Written Answers Nos. 54-82
54. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps which have been taken to address waiting times for processing entitlement to essential social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43606/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the different qualification criteria. Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested payments can also require more detailed investigation and interaction with the applicant, thereby lengthening the decision- making process. Delays can occur if a claim is submitted and all the necessary supporting documentation is not included. If information is required from social security organisations in other jurisdictions, this can also affect processing times.
All of the Department's schemes processing times are within target except for some of the long-term illness related schemes. Currently, Carers Allowance and Disability Allowance claim processing times are outside the scheme targets. My Department recognises that the current processing times for these schemes must be improved and has put additional temporary resources and a new process in place to achieve this. Building on improvements already achieved, it is expected that processing times for these applications will improve further in the coming months.
To help my Department to make timely and fair decisions on applications, applicants should ensure that they complete the application forms fully, attaching all the supporting documentation required as per the checklist provided on the application forms. Applicants for illness-related schemes should provide, at the outset, all information they have in relation to medical conditions and the effect of those conditions on their capacity to work or their care needs.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that claim processing is kept under active review, with all possible steps taken to improve processing times. This includes the assignment of additional resources, where available, and the review of business processes, to ensure the efficient processing of applications.
55. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she has taken to ensure the hot schools meal programme complies with nutritional standards. [43552/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children at a total cost of €57.6 million in 2019.
In Budget 2019, I announced that my Department would commence a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing Hot School Meals in 36 primary schools for an estimated 7,200 children. The principal aim of this pilot scheme is to understand what works, and to learn how best the programme can be rolled out on a wider basis.
The 36 schools chosen to participate in the pilot were selected randomly, having regard to geographical spread, numbers enrolled, range of suppliers and the overall budget available for the pilot.
The pilot is also run in Our Lady of Lourdes NS in Goldenbridge for the 2019/20 school year following the Proof of Concept which had been operating there successfully.
To be considered for the pilot, the school must have identified a supplier who will supply, including preparing and delivering, the hot meals in compliance with the Healthy Ireland ‘Nutrition Standards for School Meals’. The introduction of new nutrition standards mean that only healthy food choices that meet these standards will be funded for breakfast clubs, school lunches and snacks, afterschool clubs and school dinners.
These standards are a valuable resource to enable and promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyles in schools. They complement and strengthen the healthy eating guidelines that were already in place.
In terms of assessing whether schools meet the requirements set out in the standards, schools are required to submit detailed records at the end of each school year. Expenditure on unhealthy food items is deducted from the funding allocation.
Department officials visit and liaise with the schools throughout the year to ensure that the criteria are being adhered to including an assessment of the type of food provided. All of the participating schools are required to sign off on a service level agreement which sets out the responsibilities of participants.
56. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she has taken to ensure the public services card is compliant with the law on data protection. [43553/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Services Card (PSC) was provided for in legislation in 1998 when it was introduced alongside the PPS Number to replace the previous Revenue and Social Insurance number (RSI) and the Social Service Card (SSC). The PSC acts as an identifier for access to a broad range of public services.
In October 2017, the DPC commenced an investigation into the SAFE/PSC process and delivered its final report to the Department on 15th August this year. On 17th September, the Department published the report of the DPC together with a summary of its own response to the findings of the report.
On the basis of strong legal advice received from the Attorney General’s Office supported by external Senior Counsel, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D. and I informed Government that we are satisfied that the processing of personal data related to the PSC does in fact have a strong legal basis, that the retention of data is lawful and that the information provided to users satisfies the requirements of transparency.
My Department is committed to ensuring that data relating to individuals is securely held and used only for relevant business purposes. The Department’s commitment to safeguarding data is reflected in its use of advanced data processing and storage technology hosted in secure, State-owned and State-operated data centres and is reinforced by a range of legislative and administrative provisions that are designed to protect the rights and interests of individuals.
Accordingly, I am satisfied that the PSC is compliant with data protection legislation.
57. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason there has been a delay in the increase of the minimum wage. [43640/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra60. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the increase in the national minimum wage will proceed on 1 January 2020 if there is a ratified Brexit withdrawal agreement in place prior to that date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43607/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra72. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date for the increase in the minimum wage as recommended by the Low Pay Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43519/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 60 and 72 together.
In developing its recommendation on the National Minimum Wage, the Low Pay Commission assesses various economic indicators such as changes in earnings, exchange rates, employment, unemployment, productivity, international minimum wage comparisons, the need for job creation and the likely impact of the National Minimum Wage changes on levels of employment, cost of living, and national competitiveness.
Numerous economic commentators, both in Ireland and overseas, have highlighted that any form of Brexit has the potential to impact negatively on the Irish economy. Accordingly, although the Low Pay Commission recommended an increase in the national minimum wage of 30c to €10.10, it did so on the assumption of an orderly Brexit and acknowledged that the Government might wish to reserve its position in the event of a disorderly Brexit.
Although we are all optimistic of a deal being ratified, the possibility of a disorderly Brexit is still present and, therefore, the economic circumstances which will apply in 2020 continue to be very uncertain. Nevertheless, the Government accepted the recommendation of the Commission but decided to defer a decision on when the Commission’s recommendation will commence until the nature of Brexit become clearer.
I intend, therefore, to make provision in the Social Welfare Budget Bill to declare the National Minimum Wage in 2020 in line with the Commission's proposals once the situation in respect of Brexit is clarified. If a Brexit deal is agreed before the end of the year, I expect that the minimum wage will be changed in January 2020 as it was in previous years.
58. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young jobseekers aged 18 to 24 years of age who will not see their weekly rate increase to the full rate as announced in budget 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43520/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Budget Day, I announced measures to support young jobseekers including the abolition of the age-related rate of payment for 25 year olds, from January 2020. I also announced that the increased rate would be available to jobseekers aged 18 to 24 who are living independently and in receipt of State housing supports including rent supplement and the Housing Assistance Payment.
From next January, a young jobseeker aged 25 years will receive a weekly increase of €45.20 from €157.80 up to €203 and a younger jobseeker will benefit by up to €90.30 per week. These are significant weekly increases.
There are currently over 19,000 jobseekers aged 18-25 of which 16,100 are in receipt of a reduced age-related payment. The measures that I have announced will benefit approximately 2,080 of those on the reduced rates at a cost of €5.2 million for 2020, leaving a balance of approximately 14,000 on age related rates.
In 2009, youth unemployment had reached its highest rate with almost 28% of young people under the age of 25 unemployed. The CSO seasonally-adjusted youth unemployment rate for September 2019 has almost halved in the last 10 years to 14.8%.
Age-related rates for young jobseekers protect them from long-term welfare dependency, by providing them with a strong financial incentive to participate in education or training to improve their chances of obtaining full time employment. A young jobseeker who participates in education or training receives the maximum personal rate of €203. Jobseekers who participate in the Youth Employment Support Scheme, receive €229.20. I will continue to focus on youth unemployment and in developing initiatives to help young people back into work.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is finalising a review on the impacts of the reduced rates on young jobseekers and I expect that this will be completed shortly.
59. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of cases examined to date under the new full contribution system introduced for calculating State pension (contributory) for those who became 66 years of age after September 2012; the number who benefited by less than €10, €10 and €20, €20 and €30 and more than €30; the number who benefited by less than €10 and are now receiving the full pension; if she is satisfied that this scheme has dealt fully with the expectations of persons pension affected by the change in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43627/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation includes provision for homecaring periods. When launching the interim TCA in January 2018, I stated the approach was expected to significantly benefit many people, particularly women, whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, while raising families or in a caring role. While I can’t comment on the expectations of others, I believe it is fair to say that the introduction of TCA has benefitted many people, particularly women.
Since late September 2018, my Department examined 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. To date, of those who received an increase, 74% are women.
Reviews commenced from 13 February 2019, the day after I signed the necessary Regulations. As at 16 October 2019, 94,244 reviews are completed. Of these, 53,080 are women and 41,164 are men. Of the 53,080 women, 28,520 (54%) received an increase while the rest remain on their existing rate. Of the 41,164 men, 9,955 (24%) received an increase and the remainder continue to receive their same rate of payment.
The latest information available on the detailed breakdown requested is that, at the end of September 2019:
- 21% of those who received an increase received a weekly increase of €30 or more;
- 32% received a weekly increase of between €20 and €30;
- 10% received an increase of between €10 and €20;
- with the highest proportion, 37%, receiving an increase of up to €10 per week.
Of those awarded an increase of less than €10 following review, 7,662 are now in receipt of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory).
61. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the 36 piloted schools initially targeted under the school meals programme serving hot meals will now be a permanent programme; and her plans to extend the scheme to additional schools. [42470/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children at a total cost of €57.6 million in 2019 representing an increase of €3.6 million over the previous year. The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
As part of Budget 2019, it was announced that my department would commence a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing Hot School Meals in 36 primary schools for an estimated 7,200 children at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020.
All 3,239 primary schools were issued with an invitation to submit an expression of interest to participate in the pilot. Over 500 expressions of interest were received from Primary Schools across the country.
The 36 schools chosen to participate in the pilot were selected randomly, having regard to geographical spread, numbers enrolled, range of suppliers and the overall budget available for the pilot in 2019 and 2020; €1m and €2.5 respectively.
The pilot will also be run in Our Lady of Lourdes National School in Goldenbridge for the 2019/20 school year following the Proof of Concept which has been operating there successfully since early this year.
A report will issue after the pilot is complete and the outcomes evaluated. Outcomes will be tracked and measured throughout the duration of the pilot.
As part of Budget 2020, I am providing an additional €4 million in funding to extend the Hot School Meals scheme nationwide in 2020 for children currently receiving the cold lunch option. If the full-year evaluation of the current pilot project confirms the positive impacts initially reported, this funding will allow my Department to extend the Hot School Meals scheme from September 2020 to an additional 35,000 children, especially those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.
Any further extension of the pilot programme can only be considered in a budgetary context.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
62. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will introduce separate time periods for persons who have been refused a social welfare payment to ask for a review and or lodge an appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43609/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra79. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the process by which a person who has been refused a social welfare payment must ask for a review and an appeal at the same time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43608/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 79 together.
The current legislation provides that where a social welfare payment has been awarded, a Deciding Officer may revise that decision at any stage, where there is either a change of circumstances, or where there was an error in the original decision, or where fresh facts or evidence indicate that the original decision was incorrect. There is no time limit on this, so a customer can seek a review at any time.
Where the original decision was to refuse the payment, the decision maker may review that decision in the case of either an error in the original decision, or where fresh facts or evidence indicate that the original decision was incorrect. Again, there is no time limit on this.
In the case of appeals to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office, there is generally a 21 day time limit to seek an appeal, but this can be extended in certain situations by the Chief Appeals Officer.
An Appeals Officer's decision can be reviewed by another Appeals Officer, again without a time limit, where there is an error or where fresh facts or evidence indicate that the original decision was wrong.
Finally, the legislation also allows for the Chief Appeals Officer to revise an Appeal's Officer's decision at any time, where there has been an error of law or of fact.
Any future changes to the existing timeframes for requesting a review and or appeal of a decision would need to be carefully considered to ensure that the customer retains the rights to a fair, equal and efficient resolution of any dispute on a decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
63. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost and legal status of the public services card to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39595/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Services Card (PSC) was provided for in legislation in 1998 when it was introduced alongside the PPS Number to replace the previous Revenue and Social Insurance number (RSI) and the Social Service Card (SSC). The Attorney General’s Office advises that the legislation underpinning the PSC is clear and provides a strong legal basis for the existing and continued use of the PSC across the public service.
To date, the estimated costs related to SAFE identity authentication and PSC issuance amounts to €67.8 million.
This figure includes an allocation of €36m in respect of staff costs related to the administration of the SAFE process and the administration of Public Services Cards work.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
64. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the 2008 Labour Court recommendation regarding pensions for community employment scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43142/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress made to ensure full pension rights for community employment supervisors. [43049/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 73 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department is currently engaging with representatives of CE supervisors to discuss issues arising following the 2008 Labour Court Recommendation (LCR 19293). The focus of this process is to try to resolve the issues relating to pension entitlements of CE supervisors in a cost effective manner.
All parties to the engagement process have agreed that the detail of the discussions should remain confidential while the engagement is ongoing and I would ask Deputies to respect these wishes and allow the talks to continue free from speculation which might prove unhelpful. I expect that it will take a number of weeks to reach a conclusion.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
65. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the ongoing issues relating to the public services card and the Data Protection Commissioner, in particular as it relates to the requirement for a card to access the new national childcare scheme. [43639/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October 2017 the DPC commenced an investigation into the SAFE / PSC process and delivered its final report to the Department on 15 August 2019. On 17 September, the Department published the report of the DPC together with a summary of its own response to the findings of the report, and related correspondence between it and the DPC.
As stated in September, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D. and I informed Government that we are satisfied that the processing of personal data related to the PSC does in fact have a strong legal basis, that the retention of data is lawful and that the information provided to users does satisfy the requirements of transparency. This opinion was arrived at following very careful consideration both of the report and of the strong legal advice of the Attorney General’s Office.
The Department sought to meet with the DPC on two occasions since receipt of the report with a view to outlining the basis for its conclusions and seeking to clarify a number of matters of concern relating to inconsistencies both within the DPC's Report and between the report and the accompanying letter from the DPC. The request for a meeting was declined on both occasions.
It is important to note that the findings in the DPC report do not have the force of law until such time as they are formalised in an enforcement notice. To date, the DPC has not issued an Enforcement Notice. On receipt, the Department will consider the scope and terms of the enforcement notice and respond appropriately at that time.
In the meantime the Department will continue to conduct SAFE registration and issue PSCs.
With regard to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), I am advised that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has stated that it had always been acknowledged that parents should have choice in how they apply for the NCS therefore it had always been intended and designed so that they can apply online or by post.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
66. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of jobseekers under 25 years of age who are deemed to live independently; the way in which this is determined; and the number of such jobseekers that are expected to qualify for the full rate of jobseekers in the coming year following the recent budget 2020 announcement. [43633/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Budget Day I announced measures to support young jobseekers including the abolition of the age-related rate of payment for 25 year olds from January 2020. This measure increases the personal weekly rate for a young jobseeker from €157.80 up to €203 and will benefit almost 1,800 young people.
I also announced that that the increased rate would be available to jobseekers aged 18 to 24 who are living independently and in receipt of State housing supports including rent supplement and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
My Department has estimated that around 300 young jobseekers could benefit from this measure from January 2020 based on data available within the Department and in respect of HAP. This will provide significant financial support towards these young people's housing costs as the weekly jobseekers payment will increase by up to €90.30.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
67. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of work examining ways social welfare rates could be set further to her engagement with stakeholders in respect of section 19 of the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Act 2018 and the pre-budget forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43517/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 19 of the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Act 2018 provides that I, as Minister, will arrange to "consult with stakeholders on examining ways in which social welfare rates are increased with the aim of ensuring adequacy for all recipients and shall do so in quarter 1 of 2019".
As the Deputy is aware, my Department met with numerous interested stakeholders to hear their views on how the adoption of a benchmark, and a system of indexation, might apply to social welfare rates. This involved bilateral meetings with certain stakeholders and roundtable meetings with a range of groups. The issue was also considered and discussed with representatives from the community and voluntary sector, ICTU and IBEC, among others, at my Department's Pre-Budget Forum in July.
My Department has considered the results of the consultation process and, in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, are developing options to implement the commitment in the Roadmap for Pensions Reform to examine and develop proposals to set a formal benchmark of 34% of average earnings for the State Pension and to institute a process whereby future changes in pension rates of payment are explicitly linked to changes in consumer prices and average wages. This commitment is an important issue and I have asked my officials to progress this matter.
68. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details on the €2.5 million announced in budget 2020 to target specific job activation and training supports for groups that are most distant from the labour market or have challenges entering the workplace including returnships for women; the number of persons she plans to target with this initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43605/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2020, I announced the targeted allocation of €2.5m to design and implement measures that will improve the work and training readiness across targeted groups. This includes those who need additional support to maximise the opportunities being provided in a labour force that has grown consistently over the past twenty consecutive quarters. These groups include potential returners who have been out of the work-force after periods of caring for family members, members of the Travellers or Roma communities, ex-offenders, people with disabilities and young unemployed people.
The focus of the measures will span a number of approaches. For some people in scope the emphasis will be on the development of soft skills, personal development and pre-employment supports that can build motivation, self-belief and self-efficacy, recognising that these competencies are important in preparing for work and training. These will lead on to a focus on job-specific skills, work-experience and supported job-search. Some people in scope, including some women who have significant prior work experience but may have been out of the workforce for some time, may be in a position to commence job-focused training, work experience and supported job-search immediately. The measures will be designed and implemented as initiatives that test and develop good practices and prove enhanced outcomes for the cohorts affected so that similar approaches can then be applied across Intreo activation services as appropriate.
It is anticipated that these initiatives will involve more than 1,500 clients over the year.
I trust this clarifies the situation for the Deputy.
69. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date for the publication of the new social inclusion strategy; if she has received the document; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43518/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have recently received the draft of the new social inclusion strategy "Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2019-2025", and intend to bring it to cabinet committee and government for review and approval as soon as possible. I expect that the new strategy will be published shortly.
70. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the additional supports accessible for self-employed persons following budget 2020; when they will be fully implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43629/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2020, I again increased the income disregard for the One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker Transition Payment. This will increase to €165 per week in January and includes profit from self-employment. In addition, I increased the hours that carers can study or work – including self-employment - outside the home from 15 hours to 18 and a half hours per week.
The Social Welfare Bill 2019 introduces legislation for a new statutory scheme of Jobseekers Benefit (Self-Employed). This scheme will be introduced in November and will be payable to individuals who lose their self-employment and have the required number of social insurance contributions. Those who do not have sufficient contributions and who are operating businesses at low levels of income can continue to access the means tested Jobseekers Allowance scheme if they satisfy the conditions.
A new scheme of Parent's Benefit is also being introduced this November 2019. Parent’s benefit is payable for two weeks parent’s leave to each parent of a child, age under 1 year, on parental leave from work and covered by social insurance (PRSI). The benefit payment is available to employees and the self-employed.
These measures are part of the Government's stated aim of creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurship, including providing an income safety net to employees and self-employed people. These supports build on other significant improvements for self-employed people in recent years such as access to invalidity pension and treatment benefits in 2017.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
71. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost of rent support payments in lieu of local authority housing made in the past five years to date; the potential for the replacement of such expenditure with directly built local authority houses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43575/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent supplement plays a vital role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme supporting approximately 18,300 recipients for which the Government has provided €132.4 million for 2019.
The strategic goal of returning rent supplement to its original purpose; that of a short-term income support has been primarily facilitated by the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). HAP has been fully rolled out nationally, available in all local authorities, since March 2017. It is expected that the vast majority of those who have long term housing needs and were receiving rent supplement support will have transferred to HAP by the end of December 2020.
Highlighting the ongoing HAP transfer programme, the attached tabular statement shows the year on year reduction, from 2014 to date, for both rent supplement customer numbers and its associated outturn.
Rent supplement’s role, post the HAP migration programme, will be to provide support to those who have become temporarily unemployed and require support paying their rent whilst seeking alternative employment. It is not intended for rent supplement to provide long term housing solutions to customers.
Matters in relation to housing, and in particular for the opportunity costs or benefits in directing rent supplement expenditure to the building of local authority houses, and / or the provision of capital spend for the provision of social housing versus rent supplement outturn, are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement:
Rent Supplement: Recipient Numbers & Expenditure 2014 - 2019
|
Year |
Recipients |
Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
2014 |
71,533 |
€338.2m |
|
2015 |
61,247 |
€311.0m |
|
2016 |
48,041 |
€275.3m |
|
2017 |
34,378 |
€230.6m |
|
2018 |
24,303 |
€175.0m |
|
2019 (to end of September) |
18,265* |
€132.4m** |
* Recipient numbers as at end September 2019
** Estimated Outturn to December 2019
74. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she carried out an impact assessment as to the effect the increase in carbon tax announced in budget 2020 will mean for fuel allowance recipients who are struggling to meet their fuel costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43521/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is currently a payment of €22.50 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €630 each year) from October to April, to over 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €240 million in 2019. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance under the household benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €188 million in 2019. Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources and this may include exceptional heating costs.
In Budget 2020, I increased the Fuel Allowance payment by €2 to €24.50 per week. This is an increase of just under 9% and will increase the annual Fuel Allowance rate from €630 to €686, i.e., a €56 yearly increase. This increase will bring the total payment made to over 200,000 customers in receipt of Household Benefits and Fuel Allowance to €1,106 per annum towards their energy costs.
This increase follows on from a number of other improvements and increases made to the Fuel Allowance scheme in recent Budgets including an increase from €20 to €22.50 per week and the number of weeks the fuel allowance is paid for increasing from 26 to 27 and then to 28.
Last year the ESRI published its report "The Economic and Environmental Impacts of Increasing the Irish Carbon Tax" (available at https://.esri.ie/system/files/media/file-uploads/2018-10/RS79.pdf ) in which it set out a detailed analysis of the impact of increasing carbon tax at various rates, using a Energy Social Accounting Matrix (ESAM) covering a range of activities and commodities, reported across 10 household groups, including a treatment of the effect on households at each income decile. Interpolating these figures clearly shows that the additional cost of the carbon tax will be less than the weekly net value of the Fuel Allowance increase I have announced for at least the three lowest income deciles - the very people targeted for receipt of the Fuel Allowance. Accordingly, it is intended that the increased Fuel Allowance increase will compensate these households effectively. In addition, it is important to note that, while the Fuel Allowance increase will come into effect from the 6th January 2020, the carbon tax increase will not take effect until May 2020 for home heating fuels, giving such households additional headroom for its introduction.
Therefore, all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will see a net gain in their income arising from these changes. This ensures that the most vulnerable in society are protected from the increased carbon tax.
My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has the role of reducing energy poverty by implementing measures (administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)) to improve the energy efficiencies of Irish homes. In June 2019, the Government published a Climate Action Plan. Action 173 of this Plan requires the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to review ways to improve how current energy poverty schemes target those most in need.
My Department undertakes ex-ante and ex-post social impact assessments of the main welfare and direct tax budgetary policies. The Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is an evidence-based methodology which estimates the likely distributive effects of policies on household incomes, families and poverty. The analysis is generated through the ESRI’s tax / benefit micro-simulation model, SWITCH. The model simulates the impact of budgetary changes on a representative sample of households from the CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions. Indirect tax measures such as the carbon tax are not currently included in the full post-Budget Social Impact Assessment but the potential for the inclusion of same is being examined. Previously published assessments of Budgets 2013 to 2019 are available on the Department’s website at: .welfare.ie/en/Pages/Examples-.aspx .
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
75. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of research into funeral poverty as announced in budget 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43604/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2020, I announced funding to support a research project by the Irish Hospice Foundation which intends to examine funeral poverty in Ireland and the wider economic impact of bereavement. The amount which I have allocated as a once off contribution to the cost of this research is €60,000 for 2020, and will support the Irish Hospice Foundation in carrying out this independent research.
This research will examine how bereavement affects people, particularly the economic impact of death. It will seek to trace the dynamics of bereavement in Ireland, identify immediate and longer-term impacts on families, identify the costs and deficits, and explore ways to mitigate against economic impact.
I am happy to provide support to the Foundation in conducting research in this important area, which will serve to further inform future Government policy in this matter.
Officials in my Department will continue to engage with the Foundation on the methodology and timescale for completion of the research during 2020.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
76. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason there was no increase of the social welfare basic payment in line with the recommendation by an organisation (details supplied) of a €9 universal increase. [43641/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government has committed to making the needs of families a priority, especially lone parents, children and those on lower incomes.
Over the previous three Budgets, personal weekly rates have been increased by €15 per week with proportionate increases for those with a qualified adult dependant. Payments to qualified children have also increased, and will increase again in January to €36 per week for children under 12 years old and €40 per week for those who are 12 and over.
In addition, we restored the Christmas Bonus to 100% in 2018 and this will be paid at the same rate again this year to over 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients to assist people with the extra expenses incurred over the Christmas period.
Increasing the standard rates of payment is, however, only one approach the Government has taken to improving the living standards of social welfare recipients. We have also introduced targeted measures such as increasing the fuel allowance and the living alone allowance (both of which were called for by Social Justice Ireland). In addition, we increased funding for school meals, increased income disregards for lone parents and low income families and strengthened the provision of employment supports.
A €9 across-the-board increase in rates would cost almost €640 million. Available resources in Budget 2020 were used to target increases towards those people most at risk of poverty.
77. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether the payment of wages Bill is not robust enough to protect workers in the hospitality industry in view of the issues that came to light at pre-legislative scrutiny recently. [43638/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have noted with interest the contributions made by all parties during recent the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Scheme of the Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
The Bill carries forward the long-established distinction between ‘tips and gratuities’ on the one hand and ‘service charges’ on the other. Existing legislation allows service charges to form a reckonable component of a worker’s pay or wages. In developing these proposals, I have been guided by both the National Minimum Wage Act and the Low Pay Commission’s 2018 report: “A Review of Current Practices in relation to Tips & Gratuities”.
Currently, service charges are a non-discretionary contractually imposed element of a customer’s bill, are liable for VAT, and form part of a business’ operating income. They are used by businesses in a variety of ways, including covering some or all of their wage costs. I believe, therefore, that it is not currently possible or desirable to ignore this reality in my proposed Bill, which I have committed to progress in the short term.
The Bill will prohibit tips and gratuities from forming part of a person’s contractual wages, not just the National Minimum Wage. It will also bring transparency to tipping policies for the benefit of staff and customers. This is obviously a step in the right direction. However, I remain concerned by the potential for monies, generally intended by customers for the staff who have served them, to go elsewhere as a result of how service charges are treated under existing legislation.
In this regard I have requested the Low Pay Commission to include this question in relation to service charges as part of its year’s work programme and report to me its views and recommendations.
I look forward to working with members on all sides of the Houses of the Oireachtas to progress this Bill as expeditiously as possible in order to deliver legislation that is fair, balanced and that works in practice.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
80. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the Cabinet committee which covers housing. [43602/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing matters are primarily covered by the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure which works to ensure a coordinated approach to policy and delivery in the areas of infrastructure investment and delivery, Project Ireland 2040 and Rebuilding Ireland.
There is significant work underway across each of the areas covered by the Committee through Government Departments, agencies and a range of interdepartmental groups such as the Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board. These matters are also regularly considered at meetings of Government and in bilateral meetings with the relevant Ministers.
We have seen strong growth in housing completions and in leading indicators such as planning permissions, commencements notices and housing registration. There has also been strong delivery of publicly funded social housing in 2018 and we are on schedule to meet our targets for this year.
81. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that covers items related to justice last met. [43559/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCabinet Committee G (Justice and Equality) last met on 10 June 2019.
Since then a new Cabinet Committee on Security has been established which deals with issues relating to justice, defence, Garda reform and national security.
This Cabinet Committee was scheduled to meet on Thursday, 10th of October but the meeting was deferred as I travelled to England on that day to meet with the British Prime Minister. A meeting of this Cabinet Committee will be rescheduled in the near future.
82. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the European Council meeting in Brussels on 17 and 18 October 2019. [43852/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI attended the European Council in Brussels on Thursday 17 October and Friday 18 October.
On Thursday agreement was reached on the terms of a proposed revised Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK. The European Council agreed to endorse the revised Withdrawal Agreement which allows the UK to leave the EU in an orderly fashion.
The European Council also approved the Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom.
We had a substantial exchange on enlargement in which we considered opening accession negotiations with both North Macedonia and Albania.
We discussed the Multiannual Financial Framework – the Union’s budget for the period 2021-28.
We held a discussion with the Commission President elect, Ursula von der Leyen on her priorities for the incoming European Commission.
We formally appointed Christine Lagarde as the new Governor of the European Central Bank.
On Climate Change, we welcomed the outcome of the UN Climate Action Summit. We will discuss the EU’s long-term strategy on Climate Change at our December EC.
We discussed the situation in Syria and adopted conclusions condemning the actions of Turkey.
We expressed our full solidarity with Cyprus in relation to illegal Turkish drilling in Cypriot waters.
We reiterated our full support for all efforts to establish truth, justice and accountability for the victims of MH17.
This was the final scheduled European Council for President of the European Council Donald Tusk, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini and we thanked them for their outstanding work over the past five years.
