Written Answers Nos. 825-849
825. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the means test threshold for entitlement to carer's allowance in €50 intervals up to €950 per week in tabular form. [12985/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra827. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the means test threshold for entitlement to carer’s allowance in €50 intervals up to €950 per week in tabular form. [13044/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 825 and 827 together.
The Government acknowledges the crucial role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
The main income supports to carers provided by my Department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on these payments to carers in 2020 is expected to exceed €1.3 billion.
The means test for Carer’s Allowance is one of the most generous in the social protection system. Currently €332.50 of gross weekly income is disregarded in the calculation of means for a single person; the equivalent for someone who is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting is €665 of combined gross weekly income.
It has not been possible to provide all of the €50 incremental estimates as requested within the time-frame allowed for response to this PQ. Using the ESRI SWITCH microsimulation model it has been estimated that the cost of increasing the current disregard for a couple of €665 by €50 to €715 is €15.08 million. However, allowing for income tax offsets, net expenditure for this increase is estimated to be around €11.59 million per year.
The cost of increasing the couple disregard from €665 to €950 was also examined using the ESRI SWITCH model and estimated at total cost of €90.23 million per year. Allowing for income tax offsets, net expenditure for this increase is estimated to be around €67.97 million per year.
The remaining estimates requested will be supplied to the Deputy shortly.
Changes to schemes are considered in an overall budgetary and policy context and from an evidence based perspective. Some 86% of the current recipients of Carer’s Allowance have no means or means of less than €7.60 per week and would not benefit by an increase in the disregard.
Carers who would benefit from an increased disregard would be in higher income households. Given the need to target available resources fairly and equitably to those in most need, I have no plans to change the means conditions for Carer's Allowance at this juncture. While I will continue to seek to improve the supports available for carers, any changes must be considered in an overall budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
826. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied). [13039/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a successful appeal, this lady has been awarded disability allowance (DA) with effect from 5 June 2019. The first payment will be made by her chosen payment method on 1 July 2020.
Arrears of payment due, will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
828. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the protocols for informing her Department following the death of a pension recipient; the persons from which her Department accepts this information from prior to the issuance of a death certificate to the next of kin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13047/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra829. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the regulations which govern the recouping of pension overpayments following the death of a pension recipient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13048/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra830. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the procedure followed by her Department for recoupment of pension overpayments following the death of a pension recipient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13049/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 828 to 830, inclusive, together.
The Civil Registration Act 2004 places a legal obligation on the relatives, and other named parties in the absence of a relative, to register the death of a person and to do this within three months of the person dying. Once a death is registered, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is automatically informed of the death and any social welfare entitlements in payment will be stopped.
The deceased person’s next of kin or personal representatives should also notify my Department of the death directly, by telephone or in writing, pending issuance of the death certificate. The person’s payment can thus be suspended for review of the pension claim, not only to minimise potential overpayments of pension, but also to ascertain if further payments are due to the next of kin, where there may be uncollected payments at date of death or where there may be an entitlement to six weeks' payment after death to a surviving spouse, civil partner or cohabitant.
Every effort is made to ensure that overpayments do not occur but, where they occur, they are regarded as debts to the Exchequer and my Department is obligated to recover the amounts due. The Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) makes provision for the recovery of amounts overpaid on any scheme, which remain outstanding at the time of their death, from the deceased person’s estate. My Department does not apply interest or penalties on the amounts owing.
Sections 335(a) and (b) of the Act provide that any benefit or assistance overpaid is repayable and that this obligation extends to any other person to whom the benefit was paid on behalf of that person, or the personal representative of that person. In general, the personal representative or the solicitor of the deceased person’s estate will contact my Department to arrange settlement of the outstanding overpayment. In every case the value of the estate is reduced by the funeral and legal expenses for which the estate is liable and recovery of the overpayment is then sought from the remaining assets. Where insufficient assets are available to repay the outstanding sums, my Department has powers to consider the write-off or write-down of the balance of the outstanding overpayment to reflect the circumstances.
Posthumous overruns of pension or other social welfare payments remain the property of my Department. Section 340 of the Act requires a financial institution to refund to my Department payments credited to the account of an intended beneficiary after date of death. On receipt of a written request from my Department, if the financial institution is unable to refund the full amount of the posthumous overpayment, the amount outstanding may be requested from the personal representatives of the deceased.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. If he has a particular case in mind or if there are particular circumstances which he would like to bring to my attention, the matter can be fully investigated by my Department.
831. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding community employment supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13088/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. The contract agreement between the Department and the CE sponsoring body establishes their role as an independent contractor, responsible for all purposes and all persons recruited by them.
CE supervisors are not employed by the Department and have always been employees of CE sponsoring bodies which operate in the community and voluntary sector.
The Department provides funding for CE supervisor positions up until the State Pension age which is currently 66.
There are 50 CE supervisors who have reached, or will reach, the State Pension age of 66 during 2020. They are broken down by county as follows:
|
COUNTY |
Number |
|
CAVAN |
1 |
|
CORK |
5 |
|
DONEGAL |
1 |
|
DUBLIN |
9 |
|
GALWAY |
5 |
|
KERRY |
6 |
|
KILDARE |
1 |
|
KILKENNY |
2 |
|
LAOIS |
1 |
|
LIMERICK |
3 |
|
LONGFORD |
2 |
|
LOUTH |
3 |
|
MAYO |
3 |
|
MEATH |
1 |
|
OFFALY |
2 |
|
TIPPERARY |
2 |
|
WATERFORD |
1 |
|
WESTMEATH |
2 |
|
|
50 |
833. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a widows’ contributory pension claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [13094/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded a widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension at the weekly rate of €202.90 with effect from the 29th May 2020. Payment of pension will commence at her nominated Post Office from the 3rd July 2020. She will also receive arrears of pension due from the 29th May 2020 on that same date at her nominated Post Office.
A decision letter to that effect has been posted to her home address.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
834. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the financial impact of old age pensioners unable to claim the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13110/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is a time limited payment available to people age between 18 and up to 66 years, and the age range is consistent with other jobseeker and social protection income supports paid to working age persons. People aged 66 years and over are provided for within the Social Protection income support framework through the State Pension, either the contributory State pension based on PRSI contributions or the non-contributory means tested pension.
A person in receipt of the State contributory pension can retain all of their State pension as well as their employment income and retain that pension payment if they lose employment income, thus guaranteeing an income support. If a person is not in receipt of the maximum rate of State Pension Contributory, they may be eligible for an increased weekly rate of payment on the State non-contributory means tested pension depending on their circumstances. A person may also be entitled to an increase in respect of a qualified adult, subject to the means of the qualified adult. The
maximum weekly rate of payment for a State Contributory pensioner in a two person household with an adult dependent who is over 66 years is €470.80, significantly higher than the temporary Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Persons in receipt of the non-contributory or means-tested pension who are also in receipt of an employment income may have their pension payment increased if they lose that employment income or if that employment income is reduced. Similarly if a person aged over 66 who did not previously qualify for or make an application for a means-tested pension may qualify for a pension payment if their circumstances change – including if they lose any employment income or if that employment income is reduced. A person may be entitled to claim for an increase in respect of a qualified adult up to age 66 years depending on the specific circumstances. The maximum rate of payment for the non-contributory pension for a two person household is €393.60.
People aged over 66 may also be entitled to a range of ancillary supports that are aligned to the particular circumstances of older people and are significantly more valuable than those generally available to the working age. These include free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package (gas/electricity) and living alone allowance.
A person of any age who is experiencing financial hardship may access assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments.
I trust this clarifies the position.
835. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when face-to-face meetings for the public services card will resume for those applying for SUSI but do not have a card and cannot organise the face-to-face meeting to receive one; if there is an alternative in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13129/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe SAFE registration process, which my Department uses to authenticate a person's identity, is a face-to-face process which results in the issuing of a Public Services Card (PSC).
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department has temporarily suspended the SAFE registration process. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and WHO guidelines in respect of social distancing. As a result, it has not been possible for those who wish to obtain a PSC to get one.
My Department has been moving towards a resumption of the SAFE registration process on a phased basis in recent weeks and this is being done in accordance with all relevant HSE and Government guidelines to ensure the health and safety of the Department's customers and staff. I would expect that SAFE registration will re-commence in all Intreo Centres over the coming weeks.
While it is not currently possible for a student to obtain a PSC for the purpose of applying for a student grant to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) via a verified MyGovID account, online applications for a grant can still be made by setting up a SUSI account on www.susi.ie.
Any student setting up a SUSI account will need to know their Personal Public Service Number (PPS Number) - this can be found on their Medical Card or GP Visit Card, European Health Insurance Card, Drugs Payment Scheme Card, payslips they may have received from their employer, if they are working, or on correspondence from the Revenue Commissioners or my Department.
Any student who cannot find their PPS Number can contact my Department at 1890 927 999.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
836. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the electricity or gas allowance from €35 per month to €42 per month under the household benefits package. [13142/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe household benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €264 million this year on HHB for over 461,000 customers. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
The estimated full year cost of increasing the electricity and gas allowance element of the HHB package from €35 to €42 per month would be in the region of €39 million in 2021. This estimate is based on the increase being implemented from January 2021. Further increased costs would obviously also arise in future years, related to the numbers then receiving HHB.
Any decision to enhance the HHB package or to increase the electricity and gas aspect of the package would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of budget negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
837. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to providing income supports for taxi drivers that are returning to work as the lockdown comes to an end in the context of diminished demand for their services in the next few months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13154/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra851. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if concerns (details supplied) raised in relation to the events industry will be addressed; if further supports will be made available for freelance and self-employed workers in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13423/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra856. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will continue the pandemic unemployment payment into 2021 in circumstances in which certain seasonal sectors of the economy have passed their season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13531/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra867. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if artists will be allowed to take up short-term projects and work to remain on the pandemic unemployment payment in view of the fact the sector will not open properly until 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13708/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 837, 851, 856 and 867 together.
The COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic and approval has been given to the extension of this payment until 10th August. The Government is aware that there are certain sectors which will be affected by business closures longer than others and the confirmation that this payment will be available until early August provides financial certainty to people affected at this time.
Where a person does not meet the conditions for receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and they are unemployed for 4 days or more in a week they can apply for the social-insurance based jobseekers benefit or means tested jobseekers allowance.
A self-employed person who is continuing to operate their business at a reduced level may be eligible for support under the jobseekers allowance payment. Jobseekers Benefit for the self-employed, which I introduced last year, is a PRSI support available for self-employed people who have ceased trading. I have also recently announced the extension of the Enterprise Support Grant which will be made available to small business owners who transition from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to re-open the business. The grant, of up to €1,000, will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants. The Department is developing the systems to put it into effect and will communicate how to access the grant in the coming weeks.
It should be noted that any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for other financial support under the means tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme including an Exceptional or Urgent needs payment.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
838. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review a decision to seek recovery of an alleged overpayment in the case of a person (details supplied) on the basis that the applicant did not fully understand the significance of their response to the questions regarding eligibility of payment; if this notice is acceptable grounds to appeal against the decision; if an oral hearing can be arranged in respect of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13164/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department wrote to the person concerned on 10/02/2020 and on 28/05/2020 in relation to a review of entitlement to jobseeker's allowance, requesting additional information in order to complete this review. A revised decision and assessment of an overpayment was issued on the 18/6/2020 on the basis of the information available to my Department. The person concerned was advised of her right to request a review of this decision and/or appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office outlining the grounds for her appeal and including any facts or evidence in support of her case.
It is open to the person concerned to appeal the decision in writing within 21 days of the date of the Deciding Officer’s decision. On receipt of a request for a review/appeal my Department can begin the review/appeals process.
This notice cannot be accepted as an appeal on behalf of the person concerned. The person concerned has been supplied with an appeal form. This should be completed and returned to the Maynooth Branch Office or to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office, D’Olier House, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2. Oral hearings are a matter for the Social Welfare Appeals Officer to decide upon taking into account all the circumstances of the case.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
839. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which carer’s allowance payment levels have been affected by the pandemic support payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13166/20]
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.
Payment rates for Carer's allowance have not been affected by pandemic support payments. The number of people in receipt of CA at the end of May 2020 was 87,270. This number has increased from 81,831 at the end of May 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
840. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the updated Covid-19 payment for self-employed persons is not calculated over a two-year period similar to that used for PRSI workers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13169/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 5th June the Government approved the extension of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment until 10th August. From 29th June a two-level payment structure was introduced to link the pandemic unemployment payment level to gross prior earnings or income. The majority of recipients will not be impacted by these changes as it is estimated that approximately three-quarters of recipients will continue to receive the €350 rate of payment until 10 August.
Where a person’s previous gross weekly earnings were €200 or higher there will be no change to their rate of PUP payment. If a person’s previous gross weekly earnings were under €200 the rate of their Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be adjusted to €203. This is equivalent to
the full personal rate of Jobseeker Benefit.
For self-employed people their gross average weekly income for 2018 will be used to calculate the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment, which is the last tax year for which complete data on self-employed income is available.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
841. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which a person (details supplied) that has total combined contributions here and in Germany that would yield a maximum State pension contributory here can lose out to the extent detailed; and her plans to alter the method of calculating such contributions to ensure such persons do not lose out in the future. [13193/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 2 October 2018, in advance of reaching pension age in June 2019. According to the records of my Department, they have a total of 389 paid full-rate Irish social insurance contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for standard State pension (contributory) based solely on their Irish social insurance record.
Under European Union regulations, the insurance records of other Member States can be combined to satisfy the 520-contribution condition and give entitlement to a proportional or pro rata pension. The person’s Irish and EU (German and UK) contributions were combined to establish their entitlement to an EU pro rata State pension (contributory). They have 2,209 contributions and credits, composed of 389 Irish paid full-rate contributions, 36 Irish credited contributions, and 1,784 EU contributions.
The rate of entitlement is based on the proportion of Irish full-rate social insurance contributions to the person’s total combined Irish and EU social insurance contributions. The greater the number of Irish contributions paid by a person, the higher their weekly rate of EU pro rata State pension entitlement. Conversely, a greater amount of full-rate EU contributions would yield a lower rate of pro rata pension.
The person’s pension entitlement has been calculated correctly under the provisions of both Irish and European Union legislation. How their entitlements to pensions in Germany and the UK are calculated is a matter for the pension authorities in those countries.
The person concerned qualified for an EU pro rata State pension (contributory) at the current weekly rate of €47.80 and was notified in writing of this decision on 29 April 2019. They were provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based. The person appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. They will be notified in writing of the outcome of the Appeals Officer's review.
Social security provisions have existed in EU law for more than 30 years, and are contained in Regulations (EC) No 883/2004 and 987/2009. As such, Ireland and other EU Member States are bound to abide by these regulations as they are applied to pension payments. Social insurance contributions made in other EU countries may be used to determine eligibility for contributory pensions, but cannot be used to increase the rate of payment. Any changes to this system would have a significant impact on the Social Insurance Fund and consequently the Exchequer.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
842. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department registers the number of self-employed musicians accessing welfare supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13202/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy in respect of the number of self employed musicians accessing welfare supports is not available to the Department.
843. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a fuel allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13213/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel allowance is a means-tested payment which aims to help householders on long-term social welfare payments with their heating costs during the winter season. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The applicant must satisfy a number of eligibility conditions, which include being in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfying a means test and living alone or only with other qualifying person(s). The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of the state pension (contributory). The applicant and their spouse can have a combined weekly household income of €100.00 above the maximum rates for state pension (contributory) and Increase for qualified adult and still be eligible for a fuel allowance.
The person concerned applied for fuel allowance with their State pension (contributory). The claim was disallowed on means grounds. On review, it has been decided that the customer was entitled to fuel allowance.
The customer will receive their fuel allowance to their designated bank account in mid-July, fully backdated to their 66 birthday (25/3/2019).
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
844. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review of the carer’s allowance is planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13240/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the crucial role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
The main income supports to carers provided by my Department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and the Carer’s Support Grant. The projected expenditure on Carer’s Allowance in 2020 is approximately €919 million. Combined spending on all payments to carers in 2020 is expected to exceed €1.3 billion.
I do not plan to carry out a review of the Carer's Allowance payment at this time. As part of the debate on the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2018, the then Minister agreed that the Department would carry out a review on the Carer's Allowance payment. Subsequently a comprehensive policy review of Carer’s Allowance was prepared by my Department and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 28 August 2019 and is available on the Oireachtas website (here).
In addition, on 15 August 2019 the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform also published a Spending Review of Carer’s Supports, including Carer's Allowance. Among its key findings was that of the €1.04bn spent on Carer’s Support Programmes in 2018, Carer’s Allowance accounted for 77% of total support spend on carers.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government is very aware of the key role family carers play in society and will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review in order to provide support and recognition for carers.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
845. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive payment for four weeks of arrears for the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13281/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is aware that many people may be due arrears for the pandemic unemployment payment. However, the circumstances in each case are different. As a result, considerable work and resources will be needed to deal with each of these. That can only begin once the payment processing we’re currently engaged in takes less time and resources.
Unfortunately the current circumstances mean that it will be a number of months before the Department will be able to fully address the arrears issue.
The person concerned should contact their community welfare officer if they have a requirement for assistance.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
846. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a review of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13306/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 4 June 2020. 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 15 June 2020. The case was referred on 25 June 2020 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required and possible in the context of the Covid-19 restrictions, hold an oral appeal 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.
847. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which data is protected in cases in which a recipient is switched from one payment to another, for example, from jobseeker's benefit to jobseeker's allowance and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13390/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers over 70 schemes and has the legal basis to collect and process personal data for the administration of these schemes.
The Department has also a legal basis to collect personal data for a specific reason and use it for another compatible purpose. This is because the Department provides a wide range of related services and it would be impractical for the Department, and inconvenient for the person, if customers were repeatedly asked for the same information.
An example of this is the information that may be supplied by a person for a Jobseekers claim. This information may be used to later provide education or training supports or supports such as the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance or the Fuel Allowance. In this way, the Department is better able to help the person with their income needs and to progress from dependency on a welfare payment into employment.
Another example is that information that may be provided by a person for a State Pension might be used to allow the customer to receive a free-travel pass or a household benefits package.
My Department takes data protection obligations very seriously. In order to protect the personal data of its customers across all the schemes, the Department has in place a set of corporate data protection policies, standards, procedures and guidelines governing the use of computer systems and customer data.
848. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons aged 65 years of age that claimed jobseeker's benefit in each month of 2019 and in each month to date in 2020, in tabular form. [13417/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra849. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons aged 65 years of age that claimed jobseeker’s allowance in each month of 2019 and in each month to date in 2020, in tabular form. [13418/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 848 and 849 together.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of persons aged 65 years of age that claimed jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit in each month of 2019 and in each month to date in 2020 is detailed in the attached tabular statement.
Tabular statement attached/........
The number of persons aged 65 years of age or over in receipt of a jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit payment in each month of 2019 and in each month to date in 2020.
|
Jobseekers Allowance 2019 |
Jobseekers Allowance 2020 |
Jobseekers Benefit 2019 |
Jobseekers Benefit 2020 |
|
|
January |
2,723 |
2,443 |
2,771 |
2,639 |
|
February |
2,740 |
2,425 |
2,758 |
2,578 |
|
March |
2,730 |
2,324 |
2,682 |
2,527 |
|
April |
2,700 |
2,216 |
2,646 |
2,360 |
|
May |
2,641 |
2,209 |
2,601 |
2,315 |
|
June |
2,660 |
2,566 |
||
|
July |
2,632 |
2,695 |
||
|
August |
2,613 |
2,579 |
||
|
September |
2,590 |
2,601 |
||
|
October |
2,578 |
2,604 |
||
|
November |
2,550 |
2,592 |
||
|
December |
2,530 |
2,581 |
