Written Answers Nos. 616-640
616. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43133/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe living alone allowance is an additional payment of €9 per week made to people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who live alone. It is only available to people who are under 66 years of age, if they are in receipt of disability allowance, invalidity pension, incapacity supplement or blind pension.
As the person concerned is under age 66 and not in receipt of a qualifying payment, they are not eligible for living alone allowance.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
617. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43134/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for state pension non-contributory was received from the person concerned on 30 July 2019. A request for further information issued to the person on 15 August 2019. The case was referred to an Inspector of the Department on 2 September 2019 to interview the person and provide a report in relation to their means.
On 15 October 2019, the Inspector notified the Deciding Officer that the person concerned wished to withdraw their pension application. The person had also applied for and been awarded a widow(er)'s and surviving civil partner's contributory pension. A letter was issued to the person on 16 October 2019 requesting that they confirm in writing their wish to withdraw the state pension non-contributory application.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
618. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied) which may have wider consequences for the Irish pension landscape, in particular defined benefit pensions; the position of her Department on this legal opinion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43157/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that officials of my Department have engaged with the Pensions Authority, other relevant Departments, Agencies, and Member States, on the Advisory Opinion as well as in relation to relevant comments and observations already made in respect of the case referred to by the Deputy.
The Department is continuing to actively monitor the case pending any prospective judgement of the Court.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
619. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if private companies can demand and or request a public services card in order to undertake customer authentication or identification; if private companies have access to databases to verify persons to their card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43158/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Services Card can only be requested by a body specified in Schedule 5 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, and only where that specified body has a transaction with a person concerned.
If an organisation is not a specified body, it is an offence for them to request a person to produce their PSC or to accept it if offered voluntarily.
Equally, if an organization is not a specified body, they do not have any access whatsoever to any data held by my Department in respect of any person.
It is important that the Department be made aware of any requests being made by a non-specified body for a person to produce or provide details of their PSC, so that the body can be contacted and advised of the legislative provisions in this area.
Specified bodies are, in all cases, required to process and store data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, as amended.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
620. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied). [43171/19]
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 child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 10 June 2019. Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 16 October 2019.
Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
621. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department is in the process of contacting recipients of the non-contributory pension querying their entitlement to this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43173/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
For the purposes of the means-assessment, it is necessary at the outset for claimants to provide full details of any income(s), assets, savings and investments they hold. Following the award of pension, a reporting obligation continues to apply whereby the recipient (and, where relevant, their qualified adult dependant, personal representative or agent) must notify the Department in a timely manner of any change in their circumstances that may impact on their on-going pension entitlement. This requirement is explained in their letter of award of state pension non-contributory pension. More recently, reminder letters issue to a proportion of all non contributory pensioners to remind them of the their responsibility in this regard. The need to inform the Department of changes in circumstances is also included in the Department’s literature and website information.
As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that recipient receive their full and correct entitlements, the scheme area operates a cyclical review programme. On selection, the claimant may be asked to complete and return a means questionnaire, together with any relevant documentation. On receipt their payment entitlement is reviewed. If this results in a change in payment entitlement, the person is informed of the change. If the person is unhappy with the decision, the letter also explains their right of appeal to the independent Chief Appeals Office and how to avail of this option.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
622. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason employees must pay PRSI after the age of 66 years if they are still working even though these contributions cannot be used to determine the rate of payment to be awarded on their State pensions (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43211/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmployees between the ages of 16 and pensionable age (currently 66 years) are liable to pay PRSI at a Class and rate determined by the conditions of their employment and their weekly earnings.
Currently, where a person aged 66 and over is in employment, no employee or employer contributions are payable and their employment is recorded as Class M.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
623. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carer's allowance and arrears due to a person (details supplied) will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43237/19]
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 child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 24 June 2019.
CA was awarded to the person concerned on 16 October 2019 with effect from 10 January 2019. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 24 October 2019.
Arrears for the period 10 January 2019 to 16 October 2019 as well as the 2019 carer's support grant will also issue on 24 October 2019.
The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 16 October 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
624. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the frequency of reviews carried out for carer's allowance and carer's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43291/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance 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.
Carer's benefit (CARB) is a PRSI based payment, made to a person who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Before a decision can be made on entitlement to CA or CARB, evidence must be provided in respect of a number of criteria including, the level of care they provide, their means and also that the person being cared for has such a disability that they require full-time care and attention.
Carer's reviews take place in a number of circumstance as follows:-
- If the decision on a new claim is negative the customer has the option to request a review or an appeal of this decision.
- Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews to ensure that there is continued entitlement.
- A customer can at any stage request a review of their entitlement
I am advised that there are no statistics collated on the totality of carer's allowance reviews carried out each year.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
625. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the consultancy service providers engaged by her Department from 1 January 2018 to 1 January 2019; the costs associated with each (details supplied); the reason for each service engagement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43313/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department engages consultancy service providers (individuals or organisations) to provide analysis that contributes to decision-making or policy-making. The procurement of such services supports my Department in providing a high quality service to the public in a cost-effective manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory framework.
Details of the consultancy service providers engaged by my Department for the period in question is set out in tabular format below:
Consultancy service providers engaged by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection from 1st January 2018 to 1st January 2019
|
Consultancy Service Provider |
Purpose of the Consultancy |
Expdenditure (€) |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Data Strategy Project |
€188,289 |
|
Clickworks Ltd. |
Strategic Review of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s Website |
€47,294 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Digital Organisational Change Management |
€100, 294 |
|
Mazars |
Compliance of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2106/679 |
€92,250 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Social Inclusion Research |
€90, 150 |
|
Indecon |
Review of Local Employment Services |
€58,154 |
|
Grant Thornton |
Business Information Security Management |
€55,104 |
|
Mazars |
Security Infrastructure and Storage Area Network (SAN) Audits |
€41,513 |
|
Crowe Advisory Ltd. |
Forensic review of Financial Statements and Records of JobPath Contractors, Internal Audit |
€21,247 |
|
Renaissance Contingency Services Ltd. |
Business contingency consultancy services |
€14,145 |
|
Brendan Friel |
JobPath Consultancy Services |
€750 |
|
Paul Cunningham |
Consultancy Services on the implications of Brexit on Social Security |
€520 |
A breakdown of annual expenditure on consultancy and IT external service provision, and a list of purchase orders for €20,000 and above, is published on the Procurement Policy page of my Department’s website
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Procurement-Policy.aspx .
626. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of each value for money and policy review conducted by her Department from 1 January 2018 to 1 January 2019; the cost of each exercise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43330/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Technical Report on the Disability Allowance (DA) Scheme was prepared by my Department in 2018. This followed on from a paper prepared by Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) staff in the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (DPER) as part of the 2017 round of spending reviews. The paper examined the rise in DA recipient numbers in recent years and conducted further analysis of this increase using available data at that time. The costs of preparing this review were absorbed by my Department.
The Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018 -2023 was published in 2018. This plan builds on previous policy reviews and sets out a timetable for implementation. The costs of this report were absorbed by the Department of the Taoiseach, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Section 19 of the Social Welfare Act 2017 provided that “The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection shall review the impact of removing income generated from rent-a-room relief from the means test for those in receipt of the One Parent Family Payment and shall bring forward a report on the same within 6 months of this Bill being enacted.” This review was conducted in 2018 by officials within the Department and therefore did not incur a direct financial cost.
627. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has been included in the review of pension entitlements for persons who were affected by changes in 2012 to the State pension (contributory) scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43422/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA minimum of 520 full-rate paid contributions is required to qualify for the standard state pension (contributory). In late September 2018, my Department began examining the social insurance records of over 90,000 pensioners, born on or after 1 September 1946, who had a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement based on post Budget 2012 rate-bands under a 'Total Contributions Approach'.
The person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 24 September 2019 and was assessed as having 371 full-rate paid social insurance contributions. As their contributions fall short of the 520 paid contributions required to qualify for State pension (contributory), the person’s claim was disallowed and they were notified in writing of this decision on 5 October 2019. The claim was not reviewed under the 'Total Contributions Approach' as the legislative condition of having a minimum of 520 paid contributions was not met.
The person concerned is currently the beneficiary of the maximum rate Increase for qualified adult (IQA) on their spouse’s pension. The option also remains for the person concerned to apply for state pension (non-contributory). This is a means-tested payment, based on the person's share of household means. The maximum rate payable equates to 95% of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory).
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
628. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if Turas Nua received a monetary award for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43462/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that Turas Nua has not received any fees in respect of named customer. I am advised that there was a clerical error in relation to the customer's interaction with Turas Nua which lead to the customer being written to on 30th Sept and again on 15th Oct explaining the nature of the error and offering apologies
I hope this clarifies for the Deputy.
629. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43463/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe child benefit claim from the person concerned is currently pending appeal. Papers to refer have been transferred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO), who will be in contact with her when a decision is made in the case.
As no further information has been received regarding the health of the child, I am advised that the original child benefit decision is still considered correct. However, it is open to the person concerned to forward any additional information that she may have and in such circumstances this will then be reviewed by a deciding officer.
In the absence of any further information, the SWAO will decide the appeal and a decision letter will issue when they have concluded the case.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
630. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons on five different tiers of the State pension (contributory) only received a percentage of the €5 increase with some only receiving a €2 increase with regard to the Budget 2019 announcement of a €5 increase across the board for social welfare recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43477/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to qualify for the maximum rate of the State pension (contributory) a person must, amongst other qualifying conditions, achieve a yearly average of at least 48 contributions paid or credited on their social insurance record. Reduced pensions are paid to those with yearly averages as low as 10 contributions. Arrangements are also in place for the payment of pro-rata pensions to those with mixed rate insurance records or contributions from different countries.
Reduced rate or pro-rata pensions are paid at a fixed percentage of the full rate payment, for instance, a person receiving a payment of 75% of the maximum rate receives 75% of any budget increase applied to the full rate pension. In order to ensure that the differential between the various rates is maintained, budget increases are also applied on a pro-rata basis.
It should be noted that applying the full budgetary increase to those with reduced payments would erode the differentials which exist and which are intended to reflect the level of contribution which a person has made to the social insurance fund. It would also mean that those on reduced rate pensions would, on an ongoing basis, benefit disproportionately from budget increases.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
631. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason recipients of the State pension (contributory) and non-contributory pension did not receive their first payment increase until the last Friday of March 2019 with regard to the Budget 2019 announcement of a €5 increase across the board for social welfare recipients payable from March 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43478/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Budget 2019 package, I announced a general increase in the weekly rates of payment, building on similar increases introduced in Budget 2017 and Budget 2018. A €5 increase in the weekly rates of payment for all social welfare recipients was announced, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates of payment.
To allow for the full rate increase to be provided within the resources allocated for 2019, this general increase came into effect in the week beginning March 25th, 2019. These increases cost €269m in 2019 and €350m in a full year.
I was pleased to announce on Budget Day this year that Budget 2020 increases will take effect in the week beginning 6th January, 2020.
632. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the review of the backdating of the working family payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43504/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children. In order to qualify for WFP, an applicant must have a qualified child and be engaged in full-time paid employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight.
Working family payment for the person concerned was renewed from 23rd of May 2019 at a rate of €120 per week, taking the earnings for the person concerned as assessable income.
All Working Family Payment monies have been paid to the person concerned to date.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
633. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will revise the eligibility criteria for carer's benefit in view of the fact that carers may not have full employment records in the 26 weeks prior to formally taking up full-time caring duties (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43509/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. A person may be eligible for Carer's Benefit if they have enough PRSI contributions. This and other care-related supports, such as the Carer’s Allowance payment and the Carer’s Support Grant, provide recognition and support for the valuable role of carers.
Carer’s Benefit is payable for a maximum period of 104 weeks for each person being cared for. It can be taken in one block or in separate periods as long as the combined total does not exceed 104 weeks. The current weekly rate is €220.00. Where a person is caring for two or more care recipients, the rate of payment is increased by 50%.
At the end of September 2019, there were 2,946 carers in receipt of Carer’s Benefit. Expenditure on Carer’s Benefit in 2018 was €35.93m and is estimated to be €37.83m in 2019.
A basic principle underpinning the Irish social insurance system is the contributory one. Under this principle there is a direct link between the PRSI contributions that a person has paid and entitlement to a varying range of benefits and pensions. Where a person has sufficient PRSI contributions, then benefits and pensions may be paid as of right, where a particular contingency arises and without a means test.
Prior to an amendment to the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2005, to be eligible for CARB an applicant would have to have been in employment for the three-month period prior to application and have been working for at least 17 hours per week or 34 hours per fortnight. This qualifying condition was amended to the current rule whereby an applicant must now be employed for at least 8 weeks, whether consecutive or not, in the previous 26 week period and have been working for at least 16 hours per week or 32 hours per fortnight. This amendment was made to expand the scheme to facilitate certain part-time, seasonal and atypical workers who had difficulty meeting the prior employment related conditions.
I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the key role carers play in society and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review. However, any improvements or additions to these supports can only be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available financial resources.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
634. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the allocation for rent supplement for 2020. [43532/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation for Rent Supplement in 2020 is €94.6m, as published in the 2020 Budget Estimates on Budget Day.
635. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of occasions the host mailing service for administrators of a pension scheme of her Department has been used in each year since it became operational; if there is a similar system in place for the scheme members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43547/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has arrangements in place to assist with the tracing of pension schemes members. The pension provider must have made an unsuccessful attempt to contact the scheme member and my Department will only forward correspondence to the last known address of the member, based on its records, and only if this address differs from that held by the pension scheme provider.
No personal data is provided to the pension scheme providers by my Department in this process.
According to Departmental figures available, this service has been used as follows for the years 2016 to date:
2016 - 3,635
2017 - 3,528
2018- 3,384
2019 - 2,679
Unfortunately, I am advised that only estimated figures for the years preceding 2016 are available which can be furnished to the Deputy if he wishes to have them.
The Department does not hold information on individuals' private pension entitlements and therefore the host mailing service cannot help individuals trace unclaimed pensions. If a person believes that they may have an unclaimed pension entitlement they should contact their former employers and/or pension scheme providers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
636. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43564/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16 September 2019. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 30 September 2019 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
637. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43567/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this lady on 27 September 2019. 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.
638. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a person (details supplied) has been issued the water conservation grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43009/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Conservation Grant was introduced in 2015, as part of the Government's drive to promote increased conservation and more sustainable use of water services. The grant was administered by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, on behalf of my Department, and was available on a universal basis to principal private residences for which a completed application was received on or before the deadline of 22 October 2015. It is understood that the person concerned applied for the Water Conservation Grant on 9 October 2015, using the online system available at that time, and that payment of €100 was issued to their nominated bank account on 14 October 2015.
639. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the introduction of an architectural technologists register; the legislation which will deal with the register; when the legislation will be introduced; and the timeframe for the operation of the register. [43020/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraArchitectural Technologists are not currently classed as a regulated profession in Ireland. This means that there is no designated competent authority, which has the power to approve or restrict access to the profession in Ireland under national or EU law.
In early 2016, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) published Awards Standards for Architectural Technology award. The Awards Standards are designed to be used by:
(i) providers when designing new programmes and establishing minimum intended programme learning outcomes;
(ii) awarding bodies when validating new programmes; and
(iii) in the accreditation of programmes by the relevant professional bodies. They are also used by providers when reviewing their programmes.
In general, the regulation of professions is in the first instance a matter for industry representatives working in consultation with relevant industry stakeholders. My Department has been engaging with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) in relation to the establishment of a statutory register. In this regard, CIAT has identified that its preferred route is to set up a stand alone register for Architectural Technologists. As such, it is now a matter for CIAT to set up a register on an administrative basis in keeping with registers already in place for other professional groupings under the Building Control Act 2007 and in consultation with the relevant industry stakeholders.
When this process is complete, my Department will be in a position to review it and potentially bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Building Control Act 2007, to provide for a statutory register of Architectural Technologists.
It is also worth noting that, depending on their personal background and experience, it may be open to persons who are Architectural Technologists, and who possess the requisite experience and competence in the design of buildings, to seek inclusion on either of the statutory registers in respect of Architects or Building Surveyors. A number of Architectural Technologists have already succeeded in gaining inclusion on the statutory registers to date and are thus in a position to act as Design Certifiers and Assigned Certifiers.
640. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the engagement he has had on the Cork Events Centre now responsibility has been transferred to his Department. [43175/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the advancement of proposals for the development of the Cork Events Centre remains, in the first instance, a matter for Cork City Council. It was agreed in the context of Budget 2020 that responsibility at central government level would transfer to my Department. Discussions in relation to the transfer process are underway.
