Written Answers Nos. 318-330
318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which exceptional needs payments were made in each of the past three years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5743/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra319. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the uses for which exceptional needs payments may be applied given that some applicants may not qualify under the heading they might have indicated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5744/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 319 together.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department can make a single Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. An urgent needs payment (UNP) may be made to persons who may not normally qualify for supplementary welfare allowance but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or where an alternative is not available at that time. Government has provided €45.75 million for the exceptional and urgent needs schemes in 2022.
The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Approximately 92,200 payments were made in 2019, 67,600 payments in 2020 and over 55,500 payments in 2021. Examples of the main types of needs that are met under the scheme include assistance towards new accommodation kit-outs, the purchase of household appliances, rent deposits, funeral and burial expenses, assistance with travel costs, clothing & child related items such as cots and prams.
I would encourage any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an exceptional or urgent needs payment to contact their local Intreo Centre. There is a national Income Support Helpline in place - 0818-800024 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
320. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a smooth transition exists for persons who have not yet reached qualification age for the State pension but who have ceased employment due to the nature of their contract; if the present regime is adequately sensitive to ensure that they are not forced to apply for unemployment assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5745/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February 2021, I introduced the "Benefit Payment for 65 year olds" in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to provide a benefit payment for people who are aged 65 and who are required to retire, or who chose to retire, without a requirement to sign on, engage in activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work. This new payment was designed specifically to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at 65 years of age but who do not qualify for the State Pension until age 66.
The 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. Once it completed its work and fulfilled its obligations, the Commission was dissolved. The Commission's Report was published on 7th October 2021. The report, Technical Sub-Committee's working papers and submissions made to the Pensions Commission are available on the website, pensionscommission.gov.ie.
The Pensions Commission’s Report is a comprehensive report 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 aligning retirement ages in employment contracts with the State Pension Age. The Commission also presented an option to allow people with a long contribution history of 45 years to access the State Pension (Contributory) at age 65. The Commission’s Report stated that this should be implemented in the context of an increase in the State Pension Age.
The report was referred to the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands for its views which were published yesterday. Separately, as set out in its terms of reference, the Commission on Taxation and Welfare is considering the report of the Pensions Commission in the context of its review of potential changes to the social insurance system.
In the interests both of older people and future generations of older people, the Government intends to consider the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Pensions Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically. My officials are currently examining each of the recommendations, their implications, and what would be required to implement them. They are consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system. I think it is really important that we complete that work and get those views before reaching conclusions on any of the specific recommendations. Once that is done, I intend bringing 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.
321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons whose applications for a State pension (contributory) have been refused in each of the past three years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5746/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons whose applications for State pension (contributory) have been refused in each of the past three years to date but who have subsequently qualified for a pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5747/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together.
Under current eligibility conditions, applicants must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory), based on their Irish contribution record. Calculation of an applicant’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. Pension entitlement depends on factors such as a person’s social insurance record, their attachment to the workforce, and their countries of employment. Depending on an applicant’s individual social insurance history, their entitlement is assessed under a number of different tests to determine if they qualify for a pension. Where an applicant satisfies the criteria under more than one of these entitlement tests, the most financially beneficial rate of pension will ultimately be awarded.According to the most recent records of the Department as of 31 December 2021, there are some 46,000 cases where State pension (contributory) was disallowed between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2021 - typically, because the initial application based on their Irish insurance record did not satisfy the scheme conditions - and which were subsequently awarded and are in payment at 31 December 2021.
|
SPC claims disallowed and then awarded as at 31/12/2021 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
16,377 |
14,200 |
15,577 |
46,154 |
Please see below the most recent available figures for the number of State pension (contributory) claims which were disallowed in each of the past three years and remain disallowed. These figures do not include applicants who have since died. Recently disallowed figures in 2021 may include cases where entitlement is still being assessed under further tests, such as on the basis of applicants’ foreign employment records.
|
SPC claims disallowed and not awarded as at 31/12/2021 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
3,939 |
3,544 |
4,763 |
12,246 |
For those who do not qualify for the State pension (contributory), there are other State pension payments available, depending on an individual’s circumstances. State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested, residency-based payment for persons of pension age, based on the applicant's share of assessable household means. The maximum rate payable equates to 95% of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory).
If a person’s spouse has a State pension (contributory), the person may qualify for an Increase for qualified adult (IQA) payable with their spouse’s pension (means-tested on their own means). The rate of IQA payable may amount to 90% of the maximum State pension (contributory), depending on the rate of State pension (contributory) in payment to the person’s spouse and the person’s own means, solely or jointly held.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
323. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied that all possible requests have been met to date based on the qualification requirements in the context of Covid-19 related payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5748/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTwo specific Covid -19 related income support payments have been introduced since 2020 - the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Covid (Enhanced) Illness Benefit.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced as one of a number of measures to provide income support to those who had lost their employment as a result of COVID. To date, over 870,000 people have received payment under the scheme at a cost of €9 billion and over 28 million payments have issued.
The PUP scheme closed to new applications on 8 July 2021.
The PUP scheme re-opened from 7 December 2021 to support persons who had lost their income from employment on or after that date as a result of the decision to temporarily impose restrictions on the trading of certain business sectors to slow the spread of COVID. These restrictions had a particular impact on sectors such as hospitality, the night-time economy, and the arts and entertainment sectors.
The re-opening of the PUP scheme was specifically targeted at persons who were directly affected by the trading restrictions introduced on 7 December 2021. It did not involve a general re-opening of the scheme. The PUP scheme subsequently closed on 22 January 2022 following the lifting of restrictions on that date.
Just over 48,000 individuals benefitted from the re-opening of the PUP scheme since 7 December. Processing of claims is up to date. Where a person did not qualify or supplied insufficient information to enable a decision on their claim, they were notified of this. Where a person subsequently contacted my Department to query the non-payment of their claim, follow-up action took place. Currently, there are no processing backlogs.
COVID (Enhanced) Illness Benefit is a scheme that was introduced in March 2020, to support people who are incapable of work or who are required to self-isolate, as a result of a COVID diagnosis or being a probable source of infection. To date a total of 416,175 COVID Illness Benefit related claims have been processed of which 382,587 have received a payment.
The majority of the standard Illness Benefit claims are automatically processed once medical certification from a GP and an application from the customer has been received.
Applications for COVID Enhanced Illness Benefit increased significantly during January due to transmission of the Omicron variant. 92% of these applications are processed within a week. Applications that require officer review to ensure eligibility for payment can take longer to process. My officials are working to clear all claims as quickly as possible with additional resources allocated to this work as a priority.
If the Deputy has a particular case which he wishes to query, my officials are available to assist.
324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of outstanding requests for oral hearings in respect of various social welfare decisions; when such hearings can be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5749/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 Social Welfare Appeals Office that there are currently 6,879 appeals at various stages of the appeals process. Under Article 13 of the Social Welfare (Appeals) Regulations, 1998 (S.I. 108/1998), if an Appeals Officer is of the opinion that the case is of such a nature that it can be properly determined without a hearing, the appeal may be determined summarily.
Due to the public health restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, in-person hearings were suspended in March 2020 and remained suspended from then, with the exception of a small number of weeks in August and September 2020.
Oral hearings have been successfully conducted online or by telephone since October 2020 and these types of hearings will continue. This remote hearing approach has proven to be an effective way, during the pandemic, of facilitating an oral hearing previously achieved via the holding of an in-person hearing.
During this period, Appeals Officers have also made make greater use of telephone contact and correspondence to gather additional information or seek clarification which might otherwise have been ascertained in the course of an oral hearing. This has reduced the need to conduct oral hearings.
I am also advised that the reliance on remote hearings and greater use of correspondence has enabled a greater number of appeals to be concluded and reduced overall processing times.
I am therefore satisfied that the use of online and telephone based oral hearings and the use of a greater level of contact by phone or written correspondence has been beneficial in enabling appeals to proceed during a period of significant public health restrictions.
The present position in relation to in-person oral hearings is that, subject to prevailing public health advice, an in-person oral hearing may be convened where the Chief Appeals Officer is of the view that such a hearing is essential in any particular case.
Oral hearing arrangements will continue to be kept under regular review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
326. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of carer’s allowance; the extent to which the numbers have fluctuated in the past three years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5751/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes recipient numbers in annual and quarterly formats; annual reports, including an archive of reports dating from 1998 onwards, are available through gov.ie/dsp/statistics. Quarterly data covering the period Q1 2014 through Q4 2021 inclusive, is published through the national open data portal, data.gov.ie.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
|
Carer's Allowance |
84,028 |
88,906 |
90,896 |
|
% change compared to year prior |
+ 5.1% |
+ 5.8% |
+ 2.2% |
327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a basic social welfare payment can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5762/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) is a weekly allowance paid to people who have insufficient income to meet their needs and those of their families. If a person has claimed a social welfare benefit or pension but it has not yet been paid and they have no other income, they may qualify for basic SWA while awaiting a decision on their claim.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of a Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) payment at the maximum personal rate with an increase for a fuel allowance.
According to the records of my Department the person concerned has not made an application for a basic SWA payment. It should be noted JA cannot be paid concurrently with a basic SWA.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
328. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing will take place in the case of a person (details supplied) for an invalidity pension given the commitment to hold one; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5763/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal from the person concerned was disallowed by an Appeals Officer on 26 January 2021. It was subsequently reviewed twice by the Chief Appeals Officer under Section 318 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 and once by an Appeals Officer under Section 317 of the Act. The outcomes of these reviews, issued on 10 May 2021, 28 October 2021 and 19 August 2021 respectively were that the decision remained unrevised.
In light of new evidence forwarded by the Deputy the case has been assigned to another Appeals Officer for consideration under Section 317 of the Act. An online oral hearing will be scheduled by the Appeals Officer in the near future for the purpose of this review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
329. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if weekly social welfare will continue in the case of persons (details supplied) on a temporary basis while awaiting housing accommodation by Kildare County Council; if all payments can continue without reductions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5764/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker’s Allowance (JA) is a means-tested payment made to people who are unemployed and who satisfy the qualifying conditions of the scheme. One of the qualifying conditions is that a person must be available for full-time employment and be genuinely seeking work. A person’s entitlement to JA is reviewed on a continuing basis to ensure that they continue to satisfy the qualifying conditions.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of JA at a rate of €208 per week which is the maximum personal rate for a person of his circumstances. The person concerned applied for an Illness Benefit payment with effect from 14/01/2022 which was disallowed. The person concerned also applied for a basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) with effect from 14/01/2022. JA and basic SWA cannot be paid concurrently.
A Disability Allowance (DA) application form was issued by my officials to the person concerned as he has indicated that he is currently unfit for work. If this is the case, he should return the completed form to my Department so that his application can be assessed. Once the completed DA application is received, the person's JA will continue to be paid until his DA application is finalised.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
330. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of application for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5790/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to was awarded invalidity pension with effect from 28 October 2021 and received her first payment to her nominated bank account on 06 January 2022 and received arrears due on 13 January 2022. The person in question was notified of this decision on 22 December 2021.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
