Written Answers Nos. 43-64
43. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the waiting time for carer’s payments applications and for a review of decisions relating to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40145/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications and reviews are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. The average number of weeks to award Carers Allowance and Carers Benefit at the end of October 2020 stood at 4 weeks, the lowest level on record. Steps to improve claim processing times were implemented in 2019 and have resulted in significant improvements. In 2019 the average number of weeks to award a new Carer's Allowance claim was 14 weeks and Carer's Benefit was 11 weeks; compared to in 2018 the average number of weeks to award was 17 weeks for Carer's Allowance and 12 weeks for Carer's Benefit. In 2020 the average number of weeks to award Carer's Allowance is 7 weeks and Carer's Benefit is 6 weeks. Carer's Allowance reviews take place in a number of circumstances as follows:-
- If the decision on a new claim is negative the customer has the option of a review.
- Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews as part of its control strategy to ensure that there is continued entitlement.
- A customer can at any stage request a review of their entitlement.
Reviews are carried out arising from customer requests, together with reviews undertaken by the Department. The numbers of these reviews are not maintained. I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
44. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made in reaching the 2020 target to reduce by 66% from 2011 levels the number of children in consistent poverty as outlined in Better Outcomes Brighter Futures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40083/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rate of children experiencing consistent poverty reduced from a peak of 11.7% in 2013 to a low of 7.7% in 2018. However, recent data from the Central Statistics Office shows that, regrettably, this rate increased to 8.1% in 2019 which equates to some 97,500 children. It is unacceptable that so many of the children in our society continue to experience consistent poverty. The child-specific poverty target under the "Brighter Outcomes Better Futures" Framework is to lift over 70,000 children (aged 0-17 years) out of consistent poverty by 2020, a reduction of at least two-thirds on the 2011 level (107,000 children). It is clear that, as we are now towards the end of 2020, this target will unfortunately not be reached.
However, by 2013, the number of children in consistent poverty had actually risen to 150,000 children. This means that the number of children in consistent poverty has actually decreased by almost 60,000 between 2013 and 2018 - which represents some progress. The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 – 2025 published in January contains a target based on an EU measure of child poverty. It is based on the “at risk of poverty or social exclusion” (AROPE) measure. Under this target Ireland is working towards improving its rating amongst EU Member States from 20th to 5th. Based on the 2018 AROPE rates for all EU Member States, this requires Ireland to reduce its AROPE rate for children under 18 years of age to 16%. In the recent Budget, I provided for a number of measures specifically targeted at low income families and which aim to help alleviate child poverty. Specifically, the rates of qualified child will increase by €2 per week to €38 for children under 12 and by €5 per week to €45 in respect of children over 12. The other measures are a €10 increase in the weekly income threshold for Working Family Payment for families with up to three children, and the removal of the €425 weekly earnings limit associated with the One-Parent Family payment. It is important to emphasise, however, that alleviating child poverty cannot be achieved through income supports alone. This issue requires a whole of Government approach across a number of Departments, including my own, which combines adequate income supports with access to services such as housing, health and childcare.
45. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend the pandemic unemployment payment to persons over 66 years of age in the workforce; the estimated cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40073/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory scheme payable to people between the ages of 18 up to 66 which is consistent with other social protection schemes payable to people of working age who have lost their employment. Over €4.3 billion has been spent on PUP to date. The estimated cost of extending PUP to people aged over 66 in the workforce is not available as the Department does not hold data on the number of such persons who have lost their employment as a result of the pandemic. People aged 66 years and over are provided for through the contributory State pension or the non-contributory State means tested pension. A person aged over 66 who is in employment may retain their State pension and employment income. If a person does not qualify for the maximum rate of State pension contributory they may qualify for an increased rate of State non-contributory pension, depending on their circumstances. People receiving the non-contributory State pension who also have employment income may have their pension payment increased if their income has changed. People aged 66 and over may also be entitled to a range of ancillary supports which include free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package for gas or electricity costs and living alone allowance. The fuel allowance and living alone allowance were both increased in Budget 2021 to €19.00 and €28.00 per week respectively. A person of any age who is experiencing financial hardship may access assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
46. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection when the increase in the living alone allowance and the fuel allowance will take effect; the number of persons who will benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40147/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra62. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection when the increase to the living alone allowance as announced in budget 2021 will take effect; the number of persons who will benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39980/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 62 together.
The Living Alone Allowance is a payment for people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including State pensions, and who are living alone. It is also paid to people aged under 66 who live alone and are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension. This Living Alone Allowance is not means tested and the payment is made as an increase to the recipient’s primary social welfare payment. Budget 2021 provides for a €5 increase to the Living Alone Allowance from €14 to €19 per week giving a total payment of €988 over the course of the year in addition to the recipient's primary social welfare payment. This represents a 36% increase in the value of the Allowance. The overall cost of the increase in 2021 is estimated at €57.5m. The implementation of the increase is scheduled with effect from the week commencing 4th January 2021. It is estimated that there will be 221,700 recipients of this payment in 2021. The increase will require amendment to primary legislation (Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005). The necessary legislative amendment is included in the Bill to implement social welfare provisions of Budget 2021. The fuel allowance is a payment of €24.50 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €686 each year) from October to April. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household. As part of Budget 2021, it was announced that there would be a €3.50 increase to the weekly rate of fuel allowance. This will increase the weekly rate payable to €28 and will take effect from week commencing 4th January 2021. The cost of this increase is estimated at €36.8m in 2021 and affects 375,600 recipient households. While the increase in the fuel allowance payment took account of the increase in carbon tax on solid fuels from May 2021, the fuel allowance rate will increase from the 4th January 2021 thus ensuring recipients will benefit from the increased payment over this winter period. I trust this clarifies these matters for the Deputies.
47. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of the funding issued through the restart grant plus scheme which has been sought back; and if there have been other instances in which her Department has retrospectively sought the return of funding issued through various grant schemes. [40080/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is advised that policy for the Restart Grant is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
48. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the impact of the move to level 5 on the budget of her Department for 2020. [40166/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince level 5 restrictions were introduced, there has been increased expenditure on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and COVID-19 Illness Benefit. The 2020 Further Revised Estimate voted on by the Dáil on Wednesday, 18th November 2020 provided for an allocation of €5,094.4 million for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). The number of weekly payments increased from 244,153 in the week ending 23rd October to just over 352,000 by week ending 27th November 2020. The weekly expenditure increased from €65.5 million in the week ending 23rd October to €104 million by the last week of November 2020. The 2020 Further Revised Estimate provided for an allocation of €1,740 million for the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). While EWSS is funded from the Department's Vote 37, the scheme is administered by Revenue.Since the move to Level 5 restrictions announced, the rates of payment have been aligned with PUP and subsidies to employers in respect of their employees are paid within 2 days of payroll submissions. EWSS expenditure was €923.2 million up to Friday, 26th November 2020, of which €12.1 million was incurred in September 2020 (in respect of August), €274.5 million in October 2020 (in respect of September) and €636.6 million in November 2020 so far. Approximately €341 million of the expenditure in November was in respect of retrospective claims for October, with the balance representing current month claims for November. The 2020 Further Revised Estimate provided for an allocation of €74 million for COVID-19 Illness Benefit. Expenditure of €51.6 million was incurred up to Friday, 20th November 2020 of which €3.9 million was in September 2020, €8.9 million in October 2020 and €5.2 million for the first 3 weeks of November.
49. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement her Department has had with An Post in regard to expanding existing relationships with it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40146/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile responsibility for An Post rests with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the company is a key service provider for the Department of Social Protection as it operates the Department’s contract for cash payment services. The Department has an excellent relationship with An Post which was most keenly demonstrated at the onset of the current pandemic when both organisations worked closely with each other to ensure customers continued to receive their payments in difficult circumstances. In the last 12 months, my Department has made approximately 73.7 million social welfare payments of which 21.4 million were by cash via the post office network. Given its importance as a payment provider for the Department, my officials meet with An Post at least once each month to maintain and improve these services. In addition, along with officials from my Department, I met with a delegation from An Post in September. Subsequently, further discussions have taken place between senior management from the Department and An Post regarding the future relationship between the two organisations.
50. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the establishment of the Commission on Pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39998/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra52. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has met with the Pensions Commission since it was announced. [39991/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if representation by trade unions and organisations that represent the elderly, women and farming organisations will be included on the Pensions Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40007/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has established a process or framework for consulting and involving representative groups in the work of the Commission on Pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40082/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 52, 64 and 69 together.
Last month, the Government approved the establishment of the Commission on Pensions in fulfilment of its Programme for Government commitment, and I was delighted to attend its first meeting last week, on Wednesday 25th November. The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” sets out how the planned increase in the State pension age next year will be deferred and it will remain at 66 years pending the report of the Commission on Pensions. The Social Welfare Bill to give effect to this measure was published last week, and the Government has set aside a provision of €221 million in 2021 to support this measure. The Commission's Terms of Reference includes the examination of sustainability and eligibility issues with the State Pension and the Social Insurance Fund. More broadly, it will also consider the issue of retirement ages in employment contracts and consider how the pension system can further accommodate carers, who are predominantly women. The membership of the Commission includes representation of workers, employers, civil society, academics and those with technical and policy expertise. In this regard, the membership also includes those with involvement in organisations supporting older people. I was keen to ensure that the Commission had strong female representation in its membership, and I am pleased that the majority of members – 6 out of 11 – are women. I am satisfied that the Commission, with its gender-balanced membership and extensive experience of social and public policy, is well equipped to grasp the potential impacts of any pensions reform options on affected groups, such as women, workers, and older people. The full details of the Commission's membership are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/ff7a2-minister-humphreys-addresses-inaugural-meeting-of-the-pensions-commission/ As part of its work, the Commission has been asked to seek the views of recognised experts and representative/advocacy groups by inviting submissions and/or presentations. The exact mechanisms for this process will be shaped by the Commission in due course. While this Government is acutely conscious of the need to consider the sustainability of the State's finances, this is not the only consideration when thinking of the State pension age. The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. The Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case. In line with the Programme for Government, the Commission will report to Government by 30 June of next year and the Government intends to take action having regard to the recommendations of the Commission within 6 months. I hope this clarifies these matters for the Deputies.
54. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of disability study; if the disability allowance will be increased by €20 as a temporary measure until the research by a company (details supplied) into the issue has been completed, as recommended by a federation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40074/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2019, it was announced that research would be commissioned into the cost of disability as a first step in reaching an in-depth understanding of this complex issue. It is hoped that this important and much needed research, when complete, will inform policy direction in relation to the provision of adequate supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities from a whole-of-Government perspective. An allocation of €300,000 has been made to fund this important piece of work and it is being undertaken by Indecon Economic Consultants. I understand that the work is progressing well and I look forward to the completed report which is expected by the end of this year. People with disabilities are not a homogeneous group and, as such, have widely differing needs with the result that extra costs of disability do not arise to the same extent in all cases. This issue is considerably wider than the income support system and will not be addressed through income alone which is why a whole-of-Government perspective needs to be taken. Whether people with disabilities would be best supported to meet the additional costs through the provision of services or if there should there be a specific income support payment so that people can offset extra costs themselves is a matter which will require detailed consideration across Departments. The approach to be taken would be the one most suitable to improving the economic and social position of people with disabilities. The estimated annual expenditure on Disability Allowance for 2020 is some €1.8 billion. An increase of €20 to the personal rate of Disability Allowance would have significant cost implications and could only be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context. It would be premature at this juncture to give a commitment regarding the allocation of significant public expenditure while awaiting the outcomes of the research. I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
55. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if cuts made to the pandemic unemployment payment in September 2020 will be reversed in view of the increased restrictions that have been introduced in sectors of the economy and are likely to be introduced in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26794/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons who return to work in the retail or hospitality sectors in December 2020 will be able to apply for the pandemic unemployment payment in January and February 2021 in the event that further restrictions are required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40013/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra70. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether applications for the pandemic unemployment payment should be extended to April 2021 in line with employment wage subsidy scheme and the reduced bands restored to their earlier rates in view of the new localised lockdowns and in view of the fact the State is just entering the final quarter of the year. [26635/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions and steps she will take to assure those working in the hospitality sector that may be able to open for the Christmas period but find themselves in lockdown after 1 January 2021, they can avail of the pandemic unemployment payment if further lockdowns are employed or if their businesses need to close; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40149/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince its introduction on the 15th March in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic, expenditure on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has amounted to some €4.3 billion.
Last week, I secured Government approval to keep the scheme open for new applicants until the 31st March next year. Following a Government decision in September the scheme had been due to close for applications at the end of this year. The extension to the closing date will ensure workers are eligible to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment again if they lose employment in the coming months if further Covid-19 restrictions have to be imposed.
Following the move to level 5 restrictions, the €350 rate of Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been re-introduced for those individuals who had prior average weekly earnings of €400 or more. This ensures that the rates remain aligned to prior earnings, and costs are kept at a sustainable level which is important as the scheme is due to continue until end of March.
I have also extended the 2020 earnings reference period from February to the end of September 2020. This will allow people who started employment after February 2020 but are now laid-off due to increased restrictions to have their payment rate fixed according to their earnings in the period January to September 2020. No one will have their weekly rate of payment reduced as a result of the re-assessment of their earnings.
I trust that this clarifies the matter at this time.
56. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has received the report carried out by external consultants to review all current contracted public employment services; when the report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39994/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI previously informed the House that I received the report for the external consultants which reviewed my Department's entire Public Employment Services provision. This report reviewed those services delivered directly by my Department particularly to the short term unemployed and all contracted public employment services which support those jobseekers who are long term unemployed. I have referred the report to the Labour Market Advisory Council and have asked the Council to examine the report, its recommendations and convey their views to me in due course.No decision on the timing of publication of the review has yet been made.
59. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who will benefit from the carer’s support grant in 2021; if this payment was increased in budget 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39718/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer’s Support Grant (formerly called the Respite Care Grant) is an annual payment for people who provide care for certain people in need of full-time care and attention. The grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for, to take account of the additional costs and challenges of providing care in those circumstances. The grant can be used for a variety of purposes, including meeting heating and other household bills, providing for much needed holiday breaks, and paying for respite for the care recipient. The Carer's Support Grant will increase from €1,700 to €1,850 in 2021, which is the highest rate at which it has been paid since it was first introduced. The grant is not means-tested and is not taxable. The increase will take effect on the date on which the 2021 payments are issued for the estimated 130,000 recipients. The grant is usually paid on the first Thursday of June each year.
60. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the social inclusion roadmap; and the status of its implementation. [39663/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Roadmap for Social Inclusion was approved by the previous Government on 9 January 2020 and published on 14 January 2020. It is a whole-of-government strategy with a five year timeframe and a mid-term review at the mid-point, in 2022. This will facilitate an evaluation of the impact of the Roadmap commitments. The Roadmap will build on the work of its predecessors with the aim of reducing the number of people in consistent poverty in Ireland and increasing social inclusion for those who are most disadvantaged. While the commitments and targets were agreed pre-Covid, the implementation of the Roadmap and delivery of the commitments remain of central importance. The Programme for Government reaffirms the Government's commitment in this regard, noting that the Roadmap will be rigorously implemented. The Roadmap also provides for the establishment of a Social Inclusion Roadmap Steering Group (SIRSG) to be chaired by the Minister for Social Protection. This group has been established and is comprised of senior representatives of responsible departments at Assistant Secretary and Principal Officer Level to ensure that implementation of the Roadmap remains on the agenda of each department. The Steering Group also includes three external members from the Community and Voluntary sector. As Minister of State with responsibility for social inclusion policy and implementation of the Roadmap, I am the chair of the Steering Group which met for the first time on Wednesday, 11 November 2020. Progress is underway on the majority of the commitments, notwithstanding the additional challenges faced by all government departments this year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Meeting the ambitious Roadmap target of reducing the consistent poverty rate to 2% or less by 2025 is a priority (the 2019 rate was 5.5%). In order to achieve this, collaborative work between responsible departments will be required to help drive the delivery of commitments. This is of particular importance for those commitments requiring input from a number of departments, such as the development of a programme of work to address food poverty which I will be asking the Steering Group to examine. The Steering Group will meet at least twice per year, with the second meeting planned for late March 2021. Progress on the implementation of the Roadmap commitments will be reported on an annual basis with the production of an annual report on progress against each commitment and key metric. This report will be submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality for consideration and to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands for discussion. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
61. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider a review of the current criteria for school meals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39856/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,557 schools and organisations benefitting 227,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. In recent years entry to the school meals programme has been confined to DEIS schools in addition to schools identified by Department of Education and Skills as having levels of concentrated disadvantage that would benefit from access to the programme. Prior to the introduction of DEIS in 2005, all schools and organisations that were part of one of a number of Department of Education and Skills’ initiatives for disadvantaged schools were eligible to participate in the programme, which included Breaking the Cycle, Giving Children an Even Break, the Disadvantaged Area Scheme, Home School Community Liaison and the School Completion Programme. These schools and organisations have continued to remain in the programme. Participation in the scheme is entirely voluntary with the onus being on the individual eligible schools to make an application. Schools and organisations must reapply for funding in advance of each school year and are required to submit detailed records at the end of the school year. Funding is based on a rate of payment per meal, per child, per day. The maximum rates of payment and examples of food to be provided are contained in the attached tabular statement. 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 involved 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 would allow DEASP to extend the hot meals to an additional 35,000 children. A decision was made to delay the extension of the hot meals to January 2021 because of the closure of schools due to the Covid-19 Pandemic from 13 March 2020. Budget 2021 has provided an additional €5.5m for this extension from January 2021 to 35,000 primary school children currently receiving the cold lunch option. There are no plans to change the scheme criteria at this time. I trust that this clarifies the position.
Tabular Statement - School Meals Food Clubs Rates of Payment
|
Meal |
Max Rate of Payment (per child per day) |
Minimumn umber of food items |
Examples of Food to be Provided |
|
Breakfast/Snack |
€0.60 |
2 items |
1 serving of wholemeal/wholegrain cereal or bread PLUS 1 serving of fruit OR 1 serving of milk, yogurt or cheese |
|
Lunch |
€1.40 |
1 substantial item + 1 small item + a drink |
Wholemeal/wholegrain sandwich or roll containing 1 serving meat, poultry, egg or cheese and 1 serving salad PLUS 1 serving fruit PLUS a drink (e.g. water, milk, unsweetened juice) |
|
Dinner |
€1.90 |
Hot meal + drink |
1 serving meat, poultry, egg, beans PLUS 1 serving potatoes, pasta or rice PLUS 2 servings vegetables/fruit PLUS a drink (Milk, Water, Unsweetened Juice) |
|
Hot Meal |
€2.90 |
Hot Meal |
1 serving meat, poultry, egg, beans PLUS 1 serving potatoes, pasta or rice PLUS 2 servings vegetables/fruit |
63. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by artists and creatives in accessing the pandemic unemployment payment due to the delays caused by the PRSI checks; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that it is leaving persons that had received payment in March 2020 unable to access the payment during the current restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37319/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to employees who lost their employment as a direct consequence of Covid-19. It is also available to self-employed people whose income from self-employment ceased or reduced as a direct consequence of the pandemic to the extent that they would be available to take up full-time employment. It is a long-standing feature of social welfare legislation that individuals who are engaged in employment or self-employment are liable to pay PRSI on those activities. In those circumstances, it is expected that persons claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment would have a recent and verifiable record of PRSI. In common with all other social welfare schemes, applications for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment are subject to verification prior to award. In relation to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, the Department uses earnings data supplied by the Revenue Commissioners for 2019 and 2020 in the case of employees, and 2018 and 2019 in the case of self-employed people. In the case of individuals who have only recently commenced self-employment, the Department will accept evidence of registration with the Revenue Commissioners in the absence of any returns. Revenue data is updated as often as practicable, and in the case of employees on a daily basis. For self-employed individuals, my Department has recently received an update from the Revenue Commissioners on 2019 self-assessment returns. However, as these returns are filed on an annual basis and the deadline for filing is 10 December 2020, some returns will still be outstanding. This earnings data is used for two purposes – firstly to confirm that a person has been either employed or self-employed, and secondly to determine the rate of payment due. Where the Department cannot find any record of contributions or earnings in the reference period, it contacts the people concerned and asks them to submit evidence of employment in the form of recent payslips etc. Where people do provide evidence, their claim is put into payment as quickly as possible – generally within a week of receiving the information. It is always the case when processing such a large volume of claims that there will be some cases where claims cannot be paid on initial examination due to incomplete or missing information or the customer has no entitlement to the payment. However, where a person is able to supply the required information, my Department will act quickly to arrange payment. I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
