Written Answers Nos. 513-532
513. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of money spent on the heating supplement; the total number of recipients of the heating supplement; the number of recipients aged 65 years or older in each of the years 2008 to 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11357/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe supplementary welfare allowance scheme offers a safety net within the overall social welfare system by providing assistance to those whose means are insufficient to meet their own needs and those of their dependents.
Under the scheme, my Department may award a supplement to assist with on going or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. This can include a heating supplement where a person has need for additional heating due to ill health or infirmity. There are some 970 people currently receiving it of whom 523 are aged 65 years or older.
The expenditure on heating supplement is provided for under the heading of “other supplements” which also include supplements such as travel and fuel. Provisional expenditure under these supplements was over €4.0 million in 2021 and €4.33 million has been provided for 2022.
Heating supplements are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme. All the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into account in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
While statistics are maintained on the number of recipients of heat supplement, the total number of recipients is not available for the period 2008-2010 and a breakdown by age is not available for the period 2008-2011. Table 1 shows the total number of heating supplement recipients for the years 2011 to 2021 and those aged 65 years or older in each of the years 2012 to 2021.
More generally, my Department also provides discretionary Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) where appropriate to people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills. In 2021, over 2,300 exceptional needs payments totaling almost €750,000 were made to assist with household bills and heating costs.
Anyone who struggles with heating costs is entitled to make an application for a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance schemes. I would encourage them to contact the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre and, once they meet the eligibility criteria, they will be provided with additional financial support. 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.
Table 1: Total number of heating supplement recipients for 2011 to 2021 and for those aged 65 years or older in each of the years 2012 to 2021.
|
Year |
Total Number of Recipients |
Recipients aged 65 years or older |
|
2011 |
3,053 |
N/A |
|
2012 |
2,735 |
1,535 |
|
2013 |
2,288 |
1,298 |
|
2014 |
2,018 |
1,139 |
|
2015 |
1,794 |
982 |
|
2016 |
1,665 |
908 |
|
2017 |
1,589 |
851 |
|
2018 |
1,398 |
732 |
|
2019 |
1,253 |
646 |
|
2020 |
1,123 |
580 |
|
2021 |
1,101 |
569 |
514. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if assistance can be provided to a person who is providing care for multiple persons and in receipt of a full carers allowance in one case and a second half rate carers allowance; and if such a person is providing care for additional persons can assistance be provided in the form of travel expenses or any other allowance [11449/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the important role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
The key role of the Department of Social Protection is to provide income support where an income need arises because of a particular contingency – be that illness, disability, unemployment or caring. My Department provides a comprehensive package of carers’ income supports including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on these payments to carers in 2022 is estimated to exceed €1.5 billion.
The Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which my Department provides income support to carers in the community. Carer’s Allowance is a means tested payment social assistance payment awarded to those carers who are caring for certain people whose disability is such that they require full-time care and attention. The projected expenditure on Carer’s Allowance in 2022 is approximately €990 million.
In the case of a full-time carer who is caring for two or more people who require full-time care, the full rate of Carer’s Allowance may be payable along with an increase of 50% of the full rate. Carers may also, subject to certain conditions, qualify for the Household Benefits Package and a Free Travel Pass.
In terms of other forms of financial assistance available to carers to assist with additional expenses, the annual Carer’s Support Grant is available to family carers providing full-time care regardless of means. The name was changed to better reflect the use of the grant and it can be used for a variety of purposes, including to pay for respite for the care recipient, to meeting heating costs, other household bills and travel expenses. This grant is paid automatically to those in receipt of carer income supports, including Carer’s Allowance, and will be paid on the first Thursday of June. This grant is not available for any other group nor is there an equivalent payment for carers in any other country in Europe. Despite the extra financial demands due to the Covid-19 crisis, in Budget 2021, I increased the Carer’s Support Grant by €150 to its current rate of €1,850. This is the highest rate since its introduction. The estimated spend on this grant in 2022 is over €262 million.
In the situation the Deputy outlines - that of a person who is providing full-time care for multiple persons - it should be noted that in addition to the Carer's Allowance as outlined above, a full Carer's Support Grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for. This is to take account of the additional cost of providing care and to recognise the particular challenges faced by these carers.
For those in financial difficulty, the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) is also available. This is a means-tested payment available through the Department's Intreo Centres. The SWA scheme is considered the "safety net" within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. Under the SWA scheme, the Department may award a supplement to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and which are deemed to be necessary.
I have also introduced a number of measures as part of Budget 2022 in relation to the income supports provided by my Department. These include the following changes to the Carer's Allowance means test which will take effect in June:
- An increase in the Capital/Savings disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000.
- An increase in the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €332.50 to €350 a week for single carers and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
In addition, the following changes also benefitting carers were announced and came into effect in January:
- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments, 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 payment.
I expect that these measures will go some way in improving the income supports to family carers, whose earning capacity is significantly constrained as a consequence of their caring responsibilities. However, any further changes to the carers payments as they are currently configured would have to considered in an overall policy and Budgetary context.
Finally, other supports for carers and people with disabilities, such as respite services and assistance with transport to and from appointments, are a matter for the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE provides these services directly and also funds voluntary organisations to provide supports and services to individuals and their carers.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
515. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that her Department is refunding only four years of employee S class PRSI payments in circumstances in which scope found in employees favour and RTÉ therefore backdated all A class PRSI both employer and employee share (details supplied). [11450/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorkers who have concerns in relation to their employment status have recourse to the Department’s Scope section. This section determines employment status and the correct class of pay-related social insurance (PRSI). Where misclassification of workers as self-employed is detected, the correct status and class is determined and PRSI arrears are calculated.
Following a Scope decision, an employer will be liable for class A PRSI for the full period of employment. This can be a significant penalty for an employer. Under section 13 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, an employer is obliged to return the employer and employee contribution of PRSI at the correct rate. Where PRSI contributions have been made at an incorrect rate, the full amount of PRSI owing, both for the employer and employee, is assessed against the employer. There is no statutory limitation restricting the number of years the Department can assess a PRSI liability against an employer who has misclassified their worker.
Separately, where an employee was incorrectly classed as self-employed, they will have paid Class S social insurance contributions directly to the Revenue Commissioners through their annual self assessment. To have their annual assessment amended, a self-employed individual should contact Revenue to review if a PRSI refund may be due. Section 865(4) Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, provides that a claim for repayment for a chargeable period shall not be allowed unless it is made within 4 years after the end of the chargeable period to which the claim relates.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
516. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine a situation in which a person (details supplied) has been denied maternity benefit and has received less illness benefit than they are entitled to. [11465/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaternity Benefit is a payment made for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed women who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions on their own insurance record.
For the person concerned to qualify for payment of Maternity Benefit, in addition to having met the PRSI contributions for the tax year relevant to her claim, she must also be in insurable employment that is covered by the Maternity Protection Act, 1994 which must be within 16 weeks prior to the end of the week in which her baby was due.
The person concerned was due to give birth on 06/10/21, while according to the Department's records her employment closed on 03/06/21.
Maternity Benefit is paid to a person who takes maternity leave from work. As the person concerned was not in insurable employment within 16 weeks of the end of the week in which her baby was due her maternity leave could not be certified and her claim was disallowed.
The Illness Benefit claim of the person concerned was awarded on 20/12/21. She was awarded a rate of €159.00 based on her average weekly earnings in the 2019 income tax year.
The Illness Benefit decision letter advised the person concerned that the decision could be reviewed if she felt the decision was incorrect. The letter also advised the person concerned that she may have further entitlements such as to Supplementary Welfare Allowance and she could make enquiries at her local Intreo Office about her entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy
517. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who applied for maternity benefit in 2021; the number who were granted maternity benefit and who were refused maternity benefit; the number who appealed being disallowed maternity benefit; the number of persons whose appeal was successful or disallowed in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11466/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the attached tabular statements
|
Applications |
No. |
|
People who applied for Maternity Benefit in 2021 |
46,425 |
|
-of which |
|
|
Awarded |
43,544 |
|
Disallowed |
1,307 |
|
Other (including withdrawn claims or pending decision at end of 2021) |
1,574 |
|
Appeals |
No. |
|
People who appealed the disallowance of Maternity Benefit in 2021 |
59 |
|
-of which |
|
|
Disallowance upheld |
30 |
|
Withdrawn |
1 |
|
Allowed, part-allowed or revised |
28 |
518. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who applied for illness benefit in 2021; the number who were granted illness benefit and who were refused illness benefit; the number who appealed being disallowed illness benefit; the number of persons whose appeal was successful or disallowed in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11467/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is included in the attached tabular statements
|
Applications |
No. |
|
People who applied for Illness Benefit in 2021 |
440,875 |
|
-of which |
|
|
Awarded |
353,021 |
|
Disallowed |
17,384 |
|
Other (including withdrawn claims or pending decision at end of 2021) |
70,470 |
|
Appeals |
No. |
|
People who appealed the disallowance of Illness Benefit in 2021 |
727 |
|
-of which |
|
|
Disallowance upheld |
202 |
|
Withdrawn |
49 |
|
Allowed, part-allowed or revised |
476 |
519. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown by county of supplementary welfare allowance applications in 2020; the number of applications awarded; the number refused; the total amount paid out; and the reason given for the payments by county. [11480/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra520. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown by county of supplementary welfare allowance applications in 2019; the number of applications awarded; the number refused; the total amount paid out; and the reason given for the payments by county [11481/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra521. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown by county for supplementary welfare allowance applications in 2018; the number of applications awarded; the number refused; the total amount paid out; and the reason given for the payments by county [11482/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra522. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown by county for supplementary welfare allowance applications in 2017; the number of applications awarded; the number refused; the total amount paid out; and the reason given for the payments by county [11483/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra523. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown by county for supplementary welfare allowance applications in 2016; the number of applications awarded; the number refused; the total amount paid out; and the reason given for the payments by county [11484/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 519, 520, 521, 522 and 523 together.
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs).
The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
Rent supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
The original purpose of the mortgage interest supplement scheme (MIS) was to provide short-term support to eligible people who were unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which was their sole place of residence, due to temporary unemployment or loss of earnings.
It should be noted that the mortgage interest supplement scheme was discontinued for new entrants from 1 January 2014.
Under the SWA scheme, a supplement can be awarded to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. In addition, officers 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. Decisions on ENPs and SWA supplements 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.
Statistics are maintained on the number of applications awarded under the SWA scheme. They have not been maintained on the number of applications refused over the period 2016-2021.
Table 1 shows the number of Basic SWA and supplement recipients by county, at year end 2016.
Table 2 shows the number of Basic SWA and supplement recipients by county, at year end 2017.
Table 3 shows the number of Basic SWA and supplement recipients by county, at year end 2018.
Table 4 shows the number of Basic SWA and supplement recipients by county, at year end 2019.
Table 5 shows the number of Basic SWA and supplement recipients by county, at year end 2020.
Table 6 shows the number of ENPs and UNPs paid by county for 2016-2020.
Table 7 shows the number of ENPs and UNPs paid by category for 2016-2020.
Table 8 shows the expenditure by SWA scheme for 2016-2020. A breakdown by county in not available.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 - Basic SWA and Supplement recipients by county at year end 2016
|
County |
Basic SWA |
Rent Supplement |
Other Supplements |
Mortgage Interest Supplement |
|
Carlow |
305 |
593 |
90 |
68 |
|
Cavan |
187 |
391 |
49 |
38 |
|
Clare |
123 |
423 |
93 |
30 |
|
Cork |
1,539 |
4,958 |
748 |
201 |
|
Donegal |
409 |
415 |
101 |
44 |
|
Dublin |
5,527 |
20,561 |
3,068 |
520 |
|
Galway |
681 |
2,506 |
135 |
50 |
|
Kerry |
334 |
1,554 |
144 |
29 |
|
Kildare |
733 |
2,579 |
239 |
160 |
|
Kilkenny |
450 |
319 |
102 |
65 |
|
Laois |
280 |
871 |
149 |
29 |
|
Leitrim |
88 |
281 |
13 |
11 |
|
Limerick |
611 |
954 |
926 |
106 |
|
Longford |
166 |
401 |
68 |
9 |
|
Louth |
624 |
859 |
107 |
58 |
|
Mayo |
391 |
1,074 |
86 |
76 |
|
Meath |
542 |
1,001 |
119 |
177 |
|
Monaghan |
201 |
188 |
51 |
35 |
|
Offaly |
246 |
563 |
193 |
41 |
|
Roscommon |
224 |
566 |
60 |
26 |
|
Sligo |
296 |
289 |
27 |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
604 |
901 |
403 |
67 |
|
Waterford |
466 |
590 |
118 |
23 |
|
Westmeath |
257 |
1,299 |
137 |
23 |
|
Wexford |
385 |
1960 |
118 |
109 |
|
Wicklow |
521 |
1,945 |
133 |
82 |
|
Total |
16,190 |
48,041 |
7,477 |
2,082 |
Table 2 - Basic SWA and Supplement recipients by county at year end 2017
|
County |
Basic SWA |
Rent Supplement |
Other Supplements |
Mortgage Interest Supplement |
|
Carlow |
332 |
398 |
78 |
35 |
|
Cavan |
164 |
297 |
41 |
24 |
|
Clare |
164 |
177 |
80 |
20 |
|
Cork |
1,423 |
3,578 |
643 |
126 |
|
Donegal |
442 |
146 |
94 |
24 |
|
Dublin |
5,480 |
16,309 |
2,482 |
343 |
|
Galway |
612 |
1,724 |
106 |
37 |
|
Kerry |
341 |
1,141 |
150 |
17 |
|
Kildare |
685 |
1,874 |
228 |
99 |
|
Kilkenny |
440 |
181 |
88 |
41 |
|
Laois |
301 |
552 |
137 |
14 |
|
Leitrim |
99 |
180 |
11 |
7 |
|
Limerick |
566 |
739 |
814 |
50 |
|
Longford |
153 |
252 |
68 |
5 |
|
Louth |
644 |
456 |
92 |
36 |
|
Mayo |
320 |
623 |
86 |
54 |
|
Meath |
493 |
546 |
111 |
122 |
|
Monaghan |
178 |
141 |
55 |
28 |
|
Offaly |
252 |
233 |
196 |
24 |
|
Roscommon |
255 |
378 |
60 |
14 |
|
Sligo |
277 |
131 |
19 |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
636 |
434 |
372 |
44 |
|
Waterford |
465 |
188 |
121 |
13 |
|
Westmeath |
260 |
840 |
142 |
15 |
|
Wexford |
419 |
1,326 |
91 |
73 |
|
Wicklow |
639 |
1,534 |
124 |
48 |
|
Total |
16,040 |
34,378 |
6,489 |
1,317 |
Table 3 - Basic SWA and Supplement recipients by county at year end 2018
|
County |
Basic SWA |
Rent Supplement |
Other Supplements |
|
Carlow |
269 |
225 |
96 |
|
Cavan |
155 |
200 |
43 |
|
Clare |
197 |
114 |
85 |
|
Cork |
1,565 |
2,791 |
706 |
|
Donegal |
475 |
89 |
98 |
|
Dublin |
6,222 |
12,489 |
2,405 |
|
Galway |
575 |
1,139 |
127 |
|
Kerry |
355 |
780 |
140 |
|
Kildare |
677 |
1,143 |
247 |
|
Kilkenny |
507 |
113 |
106 |
|
Laois |
313 |
240 |
149 |
|
Leitrim |
103 |
96 |
14 |
|
Limerick |
608 |
506 |
735 |
|
Longford |
170 |
142 |
69 |
|
Louth |
606 |
217 |
94 |
|
Mayo |
329 |
358 |
108 |
|
Meath |
508 |
304 |
197 |
|
Monaghan |
250 |
110 |
62 |
|
Offaly |
352 |
92 |
197 |
|
Roscommon |
282 |
219 |
60 |
|
Sligo |
253 |
77 |
19 |
|
Tipperary |
685 |
246 |
374 |
|
Waterford |
471 |
116 |
135 |
|
Westmeath |
301 |
629 |
142 |
|
Wexford |
456 |
790 |
110 |
|
Wicklow |
786 |
1,078 |
164 |
|
Total |
17,470 |
24,303 |
6,682 |
Table 4 - Basic SWA and Supplement recipients by county at year end 2019
|
County |
Basic SWA |
Rent Supplement |
Other Supplements |
|
Carlow |
277 |
134 |
69 |
|
Cavan |
165 |
147 |
31 |
|
Clare |
186 |
54 |
59 |
|
Cork |
1,462 |
2,135 |
507 |
|
Donegal |
492 |
69 |
91 |
|
Dublin |
5,908 |
8,920 |
2,036 |
|
Galway |
514 |
717 |
114 |
|
Kerry |
394 |
589 |
91 |
|
Kildare |
626 |
811 |
220 |
|
Kilkenny |
449 |
82 |
85 |
|
Laois |
240 |
95 |
110 |
|
Leitrim |
98 |
44 |
12 |
|
Limerick |
600 |
357 |
636 |
|
Longford |
171 |
60 |
65 |
|
Louth |
597 |
102 |
72 |
|
Mayo |
354 |
255 |
65 |
|
Meath |
514 |
136 |
159 |
|
Monaghan |
205 |
108 |
54 |
|
Offaly |
325 |
51 |
173 |
|
Roscommon |
309 |
135 |
53 |
|
Sligo |
247 |
62 |
12 |
|
Tipperary |
718 |
174 |
297 |
|
Waterford |
457 |
76 |
106 |
|
Westmeath |
240 |
394 |
127 |
|
Wexford |
501 |
437 |
96 |
|
Wicklow |
835 |
637 |
150 |
|
Total |
16,884 |
16,781 |
5,490 |
Table 5 - Basic SWA and Supplement recipients by county at year end 2020
|
County |
Basic SWA |
Rent Supplement |
Other Supplements |
|
Carlow |
194 |
1,91 |
56 |
|
Cavan |
90 |
192 |
26 |
|
Clare |
111 |
13,2 |
52 |
|
Cork |
998 |
2,357 |
397 |
|
Donegal |
260 |
142 |
88 |
|
Dublin |
4,939 |
10,018 |
1,527 |
|
Galway |
333 |
831 |
102 |
|
Kerry |
255 |
739 |
67 |
|
Kildare |
447 |
879 |
165 |
|
Kilkenny |
305 |
132 |
77 |
|
Laois |
150 |
124 |
106 |
|
Leitrim |
57 |
62 |
10 |
|
Limerick |
415 |
446 |
563 |
|
Longford |
72 |
64 |
58 |
|
Louth |
456 |
165 |
44 |
|
Mayo |
208 |
279 |
58 |
|
Meath |
397 |
277 |
97 |
|
Monaghan |
131 |
117 |
51 |
|
Offaly |
213 |
61 |
149 |
|
Roscommon |
196 |
131 |
43 |
|
Sligo |
163 |
138 |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
484 |
194 |
256 |
|
Waterford |
338 |
116 |
50 |
|
Westmeath |
173 |
392 |
118 |
|
Wexford |
331 |
411 |
81 |
|
Wicklow |
608 |
714 |
128 |
|
Total |
12,324 |
19,304 |
4,376 |
Table 6 - The number of ENPs and UNPs paid by county for 2016-2020
|
County |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Carlow |
1,123 |
876 |
1,015 |
850 |
754 |
|
Cavan |
600 |
623 |
526 |
808 |
589 |
|
Clare |
2,233 |
3,126 |
4,559 |
2,494 |
1,777 |
|
Cork |
11,089 |
12,134 |
14,703 |
8,991 |
5,385 |
|
Donegal |
1,634 |
1,648 |
2,193 |
1,865 |
1,356 |
|
Dublin |
35,348 |
32,451 |
31,777 |
28,805 |
22,525 |
|
Galway |
2,680 |
2,876 |
3,303 |
2,549 |
1,825 |
|
Kerry |
2,584 |
2,689 |
3,206 |
3,040 |
1,970 |
|
Kildare |
3,747 |
4,188 |
3,707 |
3,447 |
2,931 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,427 |
1,412 |
1,635 |
1,376 |
1,055 |
|
Laois |
3,593 |
3,582 |
3,803 |
3,473 |
2,169 |
|
Leitrim |
729 |
802 |
819 |
764 |
850 |
|
Limerick |
4,907 |
8,122 |
8,204 |
3,342 |
2,530 |
|
Longford |
1,232 |
1,392 |
1,348 |
1,394 |
1,227 |
|
Louth |
1,580 |
1,608 |
1,751 |
1,780 |
1,457 |
|
Mayo |
2,324 |
2,377 |
2,936 |
2,788 |
1,722 |
|
Meath |
2,955 |
3,848 |
4,556 |
3,614 |
2,350 |
|
Monaghan |
989 |
858 |
1,085 |
1,219 |
993 |
|
Offaly |
1,283 |
1,259 |
1,261 |
1,156 |
1,026 |
|
Roscommon |
808 |
1,619 |
2,029 |
1,742 |
874 |
|
Sligo |
2,325 |
2,379 |
2,799 |
1,914 |
924 |
|
Tipperary |
4,602 |
4,095 |
4,528 |
3,854 |
2,958 |
|
Waterford |
3,588 |
3,411 |
3,530 |
2,930 |
2,201 |
|
Westmeath |
2,795 |
2,855 |
3,430 |
3,503 |
2,185 |
|
Wexford |
1,049 |
951 |
1,118 |
1,172 |
882 |
|
Wicklow |
2,883 |
2,273 |
2,693 |
3,328 |
3,074 |
|
Total |
100,107 |
103,454 |
112,514 |
92,198 |
67,589 |
Table 7 - The number of ENPs and UNPs paid by category for 2016-2020
|
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Bills |
3,900 |
3,202 |
3,007 |
2,932 |
2,000 |
|
Child Related |
4,143 |
3,970 |
3,537 |
3,215 |
2,324 |
|
Clothing |
18,680 |
17,030 |
17,172 |
16,238 |
12,105 |
|
Funeral |
2,937 |
2,786 |
2,881 |
2,905 |
2,778 |
|
General |
38,886 |
44,824 |
48,416 |
35,411 |
19,686 |
|
Housing |
28,133 |
28,558 |
26,498 |
27,584 |
26,077 |
|
Illness |
3,175 |
2,790 |
2,670 |
2,207 |
1,507 |
|
Urgent Needs Payment |
253 |
294 |
8,333 |
1,706 |
1,112 |
|
Total |
100,107 |
103,454 |
112,514 |
92,198 |
67,589 |
Table 8 - Expenditure by SWA scheme for 2016-2020
|
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Basic SWA |
89.0m |
97.2m |
111.8m |
120.1m |
115.2m |
|
Rent Supplement |
275.3m |
230.6m |
175.0m |
125.2m |
133.1m |
|
Other Supplements (incl MIS) |
13.3m |
10.0m |
7.7m |
6.6m |
4.9m |
|
Exceptional Needs Payments/Urgent Needs Payments |
32.2m |
38.1m |
42.3m |
43.2m |
41.0m |
524. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11521/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on 27 October 2021.
Under social welfare legislation the decision of the Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the appeal decision on foot of this additional evidence. It is envisaged that the outcome of the review will issue to the person concerned in the very near future.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister of Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
525. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a living alone increase claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [11522/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned made an applicaiton for the living alone increase on 8th February 2022 and has been awarded the payment, at the weekly rate of €19.00 from the 10th December 2021. Payment will commence at her nominated Post Office on the 3rd March 2022. On that date she will also be paid all arrears due including the Christmas Bonus due on a living alone increase. The living alone allowance weekly rate of payment has been increased to €22.00 from the 7th January 2022.
A decision letter to that effect has been posted to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
526. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection when the working family payment will be reinstated for a person (details supplied);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11562/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment is a weekly income support for families in low paid or part-time employment.
Working Family Payment for the person concerned was stopped in accordance with legislation as they were in receipt of Illness Benefit for longer than six weeks.
Once the person concerned returned to work, Working Family Payment reviewed their entitlement and put the person concerned back into payment. All arrears due were issued on 24th February 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
527. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the delays in the processing of domiciliary care allowance applications; the average processing time for applications for the allowance from November 2021 to date; the measures her Department has put in place to reduce delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11591/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care allowance (DCA) is a payment to parents and guardians of children with a severe disability requiring substantial extra care and attention where that care is provided in their own home. Payment is currently being made in respect of over 50,000 children.
All applications for DCA are carefully assessed by a medical assessor before a decision is made by a deciding officer. The completeness of the information provided with the application will determine how quickly a decision can be made. In this regard applicants are encouraged to ensure they provide all necessary information with their initial application.
The processing target is to have 90% of applications decided within 10 weeks of receipt.
The average processing time for 2021 was 9.7 weeks. Processing times from November 2021 to date have ranged between 12 and 14 weeks.
The number of applications for Domiciliary Care Allowance exceeded 9,000 for the first time in 2021; this represented a 23% increase from the 2020 number of applications.
There were a disproportionate number of applications in the second half of 2021 due to covid related delays in getting a formal diagnosis or specialist reports not being available.
Additional staff have recently been assigned to DCA section to reflect the increased volumes of applications being received at present. These staff are currently undergoing training; when this is completed it is anticipated they will have a positive impact on processing times.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
528. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection the policy instructions or policy documents that she has brought to the attention of An Bord Pleanála since coming into office [11606/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing consultation with my officials, I can confirm that the Department of Social Protection has brought no policy instructions or policy documents to the attention of An Bord Pleanála since I came into office.
529. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11642/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 17 February 2022. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
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.
530. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11643/22]
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.
If a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment in their own right (other than unemployment payments or supplementary welfare allowance) or being claimed as a qualified adult on their spouse/partner's payment, a half-rate carer's allowance can be paid too as long as all the normal conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
The person concerned is in receipt of CA since 3 December 2015. As the person concerned was also in receipt of One Parent Family Payment (OFP) at the time, CA was paid to her at half-rate from the date of award.
The person concerned contacted the department on 11 December 2020 to advise that she got married and requested that her payment be re-rated to full rate as she would no longer have an entitlement to OFP. While a review of the claim was completed at that time, the rate of CA was not increased to full rate for the person concerned.
An officer is currently undertaking a further review of entitlement for the person concerned, including the request to increase her rate to full rate. As the person concerned has commenced employment, a letter was issued on 10 February 2022 requesting up to date means information. Once this information is received the review will be completed, including the issue of increasing the person's rate from half rate to full rate. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
531. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11647/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 10 February 2022. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 23 February 2022.
The case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
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.
532. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable in respect of children with a severe disability who require care and attention substantially in excess of that required by children of a similar age without their disability, providing this additional care is likely to last for at least 12 months.
An application for DCA was received from the person concerned on the 23rd July 2021. The application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 3rd December 2021 setting out the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.
An appeal was registered by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 23rd December 2021 and received in the Department's Domiciliary Care Allowance Section on the 31st December 2021. As part of the appeals process, the application was re-examined by a deciding officer and the person concerned was notified on the 27th January 2022 that the review was not successful. An appeal submission will be prepared and forwarded to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office for the consideration by an Appeals Officer. The Social Welfare Appeals Office will contact her directly about the outcome of the appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
