Written Answers Nos. 614-633
614. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the calculation of possible overpayments will be completed for a person (details supplied) in relation to their State pension (contributory) and outstanding payment issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18589/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA letter has been issued to the person concerned to confirm the amount of the overpayment and the balance due to them. Authorisation has been forwarded to my Department's Accounts Branch for payment of the outstanding amount.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
615. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the overpayments recouped of one-parent family benefit in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18631/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments 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 makes every effort to recover the amount overpaid in full in the shortest time period.
Overpayments can take a number of years to be fully recovered and the Department takes into account, as it is obliged to by law, the personal circumstances of the person in determining the amount of money they can repay so as to ensure that their living needs are met.
A breakdown of one family parent payment overpayments recouped in the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020 is set out in the table below.
One Parent Family Payment Recoveries
|
Year Recovery received |
Value Recovered |
|
2016 |
€6.2 million |
|
2017 |
€5.7 million |
|
2018 |
€5.6 million |
|
2019 |
€5.2 million |
|
2020 (to end June) |
€2.2 million |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
617. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a pandemic unemployment payment rate review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18675/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom the 29th June, the higher rate of Pandemic Unemployment Payment is only payable to those who had average weekly reckonable income of €200 or greater from self-employment prior to applying for the PUP. As the Department has identified the person concerned as self-employed, it is basing its decision on their return of income in the 2018 tax year.
In their case, the Revenue Commissioners have advised this Department that their income (after application of capital allowances) is below €200 per week, and the lower weekly PUP rate of €203 now applies to them.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
618. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of working family payment who have listed employment in the Defence Forces on their application. [18690/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an income tested, in-work payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children and to offer a financial incentive to pursue employment.
The numbers of Defence Force employees in receipt of WFP are as follows:
|
Employee Category |
WFP Recipients |
|
NCO's & other ranks |
64 |
|
Public Servants |
32 |
|
Other Occupation |
5 |
|
Total |
101 |
It should be noted that the above figure(s) refer to Defence Force employees, whose employer (registration) number is the Defence Forces.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
619. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of making a one-off annual double payment of child benefit to all recipients in September 2020. [18716/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra621. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of a double payment of child benefit. [18827/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 621 together.
The estimated cost of providing a one-off double monthly payment of Child Benefit is €172.7m.
The cost provided is based a double monthly child benefit payment in one month of the year and is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2020.
620. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by introducing a new employers’ rate of PRSI of 12.75%, 13.75%, 14.75% and 15.75%, respectively, on the portion of salary paid in excess of €100,000 per annum. [18776/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table provides the estimated full year revenue in 2021 arising from the introduction of each of the employers' rates of PRSI listed on the portion of salaries over €100,000.
|
PRSI % |
Yield |
|
12.75 |
€99.8m |
|
13.75 |
€158.5m |
|
14.75 |
€217.3m |
|
15.75 |
€276.0m |
These estimates do not take into account any possible changes in employer or employee behaviour arising from changing the rate of employer PRSI contribution. Nor does it take into consideration any of the impacts arising from the measures being taken to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
622. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of children availing of hot free school meals; and the cost per child and school of delivering same. [18828/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children. The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
As part of Budget 2019, funding was provided for a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing hot school meals in primary schools at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020. The pilot involves 37 schools benefitting 6,744 students for the 2019/2020 academic year. Hot meals are paid at the rate of €2.90 per child per day.
Budget 2020 provided an additional €4 million in funding to extend the hot meals for children currently receiving the cold lunch option, which will allow my Department to extend the hot meals from September 2020 to an additional 35,000 children who currently receive the cold lunch option. A decision has been made to delay the extension of the hot meals to January 2021 because of the closure of schools due to Covid-19 from 13 March 2020. The 37 schools in the pilot will continue to avail of the hot school meals option from September 2020.
A breakdown of the allocations provided to schools for the Hot Meals Pilot is detailed in the attached Tabular Statement.
Table: Allocations provided to schools participating in the Hot Meals Pilot 2019/2020 academic year.
|
School Name |
County |
Number Of Children |
Allocation |
|
St Johns Convent |
Limerick |
274 |
€107,271.00 |
|
Goldenbridge Convent |
Dublin 8 |
237 |
€123,714.00 |
|
Clogheen Mxd N S |
Cork |
165 |
€86,130.00 |
|
St Annes Con N S |
Roscommon |
125 |
€50,750.00 |
|
Bushy Park N S |
Galway |
365 |
€190,530.00 |
|
S N Bun An Tsabhairne |
Cork |
221 |
€105,748.50 |
|
Lisdoonan N S |
Monaghan |
146 |
€76,212.00 |
|
Graig Na Manach Buac |
Kilkenny |
75 |
€39,150.00 |
|
St Ciarans Mixed N S |
Offaly |
125 |
€58,000.00 |
|
Curragh Camp G N S |
Kildare |
74 |
€38,628.00 |
|
Scoil Na Mbraithre |
Tipperary |
260 |
€135,720.00 |
|
Clochar Padraig Naofa |
Donegal |
134 |
€69,648.00 |
|
S N Na Cealltraighe |
Galway |
73 |
€31,755.00 |
|
S N Realt Na Mara |
Mayo |
51 |
€26,622.00 |
|
S N Domhnach Mor |
Donegal |
45 |
€23,490.00 |
|
Sn Naomh Feidhlim Boys Snr Sch |
Cavan |
241 |
€104,835.00 |
|
Scoil Na Mbraithre |
Cork |
227 |
€105,328.00 |
|
S N Treasa Naomha |
Wicklow |
70 |
€36,540.00 |
|
Eoin Naofa N S |
Westmeath |
107 |
€43,442.00 |
|
S N Naomh Lorcan |
Louth |
79 |
€29,783.00 |
|
S N Gort Na Gaoithe |
Galway |
47 |
€19,082.00 |
|
St Josephs Convent |
Longford |
550 |
€279,125.00 |
|
Scoil Mhuire |
Kerry |
55 |
€28,710.00 |
|
Barr Na Sruthan N S |
Laois |
66 |
€25,839.00 |
|
St. Peter'S Primary School |
Wicklow |
168 |
€56,028.00 |
|
Ballycar N S |
Clare |
30 |
€15,660.00 |
|
S N Achaidh An Ghlaisin |
Mayo |
47 |
€24,534.00 |
|
Gorey Central School |
Wexford |
226 |
€104,864.00 |
|
St Philip The Apostle Junior N S |
Dublin |
259 |
€127,687.00 |
|
St Thomas Senior N S |
Dublin |
399 |
€161,994.00 |
|
Holy Family School |
Sligo |
196 |
€96,628.00 |
|
Gaelscoil Phadraig |
Dublin |
149 |
€77,778.00 |
|
Scoil Choill Mhic Thomaisin |
Waterford |
119 |
€44,863.00 |
|
Mohill N S |
Leitrim |
206 |
€77,662.00 |
|
Gaelscoil An Bhradáin Feasa |
Meath |
437 |
€202,768.00 |
|
Belmayne Educate Together National School |
Dublin |
447 |
€194,445.00 |
|
Scoil Mhuire agus Eoin |
Cork |
249 |
€122,757.00 |
623. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a supplementary welfare payment can be made while awaiting the result of an appeal for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18894/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn officer of my Department has contacted the person concerned and advised her regarding suitable supports. The person concerned declined to submit an application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance at this time but was assured that she could contact the Community Welfare Service in the future to seek advice/assistance if her circumstances necessitate this.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
624. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 741 of 14 July 2020, if a person (details supplied) actually received funds incorrectly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18913/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has reviewed this matter and there is no indication that anyone other than the person concerned collected these payments and this issue was not raised by her at that time. The contention that someone else collected the payment has not been raised as an issue up to now and was not raised in any of two previous correspondences.
Where a payment is made at a post office, as in this case, the customers signature would have been required in order to cash their child benefit payments. As this matter happened some 14 years ago too much time has elapsed for the Department to investigate this matter in any further detail.
An overpayment arose in this case as the person concerned continued to collect child benefit payments in respect of a child that no longer resided in their household. Another qualified third party applied for child benefit for this child and following enquiries was awarded the payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
625. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue on a claim for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) given that her Department received the application on 12 December 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18927/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the lady concerned on 19 December 2019. Medical eligibility has been assessed and she satisfies the medical and the contribution conditions for the scheme. The claim will be finalised as quickly as possible and the lady will be notified directly.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
626. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is on the lower rate of pandemic unemployment payment in view of the fact that their income exceeds the €200 threshold; her views on the policy issues raised by the circumstances of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18932/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom 29th June the rate of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) which a person will receive will depend on their gross weekly employment earnings as follows;
- For those whose prior gross earnings were €200 per week or higher (about 75% of recipients), the PUP payment rate will remain at €350 per week;
- For those whose prior gross earnings were up to €199.99 per week (about 25% of recipients), the PUP payment rate will be €203 per week.
- A person who was in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit as a part-time or casual worker immediately prior to receipt of the PUP will remain on the rate of €350 irrespective of their previous earnings.
The rate of the PUP is based on prior earnings notified to Revenue. It is important to note that my Department will only accept earnings which have been notified to Revenue and subject to PRSI.
For employees – the reference periods are 2019 (full year) and 2020 (January/February).
Where an employee record was found in 2019 or 2020, assessment was based on the information available. A person received the benefit of which ever rate was the more favourable.
Where no employee record was available, my Department looked at the person’s 2018 PRSI record for self-employment PRSI contributions. The assessment of average weekly earnings is based on the Class S PRSI record only.
For the self-employed, the last year for which complete data is available is 2018. This is the year which was used. While there are a limited number of Class S PRSI returns on record for 2019, these relate to returns under the PAYE system; in a significant number of cases, these returns require further examination, or the data could distort the examination of individual employee returns for that year.
Where no earnings data was available, either as an employee or a self-employed person, the rate of the PUP was reduced to €203 per week.
Under PUP rerating rules, employee records are checked for 2019 first, and then the first nine weeks of 2020, and the more favourable average weekly outcome is given. 2018 is only reviewed for self-employed records if no details are found in both 2019 and 2020.
In the case of the person concerned the Revenue Commissioners has advised that there were no earnings registered in 2019 or 2020. While he has employee earnings in 2018, under the PUP rerating rules, these are not considered for assessment. Therefore, the person concerned has been correctly rated to €203 per week.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
628. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if 2019 tax returns can be taken into consideration when assessing pandemic unemployment payment rates for those who are self-employed. [18983/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra630. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the decision to award self-employed persons the pandemic unemployment payment is based solely on 2018 earnings; if so, the reason; if it has been legislated for; if not, if it is at the discretion of her Department; and if there is an appeals process for those who have had their payment reduced. [19051/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 628 and 630 together.
The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as an emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. To be eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment a person must have been in employment immediately prior to the 13th March and lost their income from employment due to the onset of the pandemic. Self- employed people must have suffered a collapse in their trading income to the extent that they are available to take up other full-time work.
Where a person is self-employed their gross average weekly income for 2018, the last tax year for which verifiable data on self-employed income is available, is used to calculate the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment. Any person who feels that the assessment of their earnings, based on returns already submitted to Revenue, is inaccurate can ask for a review of their case with further details available on www.gov.ie.
As part of the Governments July stimulus announced last week, changes were introduced to the structure of the pandemic unemployment payment which mean that it continues to be a strong support but is also fair and targeted. From the 17 September 2020 until the 31 January 2021 the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be paid at 3 rates. The payment rate will depend on the amount previously earned. For people who earned less than €200 per week the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment will be €203 per week. For people who earned €200 to €300 per week, the rate of payment will be €250 per week. For people who earned over €300 per week, the rate of payment will be €300 per week
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
629. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the cost-benefit analysis undertaken for the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18991/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPreliminary work on the cost benefit analysis of the Public Services Card has begun and this work will be progressed over the coming months.
I expect this work to be completed during the fourth quarter of this year.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
631. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if additional supports will be put in place to support the self-employed in reopening their business in view of the fact that they cannot avail of the temporary wage subsidy scheme which other businesses can continue to access it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19061/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Enterprise Support Grant is being extended to assist eligible self-employed recipients who are exiting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme after 25th June 2020 to re-start their business. A once-off grant will be awarded up to a maximum of €1,000 covering costs associated with re-opening a business which was closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
This measure will ensure that self-employed individuals who face difficulties in transitioning back to work from the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment are awarded financial assistance.
The grant will be available to self-employed individuals who satisfy the scheme conditions including: employing fewer than 10 people; having an annual turnover of less than €1 million; and not being liable for commercial rates. This grant is available for micro enterprises that are not eligible for other similar COVID business re-start grants from other Government Departments.
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is responsible for other enterprise supports for businesses that have been impacted by the current pandemic.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
632. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19075/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement) is a weekly tax free payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children. In order to qualify for WFP, an applicant must have a qualified child and be engaged in full-time paid employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight.
Working Family Payment for the person concerned was due for renewal from 24 June 2020 and from the information provided, they did not satisfy qualifying conditions for the scheme.
The person concerned has appealed the decision and we await the outcome of this appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
633. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 803 and 797 of 14 July 2020, if she will provide the specific information relating to the status of an application for funding under the rural regeneration and development fund for a group (details supplied); if the application as it stands will be considered for funding in a forthcoming tranche of the scheme; the reason for the failure of the application in the most recent round of announcements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18176/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe second call for Category 2 applications for the Fund closed on 28th February and there was an excellent response from all across the country, with 76 applications received.
On 25th June 2020, Minister Ring announced details of 24 successful projects arising from this call. The successful projects have been allocated €13 million in support from the Fund and will deliver a total investment worth €17 million. To date, the Fund has now allocated €161 million in support for 134 projects across Ireland, worth a combined total of €229 million.
The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature and applications undergo comprehensive scrutiny, involving assessment by my Department under the oversight of a Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments as well as independent experts.
The overall quality of the applications received under the second call for Category 2 applications was extremely high. High priority was accorded to strategic projects that met the overall objectives of the Fund and the stated focus in this call on town and village regeneration. Not all projects that met these requirements could be funded under the first announcement due to budgetary constraints. Any further announcement of successful projects under the second call will be in the context of available budgetary resources, informed by the outcome of the assessment process outlined above and the alignment of the projects with the objectives of the Fund.
Following completion of the second call for Category 2 applications, my Department will provide feedback as required to assist applicants to prepare for future calls.
