 28 October, in addition to the free annual examination.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
457. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive confirmation on their application for the invalidity pension which was sent to her Department before July 2017; if her attention has been drawn to the long delays there is when processing records between the disability allowance and invalidity pension sections; the steps she has taken to resolve this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47680/17]
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. To qualify for IP, claimants must have, inter alia, at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete contribution year before the date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E or H contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.
A claimant must be regarded as permanently incapable of work, which is defined as:
incapacity for work of such a nature that the likelihood is that the claimant will be incapable of work for life
OR
an incapacity which has existed for 12 months prior to the date of claim, and where the Deciding Officer or an Appeals Officer is satisfied that the claimant is likely to be unable to work for at least a further 12 months
Disability allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.
In order to determine a person’s eligibility for IP it must be established that they meet both the PRSI contributions and the medical condition for receipt of payment. Where a person’s contribution record is incomplete and they have been in receipt of another social welfare payment e.g. DA, it is necessary to investigate their entitlement to credited contributions. In addition to this, up to date medical evidence may be required in order to establish medical eligibility for IP. The applicant may be required to have a medical form completed by their GP or to attend for an in-person medical assessment. This process can take time depending on the circumstances of each case.
The gentleman concerned has been in receipt of disability allowance (DA) at the maximum personal rate from 30 July 2014. An application for IP was received from the gentleman in question on 13 July 2017. His DA payment, along with their fuel allowance and living alone allowance has continued while their eligibility for IP was being examined.
Following an examination of his contribution record, his record has been updated with DA credits and it has now been established that he satisfies the contribution conditions for IP. As it has also been determined that he satisfies the medical criteria, his claim for IP has been awarded with effect from 13 July 2017 and the first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 23 November 2017. Any arrears due from 13 July 2017 to 22 November 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 13 November 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
458. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who is experiencing severe morning sickness, thereby making it difficult to attend work, can avail of State assistance such as illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47696/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness Benefit is payable to persons who are certified as incapable of work due to illness by their doctor and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. Payment is made from the seventh day of incapacity. Accordingly, a person who meets this criteria can be paid Illness Benefit.
The person concerned should attend their local GP, obtain an MC1 medical certificate and application form and send it to my Department at:
Illness Benefit Branch
Aras Mhic Dhiarmada
Store Street
Dublin D01 WY03
where it will receive immediate attention.
459. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision on a domiciliary care allowance review for a person (details supplied) will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47754/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from this lady on the 5th April 2017. The application was not allowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A letter issued on the 7th September 2017 outlining the decision.
A request for a review of this decision was received on 21st September 2017. The application will be re-examined by a deciding officer and a revised decision will be made if warranted. The lady concerned will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as it is completed. Such reviews can take up to 17 weeks to complete at present.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
460. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will have their disability file reviewed and the medical evidence sent and assessed by the medical assessor. [47760/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis lady submitted an application for disability allowance on 11 July 2017.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and she was notified in writing of this decision on 20 September 2017 and of her rights of review and appeal. This lady submitted further medical evidence which is currently with the deciding officer for their consideration. The person concerned will be notified in writing once decision has been made.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
461. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to address the situation whereby persons who are referred to a company (details supplied) by her Department are then not eligible to be considered for SOLAS courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47767/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll customers in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment, including those currently engaged with the activation services provided directly by the Intreo Service or on behalf of my Department by contracted providers are eligible to apply for a place on the further educational and training courses funded and co-ordinated by SOLAS.
In addition, they may also apply for the Back to Education Allowance Scheme in order to pursue second and third level courses.
To facilitate Jobseekers to pursue approved longer term programmes of education, they will not be required to engage with the activation service whilst they are completing the course of education.
If the Deputy has details of a specific customer who is experiencing some difficulty accessing training, he can provide details to my Department for investigation.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
462. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive payment for their spouse and child on their illness benefit claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47789/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned claimed Illness Benefit from 9 September 2017.
The claim was awarded and payment commenced at a personal rate of €193.00 per week – the initial payment included any arrears due. The claim was subsequently updated and payment in respect of the applicant’s spouse and child commenced from 6 November – this payment included arrears due from 16 September. Weekly payments at a rate of €350.90 are now being made.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
463. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 262 of 26 October 2017, the means that are being referred to in this instance that were deemed to put a person (details supplied) in excess of the statutory limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47794/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that this lady was in receipt of disability allowance with effect from 9 March 2016. Following a review of her entitlement, disability allowance (DA) was disallowed with effect from 25 October 2017 as she was deemed to have means in excess of the statutory limit for her circumstances. Means are derived from spouse income from employer whilst in receipt of illness benefit (IB). This lady was advised of this decision on the 17 Oct 2017.
It is the nature of means tested schemes that there is no entitlement to a payment once means exceed a given amount. If this lady’s circumstances have changed, it is open to her to request a review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
464. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when child maintenance was changed from income for the child to assessable parental income; the way in which this change came about; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47795/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a range of means tested social assistance payments. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test for these schemes takes account of the income and assets of the person and a spouse/partner, if applicable. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.
Maintenance payments (including maintenance payments made to or in respect of a qualified child) are assessed by first disregarding any housing costs incurred up to €4,952 per annum (or €95.23 per week), and then assessing the remainder at 50%.
Accordingly, the total value of any maintenance payments is never assessed as means for these weekly income support payments and the total income received by the family (social welfare payment and maintenance payment combined) will be higher than someone not receiving maintenance payments.
The method of assessment for maintenance payments was standardised in 2003. Prior to this, the method of assessment varied from scheme to scheme.
465. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding a request (details supplied) made in December 2016 to amend repayments. [47805/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is obliged to recover all debt owed to it as quickly as possible and within the relevant legislation and guidelines governing the recovery of debt. The person concerned has an outstanding Carer’s Benefit debt and proposals on its recovery have been made to her.
Previously the person concerned was repaying this debt by weekly direct debit payments for the agreed amount of €20.00 per week.
Following representations seeking a reduction in this amount to €15.00 per week, my Department’s Debt Recovery Unit examined this request and agreed to the proposal from 3 February 2017.
The person concerned was notified of this new agreed proposal on 10 January 2017. I have arranged for a copy of this letter to re-issue to the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
466. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the mortgage interest supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47822/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the mortgage interest supplement scheme was to provide short-term support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence due to temporary unemployment or loss of earnings. The scheme was discontinued to new entrants from 1st January 2014. Customers availing of this support prior to 1st January 2014 have been able to retain entitlement to the scheme up to 1st January 2018.
The Deputy should be aware that officials have been engaging with existing customers of the scheme to consider appropriate exit strategies and there has been a substantial reduction in the number of recipients, from some 5,880 in January 2014 to a current number of 1,440. The longer term position and supports available to the remaining customers is under consideration.
The Deputy may be aware that the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems, in particular those on low incomes or living on social welfare payments. As part of its free services, MABS provides help and advice to those in mortgage arrears.
The role of MABS was expanded in 2015 with the establishment of a Dedicated Mortgage Arrears MABS service (DMA MABS) across the MABS network, to help people specifically with home mortgage arrears. There are 32 specialist DMA advisors working across 27 locations countrywide, assisting borrowers to assess the options available to them and, where required, negotiating with lenders on their behalf. To date, the DMA service has helped approximately 4,460 such borrowers.
Additionally, MABS provides a national network of court mentors who attend each listed repossession Court hearing countrywide. The mentors provide support to distressed borrowers who are facing the loss of their home and signpost them to the appropriate services. To date, over 1,400 borrowers have been referred onward to MABS advisors through the court mentor service.
In 2016, a further initiative was announced by Government, known as Abhaile. This scheme further extends the free services already available to borrowers through the DMA MABS service and the court mentor service. The new voucher based scheme, for which MABS is the gateway, provides access for people, who are insolvent and in home mortgage arrears, to access independent expert financial and/or legal advice and assistance, free of charge. To date, approximately 9,400 vouchers for services have been issued, in respect of some 5,410 principle private residences.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
467. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which her Department responded to the declaration of the status red alert weather warning for its own employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47927/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn foot of advice received, and in the interest of customer and staff safety, all Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection offices closed on 16th October 2017. Staff and customers were advised of this using all available channels, including internal email, media and the Department’s website and Twitter account.
Customers who had appointments scheduled on that day were contacted subsequently to reschedule their appointments.
No payments were affected due to appointments being cancelled.
468. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the protocols that are in place or the rules or guidelines that issued by her Department to employers during a status red weather warning; the guidance that was issued to employers, the self employed and those working in the public sector regarding reporting for work on 16 October 2017 during the status red storm warning; her views on whether binding statutory regulations should be in place to protect workers and save lives as outlined in correspondence (details supplied). [47937/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst of all, I would like to acknowledge the sad circumstances that gives context to this question and would like to offer my deepest condolences to the family concerned.
I understand this question is being asked of all Government Departments and each Minister will reply on behalf of their Department in relation to their own employees. On foot of advice received and in the interest of customer and staff safety, all Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection offices closed on 16th October 2017. Staff and customers were advised of this using all available channels including internal email, media as well as the Department’s website and Twitter account.
My Department did issue a notice in relation to whether employees had a statutory right to be paid in the event of severe weather events like 16th October last, as responsibility for the Payment of Wages Act is within my remit: https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Do-employees-have-a-statutory-right-to-be-paid-for-non-attendance-at-work-due-to-severe-weather-conditions.aspx.
The notice was in line with the guidance provided by the Workplace Relations Commission on this matter.
The recent transfer of functions in the area of Labour Affairs did not include Occupational Health and Safety policy and legislation, which remains the responsibility of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
469. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for the fuel allowance by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed. [47939/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week from October to April, to some 376,000 low income households to assist them with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
In order to be eligible for fuel allowance, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a household means test and live alone or only with certain other qualified people. Under the means test, an applicant and members of his/her household may have a combined assessable income of up to €100.00 a week above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory, currently €238.30, and qualify for fuel allowance.
On 28th September 2017, it was decided that the person concerned did not qualify for fuel allowance as the means of the person concerned exceeded the permissible limit of €338.30 per week. The applicable means limit is based on the combined household assessable income. The method used to assess the value of capital held is irrespective of the household composition.
If the financial circumstances of the person concerned change, it is open to them to re-apply for this means tested payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
470. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of households availing of rent supplement in County Donegal in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [47944/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the table.
The Deputy may be aware the strategic policy direction of my Department is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of being a short-term income support following the nationwide roll-out of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme. This measure, aligned with the overall improvement in the economy, has significantly reduced the number rent supplement cases in payment. HAP was introduced in Donegal in May 2015 and there are currently some 1,600 HAP recipients of which over 600 are direct transfers from long term rent supplement.
The Deputy may be aware the strategic policy direction of the Department is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of being a short-term income support following the nationwide roll-out of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme. This measure, aligned with the overall improvement in the economy, has significantly reduced the number rent supplement cases in payment. HAP was introduced in Donegal in May 2015 and there are currently some 1,600 HAP recipients of which over 600 are direct transfers from long term rent supplement.
Recipients of Rent Supplement in County Donegal at end December 2010 to October 2017
|
Year |
Recipients |
|
October 2017 |
164 |
|
December 2016 |
383 |
|
December 2015 |
1,113 |
|
December 2014 |
1,710 |
|
December 2013 |
2,047 |
|
December 2012 |
2,411 |
|
December 2011 |
2,977 |
|
December 2010 |
3,194 |
