Written Answers Nos. 431-448
431. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the amount of repayment in respect of a previous overpayment can be reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) given the current financial hardship being experienced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3168/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis person concerned was awarded disability allowance (DA) with effect from 18 February 2015. The debt in question occurred as they had means which was not disclosed to my Department from 4 January 2017 to 27 February 2018.
The Department is obliged to recoup any debt owing to it and the method of recovery, and negotiations regarding the amount recoverable, are dealt with under the Department’s code of practice. The original debt amounted to €12,053.10 and the current balance is €6,855.60. The person concerned is currently repaying €29.70 per week.
The repayment of debt to the department is governed by guidelines. Those guidelines allow for the means and other circumstances of the debtor to be taken into account in deciding upon an appropriate recovery plan. If the person concerned wishes my Department to consider reducing the amount of weekly repayment, they should apply in writing to DA section and include as much information as possible about their weekly outgoings. On receipt of this information, a deciding officer will review the current recovery amount.
No application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance or for an Exceptional Needs Payment has been registered for the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
432. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered changing the criteria of the back to education allowance to allow those who have been on and off the pandemic unemployment payment due to Covid-19 to avail of the allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3181/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who pursue courses of education at second or third level. As part of the Government’s commitment under the Pathways to Work strategy, my Department has a provision of approximately €105.4m in supports under the BTEA for 2022.
A person wishing to pursue a course of study under the BTEA scheme must satisfy several conditions, including being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specified time, pursuing a full-time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in the level of education.
The qualifying period for the second-level option is three months while the qualifying period for third-level courses is nine months prior to the date of commencement of the course. This qualifying period has been waived for people coming directly from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment where they must first establish an entitlement to a qualifying payment. There are no further plans to amend the BTEA criteria.
The conditions under which the BTEA operate are designed to support customers into employment. People who are on and off the Pandemic Unemployment payment are already in employment and are being temporarily laid off as a result of the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, represents the primary support for people pursuing third level education.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
433. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of PPS numbers issued to persons on a monthly basis for the past five years to date excluding those issued to newborn children born in the State; the average waiting time to date from application to the issuing of PPS numbers; and the number of persons in the backlog. [3359/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra434. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average wait time for a personal public service number to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3374/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a person who required a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) attended an office of my Department for SAFE registration.
The SAFE registration process involves the authentication of a person's identity in a face-to-face interview, and the subsequent issuing of a Public Services Card (PSC).
Face-to-face services were disrupted during 2020 due to the pandemic, and my Department introduced an online application service for Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) applications. This service was introduced to ensure that those who need a PPSN can have their application dealt with, even in the event of office closures as a result of COVID-19 public health measures.
In May 2021, SAFE registrations resumed across my Department's network of offices for PSC appointments and certain offices have resumed SAFE registration for PPSN applicants as well as PSC appointments. SAFE registrations for PPSN applicants will resume in all offices following the lifting of public health restrictions.
In 2021, the Department received from individuals residing in Ireland, approximately 97,500 online applications for a PPSN, of which there are currently in the region of 6,400 applications that are pending a decision, 1,500 of which are awaiting further detail and information from the applicant.
The average timeline for processing PPSN applications was approximately two weeks during December in most of the Department’s regions. The average processing time is in the order of 4 to 5 weeks across the Dublin, Cork and North East regions. However, the Department can confirm that additional resources have been assigned to deal with PPSN applications, and that this increased capacity will reduce the number of applications currently pending and improve the waiting time to receive a PPSN.
The number of PPSNs issued to persons on a monthly basis for the past five years are set out in the table below (please note that for the years 2017-2020 it is not possible to exclude the figures for PPSNs issued to new-born children born in the state).
I trust this clarifies the matter at this time.
435. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to including homes under the value of €300,000 as exempt from inclusion as capital with regard to means testing requirements for social protection payments in recognition of the fact that these properties do not provide additional income for many recipients of social assistance schemes but may affect their payment rates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3384/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe system of social assistance supports provide payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency - be that illness, disability, unemployment or caring.
The application of a means test not only ensures that the recipient has an income need but also that the resources are targeted to those with the greatest need.
While property is assessed as part of the means test, the family home is never included in this assessment, regardless of value.The capital value of property other than the family home is assessed, whether or not it is providing an income to the claimant. Where the property is rented, rental income is not taken into account, and the property continues to be assessed on a capital basis.The formula for assessing the value of capital or property for an individual for most social welfare schemes is as follows: the first €20,000 is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.
The exceptions to the formula above are Disability Allowance (and Carer's Allowance from June 2022), where the first €50,000 of capital is not taken into account, Supplementary Welfare Allowance, where the first €5,000 is not taken into account, and the Working Family Payment, where capital is not taken into account at all.
Exempting property, other than the family home, valued at under €300,000 would be contrary to the general aim of the means test which is to ensure that people with reasonable amounts of capital or property are in a position to use that capital, or to realise the value of property, to meet some of their living costs without having to rely solely on a means tested welfare payment.
436. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to introduce legislation to recognise the status of long-term surviving cohabitants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3402/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Widow’s, Widower’s and Surviving Civil Partner’s pension is paid to the husband, wife or surviving civil partner of a deceased person and is available to those who satisfy the necessary PRSI contribution conditions, either on their own record or on that of the deceased spouse or civil partner, provided the applicant is not cohabiting. The legal context governing life-partnership relationships such as marriage or civil partnership is set out in various Civil Partnership, Marriage and Family Law Acts. Entering into a marriage or civil partnership is a legal act, which confers both rights and obligations on both parties that do not exist in law between cohabiting couples. Widows, widowers and surviving civil partners, who become bereaved, therefore, lose someone who had legal duties towards them, and the social welfare code recognises this by providing a pension to them, subject to certain conditions.It was for these reasons that the social welfare supports for widows and widowers were extended to surviving civil partners from 1 January 2011, when the provisions of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 came into force.Awarding widows pensions, or a similar benefit, to people who are not legally widows, widowers or surviving civil partners would involve a significant income support policy change and could also be very costly. The basis on which a person would become entitled to such a pension, would require significant consideration and raise complex legal and administrative challenges.
I further note that the Citizens’ Assembly issued its report on Gender Equality last summer. The Government has committed in its Programme for Government to responding to the recommendations of the Assembly and has established an Oireachtas Committee to examine these complex and multifaceted matters in the round.
My officials will prepare a report on how cohabiting couples are treated in the social welfare system. I will refer that report to the special Oireachtas Committee on gender equality.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
437. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is flexibility with regard to the five-year rule for reapplying to the back-to-work enterprise allowance for those who have previously participated in the scheme particularly in circumstances in which there is a timeframe of less than three months left in this five-year timeframe in which the planned enterprise is an in-demand service which would benefit the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3463/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market. The scheme plays a vital role in supporting the development of new enterprises. As part of the Governments commitments under the Pathways to Work strategy a budget of approximately €56.4m has been allocated for this scheme in 2022.
People who have previously participated in the BTWEA scheme may apply for a second time after a period of at least five years has elapsed since last receiving payment.
Aside from BTWEA, those in self-employment may have entitlement to support under the Jobseekers Allowance Scheme. Means derived from their self-employment would be assessed and a weekly Jobseekers Allowance rate may be payable.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, I would ask that she provides specific details on the case to the Department so that the options available can be examined.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
438. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s total capital and current expenditure budget for 2021 and 2022 for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence with a breakdown for each related allocation for both years in tabular form. [3507/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that In response to reported increases in domestic violence, in August 2020 the Government agreed that rent supplement should be made available to victims of domestic violence, referred by Tusla or by Tusla-funded service providers, for an initial three months and, other than the payment of a minimum contribution, without the requirement of a means test. A means test applies for the subsequent three month period.
I was pleased to confirm in December, that following a review of this temporary measure, it has now been made a permanent feature of the Rent Supplement Scheme.
While the level of demand and the number of claims is relatively low, for the people who availed of it, rent supplement provided a valuable support during a time of difficulty. The average claim duration indicates that the current approach of an initial three month period with no means-test, followed by three months with a means test, with further local authority housing solutions after that, is appropriate.
It is estimated that the annual cost of the scheme is comparatively small at €0.45m and is provided for from within the current Rent Supplement budget.
My Department does not otherwise have specific expenditure allocations for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Except for the payment of rent supplement in certain cases, expenditure data is not available where these issues were a consideration in claim decisions.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
439. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection when the full year expenditure for rent supplement in 2021 will be available. [3519/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2021 expenditure for rent supplement is €122.96m. This figure is provisional, subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
440. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the criteria which are applied to means tested social welfare benefits such as disability allowance and medical cards takesinto account compensation payment the recipient may have received from the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3531/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe system of social assistance supports provide payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency - be that illness, disability, unemployment or caring.
The application of a means test not only ensures that the recipient has an income need but also that resources are targeted to those with the greatest need.
Any income or capital, with certain exceptions and disregards, belonging to the person and his / her spouse, partner or co-habitant is assessable for social welfare means testing purposes.
Social welfare legislation provides for the disregard of certain compensation awards when assessing the means of a person. These disregards include, for example, all income derived from compensation awarded by the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal, the Residential Institutions Redress Board and in relation to disability caused by Thalidomide. Any payment made by the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board is also disregarded for social welfare means test purposes.
In addition, ex gratia payments made to women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen Laundries, or through the Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme, or payments made by the Minister of Health in accordance with recommendations proposed by the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme are also disregarded.All compensation or court awards which are not specifically provided for in social welfare legislation are assessed in the normal manner.
The formula for assessing the value of capital for most social assistance schemes is as follows: the first €20,000 is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.
The exceptions to the formula above are Disability Allowance (and Carer's Allowance from June 2022), where the first €50,000 of capital is not taken into account, Supplementary Welfare Allowance, where the first €5,000 is not taken into account, and the Working Family Payment, where capital is not taken into account at all.
Any changes to the means assessment of social assistance schemes would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
The means testing criteria for the Medical Card are a matter for the Department of Health.
441. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the recommendation in the report on the Commission on Pensions that the method for calculating entitlement to the State pension (contributory) should fully transition to a total contributions approach as soon as possible with the consequent abolition of the yearly average approach; the planned schedule for such a transition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3599/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund, in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment. The Commission was an independent body comprised of knowledgeable and experienced academics, pension experts, members of civil society and representatives of workers and employers. The Commission has completed its work and its report was published on 7th October 2021. The Commission's Report, its Technical Sub-Committee's working papers, and submissions made to the Commission are available on the Commission’s website, pensionscommission.gov.ie.
The Commission’s Report is a comprehensive document that takes account of an assessment of various analyses of population, labour force and expenditure projections; an examination of international approaches; and responses to an extensive consultation process. It has unambiguously established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that changes are needed, and it has set out a wide range of recommendations in this regard - including the full transition to a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) model and phasing out of the Yearly Average approach over a ten year period.
The report has been referred to the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and to the Commission for Taxation and Welfare for their views. I understand that both the Chair of the Commission, Ms. Josephine Feehily and the Chair of its Technical Sub-Committee, Ms. Roma Burke met with the Joint Committee on 17th November 2021. Officials from my Department also attended this meeting.
In the interests both of older people and of future generations of older people, the Government intends to consider the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically. My officials will work to examine each of the recommendations. They will consult across Government through the Cabinet Committee system.
I think it is really important that we complete that work before reaching conclusions. I intend to bring a recommended response and implementation plan to Government by the end of March 2022.
The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
442. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on family carers being excluded from the recently announced payment of recognition of €1,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3601/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Health, last week confirmed the payment of a Covid Recognition Payment as a once off, tax-free payment of €1,000, ringfenced to certain workers ordinarily onsite in COVID-19-exposed healthcare environments. The workers eligible for the payment will be:
- public service health and ambulance workers,
- those seconded or assigned to the HSE (for example: Defence Forces staff seconded/assigned to HSE testing centres),
- supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.
- staff in private sector nursing homes and Hospices affected by COVID-19.
This payment is not under the responsibility of my Department.
The key role of the Department of Social Protection is that of income support. The main income supports to carers provided by my Department include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer's Support Grant. Spending on these payments in 2022 is expected to be in excess of €1.5 billion. Despite the substantial extra financial demands due to the COVID-19 crisis, I increased the Carer’s Support Grant by €150 to a rate of €1,850. This is the highest rate since its introduction. The annual grant is available to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions. This award can be used for any purpose at the discretion of the carer and it is not taxed. Recipients of Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance receive the grant automatically. Other people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment but who are providing full time care and attention to someone who requires that level of care are also eligible and can apply for a grant.
Furthermore, in acknowledging the crucial role that family carers play in our society I introduced a number of measures as part of Budget 2022 in relation to supports provided by my Department. These include:
- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments including carers, with effect from January.
- €3 increase for qualified child dependants aged 12 and over and €2 for those up to age 12, in all core weekly payments.
- An increase in the Capital/Savings disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000 from June.
- An increase in the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance to €350 a week for single carers and to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner, also from June.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance will be paid for children who go into hospital for up to 6 months (currently 3 months). Carer’s Allowance will also continue to be paid in respect of children who go into hospital for 6 months. This will take effect in January.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
443. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of providing family carers with a once-off payment of €1,000 in recognition of their work and hardship over the pandemic. [3602/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost of paying a once off €1,000 bonus to family carers would be dependent on eligibility criteria for the proposed payment.
Paying the bonus to all carers in receipt of the Carer's Support Grant would cost an estimated €128.3m.
This costing is based on the the estimated number of recipients in 2022 and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
444. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of civilian and Garda ministerial drivers in her current corps of drivers; the breakdown of the civilian versus Garda drivers; and the total costs including salaries, maintenance, fuel and so on incurred by the driver corps in 2020 and 2021. [3973/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appointment of civilian drivers in my Department are made in line with the “Instructions to HR Managers on Ministerial Appointments for the 33rd Dáil” and the “Guidelines on the Staffing of Ministerial Offices for the 33rd Dáil’’.
I have dual responsibility for the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Rural and Community Development and in line with government guidelines, the Department of Social Protection cover the costs of two civilian drivers.
Salary and Employer’s PRSI costs incurred for the two civilian drivers concerned by my Department were €61,667 in 2020 and €62,962.32 in 2021.
445. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will publish the review of the provision of accommodation for victims of domestic violence. [3265/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla’s Accommodation Review has examined the current level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services, unmet need and the proximity to refuge by local communities. The Review has made a number of recommendations on the location of refuge facilities, funding and future configuration of services that will support the needs of victims of DSGBV.
A draft of the Review has been shared with all stakeholders on the DSGBV Strategy Monitoring Committee. The timing of publication and dissemination of the Review is now being considered in consultation with the Department of Justice and the forthcoming publication of the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has agreed that the Department of Justice will be the lead Department with responsibility for responding to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). On 18 January, I met with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice to discuss this integrated and dedicated response to DSGBV and to ensure prompt advancement of actions to address this issue.
I hope that the findings of the Review will inform the approach to address the need for greater refuge provision and will inform the strategic actions under the forthcoming Third National Strategy on DSGBV.
446. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of women and children who sought space in a domestic violence refuge in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3476/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
447. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons that were provided a space in a domestic violence refuge service in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3477/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
448. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the roll-out of the baby box scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3002/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPiloting of a Baby Box initiative for new-borns is an action in the First 5 A Whole-of -Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028. This pilot is one initiative as part of a wide ranging strategy addressing various aspects of the lives of children from birth to age five including supports for parents to balance working and caring, developments in early learning and care and health initiatives.
The gift of the Baby Box is intended as a welcome from the State for a new arrival to a family and an acknowledgement of this very significant moment for parents. The universal distribution of Baby Boxes also reflects an important equality principle that each child is given something of equal value at the start of their life. The concept of Baby Boxes has been implemented in a number of countries including Scotland, whereby parents receive a package of items to assist with the transition to parenthood. The pilot will undertake research and consultation to determine items for inclusion in the Baby Box, informed by the commitments in the First 5 strategy, and these may include safety items, toys to support early development and books.
Key objectives with the Baby Box and linked communications will include support for parent-infant bonding, information on baby development and early learning, advice and support for breastfeeding and promotion of infant health and safety.
This action was delayed by the reassignment of personnel to the Covid response. The preparation to advance the initiative is now proceeding with the first meeting of the project advisory group held on December 13 2021. It is envisaged that the pilot roll-out will get underway this year.
