Written Answers Nos. 701-725
701. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an entitlement to a basic social welfare payment exists in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14720/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned submitted an application for a Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance with effect from 6/4/2020. This application was disallowed on the basis that his income is in excess of the prescribed limit for his family size and that the excess income is deemed adequate to meet his needs. A decision letter dated 27/4/2020 issued to the person concerned advising him of his right to appeal the decision of the Deciding Officer to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
The person concerned also submitted an application for a State Pension (Contributory) with effect from 16/4/2020. Unfortunately he did not qualify as he did not satisfy the qualifying conditions. A qualifying condition for the State Pension (Contributory) is that a person must have at least 520 paid full rate social insurance contributions before their 66th birthday. A decision letter dated 16/4/2020 issued to the person concerned advising him of his right to appeal this decision to the SWAO.
It is open to the person concerned to submit an application for a State Pension (Non-Contributory). This is a means-tested payment where a person doesn't qualify for a contributory pension based on their social insurance (PRSI) contribution record or if they only qualify for a reduced rate of State Pension. Entitlement to State Pension (Non-Contributory) is subject to a means test. Items which count as means include cash income, including foreign pensions, the value of any property (excluding a person's own home) and the value of any savings and investments which a person or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant may have. In order to qualify for the State Pension (Non-Contributory) a person must be habitually resident in the State.
According to the records of my Department there is no record of a Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment application in respect of the person concerned. However as the person concerned is 66 years of age, he does not meet the eligibility criteria for receipt of this income support.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
702. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if rent allowance has been increased in line with current rent in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14725/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the rent supplement claim for the person concerned was reviewed on 28/11/19. Following completion of this review, his monthly Rent Supplement payment was increased to €370 per month. The person concerned has not made a further request for an increase in Rent Supplement since this last review.
In order to continue to be eligible for Rent Supplement, the person concerned must provide evidence to the Department that he is on the housing list with Kildare County Council. Letters requesting this information were sent to the person concerned on 6/11/2019 and 3/12/2019.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
703. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when arrears and back payments will be issued to pandemic unemployment payment claimants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14753/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra710. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Covid-19 payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14824/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra757. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons due arrears of the pandemic unemployment payment; when these arrears payments will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15426/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra788. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when backdated payments will be made to those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment who missed some payments at the beginning of the scheme due to mistakes in their applications. [16017/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 703, 710, 757 and 788 together.
The emergency Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been introduced as a time-limited emergency measure so that payments can be made as quickly as possible to the large number of people who have become fully unemployed due to the pandemic.
During the month of March, my Department received and processed jobseeker claims equivalent in number to a three year claim-load. These applications were processed as quickly as possible, with almost 59,000 people paid in the first week of the scheme, 283,000 people paid in the following week, and over 507,000 people in the third week of the scheme. Over 1 million applications in respect of 743,000 individuals have been received. To date, almost 7.8 million payments have issued at a cost of over €2.7 Billion.
Currently, the Department is focused on processing and managing payments to ensure that they continue to be made to all who qualify for them. The work involved in doing this is complex, with people joining and leaving the scheme each week, along with management of overlaps between the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the Revenue Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.
The Department is aware that many people are due some arrears and that each person's case is unique. The Department is currently developing an automated process which will examine each case and match a person's eligibility for each week of the scheme against their payment history. This is a complex piece of work. I am advised that the figures requested by the Deputy are not available at this time.
It will take time to complete the necessary development work to enable the review cases and determine what, if any, arrears are due. I can assure the Deputies that all cases will be examined and where arrears arise they will be processed and claimants will be notified.
In cases where a person supplied incorrect bank details as part of their application for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment they were contacted by my Department and advised that the bank details submitted by them were incorrect. They were asked to submit a new claim for the payment and provide the correct bank IBAN details in order for their claim to be processed. Payments which failed due to incorrect IBAN details will be reissued as part of the arrears processing work outlined above.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
704. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if this question will be accepted as notice of the appeal against the 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 her response to the questions regarding eligibility of payment; if an oral hearing can be arranged at an early date in respect of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14754/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned has not been received by that office. However, on foot of the Deputy's question, a form has been forwarded to the person concerned requesting her to state the grounds for her appeal of the Department's decision. On receipt of her reply the appeal will be opened, processed in the normal manner and referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has also advised me as result of the current Covid-19 restrictions and in order to safeguard the health and safety of both appellants and staff the Social Welfare Appeals Office has not held any oral appeal hearings since 13 March 2020. No such hearings can be scheduled until further notice. The matter is being kept under review. Appeals are currently being determined on the basis of written submissions. In some cases it has also been possible for Appeals Officers to progress appeals by way of telephone calls and email on issues relating to an appeal (which might otherwise have been ascertained in the course of an oral hearing) and bring the matter to a conclusion.
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.
705. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on matters raised in correspondence by an association (details supplied) in respect of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14755/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that where a person is not satisfied with a decision to withdraw their pandemic unemployment payment, they can have this decision reviewed. If the Deputy can supply the details of the individuals in question I will arrange for their individual cases to be reviewed.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
706. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to introduce legislation to deal with situations in which companies or others engage in asset stripping of a firm in order to avoid their responsibility to their workforces, as in a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14769/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCompany law matters are the responsibility of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
As I understand it, the Companies Act 2014 already includes provisions which may be utilised by liquidators or creditors of an insolvent company in appropriate cases. These include section 608, regarding the power of a court to order return of assets which have been improperly transferred; and section 599 where a related company may be required to contribute to debts of a company being wound up.
A range of factors will be involved for liquidators or creditors in deciding whether to pursue litigation based on these provisions of the Companies Act 2014. Such statutory provisions and the associated civil and criminal penalties also provide an important deterrent effect.
Alongside Company Law, companies must also of course comply with other legal requirements including their obligations in respect of the treatment of their employees, creditors and disclosure to and compliance with Revenue requirements.
Notwithstanding the above, the Programme for Government commits to:
- Reviewing the Companies Acts, with a view to addressing the practice of trading entities splitting their operations between trading and property, with the result that the trading business (including the jobs) goes into solvency and the assets are taken out of the original business; and
- Examining the legal provision that pertains to any sale to a connected party, following the insolvency of a company, including the matter of who can object and the allowable grounds of an objection.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
707. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will meet workers of a company (details supplied); the steps she will take to ensure that stock or assets are not removed from the company's stores before the outcome of negotiations with workers' representatives on redundancy terms and possible future scenarios; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14770/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note that Debenhams is a court-supervised liquidation, subject to the oversight of the High Court, and accordingly is sub judice. While company law matters are the responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, there is in fact no ministerial power to intervene in a court-supervised liquidation.
In general terms, the Companies Act 2014 already includes provisions which may be utilised by liquidators or creditors of an insolvent company in appropriate cases. These include section 608, regarding the power of a court to order the return of assets which have been improperly transferred, and section 599 where a related company may be required to contribute to debts of company being wound up. A range of factors will be involved for liquidators or creditors in deciding whether to pursue litigation based on these provisions of the Companies Act 2014. Such statutory provisions and the associated civil and criminal penalties also provide an important deterrent effect.
Alongside Company Law, companies must also of course comply with other legal requirements including their obligations in respect of the treatment of their employees, creditors and disclosure to and compliance with Revenue requirements.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
708. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for the JobPath scheme; when current contracts with providers Turas Nua and Seetec will expire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14772/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2019, my Department activated extension provisions within the existing contracts of both JobPath providers that enable referrals to the JobPath service until the end of 2020.
Normal labour activation services were suspended in recent months in accordance with public health guidelines, although engagement with clients continued by phone where possible. However, in parallel with the Intreo service, our contracted public employment services, including JobPath and the Local Employment Services, have resumed activation for new referrals. It is vital to continue to engage with the long term unemployed and other cohorts to ensure they do not become further distant from the labour market. This will be undertaken with due regard to public health requirements.
In common with all contracted public employment services, my Department is examining all options for the provision of services in 2021 with due regard to the significant labour market impacts of Covid-19 and the associated restrictions.
My Department engaged external consultants in late 2019 to review all current contracted public employment services, including JobPath. Their report, currently being finalised, will inform the Government's decision on the future structure of all contracted public employment services. It is essential that we ensure our labour market activation services are fit-for-purpose and provide value for money. This must be balanced against the pressing need to ensure that these key services are in situ when needed by those who have lost their jobs arising from the economic impact of the pandemic.
709. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a copy of the departmental briefings received by her and each Minister of State in her Department upon their taking up each individual role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14802/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn my first day as Minister, I received a comprehensive briefing document on the many policy areas for which I am responsible in this Department. As has been the policy of the Department, it is intended that the briefing material will be published in the coming weeks.
711. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of Labour Court recommendations made that relate to Departments; the number of these that have been implemented; and the number outstanding. [14836/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLabour Court recommendations that relate to my Department are usually dealt with and recorded on a divisional rather than central basis. As a result, it has not been possible within the timeframe allowed to collate with absolute accuracy the information the Deputy is seeking in respect of my own Department. This is underway and will be sent directly to the Deputy when it becomes fully available. My officials may also seek clarification from the Deputy on the time period for which he seeks the information.
My Department would not have any information relating to Labour Court recommendations for other Departments. Further such information may be available from the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as the Labour Court comes under the remit of his Department. Alternatively, such information may be available from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform given its coordinating role for Departments generally.
I hope this clarifies the matter to some extent for the Deputy.
712. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of pension arrears owed to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14852/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis case was reviewed and, having regard to all the circumstances, the person's pension has been awarded from their 66th birthday. Arrears will issue shortly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
713. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the provisions in place to ensure that those who have lost out due to the change in pension rate bands in 2012 will be given funds owed to them. [14923/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe then Government introduced a new initiative in 2018 called the Interim Total Contributions Approach (Interim TCA) in response to concerns raised about rate-band changes in 2012.
This initiative included provision for a new HomeCaring Periods Scheme which fundamentally changed the entitlement of many who spent time out of the workforce caring for others. It, for the first time, acknowledged home caring periods prior to 1994 and provides for up to 20 years of HomeCaring periods to be considered. As a result, those who have a 40 year record of paid and credited social insurance contributions, subject to a maximum of 20 years of credits / HomeCaring periods, qualify for a maximum contributory pension where they satisfy the other qualifying conditions for the scheme. Arising from this initiative, the Department reviewed over 94,000 cases resulting in over 38,000 receiving an increased pension payment. Since April 2019 all new State Pension (Contributory) applications are assessed under all possible rate calculation methods, including the Interim TCA, with the most beneficial rate paid to the pensioner.
It should be noted if a person does not satisfy those conditions, they may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% that of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). 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.
The new Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” includes a commitment to introduce a Total Contributions Approach (TCA). This is intended to be a fairer and more transparent system where the person's lifetime contribution will be more closely reflected in the benefit received. Furthermore, the Programme commits to the establishment of a new Commission on Pensions to examine sustainability and eligibility issues in relation to State pensions and the Social Insurance Fund. The Commission is to report to Government by June 2021 on a range of matters including total contributions and eligibility requirements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
714. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has instructed her officials to contact those persons directly in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment to inform them of the need to re-register their eligibility for the payment. [14941/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recently made contact and had engaged in a publicity campaign with recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and requested that they confirm their continued eligibility to receive the payment. This is in line with the standard practice applying to all jobseeker payments. Recipients were asked to do this no later than Monday, 13 July. Failure to do so may affect their entitlement to continue to receive a payment. While that deadline has now passed, the Department will still accept declarations up to Monday 20 July.
To do so, recipients should use the online portal www.MyWelfare.ie and follow the instructions under the heading 'continue eligibility to receive Pandemic Unemployment Payment'. This is the simplest and easiest way to do so. Any person who experiences difficulty in doing this should contact the helpline 1890 800 024 (Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm).
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
715. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a respite payment will be made to a person (details supplied); if the amount will be paid in full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14949/20]
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.
The carer's support grant (CSG) is an annual payment for carers who look after a person in need of full-time care and attention. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but is subject to the same caring conditions as CA.
CA recipients automatically qualify for the Carer's Support Grant, an annual payment of €1,700, which is not means-tested or taxed, on the first Thursday in June each year where they have an entitlement to CA.
The person concerned is in receipt of CA for two care recipients. CSG did not issue for his late son who passed away on 3 May 2020.
The person concerned will receive a payment of CA for his late son up until 29 July 2020. This includes the 12 weeks after death payment.
The CSG payment will issue to the nominated bank account of the person concerned on 17 July 2020.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
717. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if rent support can be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14972/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, no application for a Rent Supplement has been received from the person concerned. It is standard procedure where a person is residing in a HAP designated area and is on a Local Authority housing list, that the person in the first instance makes an application to their Local Authority for a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
I trust this clarifies the matter.
718. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which an entitlement to a contributory State pension exists or can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14974/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 13 July 2015. They applied for State pension (contributory) on 27 July 2015. The person has a contribution record of 226 paid full-rate social insurance contributions. As their contributions fall short of the required 520 paid full-rate contributions to qualify for standard State pension (contributory), their claim was disallowed. They were notified in writing of this decision on 7 August 2015, and provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based.
A new application was submitted by the person concerned on 30 September 2019. While the person has paid self-employment (Class S) contributions, they have not paid any self-employment contributions before age 66. Under social welfare legislation, a self-employed contributor will not be regarded as satisfying the contribution conditions for State pension (contributory) unless the person has paid self-employment contributions in respect of at least one year prior to reaching age 66 and all self-employment contributions payable have been paid.
The application was disallowed on 19 November 2019, with an explanation to the person concerned that under legislation their self-employment contributions for the period from 2006 – 2014 could not be used in the calculation of their pension (contributory) entitlement. They requested a review of their entitlement on 13 December 2019 but were informed on 11 March 2020 that the outcome remained the same. An application form for the means-tested residency-based State pension (non-contributory) was enclosed with the letter of 11 March 2020.
The person concerned appealed their pension decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. My Department's submission and papers on the case were referred to that Office on 18 June 2020. An Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required and if possible in the context of the Covid-19 restrictions, will hold an oral appeal hearing. The person will be notified in writing of the Appeals Officer's decision.
It remains open to the person concerned to apply for State pension (non-contributory). On receipt of a completed application form, their eligibility for this pension can be determined and they will be notified in writing of the decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
719. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in respect of a decision on a carer’s allowance application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14988/20]
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.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 14 November 2019.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied in respect of the care recipient.
The person concerned was notified on 8 January 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested an appeal of this decision and provided further supporting medical evidence to support his appeal.
A review took place before the application was sent for appeal and the application was awarded to the person concerned on 26 May 2020 with effect from 14 November 2019. The first payment issued to his nominated bank account on 4 June 2020.
Arrears due from 14 November 2019 to 27 May 2020 issued to the nominated bank account on 4 June 2020.
The person concerned was notified on 26 May 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
720. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount in illness benefit overpayments recouped in each of the years 2010 to 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14989/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments mainly arise as a consequence of decisions made under the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended). Where an overpayment is raised, the Department is obligated to make every effort to recover sums overpaid in full in the shortest time period.
In relation to the information sought by the Deputy, it is important to note that the Department introduced a new integrated overpayments recording and debt management IT system in late 2014. The system's improved functionality has provided enhanced control, reconciliation and audit procedures in relation to debt transactions.
Therefore, a breakdown of Illness Benefit overpayments recoveries for the period 2015 (following the introduction of the new system referred to above) to 2019 - are set out in the table below. Information in relation to earlier years is not readily available.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Illness Benefit Recoveries 2015-2019
|
Year |
Recoveries |
|
2015 |
€3.12m |
|
2016 |
€2.75m |
|
2017 |
€2.33m |
|
2018 |
€2.38m |
|
2019 |
€3.58m |
721. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14991/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on 12 February 2020.
Under social welfare legislation the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the appeal decision on foot of this additional evidence. However, the Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or fresh evidence which warranted a revision of their decision. The person concerned was notified of the outcome of the review on 3 July 2020.
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 on social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
722. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14993/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14 April 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 12 May 2020.
The Appeals Officer to whom the appeal was referred has engaged in correspondence with the person concerned in relation to their case. The Appeals Officer is now in a position to make a summary decision on the appeal in the near future.
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.
723. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the planned State pension (contributory) age increase to 67 years of age in January 2021 and 68 years of age in January 2028; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15010/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provided for increases to the State pension age to make the State pension system more sustainable as life expectancy increases. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the State Pension (Transition). This measure standardised the State pension age for all at 66 years. The legislation provides for increases to the State pension age - to 67 in 2021 and further to 68 in 2028.
The new Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” states that the planned increase in the State pension age next year will be deferred. This will require amendment to primary legislation.
Furthermore, a Commission on Pensions will be established to examine sustainability and eligibility issues in relation to State pensions and the Social Insurance Fund. The Commission is to report to Government by June 2021 on options including the qualifying age, contribution rates, total contributions and eligibility requirements. The Government will take action, having regard to the recommendations of the Commission, within six months. Pending the Commission's report and any subsequent Government decisions on its recommendations, it is intended that the State pension age will remain at 66 years.
The Programme also proposes an “Early Retirement Allowance or Pension” for 65 year olds paid at the same rate as Jobseekers Benefit without a requirement to sign on, partake in any activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
724. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons over 66 years of age who apply for the Covid-19 payment may have their cases judged on their individual circumstances;the process of dealing with applications from persons over 66 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15012/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been introduced as an emergency measure so that payments can be made as quickly as possible to the large number of people who have become fully unemployed due to the pandemic. This emergency payment is payable to people between the ages of 18 up to 66 which is consistent with the other Social Protection jobseeker schemes. It is paid to people who, in most cases, have no other source of income.
People over 66 are eligible for and can apply for a State Pension. Those over 66 do not pay social insurance contributions and can, if in receipt of the State Contributory Pension retain all of their State pension as well as their employment income and retain that pension payment if they lose employment income. People 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.
Recipients of State pension payments may, depending on their individual circumstances, have access to a range of other income supports not available to unemployed people – including the free fuel allowance, the living alone allowance, the household benefits package (gas./electricity), the telephone support allowance, free travel and the free TV licence.
Where a person is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for assistance through the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance. Queries in relation to eligibility should be made by phone to their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
725. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications received for the pandemic unemployment payment from persons over 66 years of age; the number of Covid-19 payments made to persons over 66 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15013/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that 4,849 people aged 66 or older have submitted an application for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to people aged 18 up to 66 years, and is consistent with other jobseeker and social protection income supports paid to working age persons. People aged 66 years and over may not avail of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, but are provided for within the Social Protection income support framework through the State Pension, either the State Pension Contributory or the State Pension Non-Contributory.
Persons in receipt of the means-tested State Pension Non-Contributory 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 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 of any age who is experiencing financial hardship can access assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments where the need is demonstrated.
