Written Answers Nos. 98-112
98. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the benefits of doubling the period of time for which domiciliary care allowance and carer’s allowance paid for children who are hospitalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24364/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was pleased to announce, that, as part of the Budget 2022 measures, the period of time in which both Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) and Carer’s Allowance (CA) are paid in circumstances where a child, up to the age of 16, in respect of whom either DCA or CA is in payment, is hospitalised on a full-time basis for an extended period has increased from 13 weeks to 26 weeks since January 2022.
I hope this will give many families greater financial security and peace of mind when they are enduring such difficult experiences.Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age.
It is not means tested and is paid at a rate of €309.50 per month for each child for whom Domiciliary Care Allowance is paid.
Carer’s Allowance, meanwhile, is a means-tested payment for people living in Ireland who are looking after someone who needs support because of age, physical or learning disability or illness, including mental illness.
Carer’s Allowance is primarily aimed at carers on low incomes who live with and look after certain people who need full-time care and attention.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement that she has had with representatives of the home care sector, the Department of Health and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in 2021 and to date in 2022 with a view to urgently resolving the ongoing recruitment and retention challenges in the home care sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24519/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2021 and 2022, my Department has engaged with homecare sectoral representatives and directly with employers to support them in filling their vacancies in the homecare sector.
This has taken the form of a number of recruitment events online for Ireland-based jobseekers and also across the EU/EEA in collaboration with EURES. Healthcare Recruitment in Ireland Online Job Days were held in January 2021 (attended by 91 employers) and November 2021 (attended by 51 employers).
In addition, a joint initiative with Home and Community Care Ireland (HCCI) and the Education and Training Boards (ETB) was held in August 2021 and again in March 2022, whereby candidates were sourced from the Live Register and offered training in healthcare with the ETB.
Activities planned for Q3 2022 include a recruitment day in conjunction with HCCI and a webinar/information day in conjunction with Leading Healthcare Providers Skillnet.
In addition, my Department is represented on the recently established Strategic Workforce Advisory Group (under the chairmanship of the Department of Health). The role of this group is to examine and make recommendations around strategic workforce challenges in front-line carer roles in home support and nursing homes. This includes consideration of recruitment, retention, education and training, and career development.
100. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures that are being taken to reduce processing times on all appeals received for social protection applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24504/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
All claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers and Designated Persons are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded by the Department and just 1% are appealed. Nevertheless, the Department endeavours to ensure that these cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.
The time taken to process an appeal reflects a number of factors including that the appeals process is a quasi-judicial process with Appeals Officers being required to decide all appeals on a ‘de-novo’ basis. In addition, appeals decisions are themselves subject to review by the High Court and decisions have to be formally written up to quasi-judicial standards.
Significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years. As a result, average appeal processing times have generally improved between 2018 and 2021 from 30.0 weeks for an oral hearing in 2018 to 25.5 weeks in 2021, and from 24.8 weeks for a summary decision in 2018 to 13.9 weeks in 2021. The figures for the period January to April 2022 were 22.9 weeks for oral hearing decisions and 14.8 weeks for summary decisions.
Currently, the number of Appeals Officers is 40 which is similar to the position over the last two years. A number of new Appeals Officers have joined the Appeals Office over the past 12-18 months to replace staff leaving on retirement and for other reasons. Given the complexity of the appeals process it can take some time for new staff to be trained up and develop expertise.
The desire to process appeals quickly has to be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and of high quality and made in accordance with the legislative provisions and the general principles of fair procedures and natural justice. Where a claimant has been refused a social welfare payment, regardless of the scheme involved, and is appealing that decision, if their means are insufficient to meet their needs it is open to them to apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim. If their application for supplementary welfare allowance is refused, they can also appeal that decision. The supplementary welfare allowance appeal will be prioritised for attention within the Appeals Office as soon as the appeal file and submission is received from the Department.
Further improvements in appeals processing times is a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
101. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her response to the key conclusion in the report, The Cost of Disability in Ireland that the levels of disability payments and allowances should be changed to reflect the very different costs of disability by severity and type of disability. [24357/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Indecon report highlighted that the ‘Cost of Disability’ is significantly wider than the income support system and found that there is not a single typical ‘cost of disability’; rather there is a spectrum from low additional costs to extremely high extra costs of disability, depending on the individual circumstances of the person concerned.
Additional costs of disability identified run across a number of areas of expenditure including: housing, equipment, aids and appliances, mobility, transport and communications, medicines, care and assistance services and additional living expenses. As the findings of the research have implications for many areas of public policy, a whole-of-Government perspective is needed. As such the Government has referred the report on the Cost of Disability to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability. 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 some way 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.Under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion (2020-2025) and Pathways to Work (2021-2025) strategies, my Department has committed to developing and consulting on a ‘strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments to simplify the system and take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay Report. This will also include a review of the current long-term disability payment schemes with a view to removing inconsistencies/anomalies and ensuring that they recognise the continuum of disabilities and support employment. This work is currently underway within my Department, with a public consultation process to commence in due course.
Finally, one of the key conclusions contained in the report referenced the significant challenges faced in accessing employment and recommends that a high priority should be given to facilitating an increase in employment opportunities for people with disabilities. I am committed to improving targeted employment supports where people are facing additional challenges accessing work. In this context my Department is currently carrying out a review of the Reasonable Accommodation Fund, and a planned review of the Wage Subsidy Scheme will also take place in 2022.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
102. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of participants in the farm assist scheme; the number of farmers that will benefit from reforms to the farm assist scheme; the average increase in payment; when she intends to publish a report into the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24564/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe farm assist scheme is a means-tested statutory income support payment for farmers on low incomes. There are approximately 4,800 farm assist claims in payment at present. The Government has provided €53.9 million for the scheme for 2022.
The Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government and in the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 to review the means assessment disregards for the Farm Assist. I recently published the report of this review and it is available on the Department's website.
As part of this review process it was recommended to provide for an extensive expansion to the list of agri-environmental schemes which qualify for a disregard. These measures have now been enacted in the Social Welfare Act 2022 and will be implemented from June 2022.
Figures are not available as to the number of farmers who will benefit from this measure or the average increase. However, if a farmer in receipt of one of these grants at the average payment of €2,132, this measure gives a difference in the weekly payment between the current assessment and the new assessment of €28.70. This calculation assumes that the person is not currently benefiting from a disregard for one of the schemes currently included.
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 my Department.
I trust this clarifies the position.
103. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s supports for Ukrainian nationals post-arrival; the number of PPS numbers allocated by age and gender in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24674/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s strategy in helping Ukrainian refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24329/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the updated number of Ukrainian refugees who have entered Ireland; the work being undertaken by her Department in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24651/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 110 and 137 together.
My Department is doing all it can to assist people who are covered by the Temporary Protection Directive which allows those fleeing Ukraine to move through the EU and receive appropriate supports.
My officials are at the Reception Facility at Dublin Airport helping people to apply for Personal Public Service Numbers to access key public services and assisting with applications for income supports. Anyone who does not meet our staff at the airport can call in to the Department’s dedicated Support Centres, located in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, or into local Intreo Centres or Branch Offices where staff will provide assistance in accessing available supports.
The priority for my Department is to make payments as quickly as possible and thereafter to put arrangements in place to pay the most appropriate social welfare payment such as One Parent Family Payment or State pension non-contributory to people fleeing Ukraine. People may also apply for additional supports including Exceptional Needs Payments and Rent Supplement if appropriate..
PPSNs are quickly processed with, as of 11th May just over 30,856 PPSNs allocated. A breakdown of the allocation by age and gender is provided hereunder:
|
Age Group |
Male Age Group |
Female Age Group |
|
<1 |
154 |
136 |
|
1 |
229 |
192 |
|
2 |
218 |
208 |
|
3 |
248 |
240 |
|
4 |
291 |
281 |
|
5 |
306 |
273 |
|
6 |
343 |
339 |
|
7 |
375 |
355 |
|
08-12 |
1,841 |
1,735 |
|
13-17 |
1,636 |
1,554 |
|
18 |
127 |
296 |
|
19-25 |
610 |
2,088 |
|
26-35 |
1,256 |
4,052 |
|
36-45 |
1,191 |
4,448 |
|
46-55 |
587 |
2,063 |
|
56-65 |
456 |
1,423 |
|
66+ |
353 |
952 |
|
Totals |
10,221 |
20,635 |
A simplified decision making process is in operation which has enabled 14,910 income support claims to be awarded up to the same period supporting over 26,000 people. Furthermore, 6,529 Child Benefit claims have been processed in respect of almost 9,700 children.
I am acutely aware of the importance of the provision of employment and training opportunities for Ukrainians in accordance with the Directive. Since mid-April my Department has been organising employment support engagement events for Ukrainians to gather information on their education and skills and to provide information on vacancies and jobs. To date almost 5,400 persons have attended these events specifically for Ukrainians.
Employment services are also available throughout the network of Intreo centres. The Jobs Ireland website also contains a dedicated section, in Ukrainian and Russian in relation to employment opportunities for newly arrived Ukrainians.
104. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the supports under the domiciliary care allowance and carer’s allowance for parents and guardians of children who are hospitalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24679/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was pleased to announce, that, as part of the Budget 2022 measures, the period of time in which both Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) and Carer’s Allowance (CA) are paid in circumstances where a child up to the age of 16, in respect of whom DCA or CA is being paid, is hospitalised on a full-time basis for an extended period has increased from 13 weeks to 26 weeks since January 2022
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age.
It is not means tested and is paid at a rate of €309.50 per month for each child for whom Domiciliary Care Allowance is paid.
Carer’s Allowance, meanwhile, is a means-tested payment for people living in Ireland who are looking after someone who needs support because of age, physical or learning disability or illness, including mental illness.
Carer’s Allowance is primarily aimed at carers on low incomes who live with and look after certain people who need full-time care and attention.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
105. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the implementation the full transition to the total contributions approach as recommended by the commission on pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24646/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018, the Government announced the new Interim Total Contributions Approach (also known as the Aggregated Contributions Method) for the calculation of State Pension (Contributory) payments. Since April 2019, all new State Pension (Contributory) applications are assessed under all possible payment rate calculation methods, including the Yearly Average and the Interim Total Contributions Approach, with the most beneficial rate paid to the pensioner.
The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” includes a commitment to introduce a Total Contributions Approach, aligning a person’s contributory pension more closely with the contributions they make. The Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund. The Commission was an independent body comprised of knowledgeable and experienced academics, pension experts, members of civil society and representatives of workers and employers.
The Pensions Commission’s Report was published on 7th October 2021. The report established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and set out a wide-range of recommendations, including recommending a full transition to the Total Contributions Approach and the abolition of the Yearly Average approach on a phased basis over a ten year period. In terms of the specific design of the Total Contributions Approach, the Commission recommended that the current Interim Total Contributions Approach should become the definitive Total Contributions Approach, i.e., 40 years (2,080) contributions required at State Pension age to qualify for a maximum rate pension. This includes provision for 10 years of PRSI credits and 20 years of HomeCaring periods, but with a cap of 20 years combined PRSI credits and HomeCaring periods.
In the interests both of older people and future generations of older people, the Government is considering the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Pensions Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically. The views of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare are being considered as part of these deliberations. My officials are examining each of the recommendations and consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system. I intend bringing a recommended response and implementation plan to Government in the coming weeks.
It is clear from the Commission’s work that State Pension reform is necessary and it is complex. It would be a strategic risk not to plan and provide for projected demographic changes, not least in terms of income adequacy for older people. The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
107. 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. [24668/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently undertaking a significant expansion of public employment services. In particular, specialised employment services for those farthest from the labour market - previously 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.
Phase two of this process is currently ongoing. The procurement of Phase 2 of the Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Services commenced with the publication of the request for tender on 21 December last. Phase 2 included a significant increase over Phase 1 in guaranteed referral numbers, calculated on the basis of ensuring the financial viability of the new employment services with due regard to the cost structures of existing Job Clubs and Local Employment Services in the Phase 2 lot areas.
Parallel to this, my Department is procuring an Intreo Partners - National Employment Service aimed primarily at reconnecting those on the Live Register for between 12 and 24 months with the labour market.
My Department previously extended the deadline for both these Requests for Tenders to 25 April to ensure all interested parties, including the community sector, will have sufficient time to prepare quality tender responses that reflect their experience and capacity to deliver quality services.
Following detailed compliance checks, the tenders received are being evaluated in accordance with procurement guidelines and regulations with the preferred tenderers being notified in due course. My officials will then proceed to finalising contracts with the preferred tenderers with a view to establishing services at the earliest possible date.
108. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to carry out a review of the JobPath scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24496/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraReferrals to the JobPath service are due to cease in June this year and, following a comprehensive review of public employment services, new services are currently being procured, to be in place later this year.
My Department previously undertook an evaluation of JobPath in partnership with the OECD. The 2019 OECD econometric evaluation of JobPath, published by my Department, demonstrated that the outcomes for participating jobseekers, both in terms of employment and earnings, are better than those of non-participants.
Weekly earnings of people who secured employment after JobPath engagement were 17% higher than the weekly employment earnings of people who secured employment without the support of JobPath in 2018.
Taken with the 26% improvement in employment outcomes in the same period, it suggests that the overall positive employment/earnings impact was 37% in 2018 for those who were supported by the JobPath service. These findings demonstrate that jobseekers who engage with JobPath are significantly more likely to get a positive employment outcome than those not supported by the service.
The Department will be updating this exercise in due course and continually reviews its employment service provision, including the new services which are currently being procured. As per the Programme for Government commitments the Department is expanding and extending employment service provision so that for the first time the full range of employment services will be available to those furthest from the labour market across the entire State.
109. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is undertaking a review of the fuel scheme in the context of the rising prices and the ongoing climate crisis. [24506/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given by her Department for a review of the entitlement to the fuel allowance considering the increased costs of fuel and the rising costs of living. [24648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 150 together.
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying 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.
The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs. 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. Furthermore, with effect from the start of the next fuel season, the qualifying period for Jobseeker’s and Supplementary Welfare Allowance recipients to access the Fuel Allowance payment will be reduced from 15 to 12 months.
The Government has, therefore, implemented significant expansions in relation to Fuel Allowance through Budget 2022.
To further help mitigate the effects of rising costs, the Government has announced significant additional expenditure which will make a positive impact on the incomes of all households in our country. As part of the measures an additional lumpsum payment of €125 was paid to eligible Fuel Allowance recipients in March and a further additional lump sum payment of €100 is due to be paid this week.
This means that low-income households will see an increase of 55% in Fuel Allowance support provided during this Fuel Allowance season compared to last season. A recipient household which would have received €735 in fuel season 2020/2021 would see an increase of €404 to €1,139 in Fuel Allowance payments in fuel season 2021/2022. When taken in conjunction with the electricity costs emergency benefit payment, such a household would have received over €600 in additional targeted Government supports over the course of this fuel season. €600 is the equivalent of over 18 weeks' additional fuel allowance, at current rates.
While the Department's schemes are reviewed on an ongoing basis, the provision of any further additional supports such as widening the eligibility criteria or increasing the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
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 Deputies.
111. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given by her Department to a once-off cost of living increase for social welfare recipients considering the increased costs of fuel and the rising costs of living. [24649/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra147. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s strategy to make sure that social protection payments keep pace with the higher cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24667/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 147 together.
I am very aware that, mainly due to external factors, the recent increase in consumer prices, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices, has exceeded even the highest forecasts.
The Government acted early and did not await a further budget cycle to address these challenges. To help mitigate the effects of these rising costs, the Government announced a package of measures in February, which will have a positive impact on the incomes of all households in our country. This package will cost in excess of half a billion euro.
This package included a lump sum of €125 to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment, which was paid to social welfare recipients in March. A further lump sum payment of €100 is being paid to these households this month.
Taken together with the €5 increase in Fuel Allowance introduced as part of Budget 2022, this means that low-income households will see an increase of 55% in Fuel Allowance support provided during this Fuel season when compared to last season.
A recipient household which would have received €735 in fuel season 2020/2021 would see an increase of €404 to €1,139 in Fuel Allowance payments in fuel season 2021/2022. When taken in conjunction with the electricity costs emergency benefit payment, such households will have received over €600 in additional targeted Government supports over the course of this fuel season. €600 is the equivalent of over 18 weeks' additional fuel allowance, at current rates.
The increase of €10 to the weekly income threshold of the Working Family Payment was also brought forward, taking effect from early April 2022 rather than from June.
These measures are in addition to those introduced as part of Budget 2022, which included the largest social welfare Budget package in 14 years. In January, around 1.4 million people received a €5 increase in weekly payments, and more if they have dependents. Targeted, evidence-based measures such as increases to Fuel Allowance, the Living Alone Allowance and Qualified Child payments have ensured the largest increases are aimed at the most vulnerable.
The Government will continue to monitor this situation closely.
112. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will resolve the issue in which 400 plus supervisors working in TÚS and the rural social scheme have had no pay increases, access to occupational pension scheme, maternity leave or a travel budget. [24518/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth Tus and RSS are funded by the Department of Social Protection and delivered by Implementing Bodies (IB).
Tús is a work initiative that provides short-term work opportunities for those who have been unemployed for more than a year, in community work placements lasting for twelve months.
The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support initiative that provides part-time employment opportunities in the community and voluntary organisations for farmers or fishermen/women who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are underemployed in their primary occupation.
Both schemes are delivered through the national network of Local Development Companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta in Gaeltacht areas. These are collectively known as implementing bodies (IBs). IBs are the employers of Tús and RSS supervisors and participants.
I can confirm that the funding provided by my Department includes an administration payment intended to cover overheads including travel and other work related costs incurred by supervisors. Supervisors also have access to the standard maternity and illness benefits funded by my Departments social insurance fund.
While the Department of Social Protection provides funding for Tús and RSS schemes, in addition to funding for participant and supervisor wages that the supervisors on these schemes are employed by the IBs. It is important to note that each IB is an independent employer in their own right.
