Written Answers Nos. 456-478
457. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the assessable income limit for fuel allowance means test by 10% for a single person under 80, single person over 80, for a couple in circumstances in which the qualified adult is aged under 66 or a couple in which the qualified adult is aged 66 or over in tabular form. [48144/21]
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 370,000 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.
Taking account of the fact that the fuel allowance is a household based payment and that qualification is not just based on the means test but on a number of other complex qualifying criteria such as household composition, it is not possible for my Department to provide an accurate projection of the potential cost of the measures outlined by the Deputy. My Department also does not maintain records across all schemes of the amount by which unsuccessful fuel applicants are over the income threshold. It is also worth noting that many people above the existing income threshold do not make an application.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for Fuel Allowance by increasing the allowable means would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
458. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to publish a report (details supplied); the reason for the delay in doing so to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48150/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits the Government to use the research into the cost of disability to individuals and families to properly inform the direction of future policy. My Department commissioned Indecon International Consultants to carry out research into the cost of disability in Ireland.
The report has been received and my Department is considering it in detail. As part of this consideration, the Department has been briefing and seeking the views of relevant Government departments which have a role to play in the delivery of disability services and supports. This matter is significantly wider than the income support system which is why a whole-of-Government perspective is being taken. Once this process is complete, I intend to submit the report to Government for consideration. A decision regarding the appropriate date of publication will be made once Government has had an opportunity to consider the report fully.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
459. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 518 of 28 September 2021, the number of students who are in receipt of disability allowance who lose this allowance by virtue of their studying abroad; if she is satisfied that this temporary relocation constitutes a non-compliance with the habitual residency requirement given that all such students still reside substantially in Ireland; the estimated cost of reversing the policy approach in this regard; if she will review the policy of her Department in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48166/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a payment for people with an injury, disease or disability that has continued, or may be expected to continue, for at least one year and, as a result of this disability, the person is ‘substantially restricted’ in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable.
Legislation provides that the scheme is subject to a means test, which takes account of the income and capital/assets of the person (and spouse/partner, if applicable) applying for the scheme. While the scheme is subject to a habitual residency requirement, legislation also provides for disqualification from the payment where a person is resident, whether temporarily or permanently, outside the State.
There are no statistics available to show that recipients have ceased their disability allowance as a result of studying abroad. Currently there are in excess of 154,000 persons in receipt of Disability Allowance.
Disability allowance is a qualifying payment for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), which in certain circumstances allows for study in Northern Ireland, further details are available at: www.gov.ie/en/service/418e3f-back-to-education-allowance/#operational-guidelines
While there are no plans currently to change the conditions that apply to this scheme, the Department continues to keep the range of income supports available under review. Any proposed changes to schemes need also to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
460. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if the fuel allowance will be extended to those in receipt of illness benefit experiencing fuel poverty who are unable to work due to illness or ongoing medical treatment. [48187/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra461. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider expanding the eligibility for the fuel allowance to include those in receipt of illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48210/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra463. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the fuel allowance and bonus week payments to those on illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48215/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra465. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason there is a rule that prevents persons who are on illness benefit from qualifying for fuel allowance and the bonus week payment at Christmas given that there is a provision made for those in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance for 390 days, 15 months or more to qualify for both the fuel allowance and the bonus week (details supplied); and the reason no such provision is made for those on illness benefit. [48233/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 460, 461, 463 and 465 together.
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April, to 370,000 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.
Fuel Allowance and the Christmas Bonus are paid to social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income.
The reason Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance or the Christmas Bonus is that, in the majority of cases, Illness Benefit is a short-term payment for those who are certified by their GP as needing to take time out from their employment due to illness.
People who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for the non-means-tested Invalidity Pension, subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria. Those who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means-tested Disability Allowance, subject to meeting the relevant medical criteria. Recipients of both of these payments are eligible for the Christmas Bonus and subject to satisfying all qualifying condition, Fuel Allowance.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for Fuel Allowance or the Christmas Bonus to include people in receipt of Illness Benefit would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies..
462. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a back to education appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48214/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons in receipt of disability allowance (DA) can return to education and training. They have the option of applying for back to education allowance (BTEA) or remaining on their DA while attending their course. While on BTEA they can apply to SUSI for the fees only portion of the maintenance grant. They can also commence part time employment and any income from it will not be means tested while on BTEA.
The normal rules and regulations of DA would apply while the DA claimant is in full time education, if they are not on BTEA. They can apply for a full SUSI maintenance grant and retain all secondary benefits which are paid with their DA.
No application for BTEA has been received to date from the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
464. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine extending the telephone support allowance to those in receipt of the State pension (contributory) but not in receipt of either the living alone allowance or the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48219/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Telephone Support Allowance (TSA) is a weekly payment of €2.50. Approximately 136,000 customers are in receipt of the TSA payment. The full year cost of the scheme is estimated at €18 million.
The primary objective of the TSA is to allow the most vulnerable people at risk of isolation, including the elderly and those with disabilities, access to personal alarms or phones for security. Therefore, the criteria for the allowance were framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible.
To receive the allowance a customer of my Department must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and also in receipt of both the Living Alone Allowance and the Fuel Allowance. People who live alone would be considered amongst those most at risk of social isolation, and this payment, along with the Living Alone Allowance (LAA), is also in part a recognition of the greater challenges facing those living alone in avoiding poverty. As fuel allowance is a means tested payment this eligibility criterion ensures that only people who do not have additional resources receive the TSA.
The schemes operated by my Department are constantly reviewed. Any decision to change their qualifying criteria would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
466. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated amount of the additional €5 million that was made available through Dormant Accounts funding for carers and persons with disabilities as of September 2020 that has been granted to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48244/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 16 September 2020, I announced a funding allocation of €5 million under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2020 and a Call for Applications to support initiatives under the heading of "Measures to Support and Improve Employment (incl. self-employment) Opportunities for Carers and Persons with a Disability”. There were three measures under which organisations could apply:
- Measure 1: Access to employment, self-employment and training/education supports for family carers
- Measure 2: Initiatives to support and develop young carers
- Measure 3: Access to employment and self-employment for people with a disability
Pobal is managing the process on behalf of my Department. A comprehensive appraisal process was undertaken by Pobal to review the eligibility and quality of applications received as well as financial management and governance. Applications were evaluated based on the measure specific guidelines determined by my Department and the general criteria applicable to Dormant Accounts Disbursements.
In December 2020, I was pleased to announce a funding package in excess of €2.3 million for the total of 17 projects who made an application under this measure. The delivery period for the successful applicants is from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2022.
The nature of the process and timing of this process can result in a variance between the expenditure outturn versus the original estimate. There is no way of predicting with any degree of accuracy the number of applications that will be received in relation to a call for proposals. As part of the competitive process organised by Pobal each of the applications is evaluated against a number of preset criteria, and successful organisations do not always receive the amount of funding sought in their application.
The grantees are funded according to an agreed payment schedule. Pobal issue an initial payment on receipt of a signed grant agreement, with 90% initial funding provided for grants of less than €50,000 and 60% for grants of more than €50,000. To date, a total of 58% or over €1.38 million has been paid to grantees.
As outlined above, the Dormant Accounts Fund 2020 Plan provided funding for two measures that focused on Family Carers and Young Carers. For the first measure, there were just four applicants and funding of €378,075 was provided. A further single application was received as a joint application for both Measure 1 & 2 and funding of €199,815 was requested and provided.
Finally, it should be noted that additional funding requests amounting to €380,153 were received by Pobal from two family carer representative organisations in 2021, both of which are currently in receipt of funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund 2020 Plan. A decision on the outcome of these applications will communicated to the organisations by Pobal shortly.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
467. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if a companion travel pass will be issued to a claimant who has very limited mobility (details supplied); if the chief medical officer of her Department can reconsider this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48318/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the customer concerned, the Chief Medical Adviser (CMA) has carefully reviewed her application for Free Travel Companion Pass including all medical evidence and additional evidence received from the customer's GP today.
The CMA has conveyed his medical opinion to Free Travel Section who will be in contact with the customer within the next couple of days.
I trust this clarifies the position at this time.
468. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of local employment services being funded by her Department to deliver construction skills training; the location of each service in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48323/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Employment Service provides a local service and facilities to support unemployed people to enter or return to work. The services include:
- Referral to the mediation service, career path planning, career guidance and placement services.
- Referral to local State and voluntary services for training, education, Job Clubs and other social services.
- Information on the range of training, education and employment options available.
While my Department provides funding to the Local Employment Service for referrals to training and employment programmes, there is no specific breakdown of training categories or courses to which clients are referred..
St Andrews Centre in Dublin has been successfully running a construction skills course for a number of years. This course is supported by Dublin Port, Dublin City Council and Dublin Docklands. Due to a funding gap, my Department agreed to provide funding for this course via the Eastside and Docklands Local Employment Service on a once off basis for 2021. The allocation of funding for this project followed an appraisal and evaluation by my Department of the Eastside and Docklands LES contract bid proposal for 2021.
I trust that this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
469. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if those receiving illness benefit will be considered for the fuel allowance and the double payment at Christmas, particularly those who have a claim category of continuous duration and those who have received illness benefit for several months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48324/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel Allowance and the Christmas Bonus are paid to social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income.
The reason Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance or the Christmas Bonus is that, in the majority of cases, Illness Benefit is a short-term payment for those who are certified by their GP as needing to take time out from their employment due to illness.
People who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for the non-means-tested Invalidity Pension, subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria. Those who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means-tested Disability Allowance, subject to meeting the relevant medical criteria. Recipients of both of these payments are eligible for the Christmas Bonus and, subject to satisfying all qualifying conditions, for Fuel Allowance.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for Fuel Allowance or the Christmas Bonus to include people in receipt of Illness Benefit would have to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost, including exceptional heating costs, which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
470. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPS number will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48386/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have advised that a PPSN application was received on 27/9/21 in respect of the person concerned. The person concerned has been contacted and requested to provide a copy of her national identity card so that her application can be processed.
On receipt of the requested documentation her application will be progressed and confirmation of her PPSN will issue to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
471. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the decision to refuse an invalidity pension can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48403/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity 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 person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. She was notified on 17 September 2021 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
Your representation will be treated as a review request from the person concerned. If the person concerned has any further medical evidence relevant to her application, she should submit it immediately. Otherwise her claim can only be reviewed on the information already provided. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of the review as soon as it is completed.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) can be placed as a dependent on the pension payment of their spouse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48404/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA State pension (contributory) recipient can claim an increase on their pension in respect of a qualified adult where the eligibility conditions for this means-tested payment are satisfied. A qualified adult is the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the pensioner who is being wholly or mainly maintained by that pensioner.
An Increase for qualified adult (IQA) is payable at the maximum rate of payment where the means of the qualified adult are not more than €100 per week. Reduced rates are payable where means are over €100 and not more than €310 per week. No increase is payable where means are in excess of €310 per week.
The means assessed are those of the qualified adult only, and include income from employment, self-employment, non-social welfare pensions and the capital value of property other than the family home, as well as savings. Where property or assets are held jointly, the qualified adult's means is taken to be half of the total value.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has yet not applied for this increase. I have arranged for the necessary application form to be sent to them.
On receipt of the application, a decision can be made on the IQA entitlement and the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
473. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he, in conjunction with the relevant Departments will consider putting a scheme in place similar to the cycle-to-work scheme for those on disability and invalidity allowance in order to financially assist them to access bicycles and electric scooters and so on. [47464/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no immediate plans to introduce such a scheme.
My Department is co-ordinating Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy to lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities. The working group is due to reconvene shortly and I will ask that it examine the Deputy's suggestion.
474. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reasons for the delay to the successor of Better Outcomes, Brighter Future; when he expects same to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47486/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetter Outcomes, Brighter Futures – The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 concluded at the end of 2020. My Department’s Research and Evaluation Unit is preparing a review of the BOBF Indicator Set between 2014 and 2020, the lifespan of the policy framework. A final Annual Report for 2020 is due for publication by the year end.
The research and review stage of development of the BOBF successor framework has now commenced, in parallel with the development of an action plan and enabling framework for the EU Child Guarantee and reporting to the United Nations Children’s Rights Convention. Prioritisation of the latter initiatives in 2021 was required to ensure appropriate consideration and to meet the necessary deadlines.
The integrated approach being adopted in developing these initiatives will inform the strategic approach to improving outcomes for children, young people and their families that will be pursued under the successor policy framework to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.
It is envisaged that the full successor framework will be published by end of 2022.
475. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a child poverty unit has been established in his Department; if so, the staff and resources provided to the unit; the remit of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47487/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection holds the lead on addressing child poverty, in close collaboration with other relevant government departments.
My Department is actively engaged in efforts in this regard and has recently established a new International Unit which will also lead coordination of the necessary actions emerging from the recently adopted EU Child Guarantee. This will involve the development of a National Action Plan for the implementation of the Child Guarantee comprising inputs and harnessing efforts from across government and key policy domains.
As you may be aware, the EU Child Guarantee provides Ireland with an opportunity to re-focus and, where necessary, re-evaluate our approach in tackling child poverty and promoting children’s well-being.
The objective of the Guarantee is to prevent and combat social exclusion by guaranteeing access for children who are in need of a range of key services and as such forms a subset to the wider issues revolving around child poverty.
The Child Guarantee calls on Member States to guarantee for children in need, free access to early childhood education and care; education (including school-based activities); and healthcare; and to ensure effective access to healthy nutrition, a healthy meal each school day and adequate housing.
The effective implementation of the Child Guarantee will involve the active input and participation of all key government departments and agencies. The experience of my Department in the effective implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and its cross government and cross sectoral engagement will inform the design and implementation of the Child Guarantee National Action Plan to ensure it is collaborative, integrated and, ultimately, impactful.
476. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the advice he sought from persons and bodies with expertise in GDPR concerning subject access requests by survivors seeking personal information from the archive of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47502/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to assist the processing of subject access requests from individuals seeking personal information from the archive and to vindicate the rights of data subjects, my Department has put in place a multi-disciplinary team which includes legal and data protection expertise. Officials in my Department who process SARs from individuals completed data protection training delivered by external consultants to ensure that they are appropriately equipped to respond to requests in respect of the archive.
In addition, my Department has engaged external data protection consultants to support the processing of requests from data subjects and, in consultation with the Attorney General, has developed guidelines which set out the steps that must be taken in response to each subject access request.
477. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 254 of 16 September 2021, if he will consider matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47513/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs noted in the previous PQ response, toilet training and nappy changing facilities have not as yet been flagged to the Department as major issues for pre-school services delivering the programme or for children accessing the programme.
However, mindful of the information shared by the Deputy, I would draw her attention to the review of the ECCE programme which is due to commence shortly. The review will give an opportunity to providers and parents to express their concerns and will also inform the future development of the programme.
The review will also give a range of stakeholders, including providers and parents, offering an opportunity to not only highlight the strengths of the programme as it has evolved in recent years but also identify potential barriers or unintended consequences that may have emerged as the programme has evolved. This review will then be considered by Government and form the basis of any future changes to the scheme.
478. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to reduce the cost of childcare for parents with particular reference to ensuring as much support as possible to working families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47569/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently invests €638 million in the early learning and childcare sector, with affordability for parents a key policy objective of this investment.
To address affordability, my Department funds universal pre-school under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. This provides for free access to early learning and childcare for 15 hours per week for the two years before children start primary school.
My Department also funds the National Childcare Scheme. This provides universal and income-assessed subsidies to parents. A universal subsidy for children up to three is available for up to 45 hours per week. An income-assessed subsidy is available for children of all ages for up to 45 hours per week, the level of which is determined by the family’s income.
Government has committed to increase investment in the sector to €1 billion by 2028.
A new funding model will be a key vehicle to ensure that this significant additional investment delivers the best return for children, families and the State. An Expert Group is leading on this work.
This Expert Group has commissioned and published a series of reports, including consideration of ways to reduce early learning and childcare costs to parents and mechanisms to control fees.
The report of the Expert Group is currently being finalised and will be submitted to me in November. The work of this Group is also informing my Department’s approach to Budget 2022.
