Written Answers Nos. 402-431
402. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for 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. [5111/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for Carer's allowance (CA) in respect of two care recipients was received from the person concerned on 2 December 2020.
The application was awarded to the person concerned on 27 January 2021 and the first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 03 February 2021.
Arrears of allowance due from 07 Jan 2021 to 02 February 2021 will also issue.
The person concerned was notified on 27 January 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
403. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for 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. [5112/21]
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.
In order to qualify, applicants must show that they are habitually resident in the State, that their means are less than the statutory limit, that they are providing full-time care and attention and that the person being cared for requires full-time care and attention.
I confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 6 October 2020.
This case was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied. On receipt of a SWI report, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 27 January 2021 with effect from 8 October 2020 and the first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 4 February 2021. Arrears for the period 8 October 2020 to 3 February 2021 will issue in due course.
The person concerned was notified on 27 January 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
404. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5113/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been in receipt of disability allowance (DA) from 2 October 1996. A request to have an increase for a qualified adult (IQA) added to her DA was received on 29 September 2020.
The person concerned was awarded an IQA on her DA with effect from 19 August 2020. She was notified of this decision in writing on 4 November 2020.
No further correspondence or request for a review has been received from the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
405. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5116/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that an application from the person concerned for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 19 November 2020.
The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
406. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to introduce a support allowance payment for those who are already in receipt of a payment from her Department and who may be experiencing increased costs due to broadband connection issues arising as a result of living in an area which is deemed to be less commercially serviceable under the terms of the National Broadband Plan; if not, if an increase in the telephone support allowance payment will be considered for those in such a position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5135/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe telephone support allowance (TSA) is an allowance of €2.50 which is paid to over 135,000 customers weekly. The estimated full year cost of the scheme in 2021 is over €18 million. To receive the allowance a customer of my Department must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and also in receipt of the living alone allowance and the fuel allowance. The scheme supports recipients by assisting with the cost of communications and/or home security solutions.
In Budget 2021, the Government decided to allocate one third of additional carbon tax revenues to boosting the incomes of the poorest in our society. The Government commissioned ESRI research which identified three key payments by the Department of Social Protection to channel carbon tax revenues towards this cohort. These were the Qualified Child Allowance, the Living Alone Allowance and the Fuel Allowance.
Therefore, effective from January 2021, the weekly Fuel Allowance payment has been increased by €3.50 per week to €28 for a period of 28 weeks. Also from January 2021, Qualified Child payments have been increased by €2 per week, from €36 to €38 per week, for children under 12 years of age and by €5 per week, from €40 to €45 per week, for children aged 12 and over. It is estimated that this will benefit 419,000 children who are most in need. The Living Alone Allowance was also increased in Budget 2021 by €5 from €14 to €19 at an overall cost in 2021 of €57.5m.
Therefore, all TSA recipients have benefitted from an increase in payments totalling €8.50 weekly during Fuel Season and €5 outside Fuel Season as a result of Budget 2021 changes.
Furthermore, my Department operates both Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
All proposals, including any proposals to introduce a new support allowance for people to help offset the cost of broadband or to increase the weekly rate of TSA could only be considered while taking account of overall Government policy and in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
407. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if the terms of payment for the fuel allowance will be extended in 2021 given the recent cold weather and the difficult circumstances that persons are experiencing due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5157/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April, to an average of 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. 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.
My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance under the Household Benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €265 million in 2021. This is paid at a rate of €35 per month, 12 months of the year.
In Budget 2021, the Government targeted one third of additional carbon tax revenues to go towards boosting the incomes of poorest in our society. Based on ESRI research, three key social welfare payments were targeted for increases in the budget as a result - the Fuel Allowance, the Qualified Child Allowance and the Living Alone Allowance.
From January 2021, the Fuel Allowance was increased by €3.50 per week to €28 for a period of 28 weeks, while the increase in carbon tax on solid fuels will not take effect until May 2021. This will ensure that recipients will benefit from the increased payment over this winter period.
Any decision to change the qualifying criteria or to extend the fuel allowance season will result in increased scheme budgetary requirements and would be a matter for Government to consider in the overall context of available financial resources in 2021.
If the Deputy is aware of a person who is experiencing particular financial difficulties, he could draw their attention to the fact that financial assistance is also available under the Exceptional Needs Payment and the Urgent Needs Payment schemes, on a year round basis, to assist with expenditure, which a person could not reasonably meet out of his/her weekly income, and which may include exceptional heating costs.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
408. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the budget allocation for the youth employment support scheme in 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5192/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) was introduced on 1st October 2018 and was open to applications from that date.
YESS was targeted at young jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment. The scheme aimed to provide jobseekers with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement. The scheme provided a supportive structure for participants, including case worker support for both placement hosts and jobseekers.
Since the scheme's inception, a total of 958 people have commenced a placement, while there are currently 87 participants on the YESS. To date, a total of 786 employers have provided YESS placements.
The type of work experience undertaken by participants involved roles across a number of different sectors including - community and voluntary, hospitality and food, ICT and telecoms, manufacturing, retail, sales and marketing, science and healthcare and construction. Recruitment to the scheme in the scheme was affected by Covid-19 during 2020, with fewer participants than anticipated and an associated reduction in scheme expenditure with an estimated outturn of €1.7 million for the year.
In the July Jobs Stimulus the government committed to a €200m investment in training, education, skill development, work placement schemes, recruitment subsidies and jobs search and assistance measures aimed to help those who have lost their jobs find a new one, retrain or develop new skills, in particular for emerging growth sectors. Included in this is provision for a funded work placement scheme to provide work experience for jobseekers who have been unemployed for more than six months regardless of age. A particular objective is to provide a mechanism for those with recent work experience or with sector specific skills to pivot into new employment/jobs through additional learning with new and relevant work experience.
Existing YESS participants will be given the option to transfer onto the new programme prior to its launch. Those who do not wish to transfer can complete their YESS scheme as usual. The budget allocations for YESS in 2020 and 2021 are set out in tabular format below.
Budget Allocations for YESS
|
2021 |
2020 |
|
€000 |
€000 |
|
2,440 |
3,350 |
409. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5255/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11 December 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 Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 20 January 2020.
The case will now be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. Hearings are currently being conducted online or by telephone. Due to the current level of Covid-19 restrictions in-person oral appeal hearings have been suspended.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for 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.
410. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5256/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that an application from the person concerned for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 30 November 2020.
The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
411. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5257/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 16 October 2020. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that the person concerned was substantially restricted in taking up employment.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 15 January 2021 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). No request for an appeal or review has been received to date.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
412. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5259/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a review of the entitlement of the person concerned, it was found that he had a decrease in his means from his previous assessment. Based on the information provided to my Department, an increased personal rate of disability allowance (DA) was awarded with effect from 4 November 2020.
A letter issued to this gentleman informing him of this on 7 December 2020. His first payment was on 16 December 2020. Arrears of payment due have issued to the person concerned.
Free fuel allowance is a means tested payment, payable to people who either live alone or only with certain other qualified people. Based on the information provided to the Department, the person concerned no longer qualifies for this allowance as their household now includes people who are not in a qualifying category.
When a person is in receipt of DA and their child is in full-time education, an increase for a qualified child (IQC) will be paid up to 22 years of age or up to the end of the academic year in which he or she reaches 22. The person concerned was requested to submit confirmation of participation in full-time education in respect of his daughter.
The IQC rate has been re-instated on his DA with effect from 14 October 2020. He was informed in writing of this decision on 28 January 2021. Arrears of allowance due have issued to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
413. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5260/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was awarded disability allowance (DA) with effect from 21 October 2020. He was notified of this decision in writing on 26 November 2020.
The first payment was made by his chosen payment method on 2 December 2020. Arrears of payment due have issued to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
414. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5261/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 19th June 2020. The application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 18th August 2020 setting out the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.
A request for a review of the decision was received on the 27th August 2020 and an appeal was subsequently registered by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 17th September 2020. As part of the appeals process, the application was re-examined by a deciding officer and the person concerned was notified on the 15th October 2020 that the review was unsuccessful. An appeal submission was prepared and forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 30th October 2020. The Social Welfare Appeals Office will contact the person directly about the outcome of the appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
415. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the ongoing engagement she has had with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to progress a form of application to be made available to persons looking to apply or avail of the additional three weeks benefit under parent’s leave and benefit announced in Budget 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5287/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra420. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection when the additional two weeks week parent’s leave benefit will come into effect; and the way in which applications will be processed and the leave administered. [5398/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 420 together.
Parent’s Leave and Benefit will be extended from 2 weeks for each parent to 5 weeks as announced in Budget 2021. This extension will be made available retrospectively to parents in respect of children born or adopted on or after 1st November 2019. The period during which this leave can be taken will be extended from 12 to 24 months so it can be taken up to a child's second birthday or within two years following adoption.
In early December 2020, Government approved the drafting of a Parent’s Leave and Benefit (Amendment) Bill, to provide for these statutory amendments.
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has responsibility for parents leave policy and is leading on this legislation. An application process for parent's leave and benefit can only be introduced when the necessary statutory provisions are in place to provide for this leave.
Changes are also required to my Department's systems to administer this extension, including the provision of retrospective entitlement, which are well advanced. My Department will then be in a position to process and issue benefit payments, to include backdated payment of benefit if appropriate, in respect of Parents Leave taken from the date of enactment.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputies.
416. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to reintroducing the mortgage interest supplement for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis to prevent persons from falling into mortgage distress. [5293/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe original purpose of the mortgage interest supplement scheme (MIS) was to provide short-term support to eligible people who were unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence due to temporary unemployment of loss of earnings.
The mortgage interest supplement scheme was discontinued to new entrants from 1st January 2014, on the basis that:
1. The on-going payment of Mortgage Interest Supplement did not address the long-term housing challenges for people in serious mortgage arrears; and,
2. The Central Bank's Code of Conduct for Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) provides for an appropriate framework for customers, with the responsibility of forbearance for a customer’s mortgage difficulties resting with the mortgage service provider.
The most appropriate way in which customers experiencing mortgage difficulties can be supported remains through on-going engagement with their lender to explore a sustainable and appropriate response from their lending institution. Under the CCMA (2013), measures and policies are in place to support customers in financial difficulty with their mortgage commitments. The CCMA is issued by the Central Bank under Section 117 of the Central Bank Act 1989.
The CCMA provides support for those that are in: arrears, pre-arrears or those who fall under scope of the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). Under the CCMA, lending institutions are encouraging customers to contact them at the earliest opportunity regarding their concerns and any particular circumstances which may impact on the customer’s financial well-being.
Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) on behalf of its members has recently stated that the industry continues to use a case by case approach to support those customers adversely impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, with standard payment breaks offered as part of the wide range of solutions provided to customers. The number of active payment breaks for Private Dwellings (PDH) mortgages continues to decline with only 2,000 PDH mortgage payment breaks currently active as at December 2020 (9,000 as at October 2020).
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, also continues to provides assistance to people, in particular those on low incomes or living on social welfare payments, who are over-indebted and need help and advice with debt problems. As part of its free services, MABS provides help and advice to those in mortgage arrears.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
417. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an emergency supplementary social welfare payment can issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5352/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Basic payment is a short term emergency payment that can be made pending the award of the most appropriate primary payment, such as Jobseekers Allowance or Disability Allowance. If a person is fit for work, they should apply for a Jobseekers Allowance, and if a person is unfit for work due to illness or disability, they should apply for a Disability Allowance. Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance may then be paid while the primary claim is being processed. An Exceptional Needs Payment is available to assist people with once off expenditure that is exceptional in nature and cannot be met from any other source.
I am advised that my Department has no record of receipt of an application for any of the above payments from the person concerned, including an Exceptional or Urgent Needs Payment. I have, however, made arrangements for a Designated Officer from our Community Welfare Services to make urgent contact the customer in relation to the matter.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
418. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider a temporary change in the conditions for participants on community employment schemes by granting an additional year to current participants who cannot undertake a training programme due Covid-19 restrictions and given the difficulties experienced by scheme operators in recruiting new participants during this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5363/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has continued to provide funding and support for CE schemes since the onset of the Covid-19 emergency in March, 2020. During each period of Level-5 restrictions, CE participants, whose contracts were due to end during the period of these restrictions have had their contracts extended for the duration of these restrictions. The latest CE contract extension date is the 26th March, 2021, and this will continue to be monitored having regard to Government guidelines and restrictions.
Over 5,000 contracts which were due to come to an end since last October are having their contracts extended under this latest arrangement. However, there will be no cliff edge or sudden cut off point for ending this number of contracts on whatever the final date of extensions will be. Subsequent to the final extension date, there will be a planned ending of contracts on a phased basis, over a period of time, in order to ensure continuity of local services.
I am aware of the CE recruitment challenges arising from the current restrictions which has had an impact on the ability of some CE schemes to recruit new CE participants and on Intreo activation staff in referring new participants to schemes. My Department officials both centrally and in local Intreo Offices continue to work with CE sponsoring authorities to identify and refer potential CE participants to schemes where it is safe to do so in compliance with public health restrictions.
Where a CE participant finishes up on their CE scheme without completing the training outlined in their Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and if unfortunately they remain unemployed, they may be able to continue their training through other training supports provided by my Department such as the Training Support Grant (TSG) and the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. CE will continue to be made available to support those who are long term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market, while maintaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme.
I am fully committed to the future of this programme and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
419. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long to have an appeal for a carer’s allowance finalised. [5391/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 27 January 2021.
This particular appeal was registered in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 18 November 2020. The length of time between that date and the date the decision was issued was 10 weeks. The current average processing time for summary decisions on carer's allowance appeals is 9.6 weeks.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for 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.
421. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status in respect of the payment of a State pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5431/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has provided the required details for the bank account where they wish their State pension (contributory) to be paid. Arrears due will issue to the person’s bank account by Friday, 5 February 2021 and pension payments will be made to that account each Friday.
The person concerned was notified accordingly in writing on 1 February 2021.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
422. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if home carers credits will be adjusted for the pension of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5439/21]
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 adult who has such a disability that as a result, they require that level of care.
Credited contributions (credits) are social insurance contributions designed to protect the social insurance entitlement record of insured workers who are not in a position to make PRSI contributions.
Credits are awarded in circumstances such as unemployment or illness, and their purpose is to help protect the social insurance entitlements of insured persons during periods when they may not be in a position to pay contributions.
Persons in receipt of CA can qualify for credits where they have previously entered insurable employment and paid at least one PRSI contribution at Class A, B, C, D, E, H or P. In general credits can only be awarded where an individual has had a recent attachment to the workforce i.e. within the last 2 years.
The person concerned was in receipt of CA from 26 November 2009 to 29 January 2014. The person’s entitlement to credits has been examined and I can confirm that she does not qualify for credits as she did not have any reckonable contributions paid or credited prior to her claim for CA going into payment. Correspondence has issued to the person concerned on 28 January 2021 notifying her of same.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
423. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications received for a PPS number in 2020; the number approved and processed; the number refused; the number currently being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5456/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department approved 77,070 Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) applications in 2020 and 11,346 PPSN applications in January 2021. My Department does not maintain records of instances where a person has applied for a PPSN but is found not to be entitled to one.
The SAFE registration process, which involves the authentication of a person's identity in a face-to-face interview, is the normal method of processing an application for a PPSN.
At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department temporarily suspended the SAFE registration process and the online appointment system used to manage those registrations. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and World Health Organisation guidelines and help protect the health and well-being of our customers and staff.
To ensure that people who needed a PPSN could get one, in March 2020 my Department introduced an email and postal PPSN application service.
This service was replaced in December 2020 with an online application service on MyWelfare.ie for people living in Ireland who are at least 18 years of age.
My Department is currently processing 1,728 applications received through the email and postal application service. These are cases where additional information or documentation has been requested from the applicant and when it is received the application will be finalised.
In addition, my Department is processing 7,450 PPSN applications received through the MyWelfare.ie service.
My Department is also examining emails received from 7,958 persons in respect of PPSN applications for individuals residing outside of Ireland for reasons such as probate, tax and the purchase of property. As many of these may be duplicate applications, it is not possible at this stage to state with certainty how many of this type of application are currently awaiting a decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
424. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be awarded credit contributions for the period they have been a qualified adult on a disability allowance payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5539/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraInsured workers may be awarded credits if they claim a social welfare payment because they are out of work, or they are ill or incapacitated, or if they are engaged in certain training or educational courses.
In order to be entitled to such credits, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment in their own right.
Under current legislation, the person concerned is not entitled to contributions for the period they have been a qualified adult on a disability allowance payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
425. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of social protection applications by persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5589/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department the first person concerned submitted an application for a rent supplement payment with effect from 28 September 2020. The application was disallowed on the basis that the person concerned had not established a reduction in household income as a result of the Pandemic and has therefore not established a need for a Rent Supplement. It was also determined that the person concerned could not have reasonably afforded the rent from his own resources at the time of taking up the tenancy. A condition of receiving Rent Supplement is that the applicant must have been able to afford the rent at the beginning of their tenancy. The decision was effective from 28 September 2020.
The person concerned was advised that if he was not satisfied with the decision of the designated person he could appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office which functions independently of my Department. He was also advised that if his circumstances change in the future that a new Rent Supplement application can be submitted.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the first named person on 3 November 2020. On 9 November 2020 and again on 13 January 2021 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on his eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made on his DA application and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The Department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 15 October 2020. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on 14 November 2020 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal. To date, no request for a review and or appeal has been received from the person concerned.
The person concerned submitted an application for Illness Benefit (IB) from the 25 September 2020. He did not qualify for an Illness Benefit payment in 2020 as he did not satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions. However, the person concerned does qualify for IB from the 4 January 2021 at a rate of €131.00 per week. This decision was notified to the person concerned on 28 January 2021. i understand that he is currently certified as unfit for work until 14 January 2021.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of another payment from the Department which overlaps with his IB claim. This overlap is being dealt with currently and any money due to the person concerned will issue to him in due course.
Carer'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. I confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the second named person on 20 October 2020.
The application was awarded to the person concerned on 1 December 2020 with effect from 22 October 2020. The first payment issued to her nominated bank account on 10 December 2020. This included arrears of allowance due from 22 October 2020 to 9 December 2020 less any overpayments that occurred. The person concerned was notified on 1 December 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
426. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the increased cost to recipients of the household benefits package in relation to the electricity price increase which came into effect on 1 October 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5601/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe household benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
My Department will spend approximately €265.48 million this year on HHB for over 472,000 customers. The package consists of the gas and electricity element of the package and the free TV licence element. In 2021 the estimated cost of the gas and electricity element of the package is €195.31 million. The gas and electricity element is paid at a rate of €35 per month, 12 months of the year.
With regards to the electricity price increases, each company has its own different approach to pricing decisions over time, according to factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base. While there have been a number of recent price increases, one supplier has frozen both electricity and gas prices until March 2021 and another has reduced its price for gas by 10%, highlighting the importance of switching to avail of the most competitive offer in the market. Taking this into account it is not possible for my Department to provide the cost of the increase in electricity prices to each recipient of HHB.
The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of supports, energy efficiency awareness initiatives and investment in programmes, in order to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
In Budget 2021, the Government targeted one third of additional carbon tax revenues to go towards boosting the incomes of poorest in our society. Based on ESRI research, three key social welfare payments were targeted for increases in the budget as a result - the Fuel Allowance, the Qualified Child Allowance and the Living Alone Allowance.
From January 2021, the Fuel Allowance was increased by €3.50 per week to €28 for a period of 28 weeks, while the increase in carbon tax on solid fuels will not take effect until May 2021. This will ensure that recipients will benefit from the increased payment over this winter period.
Furthermore, from January 2021, the weekly rate of Qualified Child Increase was increased by €2 per week, from €36 to €38 per week, for children under 12 years of age and by €5 per week, from €40 to €45 per week, for children aged 12 and over. It is estimated that this will benefit 419,000 children who are most in need. In addition, the value of the Living Alone Allowance increased by €5 in Budget 2021. This means that the value of the allowance has more than doubled over a two year period.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, a special heating supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances with special heating requirements. In addition, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources.
The Deputy will appreciate that provision of income support is only part of the answer in terms of addressing energy costs. One of the best ways to tackle energy costs in the long term is to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling through proper building and household insulation. This is the responsibility of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SEAI provides a range of schemes in this area including the Better Energy Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, the Better Energy Warmth & Wellbeing Pilot Scheme, the Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme, Better Energy Communities and Free Energy Efficiency Upgrades (co-funded by the Irish Government and European Union and delivered by the SEAI).
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
427. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if receipt of Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit is accrued as part of standard illness benefit allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5617/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2020, under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1) and subsequent regulations, the Government provided for entitlement to Illness Benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or are a probable source of infection with Covid-19.
At €350 per week, the rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is higher than the normal maximum personal rate of €203 per week. This measure is designed to ensure that where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer diagnoses a person with Covid-19, or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection of Covid-19, the person can comply with medical advice to isolate, while having their income protected. This is essential to limit and slow down the spread of the virus, to keep the number of people affected to a minimum, and to reduce a peak of cases which would otherwise cause extreme pressure on the health system.
The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was brought in as a short-term public health measure and is not a long-term income support payment. It is payable for 2 weeks where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of Covid-19 and up to 10 weeks where a person has been diagnosed with Covid-19. The purpose of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is to encourage people to not go to work due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation.
In a case where a person continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility. Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type. Additional payments may also be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.
A person who has paid a total of 260 or more contributions at an appropriate class since entering employment is entitled to receive payment of Illness Benefit for a maximum of 624 paid days in any one period of interruption of employment. The maximum for a person who has paid between 104 and 259 contributions is 312 paid days. Days of Illness Benefit paid are reckonable towards the maximum number of days payable, regardless of whether they arise from a diagnosis of Covid-19, a requirement to isolate as a possible source of infection of Covid-19 or from another illness.
If a person has exhausted their entitlement to standard Illness Benefit, he or she can apply for the enhanced Illness Benefit. They are only entitled to it if they have a current contract of employment and a paid contribution in the last four weeks or are self-employed in the four weeks preceding the first day of certification.
A person in receipt of standard Illness Benefit who has been in employment or self-employment in the four week period prior to being medically certified as either required to self-isolate as a possible source of infection, or diagnosed with Covid-19, may transfer to the enhanced rate payment and revert afterwards to the standard rate, subject to ongoing certification and meeting the eligibility criteria.
A person in receipt of standard Illness Benefit who has not been in employment or self-employment in the previous four weeks is not entitled to the higher rate of payment if they are diagnosed with Covid-19 or are a possible source of infection, but they may continue on standard Illness Benefit, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
Apart from these income supports, my Department also provides means tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who are ill but who do not qualify for Illness Benefit. The Department may also make an exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
428. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility for the fuel allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5619/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel allowance, under the National fuel scheme, may be payable to certain households in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments who are unable to provide for their heating needs. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Full details of the qualifying criteria for the scheme are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.
An application for fuel allowance was received from the person concerned on 08 January 2021. His weekly income was assessed as being in excess of the allowable weekly income limit for fuel allowance. The application for fuel allowance was disallowed and he was notified of the decision and the reasons for it on 14 January 2021.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
429. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the date on which the Social Welfare Appeals Office began oral hearings by telephone and online; the number of oral hearings by phone and telephone held each month since they were introduced; the benefits and allowances being appealed; and the number of appeals heard by phone or telephone in which there was a favourable decision for the applicant. [5638/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra430. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of oral hearings held by the Social Welfare Appeals Office each month during 2020. [5639/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra431. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently waiting for an oral hearing for an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office; and the current waiting time. [5640/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 429, 430 and 431 together.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I am advised by the Chief Appeals Officer that it is currently not possible to facilitate in-person oral hearings due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, the Social Welfare Appeals Office commenced conducting online appeal hearings on 11 November 2020. In addition to that development, the Office has been conducting hearings via telephone, where suitable. Appeals also continue to be determined on the basis of written submissions. Since November 2020 a total of 167 appeal hearings have been conducted online or by phone. It is not possible to state how many appeal cases may require an oral hearing at any one time. However, for those appeals where it is identified that an oral hearing is required, a hearing can generally be arranged within approximately two weeks. The position in relation to the conducting of oral hearings is being kept under review by the Chief Appeals Officer.
The further information required by the Deputy in relation to oral hearings is set out in the attached tables below.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Monthly Number of Oral Hearings held Online and by Phone
|
Month |
Total of Online and Phone |
Online |
Phone |
|
November 2020 |
37 |
13 |
24 |
|
December 2020 |
59 |
16 |
43 |
|
1st to 28th January 2021 |
71 |
27 |
44 |
Online and Phone Hearings by Scheme – November 2020 to January 2021 to date
|
Scheme |
November 2020 |
December 2020 |
January 2021 to date |
Total |
|
Carer's Allowance |
5 |
16 |
24 |
45 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
|
Carer's Support Grant |
- |
2 |
- |
2 |
|
Child Benefit |
- |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Disability Allowance |
8 |
16 |
10 |
34 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
10 |
7 |
17 |
34 |
|
Farm & Fish Assist |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Illness Benefit |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Invalidity Pension (S) |
3 |
6 |
8 |
17 |
|
Invalidity Pension (T) |
1 |
2 |
- |
3 |
|
Jobseeker's (Means) |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
3 |
- |
1 |
4 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
- |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
OIB Disablement |
- |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
1 |
- |
1 |
2 |
|
State Pension (Con) |
1 |
1 |
- |
2 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
2 |
- |
2 |
4 |
|
Working Family Payment |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
|
Total |
37 |
59 |
71 |
167 |
Favourable decisions arising from online or phone oral hearings from November 2020 to date (A favourable decision is one where the appeal is allowed or partly allowed by the Appeals Officer)
|
Phone |
Online |
Total |
|
39 |
29 |
68 |
Oral Hearings Held in 2020
|
Month |
Number |
|
|
January 2020 |
445 |
|
|
February 2020 |
466 |
|
|
March 2020 |
312 |
|
|
July 2020 |
2 |
|
|
August 2020 |
38 |
|
|
September 2020 |
77 |
|
|
October 2020 |
6 |
|
|
November 2020 |
37 |
|
|
December 2020 |
59 |
|
|
Total |
1442 |
|
