Written Answers Nos. 657-675
657. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the back to education or education welfare payments available for refugee or migrant youth who fail to quality for a SUSI grant due to the fact that they have not been in the country for three years yet are pursuing third level education and are from a disadvantaged background; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16513/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe back to education allowance scheme (BTEA) provides people with a second chance education that will improve their prospects of securing employment. It enables eligible people to pursue approved education courses and to continue to receive income support for the duration of a course of study, subject to meeting certain conditions.
To continue to receive a BTEA payment, a student must continue to satisfy the conditions of their primary welfare payment. This ensures that the BTEA resources are directed at those most in need of assistance.
Protection Applicants who are looking to study full-time and who have receive their Stamp 4 (Permission to Remain) may be entitled to apply for BTEA. Ordinarily a person must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for at least nine months before being eligible to apply for the scheme when pursuing a third level qualification. Time spent in Direct Provision is counted towards this BTEA qualification period. Any person seeking to enter education should engage with their local Intreo Centre to assess their options.
If there is a particular case that the Deputy has a concern about, the details should be forwarded to my Department for review. I trust this clarifies the position at this time.
658. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff by grade engaged in processing applications for both the State pension (contributory) and State pension (non-contributory). [16518/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State pension (contributory) and State pension (non–contributory) schemes are centrally administered from my Department’s offices located at College Road, Sligo.
Details of the number of staff engaged in processing applications for contributory (SPC) and non-contributory (SPNC) pensions are shown below.
|
Scheme |
No. of staff (whole time equivalents) |
Staff by grade |
|
SPC claims from applicantsresiding within the State |
36.33 |
4.95 Executive Officers31.38 Clerical Officers |
|
SPC claims from applicants residing outside the State |
10.65 |
1 Executive Officer9.65 Clerical Officers |
|
SPNC |
25.4 |
7 Executive Officers18.4 Clerical Officers |
The staffing needs for all areas within my Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new increasing and urgent demands in delivering a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.
My Department is committed to ensuring that state pension claims are processed as expeditiously as possible. Processing of pension claims depends on the individual nature of applicants’ circumstances. It is also dependent on the completeness of applications received and the availability of the required information.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
659. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number receiving pandemic unemployment payments per week to date in 2021; and the cost of these payments per week to date in 2021. [16540/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to employees and the self-employed who have lost their job on or after 13th March 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The expenditure to date in 2021 for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is €1.8 billion with over 5 million payments made.
These figures are provisional and are subject to reconciliation.
The table below provides the number and value of payments weekly from 8th January 2021 up to 30th March 2021.
|
Week Ending |
Number of Payments |
Payment Value |
|
# |
€'000 |
|
|
08/01/2021 |
335,412 |
99,091,891 |
|
15/01/2021 |
422,544 |
129,406,417 |
|
22/01/2021 |
460,794 |
138,447,046 |
|
29/01/2021 |
476,701 |
143,829,275 |
|
05/02/2021 |
480,780 |
144,707,585 |
|
12/02/2021 |
481,957 |
145,010,383 |
|
19/02/2021 |
478,482 |
143,984,051 |
|
26/02/2021 |
474,101 |
154,797,308 |
|
05/03/2021 |
469,323 |
140,870,460 |
|
12/03/2021 |
471,686 |
141,535,612 |
|
19/03/2021 |
456,583 |
136,738,994 |
|
26/03/2021 |
449,126 |
134,347,300 |
|
02/04/2021 |
443,247 |
132,300,000 |
|
Total |
5,900,736 |
1,785,066,322 |
660. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the pandemic unemployment payment was set at €36 below the poverty line; and if she plans to bring the payment at least in line with the poverty line. [16541/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP ) was initially introduced it was set at a flat rate of €203 because it was intended to last for 12 weeks and those with adult and or child dependents would apply for a jobseeker’s payment instead. However, given the scale of the social and economic impact of the pandemic, it wouldn’t have been possible to properly process the huge volume of these jobseekers claims and, instead, the €350 rate was introduced, which was aligned with the jobseekers payment for a 2 person household. The rate was also roughly equivalent to average earnings in the two most affected sectors – retail and hospitality.
Since 16 October 2020 PUP has been paid at 4 rates ranging from €203 to €350 and is aligned to prior gross earnings to ensure that the rate is fair and sustainable over the duration of the scheme, which has been extended until 30th June 2021.
€203 is paid where prior earnings were less than €200 which is more than recipients were paid when they were working. The rate of €250 is paid where earnings were between €200 and €299.99. It is estimated that on average, most recipients on this rate are receiving more on PUP than when they were working or at least almost 84% of their prior nett income. €300 is paid where prior earnings were between €300 and €399.99 which on average equates to 86% of prior employment earnings for a single person.
The maximum rate of €350 is paid where prior earnings were €400 or more.
The ESRI undertook a social assessment of the impact of the of the proposed 4 PUP rates before their introduction in October 2020. The analysis considered the distributional effects of the new PUP rates with reference to changes in household disposable income by income, family type and the impact upon poverty rates. The effects of the new PUP rates indicate that the changes result in a very small reduction in disposable income of just above one per cent. The analysis indicates that the new PUP rates would increase slightly the at-risk of poverty rates for everyone by 0.6 of a percentage point.
It should be noted that where there are adults or child dependents a person can opt for a jobseeker’s payment if their prior earnings were below the earnings band to qualify for a higher rate of PUP.
Furthermore, my Department provides for additional targeted income supports for those, including PUP recipients, who are experiencing financial difficulties, under the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme such as Rent Supplement, Fuel Allowance and Urgent and Exceptional Needs payments where appropriate.
I trust that this clarifies the position for you at this time.
661. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the fact that persons in receipt of an Irish State pension living abroad are now being subjected to substantial banking fees as a result of the decision to change the payments to wire transfers rather than the direct deposit arrangement which is in place for these payments by countries internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16550/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection is in the process of changing its banker to Danske Bank. This is on foot of the Government’s decision in 2017 to tender for a single banking service for all Government Departments and Offices, a contract which was awarded to Danske Bank in 2018.
My Department uses the bank for both cheque and electronic fund transfer (EFT) payments, i.e. funds transferred directly into a person’s account in a financial institution. Payments to people resident outside the state are generally made by EFT as this is the most efficient and cost effective method of delivering a payment.
Earlier this month, the Department moved its foreign EFT payments to beneficiaries outside of the SEPA zone to Danske Bank. As a result of this change, US and Canadian banks levied cross border payment charges on their own customers' Irish pension payments. There are approximately 6,400 pension recipients in the US or Canada receiving a pension payment from this Department. It is not known how many of these pension recipients are impacted by the charges. However, the Department wrote to all such customers in January, informing them of the potential of charges being levied on their payments by their own bank.
Payments to markets outside Ireland where the sending bank is not a member of the domestic clearing system, such as the US or Canada, are processed as international cross border payments, also known as ‘international wire transfers’. Processing such payments as international wire transfers ensures that the sending bank complies with its national and international Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF) obligations. In order to effect these international wire transfers in markets such as the US and Canada, the services of correspondent banks are necessary, and their use is the industry standard approach.
Correspondent banks will deduct charges from the payment amount to compensate for the cost of processing the payment and discharging their AML and CTF obligations.
Danske Bank is currently in contact with its correspondent banks in relation to the matter.
662. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of childcare workers in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment on a weekly basis from 21 December 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16559/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below, and includes those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment for the weeks specified who were working in either pre-primary education or in child day-care activities. This breakdown is based on the sector of the last known employer.
|
Week Commencing |
No of Childcare workers in receipt of PUP payment |
|
21 December 2020 |
1,992 |
|
28 December 2020 |
2,031 |
|
04 January 2021 |
2,163 |
|
11 January 2021 |
3,212 |
|
18 January 2021 |
4,009 |
|
25 January 2021 |
4,136 |
|
01 February 2021 |
4,175 |
|
08 February 2021 |
4,189 |
|
15 February 2021 |
4,037 |
|
22 February 2021 |
3,943 |
|
08 March 2021 |
3,835 |
|
15 March 2021 |
3,610 |
|
22 March 2021 |
3,106 |
|
29 March 2021 |
2,879 |
663. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) relating to the disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16567/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 9 December 2020. Their application was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that the person concerned was substantially restricted in taking up employment, based on all the evidence submitted. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 29h 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 was received.
The person concerned submitted a second application for DA on 9 March 2021 and based on the additional information which was provided, her case was reviewed and she has been awarded with effect from her original application date on 9 December 2020. Her first payment will be on 31 March 2021 and arrears of allowance due will issue as soon as possible.
My Department is committed to ensuring that all claims are processed in a fair and consistent manner. The DA scheme area continuously monitors and reviews the decision making process. Documentary evidence is required from the customer in order to establish if applicants meet the qualifying conditions (means, medical and habitual residence) for receipt of DA. For this reason it can require detailed investigations and interaction with the applicant, thereby lengthening the decision making process.
I would like to assure you that my Department is committed to continuously improving the customer experience, and is currently reviewing the DA application form with a view to making it easier to complete. This procedural change will provide a more focused approach in the provision of necessary documentation, and assist in the decision making process within current policy and legislation.
One of the conditions for receiving DA is that a person must have an injury, disease or other disability and as a result of this disability, they must be substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of similar age, experience and qualifications.
Assessments of medical eligibility for DA are based on medical reports and other evidence furnished by the applicant and the applicant’s doctors. The Department does not dispute the diagnosis of the persons’ own doctors. Eligibility is assessed on a case by case basis and is determined by its severity, and resultant effects on activities of daily living and work-related activities. On receipt of additional medical evidence in this case, the medical criteria for DA was deemed to have been satisfied.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
664. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to instances of litigation or the threat of litigation arising from the inclusion of social clauses in public procurement contracts in each of the years 2017 to 2020. [16600/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in purchasing and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines.
The inclusion of social considerations has been specifically allowed for in the 2014 EU Directives on Public Procurement. The Office of Public Procurement (OGP) sets out, in its "Information Note on Incorporating Social Considerations into Public Procurement”, the key factors for policy departments and contracting authorities to be aware of when contemplating and planning the use of social considerations in public contracts. The Department of Social Protection is a member of the Strategic Procurement Advisory Group, which was established by the OGP to consider the use of social considerations in public procurement where appropriate.
My Department will continue to have regard to the EU and National legislation and OGP guidance on this matter and will ensure that, while incorporating social considerations into procurement, value for money is maintained and it does not give rise to discrimination.
665. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16616/21]
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 allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
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.
666. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of carer's allowance applications in the past two years received by her Department; the number of applications which were refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16628/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of Carer's Allowance (CA) applications received, cleared and disallowed in 2019 and 2020 are set out in the table below.
CA Scheme
|
Year |
CA Received* |
CA Cleared** |
CA Disallowed** |
|
2019 |
19,402 |
26,048 |
8,918 |
|
2020 |
18,774 |
28,504 |
10,495 |
(*) Please note that claims received are not always cleared in the same calendar year.
(**) Please note that the statistics in relation to cleared cases include cases which were awarded, withdrawn and disallowed. The statistics in relation to disallowed cases include cases which were subsequently awarded following a review or a successful appeal.I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
667. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of domiciliary care applications received in the past three years by her Department; the number of applications which were refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16629/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of applications received by Domiciliary Care Allowance section in the past three years and the numbers of claims processed, including initial outcome, is listed in the table below. It should be noted that some of the decisions which issue in the beginning of any calendar year represent applications received in the previous year and similarly applications received in the latter part of any year may not be processed before year end.
|
Year |
Application Received |
Applications Awarded |
Applications Disallowed |
Applications Withdrawn |
Total No. Processed |
|
2018 |
8,609 |
6,317 |
2,225 |
27 |
8,569 |
|
2019 |
8,719 |
5,886 |
2,875 |
23 |
8,784 |
|
2020 |
7,289 |
4,987 |
2,639 |
36 |
7,662 |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
668. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if provisions will be made to ensure the continued payment of carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in a case in which they are in breach of the regular rules. [16687/21]
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.
As is the case with most other means-tested social welfare payments, CA is not payable on an extended basis to or in respect of persons outside the State.
However, legislation does provide for the payment of CA when a person leaves the State on a temporary basis for the specific purpose of accompanying the person being cared for, while that person is receiving treatment. This treatment must be provided by an institution and a letter will be required providing date of admission and subsequent release. There is no requirement that the treatment be one which is not available in the State.
A temporary absence is considered one which lasts no longer than thirteen weeks.
Permission must be sought before the Carer or cared for person leaves the State. Failure to do so will result in the loss of entitlement.
If the person being cared for is not receiving treatment in an institution, the CA payment to the person concerned will terminate. The person concerned will be required to re-apply for CA upon her return to the State.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
669. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if a personal public service number will be retrieved by the client identity services section in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16691/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that a letter issued on 26th February 2021 to the individual referred to by the Deputy with details of his Personal Public Service Number (PPSN).
I trust this clarifies the matter.
670. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of plans to provide pension provision as per a 2008 Labour Court recommendation for community employment supervisors; the timeframe for a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16703/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors who are employed by CE schemes.
CE sponsoring authorities are the legal employers of their CE supervisors, CE assistant supervisors and CE participants. The Department’s role continues to be that of CE funder.
At this point, I want to acknowledge the valuable and dedicated service that CE supervisors provide in running CE schemes delivering local based community services while providing a valuable training and development opportunity to the long-term unemployed and to those often furthest removed from the labour market.
This issue of pensions was examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A number of Departments, including my own Department, were represented on this group, as were the unions and Pobal.
In its findings, the High-level Group stated that while CE supervisors and assistant supervisors represented only a very small part of the wider community and voluntary sector, any explicit provision of State funding for such a scheme in respect of CE Supervisors could potentially give rise to claims for funding for employees in the broader sector. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform stated that it had to have regard to any potential Exchequer exposure associated with dealing with the specific issue as regards CE supervisors arising from the Labour Court recommendation.
The Deputy should note that funding of any potential pension provision for CE supervisors will ultimately be a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to determine within the wider budgetary framework and economic context in which any such scheme will need to operate.
Within this context, officials from my Department and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform held discussions on proposals to progress this issue over the past number of months. Following a recent discussion with Minister McGrath, I am optimistic that this issue will be progressed in the near future
671. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is being subjected to another review of their farm assist in view of the fact that the claim was reviewed in October 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16852/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarm assist is a means-tested income support scheme for farmers. The annual review ensures that the correct level of payment is made to the recipient taking into consideration any changes in their circumstances that may have occurred in the past year.
The annual declaration process requires all farm assist recipients to make a return to the Department with supporting documentation as to income and expenditure over the preceding year. Recipients can set out in some detail changes in their outgoings related to farm expenses from year to year.
Farm assist reviews normally take place between February and May. Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic some reviews which were due to take place in early 2020 were pushed out to later in the year and as a result the review for the person concerned took place in October 2020.
Farm assist reviews for 2021 are currently under way and the claim of the person concerned is being reviewed as are the claims for all other farm assist recipients as part of the annual review process.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
672. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an emergency or exceptional needs payment can issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16898/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted a Rent Supplement application on 18/03/2021. In order to assess entitlement to this support, a letter issued to the person concerned on 19/03/2021 requesting further information and documentation in support of her application. On receipt of the requested information and documentation the application will be assessed and a decision will issue to the person concerned.
It is not necessary for the person concerned to submit a separate application for an Exceptional Needs Payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
673. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding provided by her Department or agencies under her remit annually to family resource centres; the primary funding streams in each of the years 2015 to 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16983/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra674. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the family resource centres in County Cork which receive funding from agencies under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16984/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 673 and 674 together.
The Department of Social Protection (DSP) has provided circa €3.1 million in 2020 to the Family Resource Centres through the following schemes: Community Employment (CE), Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and TÚS. The following is a breakdown by scheme for 2020.
Family Resource Centre - 2020
|
Scheme |
Payment Value |
|
CE |
€1,787,221.80 |
|
TÚS |
€ 923,074.51 |
|
RSS |
€ 384,505.31 |
|
TOTAL |
€3,094,801.62 |
Payment data in relation to 2015 to 2019 for Family Resource Centres and the County Cork centres which fall under the remit of DSP are currently being collated and will be provided directly to the Deputy when available.
675. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial impact on a person (details supplied) if they continue to work in the public sector after they turn 66 years of age with regard to their State pension; and the amount of notice they must provide to keep working beyond 66 years of age. [17049/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 22 February 2021. They have been awarded the maximum rate of State pension (contributory) with effect from 8 June 2021, their 66th birthday. They were notified of this decision in writing on 26 March 2021.
Calculation of a person’s entitlement to State pension (contributory) is based on their social insurance record from their date of entry into insurable employment until pension age, currently 66 years. Any employment after a person’s 66th birthday is not reckonable for pension purposes. Continued employment beyond pension age does not affect a person’s eligibility for State pension (contributory).
Any query this person has in relation to continuing to work in the public service beyond the age of 66 should be addressed to their employer.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
