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Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Written Answers Nos. 1276-1300

Maternity Benefit

Ceisteanna (1280)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1280. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the benefits for which a person (details supplied) who is due to go on maternity leave in July 2020 and is at present on jobseeker's allowance can apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6732/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is an emergency payment of €350 per week introduced by the Government for a 12 week period and intended to compensate those workers whose employers cannot retain them on their payroll.  The payment is also being made to people who are self-employed but whose trade has temporarily ceased.

One of the eligibility requirements for the payment is that a person must have been in employment on or after 6 March 2020 and lost their employment due to COVID-19.

I am advised that the person in question made an application for PUP on 31 March 2020 indicating her last day of employment was 1 January 2020.  She is therefore ineligible for the payment.

I am further advised that the person in question is not eligible for Maternity Benefit as she does not satisfy the PRSI contributions requirement.

The person in question is currently in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance from my Department.  In the absence of any complications of pregnancy or other illness, a pregnant woman who is not entitled to Maternity Benefit satisfies the condition of being capable of work for the purpose of Jobseeker's Allowance.   

Where a person of any age is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for financial support through the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme from my department. 

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Question No. 1281 answered with Question No. 1179.

Maternity Benefit

Ceisteanna (1282)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1282. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the benefits available to mothers who are due to go on maternity leave and will not be entitled to maternity benefit due to the fact they work seasonally and will not be in insurable employment up to the day of their maternity leave due to Covid-19 and who are not entitled to the Covid-19 payment as a result of not being working on the relevant dates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6773/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Maternity benefit is a payment made for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed pregnant women who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.  In order to qualify for maternity benefit, a person must be in employment immediately before the first day of her maternity leave.  The last day of insurable employment must be within 16 weeks of the end of the week in which her baby is due.  If a woman satisfies these conditions and ceases employment within this 16 week timeframe, payment of maternity benefit can commence from the following day.

Where an individual is not in employment within the 16 week timeframe or has insufficient social insurance contributions to qualify for maternity benefit, they may be eligible for another social welfare payment provided they meet the relevant conditions, including jobseekers.  

The conditions of the emergency COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment are that a person must have lost their employment and income following the onset of the Covid19 pandemic.  It would be impossible to construct a scheme based on claims of potential or prospective but unrealised employment, particularly in an environment where the economy was operating at full-employment with many unfilled vacancies prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 It is open to any person experiencing financial hardship to apply for assistance through the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance.  Information on the various income supports is available at www.gov.ie.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Question No. 1283 answered with Question No. 1179.

Community Employment Schemes

Ceisteanna (1284)

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

1284. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to allowing those who have reached the State pension age to stay involved in a community employment scheme beyond that age if they so wish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6844/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Community Employment Scheme (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.

The programme is delivered through independent CE Sponsoring Bodies that receive state funding from the Department to cover the cost of CE participant, supervisor and assistant supervisor remuneration.

Funding for CE employees is available until the person reaches the state pension age ( as provided for by Section 7 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011).  They may remain on CE until the working day before they reach the state pension age as follows: 

- 66 for those born before 1 January 1955;

- 67 for those born on or after 1 January 1955; and

- 68 for those born on or after 1 January 1961

CE participants, supervisors and assistant supervisors may apply for a State Pension on retirement from CE.  If they wish to continue to work after they reach pension age they may apply for positions that are not state funded or, they can apply to the scheme to work in a voluntary capacity.

As CE is a working age activation scheme, employees who continue to be funded through CE must be of working age.  As you will appreciate, if my Department continued to fund CE participants, supervisors or assistant supervisors after they have reached state pension age, it would significantly impact on the opportunities for those people who are still of working age and would undermine the reputation of CE as an active labour market programme.

Illness Benefit Data

Ceisteanna (1285)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

1285. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the technical issues will be resolved to enable manual updating of contributions for illness benefit claims. [6860/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised that the technical issue which prevented the manual updating of contributions for Illness Benefit claims has been resolved.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Question No. 1286 answered with Question No. 1179.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Ceisteanna (1287)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which a review has taken place regarding the decision not to award a Covid-19 related payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact the person's absences from work arise directly from the Covid-19 crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6874/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. To be eligible for the Covid-19 PUP a person must have been in employment or self-employment on or after 6/3/2020 and must have lost their employment or self-employment due to a downturn in economic activity related to Covid-19. 

The records of my Department reflect that the person concerned is currently in receipt of an Illness Benefit payment since 13/4/2020.  This payment has been certified up to 18/5/2020.

On cessation of his Illness Benefit payment and subject to the eligibility criteria for Covid-19 PUP, it is open to the person concerned to submit a Covid-19 PUP application online at www.mywelfare.ie if he feels he satisfies the eligibility criteria for payment of this income support.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Personal Public Service Numbers

Ceisteanna (1288)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a PPS number will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6875/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised that the Department has no record of an application for a Personal Public Services Number (PPSN) in respect of this individual.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Personal Public Service Numbers

Ceisteanna (1289)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a PPS number will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6876/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised that the Department has no record of an application for a Personal Public Services Number (PPSN) in respect of this individual.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Invalidity Pension

Ceisteanna (1290)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the payment of an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6877/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The department received a claim for IP for the lady concerned on 12 March 2020.  The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied.  She was notified on 27 March 2020 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.  To date, she has not requested a review or an appeal of the disallowance decision.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Ceisteanna (1291)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the payment of illness benefit in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6880/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An Illness Benefit claim from the person concerned was received by the Department on the 10th March 2020.

In order to qualify for illness benefit a person must be under the pensionable age of 66. The person concerned does not qualify for illness benefit as they are over the state pension age and as such they are not entitled to claim Illness Benefit.

 I am advised that a letter issued to the person concerned on the 14th May 2020 giving him the full details of this decision.

 I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.  

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Ceisteanna (1292)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

1292. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the pandemic unemployment payment scheme; the number of persons availing of the scheme; the cost for each of the weeks ending 15 March to 3 May 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6888/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is an emergency payment introduced by the Government for a 12 week period for employees and self-employed people who have lost all their employment due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.  The original rate of payment was €203 per week which was increased to €350 per week.

It is expected that 585,000 will receive the payment during week commencing 18th May 2020 costing €204.6 million.

The number of persons availing of the scheme and the weekly expenditure since its introduction are outlined in the following table:

Payment on

 Recipients

 Expenditure

€m

 24th March 2020

 58,739

 11.9

 31st March 2020

 283,038

 99.1

 7th April 2020

 497,626

 174.2

 14th April 2020

 528,343

 184.9

 21st April 2020

 583,317

 204.2

 28th April 2020

 590,976

 206.8

 5th May 2020

 602,106

 210.7

 11 May 2020

 589,638

 206.5

Jobseeker's Payments

Ceisteanna (1293)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

1293. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider deferring jobseeker’s benefit means tests for those transitioning from jobseeker’s allowance until a later date in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent difficulties posed in carrying out means test assessments and the difficulties social protection customers face in seeking employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6889/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The main income supports, excluding the emergency time-limited Pandemic Unemployment Payment, offered by my Department for people who have lost employment are the social insurance contribution based jobseeker's benefit and means tested jobseeker’s allowance schemes.

Jobseekers benefit is paid for 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid and is paid for 6 months (156 days) for people with fewer than 260 PRSI contributions paid.  Where a person exhausts their claim for jobseekers benefit or they do not meet the contribution requirement they may apply for means tested jobseekers allowance.

Social assistance schemes such as jobseeker's allowance are means-tested to ensure that resources are directed to those with the most financial need.  A maximum rate is payable where a person has no or limited means, and tapering applies to the rate payable to those with modest or more substantial means, as there is an expectation that those with resources can at least partly contribute towards supporting themselves.

Removing the means test for jobseeker's allowance would involve fundamentally changing the nature of the scheme.  It would change from  being a targeted  income support for those most in need, to a universal support.  The key eligibility criteria remaining would be that the claimant be unemployed and genuinely seeking work.  Consequently, to ensure the most effective use of resources, it is considered more appropriate that the jobseeker's allowance means test remains.

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (1294)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

1294. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if workers who have been in receipt of the PUP will be entitled to the back to school clothing and footwear allowance. [6892/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn.  The Government has provided €53.98m for the scheme in 2020 which operates from June to September.

The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid. 

I am currently considering proposals to make the necessary arrangements so as to ensure that those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment with qualified children, and who need to avail of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme, will be able to do so.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Ceisteanna (1295)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

1295. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if clarity will be provided regarding the eligibility for the pandemic unemployment payment of Irish citizens who have returned from abroad due to loss of employment owing to the Covid-19 crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6917/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced in March 2020 as a time limited emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment in Ireland which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.  In order to be eligible for this payment a person must have been resident in the state and in employment or self-employment on or after 6 March 2020 and have become fully unemployed due to the downturn in economic activity caused by the pandemic. 

People who have returned to Ireland having lost employment abroad and who were not working in the state on or after 6 March 2020 are not entitled to the COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.  In the first instance they should apply for unemployment benefit in the country they last worked which may then be transferred to Ireland.

Where a person of any age is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for financial support through the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme from my department. 

Dental Services

Ceisteanna (1296)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

1296. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered providing dentists with an advance in payments provided under the State schemes, that is, the medical card and PRSI akin to supports provided in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Germany and other jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6918/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Dental services, provided to qualified contributors under the department's dental benefit scheme, are paid for monthly on an arrears basis, based on the contracted dentist submitting a claim for the treatment they provided to the qualified person.

The vast majority of such claims, over 97%, are submitted on line via the department's WelfarePartners portal, following confirmation of the customers eligibility, also obtained using this on-line facility.  This effective and efficient process allows for the customers eligibility to be checked, treatment provided, fee request to be submitted and payment issued within the shortest possible timeframe.  In short, payment for treatments provided in the month is lodged to the dentist's nominated account on the second Friday of the following month.

Any changes to Treatment Benefits would need to be considered in the overall budgetary and policy context. 

Any question relating to payment for dental treatments on the medical card scheme should be addressed to the Minister for health. 

Dental Services

Ceisteanna (1297)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

1297. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered a reduction in the rate of employer PRSI contributions in respect of dentists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6920/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government has introduced a number of initiatives to help employers and their employees during this difficult time.  One of the main supports available is the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, which is operated by Revenue and provides the payment of support to employers in respect of eligible employees where the employer’s business has experienced significant disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  

In response to feedback from employer groups, trade unions and public representatives, this scheme was recently enhanced to include an increase in the subsidy paid in respect of workers earning less than €24,400 per year from 70% to 85%.  Under the scheme, any payment made by employers in addition to the subsidy amount payable is liable to a PRSI charge of only 0.5%. 

An initiative to specifically assist small businesses was approved by the Government last week.  The €250 million Restart Grant will give direct grant aid to micro and small businesses to help them with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following the closure of their businesses due to the pandemic.  

The Government is continuously monitoring the situation, and will take further action, as necessary, as the Covid-19 situation evolves.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Domiciliary Care Allowance Data

Ceisteanna (1298)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

1298. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average percentage of applications for domiciliary care allowance which are refused; the percentage of refusals appealed; the percentage subsequently granted based on the appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6979/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The last full year for which data on Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is available is 2019.  Details of the applications processed in 2019 are listed as follows, together with the outcomes, both at initial decision stage and subsequently on appeal. 

DCA applications processed and outcomes 2019.

 Year

Applications

Processed

Awarded

Refused

Withdrawn

2019

8,784

5,886 (67%)

2,875 (33%)

23

Appeals processed 2019.

Year

Appeals finalised

Cancelled or Withdrawn

Revised by DCA section

Decided by Appeals Officer (AO)

Allowed by AO

Partially allowed 

Not allowed by AO

 2019

1,703

 44

 517

 1,142

811 (71%)

10 

(0.9%) 

321   (28.1%)

The appeals finalised in any particular year do not generally correspond to applications refused in the same year, therefore it is not possible to provide an exact percentage of applications refused and subsequently appealed.  For example appeals processed in the first half of a calendar year can typically refer to refusals from the previous calendar year or even earlier as acceptance of late appeals is at the discretion of the Chief Appeals Officer.  

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (1299)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

1299. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the home carer's scheme will be extended to those born before 1 September 1946; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6982/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In January 2018, I announced an Interim Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to calculate the entitlement of pensioners who reached state pension age on or after 1 September 2012 (i.e. those born on or after 1 September 1946) and who have a reduced rate pension entitlement based on post Budget 2012 rate bands.

People whose pensions were decided prior to 1 September 2012 were not affected by the Budget 2012 rate band changes.  As a consequence, people whose pensions were calculated under the 2000-2012 rate bands were subject to a significantly more generous regime than those who qualified before or afterwards, as a Yearly Average of only 20 contributions per year (out of a maximum of 49) could attract a 98% pension. 

There will be some people who have contributed less frequently into the Social Insurance Fund (which pays for contributory pensions), and who will therefore be below the threshold required for a maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory).  However, for those with insufficient contributions to meet the requirements for a State Pension (Contributory), they may qualify for a means tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum personal rate for which is €237 (over 95% of the maximum rate of the contributory pension).  This rate of payment does not include rent allowance, household benefits or fuel allowance.  Alternatively, if their spouse is a State pensioner and they have significant household means, their most beneficial payment may be an Increase for a Qualified Adult, based on their personal means, and amounting up to 90% of a full contributory pension.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 1300 answered with Question No. 1198.
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