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Tuesday, 22 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 595-619

Social Welfare Rates

Ceisteanna (595)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

595. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if child benefit payments will be increased given the significant increase in the cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14122/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Child Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 18th birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability. Child Benefit is currently paid to over 631,000 families in respect of almost 1.2 million children with an estimated expenditure of more than €2.1 billion in 2022. 

The Government recognised the challenges of rising prices last October in Budget 2022 when we brought in a package of tax and social welfare measures worth over €1 billion. Last month, the Government agreed a further package of €505 million, including the €200 energy credit and a lump sum payment of €125 for those in receipt of the fuel allowance. This month the Government brought in a further tax measure, to immediately reduce the cost of fuels for families and businesses.

As part of Budget 2022, I increased the rates for a qualified child aged under 12 by €2 to €40 per week, and for a qualified child aged 12 or older by €3 to €48 per week, from January. I increased the level of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance by €10 to €160 for each child aged 4 to 11 years and to €285 for each child aged 12 and over. I also equalised the income limits for one and two parent households, thereby making it easier for lone parents to qualify for that payment.  

Budget 2022 also provided for a €10 weekly increase in the income limits for Working Family Payment, and I am pleased that this will now come into effect from April, 2022 as part of the Government's response to cost of living increases.

Any proposal for an increase in Child Benefit payment rates would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.

Question No. 596 answered with Question No. 591.

World Economic Forum

Ceisteanna (597)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

597. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she or officials from her Department have engaged in any form of communication with the World Economic Forum or representatives of the World Economic Forum including by phone call, webinar, email or any event organised by the World Economic Forum from 1 January 2019 to date; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14167/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Based on a review of records available, I can confirm that neither I nor my immediate predecessor, nor officials from my Department, have engaged in any form of communication with representatives of the World Economic Forum, or attended any event organised by the World Economic Forum, during the period in question.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (598)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

598. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection if those who have fled Ukraine to avoid the war but did so ahead of the EU Temporary Protection Directive will be eligible to access payments from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14192/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Certification under the Temporary Protection Directive is a matter for the Department of Justice.

The Department of Justice is working to put in place the practical arrangements to provide letters to people who arrived in Ireland prior to 9 March, when permission letters started to issue at Dublin Airport, as soon as possible. The arrangements will be communicated widely and people should be advised to continue to visit the Department of Justice website and the Irish Immigration website for regular updates.

In relation to income support, the Department of Social Protection will apply a common sense approach and, where required, people will be supported through Supplementary Welfare Allowance with the appropriate financial assistance. 

I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy. 

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (599, 613, 620, 634)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

599. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who is in receipt of a living alone allowance will have the allowance protected if they take in refugees under the Irish Red Cross scheme proposed by Government for refugees from the Ukrainian conflict. [14214/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

613. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if a single person who is in receipt of the living alone increase, the fuel allowance and a household benefit package will be able to keep these entitlements if they decide to take in a Ukrainian refugee family into their home (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14418/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

620. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons availing of the living alone allowance can retain that allowance if they provide accommodation to refugees fleeing Ukraine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14535/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

634. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons who are in receipt of the living alone allowance will lose the allowance if they were to accept Ukrainian refugees into their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14796/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 599, 613, 620 and 634 together.

The European Union has put in place a Temporary Protection Directive to allow Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing Ukraine to move through the EU akin to EU citizens.  This Department will provide support and services to assist people covered by this Directive who are fleeing Ukraine and who arrive in Ireland.  As the situation is evolving, the Government will, of course, keep all aspects of the Department's various schemes under review to ensure that this cohort of people receive the supports and services they require.

Where a person in receipt of social welfare income supports (such as fuel allowance or the living alone allowance) provides accommodation in their home to a person fleeing Ukraine, the Department is developing the necessary changes to regulations or guidelines to ensure that providing such accommodation does not impact on the person’s existing social welfare entitlements.  Any necessary regulatory or other changes in this regard will be finalised shortly.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.

Social Welfare Code

Ceisteanna (600)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

600. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to extending the availability of the domiciliary care allowance to children aged between 16 and 18 years of age or those who remain in education after 16 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14230/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for parents caring for a child with a severe disability in their own home.

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) ceases to be payable when a child reaches age 16 years.  Disability Allowance (DA) can then be paid from age 16 if the qualifying conditions for that scheme are met, even if the child is in fulltime education. 

Following a commitment made in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities 2015 -2024, the “Make Work Pay for People with Disabilities” (MWP) report was published in April 2017.  The report undertook to better identify how people with disabilities could be supported to achieve their employment ambitions.  A number of MWP report recommendations focused on the need to support young adults through education, training and social inclusion according to their capacity, and to change the qualifying age for disability allowance from 16 to 18 years of age while leaving Domiciliary Care allowance in payment where applicable to 18 years of age. 

An extensive national consultation process was organised to engage people with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, and sectoral representatives to seek their views on the specific recommendations in the report.

Consideration of the most appropriate measures to be taken is continuing.  It is imperative when deciding on any changes to the age limits for the relevant schemes that such changes have a positive effect on those in receipt of the payments and that any unintended negative consequences. are avoided

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disabilities Assessments

Ceisteanna (601)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

601. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the way that children aged over 16 years of age are currently assessed for the disability allowance from a means-testing perspective; if their personal income or their parents or overall household income is assessed; if she will provide the threshold boundaries which are used for means-testing for the disability allowance for those under 18 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14231/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Disability 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.

When assessing an application for DA all applicants of qualifying age including those aged between 16 and 18 are assessed in the same way.  The household means or means of the applicants parents are not taken into account but if the DA applicant has a spouse or partner a joint means assessment is carried out.

The means threshold is made up of the persons total entitlement to DA; e.g. a single person's means threshold is €208.00 which is equal to the personal rate of DA payment. An applicant with a spouse or with dependent children would have increases for them added on to arrive at the threshold for the couple or family unit. The means threshold indicates the amount which the means cannot exceed in order for the person to qualify for some payment of DA.

The income threshold also depends on the persons circumstances and the source of any income as different types of income are assessed differently. There is a disregard available to the DA recipient from any employment income and  a capital disregard of €50,000.00 on any capital held.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

 

 

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (602)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

602. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of the domiciliary care allowance in 2021; the number that transitioned to the disability allowance once they were over 16 years of age; the number that are in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance that had their disability allowance applications refused in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14232/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment in respect of a child with a severe disability. To qualify, the child must have a severe disability, and they must require ongoing care and attention substantially over and above that usually needed of a child of the same age. DCA is payable until the child turns 16.  

When the child turns 16, they may apply in their own right for Disability Allowance (DA). DA is a weekly payment payable to persons who have a disability, illness, or injury that is expected to last for more than one year, who are substantially restricted from doing work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of their age, experience, and qualifications.  Persons must additionally be aged between 16 and 66 years, and satisfy a means test. The qualifying criteria for DA are not the same as the qualifying criteria for DCA. The DA means test assesses the income of the child; the means of the person receiving DCA in respect of the child are not taken into account. The data requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. The status refers to the current status of the DA claim.

 At the end of 2021 there were 51,373 people in respect of whom domiciliary care allowance was paid, and the number who applied for Disability Allowance (DA), the number awarded and the number rejected for a DA payment is provided below.

 

Applicants for Disability Allowance

DA Awarded

DA Rejected

Persons for whom a Domiciliary Care Allowance Claim was in payment in 2021

1,646

1,642

4

 

Community Employment Schemes

Ceisteanna (603)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

603. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that community employment schemes providing drug rehabilitation services are finding it difficult to recruit youth support and drugs rehabilitation support workers; if she will review the regulations in relation to eligibility for these schemes in order to deal with this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14252/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, these Community Employment (CE) drug rehabilitation schemes have a very significant social inclusion focus, are well embedded in our local communities nationally and are generally engaged in significant levels of local service support and delivery. The role of the service support worker is crucial in providing these services.

I refer to your question on behalf of Kilbarrack Coastal Community Programme (KCCP) regarding difficulty experienced recruiting CE participants as youth support and drug rehabilitation support workers. I understand that KCCP Scheme has 42 approved CE places with 33 of these places currently filled. Where vacancies occur on CE schemes, eligible candidates are identified by my Department’s activation services and are referred to fill placements on CE schemes. Jobseekers can also register their interest through www.jobsireland.ie, the Department’s online job advertising and recruitment service website or by contacting a case officer in their local Intreo Centre. CE candidates are then referred to the CE scheme once their eligibility has been confirmed and CE is considered a suitable activation measure for that jobseeker.  Referrals are being made to KCCP by the Department's activation service; however, some of the candidates referred unfortunately have not been deemed suitable for the specific roles being sought.  

In order to support these schemes, Minister Humphreys and I have extended funding for CE participant contracts up until the 8th April.  Participants with extended contracts will leave schemes in a phased coordinated manner over the following twelve months.

In a further change intended to assist with the transition from COVID emergency supports over the next period, participants, including those with extended contracts, may not be required to leave CE, where a suitable replacement has not yet been referred to the scheme.  This transitionary provision will support schemes to retain services, with the higher-than-normal turnover of participants in 2022.  Any extension under this provision must be approved by officials from the Department and consideration will be given to the impact of COVID on the recruitment of participants, services provided by schemes, along with recruitment and referral efforts.

I believe that these changes will greatly support the recruitment of new CE participants and at this stage I have no plans to further review the eligibility criteria for CE participants on drug rehabilitation schemes.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Question No. 604 answered with Question No. 591.

State Pensions

Ceisteanna (605)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

605. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the State pension by a minimum of €15 to assist the elderly with the rise in the cost of living, fuel costs and carbon taxes. [14262/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The social welfare package in Budget 2022 was the highest in 14 years and meant that some 1.4 million people, including over 700,000 pensioners, received a €5 increase in weekly payments, and more if they have dependents. In addition to improvements in core social welfare rates, there were a number of targeted measures designed to support those most vulnerable to poverty, including increases to the Fuel Allowance and the Living Alone Allowance. As energy prices were increasing, I ensured that the increase to the Fuel Allowance rate was implemented from Budget week. I also broadened eligibility for the scheme.

As a result of these targeted measures, a pensioner in receipt of Fuel Allowance, living alone, is seeing an increase of €13 per week during the fuel season due to measures introduced in Budget 2022.

Research shows that these types of targeted measures are effective at protecting the most vulnerable social welfare recipients. 

I am acutely aware of the increase in consumer prices in recent months, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices. To help mitigate the effects of these rising costs, the Government announced additional expenditure measures in February, costing in excess of a half a billion Euro, which will have a positive impact on the incomes of all households in our country.

These measures include an additional lump sum payment of €125, which has been paid to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment. This lump sum payment is intended to target the most vulnerable pensioners, as well as other social welfare recipients, to ensure that they are protected against rising fuel costs.

This payment, in addition to the Budget increase to the Fuel Allowance rate, means that low-income households will ee an increase of 41% in fuel allowance payments this season when compared to the last season.

While not all pensioners will benefit from the lump sum payment, every household in the State will receive an Energy Credit of €200 which will to be applied to electricity bills.

The Government has also introduced a further tax measure, to immediately reduce the cost of fuels for families and businesses. Excise duty has been reduced by 20 cent per litre of petrol and 15 cent per litre of diesel. There has also been a reduction of 2 cent in the excise duty charged on marked gas oil. These reductions will remain in place until the 31st of August 2022.

Providing a €15 increase in pension age payments is estimated to cost over €535 million in a full year, based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2022. As such, any increase would need to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context. 

Social Welfare Code

Ceisteanna (606)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

606. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the threshold for means tested fuel allowance. [14297/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, which is supporting up to an estimated 400,000 households in 2022, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022.  The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs.  The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household.  It is not intended to meet those costs in full.  Only one allowance is paid per household.

In Budget 2022 and with immediate effect the Government increased the weekly means threshold for the fuel allowance scheme by €20 to €120 above the appropriate rate of Contributory State Pension representing a 20% increase and enabling more people to qualify for this support.  The €120 allowable means limit is significantly more than the €33 weekly rate of fuel allowance.

The €120 allowable means limit ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.

Any proposal to further increase the allowable means for Fuel Allowance purposes would have to be considered in this context and in the context of the overall policy and budgetary situation.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs.  Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 607 answered with Question No. 591.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (608, 609)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

608. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of exceptional needs payments applied for in the past three years by county; the number that were successful in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14348/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

609. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of exceptional needs payments which have been applied for to assist with hearing costs since the beginning of 2022 by county; the number of these applications which were refused by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14349/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 609 together.

Under 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. The number of ENPs and UNPs paid by county for 2019 to 2021 is set out in the table below.

While statistics are maintained on the number of payments made under the scheme, unfortunately it is not possible to identify payments made to persons requesting assistance with hearing costs. Statistics are not maintained on the number of applications refused, including over the period 2019 to 2021. My Department is currently compiling more extensive statistics in relation to the number of applications made to the SWA schemes in 2022.  

I would encourage any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an exceptional or urgent needs payment to contact the Community Welfare Service at 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.

 

Tabular Statement

Number of ENPs and UNPs paid by county for 2019 - 2021

COUNTY

2019

2020

2021

CARLOW

850

754

682

CAVAN

808

589

565

CLARE

2,494

1,777

1,271

CORK

8,991

5,385

4,164

DONEGAL

1,865

1,356

1,397

DUBLIN

28,805

22,525

19,058

GALWAY

2,549

1,825

1,477

KERRY

3,040

1,970

1,497

KILDARE

3,447

2,931

2,365

KILKENNY

1,376

1,055

952

LAOIS

3,473

2,169

1,585

LEITRIM

764

850

710

LIMERICK

3,342

2,530

2,197

LONGFORD

1,394

1,227

1080

LOUTH

1,780

1,457

1,454

MAYO

2,788

1,722

1044

MEATH

3,614

2,350

2,327

MONAGHAN

1,219

993

558

OFFALY

1,156

1,026

852

ROSCOMMON

1,742

874

837

SLIGO

1,914

924

1083

TIPPERARY

3,854

2,958

2,465

WATERFORD

2,930

2,201

1,337

WESTMEATH

3,503

2,185

1,701

WEXFORD

1,172

882

761

WICKLOW

3,328

3,074

2,133

Total

92,198

67,589

55,552

 

Question No. 609 answered with Question No. 608.

Social Welfare Code

Ceisteanna (610)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

610. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that children with disabilities are not eligible for the free travel scheme; and if she will consider extending the scheme to include those under 16 years of age. [14401/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme.  These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators.  There are currently approximately 1,025,000 customers with direct eligibility.  The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2022 is €95 million.

It is important to note that a person in receipt of a qualifying payment receives the pass on the basis of that primary payment and not on the basis of their underlying medical condition.  While medical evidence will be required to determine eligibility for certain social welfare schemes, it does not generally entitle a person to free travel.  The one exception to this is those who are blind – who, in many cases, will have entitlement from childhood.

If the Free Travel scheme were to be extended to all children under 16 who have a disability, a medical assessment process would be required for all such applications, significantly changing the nature of the scheme and requiring additional administrative processes to be put in place in order to adjudicate eligibility.  Significant extra funding would also be required and accordingly, it could only be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.

While consideration is always given to any requests to improve or extend eligibility to the free travel scheme, uncoupling the link between receipt of particular social welfare payments and eligibility for the free travel scheme would so fundamentally alter the scheme that it would move it away from being a social welfare measure to being a general transport initiative.

While my Department does not provide a free travel pass to children aged under 16 who have a disability, my Department does provide additional support in the form of the Domiciliary Care Allowance.  The Domiciliary Care allowance is a monthly payment of €309.50 to the carer of a child with a disability.  The allowance may be used for the additional costs involved in caring for the child and this may include additional transport costs. 

Support is also available under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme (SWA).  A travel supplement may be awarded in any case where the circumstances of the case so warrant.  The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary.  Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Ceisteanna (611)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

611. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the working family payment renewal for a person (details supplied); when the payment will recommence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14409/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Working Family Payment (WFP), formerly Family Income Supplement, is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children.  To qualify for Working Family Payment the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least 1 qualified child who normally resides with them.

The department requested payslip details from the person concerned on 14 February 2022 and a response was received on 08 March 2022.  Further employment related information was requested by the department on 10 March 2022. The claim was reviewed and awarded at a rate of €44 per week on 15 March 2022. The person concerned has been advised in writing of their award and arrears have issued. The person concerned will receive their weekly payment including arrears by 24 March due to the public holidays on 17 and 18 March.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Ceisteanna (612)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

612. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for the fuel allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14415/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Fuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs.

The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons. The threshold for the fuel allowance means test is €120.00 above the maximum weekly rate of state pension (contributory). 

The income of the person concerned exceeds the permissible weekly means for fuel allowance qualification purposes. Where applicants exceed the permissible income limit, marginally or otherwise, there is no scope for discretion. The application was disallowed and the person concerned was notified in writing on 22 February 2022.

If the person’s circumstances change, it is open to them to reapply for fuel allowance.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs.  Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Question No. 613 answered with Question No. 599.

Social Welfare Code

Ceisteanna (614)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

614. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if plans are in place to extend illness benefit to persons that are self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14439/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I do not intend to extend illness benefit to persons that are self-employed at this time.

There is a wide range of benefits available to people who make Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions. Entitlement to such benefits is dependent on the individual's social insurance contribution record, the class of social insurance paid as well as satisfying other qualification criteria relevant to the scheme being applied for. 

In general, self-employed people make PRSI contributions at class S.  Where all qualification criteria for the particular scheme are satisfied, this class of PRSI gives access to the following benefits: 

- Adoptive Benefit, 

- Guardian's Payment (Contributory),   

- Invalidity Pension,

- Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed),

- Maternity Benefit,

- Parent's Benefit,

- Partial Capacity Benefit (where in receipt of Invalidity Pension),  

- Paternity Benefit,

- State Pension (Contributory),

- Treatment Benefit, and

- Widows, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension.

The benefits to which class S PRSI does not provide access are - 

-Carer's Benefit,

- Health and Safety Benefit, 

- Illness Benefit, and

- Occupational Injuries Benefits. 

Although self-employed people are not usually eligible for Illness Benefit, an exception was made in relation to Covid-19, primarily as a public health measure.  The purpose of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is to encourage people to not go to work due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation.  It has been available to the self-employed since its introduction in March 2020.  Expenditure on the enhanced Illness Benefit was €106 million in 2021.

There has been an extensive expansion of access to the range of social insurance benefits for self-employed social insurance contributors in recent years without any increase in the 4% rate of contribution made by them. In effect, self-employed contributors, in return for a contribution of 11 percentage points lower than the combined employer and employee contribution of 15.05% made in respect of employed contributors, have access to benefits which comprise over 90% of the value of all benefits available to employed contributors.

The Programme for Government commits to giving consideration to increasing all classes of PRSI over time to replenish the Social Insurance Fund to help pay for measures and changes to be agreed including to the State pension system, improvements in short-term sick pay benefits, parental leave benefits, pay-related jobseeker's benefit and treatment benefits. 

The supplementary welfare allowance 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 dependants. Supports provided under the 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 and urgent needs payments. 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. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (615)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

615. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports offered to those suffering with long Covid; if they are entitled to long-term illness benefit given the impact of long Covid on their health and ability to work. [14490/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The primary supports available to those suffering with long Covid are available in three stages.  Initially, the person can apply for enhanced illness benefit.  After 10 weeks, they can transfer to standard illness benefit if they meet the eligibility criteria.  If the illness is long-term, they can apply for Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance.  These supports are outlined below.

My Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is generally not contingent on the nature of the illness or disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.  My Department spent a total of €4.7 billion on illness, disability and caring payments in 2020. 

Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type and who are covered by Pay Related Social Insurance contributions.

In March 2020, under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1) and subsequent regulations, the Government provided for entitlement to Illness Benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or are a probable source of infection with Covid-19. This enhanced Illness Benefit, however, is a temporary measure that has been extended until the end of June.  €106 million was spend on the enhanced Illness Benefit in 2021.

Enhanced Illness Benefit is payable for 7 days where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of Covid-19 and up to 10 weeks where a person has been diagnosed with Covid-19.  The measures were designed to limit the spread of the virus, to keep the number of people affected to a minimum, and to avoid extreme pressure on the health system.

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. Additional payments may be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.

Where a person becomes permanently incapable of work due to their illness, they can apply for long-term payments.  Disability Allowance is a means-tested payment and Invalidity Pension is based on a person's social insurance record.  Secondary benefits may also be payable if people meet the eligibility criteria.

Apart from these income supports, my Department also provides means tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who are ill but who do not qualify for Illness Benefit.  My Department may also make an exceptional needs payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.     

My Department keeps the range of income supports under review in order to make sure they meet their objectives.  Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (616, 617, 618, 619)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

616. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any provision for putting in place a database of language skills of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14511/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

617. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any provision for putting in place a database of educational attainment and job skills of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14512/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

618. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered putting in place a national database that will enable Ukrainian refugees to register their employment skills to enable easier integration into the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14518/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

619. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection the processes that are in place to identify the skills sets of Ukrainian refugees and to assess the best way to deploy those skills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14519/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 616, 617, 618 and 619 together.

As the Deputy is aware, under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, all persons fleeing the war in Ukrainian have been granted the rights of EU citizens, including right to access income supports, employment supports and the right to work in this country.

This Department is a central element of the Government’s response to provide emergency support to meet the immediate needs of those fleeing the invasion of Ukraine.  In addition to the support centre established in Dublin Airport, three new city centre hubs to support Ukrainian nationals who have fled the Russian invasion have been established by the Government.  The “Ukraine support centres” in Dublin, Cork and Limerick are assisting Ukrainians in obtaining PPS numbers, availing of social welfare income supports, and receiving referrals to other State services.  We have also extended the opening hours of some of our Intreo Centres to provide access to PPS Numbers and income supports to people fleeing from Ukraine.  To Sunday 20th March more than 7,300 PPS numbers have been issued and income support approved for over 5,000 people include adult dependents and children.    

The allocation of PPSNs is the Department’s immediate focus so those affected by the invasion can avail of public services and access vital social welfare income supports.  

It is also important that Ukrainains coming to Ireland are provided with assistance and advice to find suitable employment.

My Department  will provide these employment supports  through its public employment service in Intreo Offices and through jobsireland.ie.  This will include jobsearch advice, referral to jobs or education and training courses, including language supports, as appropriate.  As part of this employment support process my Department will capture all information relevant to support jobsearch and training, working with relevant partner agencies such as SOLAS, Education and Training Boards and the Department of Further and Higher Education Research, Innovation and Science.

A dedicated space is being developed on jobsireland.ie to provide information to the newly arrived Ukrainians.  A "Frequently Asked Questions" is being developed which will be published on www.jobireland.ie and be available for those who attend Intreo Offices.  It will be available in the English, Ukrainian and Russian languages; content will be added as new information becomes available.  This will be disseminated and promoted widely including through social media, at our Ukraine Support Hubs and at accommodation centres.

It should be remembered that many of those newly arrived in the country are traumatised and, while some have a good level of English, many others have little or no English.  Some may be more immediately work ready that others - some will require retraining and reskilling or time to organise childcare or school arrangements for children.  Employment supports provided to Ukrainians will match individual's qualification and skills, including language skills, with suitable employment opportunities. 

I am aware that some employers have signalled interest in employing Ukrainians which I very much welcome.  Employers who wish to support Ukrainians by providing work opportunities should register on www.jobsireland.ie; this enables the Department’s Employment Services Officers to match the skills of those seeking employment with available work opportunities.   

I trust this clarifies matters at this time.

Question No. 617 answered with Question No. 616.
Question No. 618 answered with Question No. 616.
Question No. 619 answered with Question No. 616.
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