Written Answers Nos. 1441-1457
1441. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter in relation to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15813/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's benefit (CARB) is a pay related social insurance (PRSI) based payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care. It is payable for a maximum of 104 weeks for each person being cared for.
In order to qualify for CARB, certain PRSI contributions must be met.
The carer must have 156 paid contributions since their entry into insurable employment and one of the following:
39 paid contributions in the second last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year in which the claim is due to start
Or
39 paid contributions in the 12 months before carers benefit is due to start
Or
26 paid contributions in each of the second last and third last complete contribution years before the beginning of the benefit year in which the claim is due to start
Credited or voluntary contributions cannot be used to satisfy this condition.
The paid PRSI contributions must belong to the following PRSI classes: A, B, C, D, H and E.
The Department has not yet received an application for CARB from the person concerned. However as she only has 151 paid contributions, she would not qualify. Credited or voluntary contributions cannot be used to satisfy this condition.
The person concerned has applied for carer's allowance. This is a means-tested payment, made to a person providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that they require that level of care. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.
Additional information was requested from the person concerned on 12 March 2018. Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1442. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a maternity benefit claim by a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15824/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA claim for maternity benefit was received from the person concerned on 26th March 2018, with a maternity leave start date of 31st May 2018.
Maternity benefit claims are processed in leave commencement date order. Processing claims by leave commencement date order ensures that those claimants whose maternity leave is starting first receive priority. On this basis, the claim is due to be processed in early May, with a view to having a decision made and communicated to the person concerned in advance of her maternity leave commencing.
The Department also facilitates online applications for maternity benefit and an automated decision is made immediately where the applicant submits all necessary information and where the detail provided can be validated. I would ask the Deputy to encourage women who are planning maternity leave to use this channel, if possible, as it provides the most effective method of applying for maternity benefit.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1443. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the decision to disallow carer's allowance to a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15830/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 22 August 2017.
CA is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
It has been decided that this condition has not been satisfied and their application was disallowed.
The person concerned was notified on 4 January 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
A review of this decision was sought on 9 January 2018 and further evidence submitted in support of same. This evidence was examined and it was determined that this evidence was insufficient to show that the provision of full-time care and attention condition is being met.
The outcome of the review is that the original decision is confirmed. The person concerned was notified on 13 March 2018 of this outcome, the reason for it and of her right of appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1444. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 406 and 407 of 29 March 2018, the full year cost of increasing all social insurance and social assistance payments by €5, €10, €15, €20 and €25, respectively by payment type in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15832/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe costings sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following tables.
Table 1: Cost of varying amounts in all weekly social insurance payments
|
- |
Full year cost of a €5 increase |
Full year cost of a €10 increase |
Full year cost of a €15 increase |
Full year cost of a €20 increase |
Full year cost of a €25 increase |
|
Scheme |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
Social Insurance Schemes |
|||||
|
Pension Payments |
|||||
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
102.29 |
204.58 |
306.87 |
409.16 |
511.45 |
|
Widow/er's Contributory Pension (Aged 66 and over) |
21.04 |
42.08 |
63.12 |
84.16 |
105.2 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit (Aged 66 and over) |
0.58 |
1.16 |
1.74 |
2.32 |
2.9 |
|
Death Benefit Pension (Aged 66 and over) |
0.18 |
0.36 |
0.54 |
0.72 |
0.9 |
|
Working Age Payments |
|||||
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension |
7.57 |
15.14 |
22.71 |
30.28 |
37.85 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
1.08 |
2.16 |
3.24 |
4.32 |
5.4 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
17.15 |
34.3 |
51.45 |
68.6 |
85.75 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
0.27 |
0.54 |
0.81 |
1.08 |
1.35 |
|
Disablement Pension |
1.25 |
2.5 |
3.75 |
5 |
6.25 |
|
Illness Benefit |
14.43 |
28.86 |
43.29 |
57.72 |
72.15 |
|
Injury Benefit |
0.42 |
0.84 |
1.26 |
1.68 |
2.1 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
0.28 |
0.56 |
0.84 |
1.12 |
1.4 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
8.55 |
17.1 |
25.65 |
34.2 |
42.75 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
0.74 |
1.48 |
2.22 |
2.96 |
3.7 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
0.01 |
0.02 |
0.03 |
0.04 |
0.05 |
|
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit |
5.16 |
10.32 |
15.48 |
20.64 |
25.8 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
0.26 |
0.52 |
0.78 |
1.04 |
1.3 |
|
Total Social Insurance Schemes |
181.26 |
362.52 |
543.78 |
725.04 |
906.3 |
Table 2: Cost of varying amounts in all weekly social assistance payments
|
- |
Full year cost of a €5 increase |
Full year cost of a €10 increase |
Full year cost of a €15 increase |
Full year cost of a €20 increase |
Full year cost of a €25 increase |
|
Scheme |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
Social Assistance Schemes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Pension Payments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
State Pension (Non Con) |
25.15 |
50.3 |
75.45 |
100.6 |
125.75 |
|
Carer's Allowance (Aged 66 and over) |
0.63 |
1.26 |
1.89 |
2.52 |
3.15 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance (Aged 66 and over) |
1.51 |
3.02 |
4.53 |
6.04 |
7.55 |
|
Working Age Payments |
|||||
|
Blind Pension |
0.34 |
0.68 |
1.02 |
1.36 |
1.7 |
|
Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension |
0.36 |
0.72 |
1.08 |
1.44 |
1.8 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
0.03 |
0.06 |
0.09 |
0.12 |
0.15 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
10.1 |
20.2 |
30.3 |
40.4 |
50.5 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
10.88 |
21.76 |
32.64 |
43.52 |
54.4 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance |
2.98 |
5.96 |
8.94 |
11.92 |
14.9 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
0.13 |
0.26 |
0.39 |
0.52 |
0.65 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
44.88 |
89.76 |
134.64 |
179.52 |
224.4 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance - for those aged 18 to 24 years of age |
2.63 |
5.26 |
7.89 |
10.52 |
13.15 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance - for those aged 25 years of age |
0.65 |
1.3 |
1.95 |
2.6 |
3.25 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
0.04 |
0.08 |
0.12 |
0.16 |
0.2 |
|
Disability Allowance |
37.54 |
75.08 |
112.62 |
150.16 |
187.7 |
|
Farm Assist |
2.34 |
4.68 |
7.02 |
9.36 |
11.7 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
2.48 |
4.96 |
7.44 |
9.92 |
12.4 |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
2.78 |
5.56 |
8.34 |
11.12 |
13.9 |
|
Community Employment |
6.07 |
12.14 |
18.21 |
24.28 |
30.35 |
|
TÚS |
1.89 |
3.78 |
5.67 |
7.56 |
9.45 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
0.99 |
1.98 |
2.97 |
3.96 |
4.95 |
|
Gateway |
0.0 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.02 |
0.02 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
4.7 |
9.4 |
14.1 |
18.8 |
23.5 |
|
Total Social Assistance Schemes |
159.1 |
318.2 |
477.3 |
636.4 |
795.5 |
The costs shown above are on a full year basis and are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2018. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2019.
It should also be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
1445. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the moneys spent by her Department for work done a company (details supplied) in relation to the restructuring of the CIB; and the itemised detail of the work involved. [15848/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not paid any money to the company mentioned by the Deputy in relation to the restructuring of the governance arrangements of the network of Citizens Information Services (CIS’s) and the Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS).
1446. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a partial capacity benefit application by a person (details supplied); when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16055/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for partial capacity benefit and has been assessed as medically eligible for this scheme with a severe level of restriction on his capacity for work. This means that he will be entitled to 75% of his illness benefit rate should he choose to commence work.
1447. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16079/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) was received from this lady on the 15th February 2018. Applications received in late January and early February 2018 are currently being finalised. This application will be considered by a deciding officer and the decision notified as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1448. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) will be determined and expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16091/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department received an application for carer's allowance (CA) from the person concerned on the 20 February 2018.
CA is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
As the applicant is a self-employed farmer, the matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 9 April 2018 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1449. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) will be determined and expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16092/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 23 March 2018.
The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1450. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a situation in which a person (details supplied) was not allowed to seek employment outside that being offered by Seetec which they were engaging with at the time will be investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16121/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary goal of the Department’s activation services is to move people from long term unemployment to full-time and sustained employment. Participants on JobPath receive intensive individual support to help overcome barriers to employment and to find jobs. Each person is assigned a personal advisor who assesses their skills, experience, challenges and work goals and agrees a “personal progression plan” that includes a schedule of activities, including relevant training and educational programmes to assist them in finding full-time sustainable employment. The JobPath providers are required to support customers in working towards their job goals to find and keep full time paid employment. There are no barriers to any participant using other methods to source employment outside of those being offered by the JobPath provider and the provider will continue to work with each person and provide in-employment support irrespective of how the employment was sourced.
In the case of jobseekers already in part-time employment, this support may focus on options or opportunities to increase the level of employment in their current role, or look at possibilities in other areas, which may also involve some training, but could provide a more sustainable income and a move away from dependence on jobseeker payments.
In regard to the individual case raised by the Deputy, this person is not currently engaged with the JobPath service and there is nothing notable on his record of engagement with the JobPath service to suggest that any issue of complaint regarding employment was raised with the provider or the department. While referenced above that there are no barriers to any participant using other methods to source employment outside of those being offered by the JobPath provider, if the Deputy wishes to supply further details regarding the allegation they will be fully investigated.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
1451. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity pension claim by person (details supplied). [16197/18]
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 referred to on 12 January 2018. He was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 10 April 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1452. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the contribution rate for PRSI class K; the benefits that accrue from same; the number of workers that pay PRSI class K; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16203/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll workers pay PRSI on their earnings from employment or self-employment. In the case of individuals who have more than one income source, PRSI is generally paid on all forms of income.
Prior to 2013, exemptions from PRSI applied to the self-employed income of specific groups. These exemptions have since been abolished.
Since 2013, modified rate employees contributors (i.e. civil and public servants recruited prior to 1995) who also have income from self-employment or unearned income over €5,000 per annum are liable to pay PRSI on that income which was previously exempt. This income is liable at the class K rate of 4%. Entitlement to social insurance benefits does not accrue from the payment of this charge.
Since 2014, all employees (in the public and private sector) and occupational pensioners under 66 years, with unearned income only, are liable to pay Class K PRSI on that annual unearned income where it exceeds €5,000. Class K PRSI is charged at 4% and does not give access to social insurance entitlements based on the payment of the charge. Prior to 2014 these employees were exempt from PRSI on such unearned income, which includes rental and investment income, dividends and interest on deposits. This provision applies to all employees, regardless of the PRSI class they pay on their employment income.
All workers pay PRSI on their earnings from employment. If an employee has income from self-employment e.g. taxi driver, farmer etc. he or she also pays PRSI as a self-employed contributor on the profits from, say, the taxi driving plus any other unearned income he or she might have e.g. rental income. The measure to charge Class K PRSI on employees who were previously exempt was introduced to ensure equity by ensuring that PRSI is chargeable, regardless of the source of the employee’s additional income.
Employees paying Class K PRSI on unearned income can generate entitlement to social insurance benefits based on PRSI they pay on their employment income. Class A employees with unearned income already have access to the full range of social insurance benefits, because of their PRSI Class A status. Modified rate employees have access to a limited range of social insurance benefits but have entitlement to generous Exchequer-funded occupational pensions.
In 2016 there were 91,068 Class K contributors.
1453. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16219/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this lady on 27 March 2018. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1454. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the correct level of State pension and dependent allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) and their spouse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16224/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of a reduced weekly rate of state pension (contributory) of €238.50 with effect from 31 March 2007. This rate is based on an assessed yearly average of 44 contributions over the person’s working life from April 1957 to December 2006. According to the records of my Department, the person has a social insurance record of 2187 reckonable contributions and credits and is in receipt of the correct rate of state pension (contributory) based on this record.
The person is also in receipt of a means tested increase for qualified adult payment, payable at maximum rate, in respect of their spouse who is aged over 66. My Department is currently reviewing the person’s continuing entitlement to this means tested increase. A questionnaire regarding the means of the person’s spouse was issued on 5 March 2018. As no response was received, a reminder was issued on 4 April 2018.
On return of the completed questionnaire, the entitlement of the person concerned to increase for qualified adult will be reviewed and they will be notified in writing of the outcome without delay. As failure to return the requested information will result in payments being stopped, it is important that the person concerned gives this matter their early attention.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1455. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average wait time for social protection payments (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16275/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested (where available) by the Deputy in relation to schemes that fall under the remit of my Department is detailed in the attached tabular statement.
I would like to advise the Deputy that the Disabled Passenger scheme and the Medical Card do not fall under the remit of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Furthermore the Pre-Retirement Allowance scheme closed to new entrants on the 4 thof July 2007.
Average time to Award for principal DEASP schemes, March 2018
|
Schemes |
Average time to award (weeks) |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
1 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
2 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
5 |
|
State Pension Contributory |
4 |
|
Widow, Widower’s and Surviving Civil Partners Contributory Pension |
4 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
1 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
11 |
|
Household Benefits |
1 |
|
Free Travel |
1 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
9 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1 |
|
Child Benefit |
3 |
|
Working Family Payment |
2 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
19 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
10 |
|
Disability Allowance |
14 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
6 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
1 |
1456. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the action she is taking through her Department or through the Citizens Information Board to ensure there is greater uptake of the UK's winter fuel payment by eligible persons resident here and to raise awareness of the availability of the scheme and the hard and soft criteria applying to the scheme. [16291/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB), under the aegis of my Department, has statutory responsibility for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy on a wide range of public and social services.
CIB’s website www.citizensinformation.ie provides information on my Department’s Fuel Allowance and includes a link to the relevant webpage on Gov.UK https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment which provides full details on eligibility and application procedure for the Winter Fuel Payment.
The information and associated links on the website (citizensinformation.ie) is used by information providers in the Citizens Information Services in all 268 locations around the country to ensure that clients are fully informed of their entitlements. Where enquiries are received from UK pensioners living in Ireland, in person or by way of telephone enquiry, regarding eligibility for the winter fuel payment, they are directed to the specific UK government website.
In addition, CIB distributes information and raises awareness of issues via fortnightly newsletters, monthly Know Your Rights columns in local newspapers, the Relate Journal and on the citizensinformation.ie website ‘What’s New’ page. CIB also distributes information by way of social media channel Twitter.
CIB will continue to raise awareness of the UK winter fuel payment during the 2018/19 winter season through the communications channels outlined above.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1457. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a PPS number; and if the application will be expedited. [16292/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe PPS Number for the person concerned was allocated on the 6th of April 2018 and the notification letter of this allocation was issued to her on that day.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
