Written Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications, grants and refusals under new measures to assist victims of domestic violence to access rent supplement; the average processing time for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14833/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe accommodation needs of victims of domestic violence are met through a joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with the close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide.
I introduced important changes for victims of domestic violence so that the standard rent supplement means test does not apply for an initial three month period. After three months, a further three month extension may be provided, subject to the usual rent supplement means assessment.
After six months, if the tenant has a long-term housing need, they can apply to their local housing authority for social housing supports and, if eligible, will be able to access the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), a social housing support provided by Local Authorities.
Access to Rent Supplement can be provided on referral by Tusla or by prescribed Tusla-funded service providers. This provides victims of domestic violence with a fast track approval and screening process with a simplified means test to get immediate access to rent supplement so that they are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial concerns.
While the protocol to assist victims of domestic violence in accessing rent supplement was initially introduced in response to the pandemic, I was pleased to announce in November last year that the
measure has been made a permanent feature of the Rent Supplement Scheme, recognising that the underlying rationale for this support will be required after the impact of the pandemic has receded.
There are 47 victims of domestic violence currently being supported under the Protocol, with 199 cases supported since the Protocol came into operation in August 2020. There have been no refusals to date.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
22. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the resources that are being made available to local Intreo offices to help host families of Ukrainian individuals coming to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55 EC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14884/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the support provided by host families willing to provide whatever assistance they can, including the offer of temporary accommodation to people arriving from Ukraine. On 4 March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the implementing decision regarding the Temporary Protection Directive, due to the mass influx of persons fleeing Ukraine as a consequence of the war. This means that people arriving into Ireland from Ukraine have been granted the status to avail of income supports from my Department.
We have an excellent record in reacting quickly and appropriately to emergency situations. Officials from my Department and the Department of Justice are in Dublin Airport to meet with people arriving from Ukraine to ensure that temporary residence certificates and PPSNs are allocated quickly and that financial supports are provided without delay. A number of additional dedicated centres are being set up at locations across the country including in Dublin, Cork and Limerick city centres. The Department's network of Intreo and local offices are also being used to help people from Ukraine who arrive in the country.
People who are covered by the Temporary Directive are eligible for financial support initially under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. These people are deemed to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition and their means are assessed as nil. Applications are being fast tracked to ensure payments are made as quickly as possible. Thereafter arrangements will be made to approve the appropriate primary social welfare payments. We have also arranged for payments such as child benefit to be made within a very short period.
Interpretation services are available in person at the reception centre in Dublin Airport and in many of our offices and are also available by phone if required to assist Ukrainian citizens to access my Department’s services. Application forms and information on supports are bring made available in a number of languages.
23. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the recommendations relevant to her Department within the Cost of Disability in Ireland report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14831/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra58. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take to address the cost of disability considering the recent report on the issue which outlines the significant additional costs that persons with a disability experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14845/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 58 together.
The Cost of Disability research findings are significantly broader than income supports and it is clear that this issue will not be addressed through income support alone. The research has implications for many areas of public policy including the delivery of care services, health, housing, education, transport and income supports.
In order to implement an all-Department response, the Government has referred the report to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, T.D. It will consider and monitor actions required by the various Government Departments on foot of this report on a bi-annual basis.
All Departments have been asked to consider actions that are currently being implemented and any proposed new actions that they will be undertaking in the context of the findings of the Report.
From the perspective of my Department, it is worth noting that a number of measures were introduced as part of Budget 2022 in relation to people with disabilities and their carers, which will go towards alleviating the financial costs experienced. These include a combination of core weekly payment rate increases, increases in earnings disregards as well as supports to employers, as follows:-
- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments including people with disabilities and carers, with proportionate increases for qualified adults, 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 general weekly means disregard for Disability Allowance from €2.50 to €7.60 per week.
- An increase in the earnings limit on Disability Allowance from €350 to €375.
- €3 increase in the weekly Living Alone Allowance from €19 to €22 for people with disabilities who are living alone.
- €5 increase in the Fuel Allowance from €28 to €33 per week, from 12 October 2021.
- The employment and recruitment service for people with a disability, Employability, will now provide grants directly to those who qualify.
- An increase to the Wage Subsidy paid to employers who employ people with a disability from €5.30 to €6.30 an hour, thereby encouraging more employers to employ people with a disability.
- 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.
Furthermore, under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion my Department has a commitment to develop and consult on a ‘strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long term disability payments. I have asked my officials to revisit the ‘strawman’ proposal to take on board the findings in the Cost of Disability research.
One of the key conclusions contained in the report referenced the significant challenges faced in accessing employment and that a high priority should be given to facilitating an increase in employment opportunities for people with disabilities. In this regard the Pathways to Work Strategy, includes a key action to extend targeted employment supports to groups facing additional challenges accessing work, such as people with disabilities. My Department is also actively feeding into the new Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities with a range of actions and associated timelines.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
24. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the timescale for the Government response to the recommendations of the Pensions Commission with particular reference to an essential ending of forced retirement at 65 years of age; the consultations that have been carried out to date by her Department with relevant interest groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14664/22]
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's Report was published on 7th October 2021. It established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that changes are needed.
The Report takes account of an assessment of various analyses of population, labour force and expenditure projections; and an examination of international approaches. The Commission also undertook an extensive consultation process designed to encourage as many people as possible to have their say on sustainable State Pensions arrangements into the future. The submissions to the consultation are available on the Pensions Commission website at pensionscommission.gov.ie.
The Commission’s report set out a wide-range of recommendations in relation to the State Pension system and Social Insurance Fund, including recommending legislative provision to align retirement ages in employment contracts with the State Pension age.
Successive Governments have committed to supporting older peoples’ continued engagement in economic and social life, including in the National Positive Ageing Strategy (2013), the Report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Fuller Working Lives (2016) and the Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018 – 2023 (2018). Building on the work of these previous groups, the Pensions Commission supported measures to facilitate and encourage fuller working lives. The Commission also fully supported Government commitments to facilitate employees remaining at work past the prevalent contractual retirement age of 65 if they wish to.
The Government agreed in October 2021 that the Commission’s report and recommendations would be referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection and also to the Commission on Taxation and Welfare for its views. That Joint Oireachtas Committee published its views on the 2nd February 2022. The Commission on Taxation and Welfare also submitted its views on the Pensions Commission’s PRSI related recommendations at the end of February. These various views will be considered carefully as part of our deliberations over the coming weeks.
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 Pensions Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically. My officials are currently examining each of the recommendations and in this regard 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 one recommendation such as the recommendation to align retirement ages in employment contracts with the State Pension age. In this regard, I intend to bring a recommended response and implementation plan to Government in April.
As the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland, the State Pension very 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.
25. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the companies that have won the tenders for the provision of local employment services to date in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14867/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently progressing a significant expansion in the provision of employment services. To date, only contracts for phase one of the Intreo Partners - Local Area Employment Service (LAES) have been awarded. This phase saw the procurement of LAES for four lots across seven counties, in the Midlands and North-West. These services will focus on clients farthest from the labour market and those unemployed for longer than 24 months in particular.
In Lot 1 (Donegal), Donegal Local Development CLG was awarded the contract for Intreo Partners - LAES. In Lot 2 (Sligo and Leitrim), Co. Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG was successful. In Lot 3, (Laois and Offaly) Turas Nua was successful, while Seetec was successful in Lot 4 (Longford and Westmeath).
I am encouraged that non-profit Tenderers were successful in two of the three lots they tendered for in areas where they had not provided employment services of a similar scale.
In phase two, I would encourage all existing service providers to submit a bid for one of the seventeen lots being procured. The emphasis in the request for tender is on demonstrating the ability to deliver quality services to those farthest from the labour market with a specific focus on delivering social value.
26. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the hot school meals programme. [14878/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection her long-term plans to ensure that school meals are available in as many schools across the State as possible. [14146/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 85 together.
The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
A budget of €68.1 million has been provided for the scheme in 2022.
Funding under the school meals (local projects) scheme can be provided for breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner, hot meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided.
As part of Budget 2019, funding was provided for a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing hot school meals in primary schools at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020. The pilot involved 37 schools benefitting 6,744 students for the 2019/2020 academic year and was aimed primarily at schools with no onsite cooking facilities.
An evaluation of the Hot School Meals Pilot which was completed in July 2020 found that all stakeholders indicated that the pilot project had a positive impact on children’s diet, behaviour, attentiveness and psychological wellbeing.
In Budget 2021, I announced an additional €5.5m to extend the provision of hot school meals to an additional 35,000 primary school children, currently receiving the cold lunch option. Invitations for expressions of interest were issued to 705 primary schools (612 DEIS and 93 non-DEIS) in November 2020. A total of 281 (256 DEIS and 25 non-DEIS) expressions of interest were received in respect of 52,148 children.
The 35,000 places were allocated to each local authority area based on the number of children applied by local authority as a percentage of the total number. A minimum of one school for each Local Authority area was selected. Thereafter, a process of random selection was used for each area.
Budget 2022 is providing for the hot school meals to be extended from January 2022 to the 81 DEIS schools that submitted an expression of interest but were not selected in the extension to 35,000 children as referred to earlier.
I am committed to continuing to grow the hot school meals element of the school meals programme for DEIS schools and building further on the significant extension announced as part of Budget 2022. In this regard, I have commissioned an evaluation of the school meals programme to be undertaken in 2022 to inform future policy decisions on the scheme, which will fall to be considered in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
27. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection the additional supports that will be allocated to each Intreo office for those arriving from Ukraine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14846/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection is prioritising the allocation of Public Personal Service numbers (PPSNs) to people arriving from Ukraine and the immediate provision of income supports.
A reception centre has been set up in Dublin Airport where officials from the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Justice are available to meet people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The Department has also established a number of additional dedicated centres in Dublin and Cork cities and intends to open a further centre in Limerick this week.
Those who have already arrived in the country or arrive without coming through a reception centre are invited to call into their local Intreo or local office to apply for a personal public service number, supplementary welfare allowance and child benefit if applicable.
In all of the above settings, a fast-track approach to processing these supports has been put in place. This approach includes a simplified decision-making process and quick processing of PPSNs to allow people access to public services without delay. Resources have been made available to prioritise these claims with the aim of processing applications as quickly and efficiently as possible to provide immediate financial assistance. We have also arranged for payments such as child benefit to be made within a very short period.
28. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the tender process for all public employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14819/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra86. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the plan to tender out existing local employment services by region and the date to be implemented in each case; the cost to date of organising these tendering competitions in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14868/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 86 together.
My Department is currently undertaking a significant expansion of employment services. In particular, specialised employment services for those farthest from the labour market - currently available in just twelve counties - will soon be available State-wide for the first time.
In the first phase of this procurement, contracts for Intreo Partners - Local Area Employment Services (LAES) were agreed in late 2021 across four lots in seven counties in the Midlands and North-East. These new services are now operational and accepting referrals.
Phase two of the Intreo Partners - LAES procurement commenced with the publication of the request for tender on 21 December last. My Department recently extended the deadline for tenders to 19 April to ensure all interested parties, including the non-profit sector, have sufficient time to prepare quality tender responses that reflect their experience and capacity to deliver a quality service. It is envisaged that these will be in place during July.
Also, a request for tenders for the Intreo Partner National Employment Service was published on 3 March, also with a deadline of 19 April. This service will focus primarily on jobseekers on the Live Register for between twelve and twenty-four months.
As the procurement is being undertaken within my Department and within existing resources, with the assistance of the Chief State Solicitor's Office, there is no separate additional cost incurred in organising these procurements.
29. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the social welfare supports offered and accessed by persons and families that are fleeing the Ukrainian crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14570/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that she has taken to ensure that Ukrainian refugees have access to social protection services upon their arrival in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14467/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra74. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the services being provided by her Department to individuals and families arriving in Ireland that are fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14661/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the supports her Department is providing for persons arriving from Ukraine including supports for those arriving under the EU Temporary Protection Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14820/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 63, 74 and 76 together.
On 4 March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the implementing decision regarding the Temporary Protection Directive, due to the mass influx of persons fleeing Ukraine as a consequence of the war. This means that people arriving from Ukraine have been granted the status to avail of income supports from my Department.
A reception centre has been set up in Dublin Airport where officials from my Department and the Department of Justice are available to meet people fleeing the war in Ukraine. They will be given correspondence by the Department of Justice confirming that they have been granted Temporary Protection and are permitted to reside in Ireland for a period of 1 year, which may be extended.
Where accommodation is required, they will be referred to the International Protection Accommodation Service of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who will also have staff onsite at the airport. If accommodation isn’t required immediately, it can be requested at any time later on.
In the case of an unaccompanied child under age 18 years who arrives in Ireland seeking temporary protection, they will be referred to the Child and Family Agency (TUSLA), who will provide them with the relevant supports.
The priority for my Department is the allocation of PPSNs and the provision of immediate financial supports. A fast-track approach in processing these supports has been put in place which includes a simplified decision-making process and quick processing of PPSNs to allow access to public services. People will be eligible for financial support initially under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme and will be deemed to have satisfied the Habitual Residence Condition and the relevant means test. Thereafter arrangements will be made to approve the appropriate primary social welfare payments. We have also arranged for payments such as child benefit to be made within a very short period.
The Ukraine is not covered by EU Social Security Coordination regulations and nor does Ireland have a bilateral agreement with the Ukraine on Social Security. However, social security contributions are not required to access social assistance payments such as the Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
Interpretation services are available at the reception centre in Dublin Airport and are also available by phone if required to assist Ukrainian citizens to access my Department’s services.
A dedicated webpage has been published on the Department’s website to ensure those arriving from Ukraine are aware of the supports and services available to them. The webpage is entitled ‘Social Welfare supports for those arriving from Ukraine under the EU Temporary Protection Directive’.
The information on the webpage is in Plain English and also in the Ukrainian and Russian languages. It also has a list of the all locations of all Intreo centres or local social welfare offices.
30. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures her Department is taking to assist and support migrants to access employment; the way in which such measures are evaluated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14683/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathways to Work 2021-2025, the Government’s national employment strategy, was published in July of last year. The strategy outlines 83 commitments aimed at reducing unemployment back to, or below, pre-pandemic levels and to support inclusive employment outcomes for those who, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, faced disadvantage in the labour market.
One such group that face additional barriers in the labour market are migrants. These barriers are varied, as ‘migrants’ refers to a diverse group. Consequently, addressing these barriers requires a range of actions, many of which are captured in one of the Pathways to Work’s five key strands, namely ‘Working for All – Leaving No one Behind’. This strand outlines steps that are being taken to promote better labour market outcomes for all, including groups such as migrants.
All eligible jobseekers, including migrants, can access Public Employment Services supports to seek referrals and access to employment opportunities. Intreo and its partner organisations will deliver targeted support measures that are specific to migrants such as the provision of English language and integration classes and increased access to further education and training opportunities via Education and Training Boards.
Moreover, since December 2021, my Department, through its Intreo offices, will promote more referrals of people most distant from the labour market, including migrant groups, who meet the eligibility criteria, to the Community Employment scheme. For migrants experiencing disadvantage, such as those with refugee status, there are additional supports available such as earlier access to JobsPlus. Refugees in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance are eligible for JobsPlus without any qualifying period.
In terms of evaluation of Pathways commitments, progress made with respect to the delivery of its 83 commitments is reported on a quarterly basis. External oversight of the strategy falls under the remit of the Labour Market Advisory Council, which will provide me with an annual report outlining its view on progress, remedial actions that may need to be taken and any new actions that it considers should be included. This report will be published on the Department’s website in Q4 of each year.
Furthermore, a formal review of the strategy will be undertaken with the Labour Market Advisory Council and an updated strategy will be published in 2023. This robust oversight will ensure that Pathways to Work adapts as necessary to future labour market challenges.
31. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons applying for assistance with energy costs under the exceptional needs payments scheme by applications, grants and refusals, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14832/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance 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.
My Department provides discretionary Exceptional Needs Payments to people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills. In 2021, over 2,300 exceptional needs payments of almost €735,000 were made to assist with electricity, heating, and gas costs.
Statistics are maintained on the number of applications awarded under the SWA scheme. They are not maintained on the number of applications made or applications refused. My Department is currently compiling more extensive statistics in relation to the number of applications made to the SWA schemes in 2022.
Table 1 below shows the number of ENPs paid towards energy costs by county in 2022 to the end of February 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 - Number of ENPs paid towards energy costs by county in 2022 to the end of February 2022
|
County |
Number of Payments |
|
CARLOW |
4 |
|
CAVAN |
13 |
|
CLARE |
9 |
|
CORK |
39 |
|
DONEGAL |
25 |
|
DUBLIN |
26 |
|
GALWAY |
13 |
|
KERRY |
20 |
|
KILDARE |
9 |
|
KILKENNY |
16 |
|
LAOIS |
4 |
|
LEITRIM |
18 |
|
LIMERICK |
22 |
|
LONGFORD |
20 |
|
LOUTH |
18 |
|
MAYO |
10 |
|
MEATH |
18 |
|
OFFALY |
14 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
6 |
|
SLIGO |
19 |
|
TIPPERARY |
53 |
|
WATERFORD |
8 |
|
WESTMEATH |
14 |
|
WEXFORD |
17 |
|
WICKLOW |
7 |
|
Total |
422 |
32. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of companies and employers that registered and took part in the Jobs in Ireland 2022 event which her Department organised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14572/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEURES Ireland, which is part of the Intreo service of the Department of Social Protection, hosted its first online on-line recruitment event on Tuesday 15th March 2022 from 10am to 2pm. Jobs in Ireland 2022' was the first of a number of recruitment events planned for this year to support employers in finding suitable candidates for their vacancies while also supporting the mobility of workers across the EU/EEA area. These online recruitment events are supported by the European Commission and the European Labour Authority and are hosted on the European online jobs fair platform www.europeanjobdays.eu, The event brought jobs opportunities with Irish employers in the hospitality, construction and transport sectors to jobseekers and job changers in Ireland and across EU/EEA countries, the UK and further afield.
156 employers registered to participate in the event offering 1,080 positions across 368 different roles. 1,380 jobseekers registered with 1,079 CVs being uploaded. A total of 199 interview invitations were issued through the portal and the employers had the option of holding interviews online.
As part of the event, there were presentations by employers and employer representative groups from the hospitality, construction and transport sectors. EURES Advisers from Ireland gave an overview of the various aspects of living and working conditions in Ireland and the financial supports available for jobseekers and job changers who relocate for work from another EU/EEA country. Advice on CV preparation and job interviews in Ireland was given and during the event and EURES Advisers were available online to answer question. Jobseekers also had an opportunity to talk directly to employers though the private chats and to attend online interviews.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
33. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to ensure that disabled artists in receipt of the disability allowance or the blind pension can avail of the new basic income for the arts pilot scheme without losing their disability allowance or blind pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14854/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on her engagement with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media on the pilot of the basic income scheme for artists in relation to artists on the pilot scheme being able to retain social protection payments, specifically in relation to artists with disabilities. [14876/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 69 together.
The Arts and Culture Taskforce recommended the introduction of a pilot basic income scheme for artists. This was reflected in the National Economic Recovery Plan. Budget 2022 included an announcement of €25 million to pilot a new Basic Income Guarantee scheme for artists.
My colleague the Minister for Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has lead responsibility for this initiative and the matter is being progressed by Minister Martin and her Department.
Officials from our two Departments have been in regular contact in relation to the pilot scheme. Any specific issues regarding the interaction between the new pilot payment and existing payments from my Department will fall to be addressed in due course as work on the proposed pilot is progressed.
34. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions she will take to urgently address spiralling coal costs to support families facing huge pressures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14881/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of supports, energy efficiency awareness initiatives and investment in programmes to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
With regard to income supports my Department provides a range of schemes to assist with energy costs. These include -
- The Fuel Allowance which is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (giving a total per recipient of €924 each year) from October to April (estimated to cost €366 million in 2022).
- Electricity or gas allowances under the Household Benefits scheme (at an estimated cost in 2022 of €203 million).
- A special heating supplement under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
- Exceptional needs payments to help meet an essential once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources.
- As part of the overall welfare budget package of €600m in increases secured for 2022, I increased the Fuel Allowance payment by €5 per week effective from Budget night. I also increased the weekly income threshold for Fuel Allowance by €20 which enables more people to qualify for this support.
- Further Government measures were recently announced to help mitigate the effects of rising energy costs. As part of these measures totaling over half a billion euro, an additional lump sum payment of €125 was paid to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment. It is expected that this additional lump sum will cost an estimated €49 million.
- This payment in addition to the Budget increase will mean low-income households will see an increase of 41% this Fuel Allowance season compared to last season.
- The recently announced Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment is another key measure and will be paid in addition to the gas and electricity element of the HHB package to qualifying households. Approximately 2.1m households will benefit by €200 each from the new scheme.
- The combined worth of these payment to fuel allowance recipients is €325, which is the equivalent of almost 10 weeks of the Fuel Allowance payment.
- Furthermore, due to the continuing rise in inflation and as part of the economic consequences of the tragic conflict in Ukraine, the Government reduced excise duty on some fuels.
- The provision of any further additional supports would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
35. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection when considerations of the report into farm assist will be concluded; when the report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14862/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the aspects of farm assist that may be reformed arising from the report into the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14861/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 77 together.
The Farm Assist Scheme is a means tested support for farmers on low incomes who satisfy the schemes's statutory conditions including a means test. The estimated expenditure for the scheme for 2022 is approximately €53.9 million.
A commitment was made under the Programme for Government and in the 'Our Rural Future Rural Development Policy 2021-2025' to conduct a review of the means test disregards for Farm Assist to better reward farmers who avail of the scheme. This review has been completed and I intend to publish the report shortly.
As part of the review process it was recommended to provide for an extensive expansion to the list of Agri-Environmental schemes which will qualify towards the disregard of €2,540 with 50% of the balance assessed as means. The Social Welfare Act 2022, which enacts Budget 2022 measures, extended the list of schemes to which this measure applies.
The measure was originally due to take effect from October 2022 but will now be implemented from June. It will support the Government’s climate change agenda and act as an incentive to farmers to participate in these schemes.
I have since agreed to carry out a review of how income from land leased out by farmers is treated in the means assessments for the State Non-Contributory Pension and the Farm Assist scheme. This is being progressed within the Department.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
36. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the enhanced illness benefit scheme which was introduced to help with the impact of Covid. [14866/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnhanced illness benefit was introduced in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and is currently due to continue until the end of June 2022. Changes have been made on an ongoing basis in line with public health advice and government guidelines.
Under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1), the Government extended the Social Welfare Acts to provide for entitlement to illness benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with, or are a probable source of infection with Covid-19.
In addition to this medical requirement, people must be under pensionable age and have the required number of Pay Related Social Insurance contributions in order to qualify.
The rate of this enhanced payment is higher than the normal maximum personal rate of illness benefit, for a limited period only. The enhanced rate is €350, with additional payments in respect of dependent adults and children.
From March 2020 the benefit was payable for up to 2 weeks where a person was isolating as a probable source of infection of Covid-19, and up to 10 weeks where a person had been diagnosed with Covid-19. The duration of payment was reduced to 7 days for those considered a probable risk from 14 January 2022, in line with government guidelines. From that date, asymptomatic people who are close contacts are not required to restrict their movements, and are not eligible for the payment. If, however, they start showing symptoms they should immediately self-isolate and, in this circumstance, may apply for enhanced illness benefit.
Enhanced illness benefit continues to be paid for a maximum of 10 weeks if a person has been diagnosed with COVID-19, subject to ongoing medical certification. In a case where a person continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period but for a maximum of two years, based on the person’s continued eligibility.
As the payment was intended as a temporary public health measure, the Act includes a sunset clause to ensure the cessation of the benefit. The enhanced payment has been extended on several occasions due to the ongoing nature of the pandemic. The Government has agreed that the payment will remain in place on its current terms until the end of June 2022, at which point the position will be considered further in light of public health advice.
Expenditure on the scheme was €56 million in 2020 and €106 million in 2021. In the week from Friday 4 March to Thursday 10 March, 11,121 people were in receipt of enhanced illness benefit. As of 11 March 2022, this department has made 628,069 payments since the start of the payment in March 2020 with an average payment of €425.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
37. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to introduce a dedicated State pension for long-term family carers to ensure that they receive a full pension entitlement equivalent to the maximum State pension (contributory);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14855/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pensions Commission’s Report was published on 7th October 2021. It established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that changes are needed. The report set out a wide-range of recommendations in relation to the State Pension system and Social Insurance Fund. It also recommended that long-term carers (defined as caring for more than 20 years) should be given access to the State Pension (Contributory) by having retrospective contributions paid for them by the Exchequer for any gaps in their contribution history arising from that caring.
The Government agreed in October 2021 that the Commission’s report and recommendations would be referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and also to the Commission on Taxation and Welfare for its views. The Committee published its views on the 2nd February 2022 and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare submitted its comments on the PRSI related recommendations at the end of February. The various views will be considered carefully as part of the Government’s deliberations over the coming weeks.
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 examining each of the recommendations and consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system.
I think it is really important that we complete that work before reaching conclusions on any one recommendation, such as the recommendations related to long-term carers. In this regard, I intend bringing a holistic recommended response and implementation plan to Government in April.
As the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland, the State Pension 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.
38. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures that her Department is taking to assist and support persons who find it difficult to gain employment; the way in which such measures are evaluated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14682/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathways to Work 2021-2025, the Government’s national employment strategy, was published in July of last year. The goal of Pathways to Work is to help ensure that as many jobs as possible go to people who are unemployed. The strategy is not just about those who lost their jobs during the pandemic, it is also about helping those who, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, faced disadvantage in the labour market.
One of the strategy’s five key strands is ‘Working for All – Leaving No one Behind’, which has the objective of promoting better labour market outcomes for all, including those facing additional barriers to work such as lone parents, people with disabilities, minority groups, older people who may be distanced from the labour market and people who have been away from the labour market for some time and are seeking to return to employment. Pathways to Work has targeted measures aimed at reducing unemployment for each of these groups.
For example, a key goal in the Pathways strategy is to increase employment rates of people with disabilities. Measures aimed at helping people with disabilities find employment include implementing the Early Engagement Roadmap for jobseekers with disabilities who wish to voluntarily engage with my Department’s employment services.
The Traveller and Roma community face particular disadvantage in the labour market. Pathways to Work commits to engaging with community representative bodies to produce Traveller (and/or Roma)-specific employment service engagement tools and developing a Traveller and Roma training, enterprise and employment plan.
Moreover, since a Government decision in December 2021, my Department through its Intreo offices will promote more referrals to Community Employment schemes of people most distant from the labour market including persons with disabilities, members of the Traveller and Roma communities, ex-offenders and migrant groups, who meet the eligibility criteria.
In terms of evaluation of Pathways commitments, progress made with respect to the delivery of its 83 commitments is reported on a quarterly basis. External oversight of the strategy falls under the remit of the Labour Market Advisory Council, which will provide me with an annual report outlining its view on progress, remedial actions that may need to be taken and any new actions that it considers should be included. This report will be published on the Department’s website in Q4 of each year.
Furthermore, a formal review of the strategy will be undertaken with the Labour Market Advisory Council and an updated strategy will be published in 2023. This robust oversight will ensure that Pathways to Work adapts as necessary to future labour market challenges.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
39. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if a commitment will be given to carry out an investigation into the high rate of refusal for the disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14879/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability allowance (DA) is a means tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. The applicant must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect, which has lasted for one year or is expected to last for one year and as a result of which, they are substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person’s age, experience and qualifications. The person must also satisfy a means test and be habitually resident in the State.
At the end of December 2021, there were 154,106 recipients of DA in payment.
In general, social welfare schemes with a number of complex qualifying conditions like DA can require a large amount of evidence on which to base the decision on entitlement. Before a decision can be made on entitlement to DA, evidence must be provided in respect of the person’s medical condition, the extent to which it restricts them from taking up employment, their means and their habitual residency. If the required documentation is requested and is not submitted within the allotted timeframe it may result in a case being disallowed in the initial stages. If the missing documentation is later supplied the case is reviewed and may be subsequently awarded.
Any unfavourable decision of a Deciding Officer (DO) is communicated in writing to the claimant setting out the reasons for the decision. It is open to any person to request a review and or an appeal of any statutory decision made by my Department and any new evidence or information provided to my Department will be considered as part of this review or appeal. It is important to note that any decision of a DO can be revised in light of additional evidence without it ever being in the appeal process. This can result in several reviews being carried out on a single application and several disallowances being counted against a decision which is then ultimately allowed.
Our operational areas continuously seek to optimise their processes for applicants and have taken a number of initiatives to try and encourage applicants to provide all relevant information with their application at the outset. One of the most important initiatives in this regard was a redesign of the DA application forms which included clearly highlighting the information that needs to be submitted with the application in order to expedite the claim process and in order to minimise the number of disallowances. The redesign was carried out with input from representative bodies and advocacy groups via the disability consultative forum. The new DA application form was recently put into operation and my Department is monitoring the improvements arising from the redesign.
I would encourage all people who apply for Disability Allowance, or other Social Welfare payments, to provide as much information as possible with their application so that their claim can be decided at the earliest date possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
40. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions she will take to prevent lone parents being forced into court to seek maintenance in order to retain income supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14882/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker's Transitional Payment are means tested payments for people who are parenting alone. One of the conditions attached to these schemes is a requirement for people to make efforts to seek maintenance from their child's other parent.
The Programme for Government commits the Government to act to reform our child maintenance system and in line with this commitment, we established a Child Maintenance Review Group to examine certain issues in relation to child maintenance in Ireland. The Group is chaired by former Circuit Court Judge Catherine Murphy and includes legal, policy and academic professionals as well as officials from my Department and the Department of Justice.
The Group's Terms of Reference are to consider and make recommendations on:
(i) the current treatment of child maintenance payments in my Department;
(ii) the current provisions regarding liable relatives managed by my Department; and
(iii) the establishment of a Child Maintenance Agency in Ireland.
These Terms of Reference encompass an examination of the "efforts to seek maintenance" requirement to which the Deputy refers.
The work of the Group is well underway. To date, the Group has held sixteen meetings and further meetings are planned on a regular basis until the report's completion. A consultation process to facilitate feedback from stakeholder groups and members of the public in order to inform the Group's work was undertaken last year.
I have been advised by the Chair that the Group's report is expected to be submitted to me before Easter. I look forward to considering it conclusions and recommendations.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
