Written Answers Nos. 1080-1097
1080. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the decision to refuse a carer’s support grant in respect of their father can be reviewed with urgency in the case of a person (details supplied) with particular reference to his ongoing ill health following a car accident last year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29000/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer's Support Grant (CSG) is an annual payment made to carers by my department.
I can confirm that my department received an application for CSG from the person concerned on 20 April, 2022.
It is a condition of CSG that the care recipient must have a disability that meets the full-time care and attention requirements set out in the governing legislation such that: a person shall not be regarded as requiring full-time care and attention unless the person is so incapacitated that he or she requires from another person –
(a) (a) continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or
(b) (b) continual supervision in order to avoid danger to himself or herself.
Having examined all the evidence presented in support of the claim for CSG and taking account of the caree’s disability, a Deciding Officer decided that they do not meet the full-time care and attention requirements. The person concerned was informed of this decision in a letter dated 19 May, 2022.
A request for a review of the original decision was received on 24 May, 2022. Following a review, the person concerned was notified on the 25 May, 202 that the original decision was upheld and of their right to an appeal.
A further request for a review was received on 31 May, 2022. Following this further review, the person concerned was notified on 07 June, 2022 that the decision remains unchanged and of their right of appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1081. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the injury benefit appeal case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29040/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1082. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when the illness benefit application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; the reason for the delay in making a decision in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29125/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere was a delay in processing the Illness Benefit claim from the person concerned as it overlapped with a payment she received of Supplementary Welfare Allowance. The monetary difference between the associated claim payment and her Illness Benefit entitlement needed to be calculated before any payments due to her could issue.
Her Illness Benefit claim has now been awarded, and she has been fully paid up to date.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1083. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on the invalidity pension backdating request of a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29127/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The Department received a claim for IP from the person concerned on 27 November 2019 and she was awarded IP from 28 November 2019. A request for backdating of the IP claim has now been reviewed by a Deciding Officer who, having taken into consideration all information provided, has decided that there are no grounds for backdating the claim. Notification issued to the person concerned on 1 June 2022 informing her of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of a further review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1084. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that persons who were forced to stop working due to a Government decision to shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020 and were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment are not entitled to claim illness benefit now in 2022 given that the persons in question did not leave work intentionally but their sector was shut down and are now at a disadvantage through no fault of their own; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29131/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2020 the Government introduced a number of emergency measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was an income support measure operated by this Department. The scheme was open to employees and self-employed people who lost their job due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme closed to new applicants on 22 January 2022.
People on PUP (and jobseeker’s payments in lieu of PUP or employees benefiting from the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme) continued to have Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions attributed to them under the PRSI class they were paying before the period of unemployment. These contributions are considered paid contributions. This measure was put in place to avoid any gaps in people’s social insurance contribution history that would impact their entitlement to benefits in the future.
Illness Benefit is the main income support provided by this Department to those who cannot work due to illness of any kind. Illness Benefit is payable to people under pensionable age who have the required number of social insurance contributions and who satisfy specific contribution conditions in the governing contribution year. The relevant tax year is the second last complete tax year: for example, for a claim in 2022 the relevant tax year is 2020. The person must also submit a completed Illness Benefit application form and their doctor must submit a certificate of incapacity for work or a certificate of ongoing incapacity for work.
Contributions paid under classes A, E, H and P are reckonable for Illness Benefit. People who were making PRSI contributions under these classes before going on PUP continued to have these attributed to them and therefore their eligibility for Illness Benefit will only depend on whether they have the required number of contributions and whether they satisfy the age condition.
People who did not qualify for Illness Benefit before going on PUP (contributors in PRSI classes other than A, E, H or P) continued to have these contributions attributed to them while on PUP. These contributions however do not count towards Illness Benefit.
The person is welcome to submit a query with the Department’s Illness Benefit section who will be able to look into their contributions records and determine eligibility or address specific issues.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1085. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the invalidity pension appeal of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved given the fact that the person has sufficient contributions from his or her employment with an organisation since 2001 and that his or her first registration with the Garda National Immigration Bureau for a stamp 1 that is only issued when a valid work permit exists was on 5 April 2001. [29184/22]
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.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned has been registered in that office. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I am further advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal of the person concerned will be dealt with expeditiously and they will be in contact with the person concerned in due course.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1086. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to increase payments to those on the job initiative schemes; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that those working on these schemes are struggling to make ends meet as a result of the spiralling cost of living; the assistance that is available to these workers to stop them falling further into poverty; if there are plans to extend fuel allowance to this cohort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29195/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraJob Initiative (JI) is an employment support scheme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities. Recruitment onto the scheme ceased from November 2004. At the end of May 2022, there were 453 JI participants employed by managing agents nationally.
The Budget for 2022 is just over €11.8 million. The JI rate for participants has increased from €420 in 2016 to €461 in 2022. The current rate for JI participants is for 39 hours per week and equates to €11.82 per hour, which is above the current minimum wage of €10.50 per hour. In addition, JI participants can also receive other Social Welfare benefits such as the annual Christmas Bonus and the retention of their medical card.
The Government is 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 to a total of €505 million which will make a positive impact on the homes of all households in our country. Included in these measures is the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment of €200 which has been paid in addition to the gas and electricity element of the Household Benefits package to qualifying households.
The Department acknowledges the valuable and dedicated service that JI team leaders and JI participants provide in delivering local based community services. The Department is fully committed to the future of employment support programmes and will continue to support and improve them for the benefit of the supervisors, team leaders and participants, given the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1087. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection the State agencies, organisations or boards under the responsibility of her Department or that receive funding from her Department that have been charged negative interest by financial institutions since negative interest rates were introduced; the amount of interest that has been charged to each State agency, organisation or board in 2021 in each of the preceding years in which such charges were applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29211/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBelow in tabular format are the state agencies under the responsibility of my Department, together with the amount of negative interest charged since negative interest rates were introduced to the end of 2021:
|
Agency |
Amount |
|
Citizens Information Board |
€15,097 |
|
Pensions Authority |
€66,368 |
|
Total |
€81,465 |
1088. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if a period of grace can be applied to the disability allowance for a parent in receipt of the allowance when the child passes away; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29242/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged between 16 and 66 and resident in the state.
If a Disability Allowance customer dies and there is an increase for an adult dependant in payment the payment continues for six weeks. If a Disability Allowance customer dies and there is no increase for an adult dependant, entitlement to payment ceases upon the death of the customer. However, if another person is in receipt of Carer’s Allowance in respect of that person, the Carer’s Allowance payment will continue for a period of 12 weeks.
Where Disability Allowance is paid to a collection agent, my Department may not be aware of the relationship between the agent and the Disability Allowance customer. In many cases agents may be a spouse, adult child, or a non-relative such as a carer, neighbour, or a manager of a residential care setting.
My Department recognises the need for a transition period during which people can grieve and plan for a life following the death of a family member.
Payment of Carer's Allowance continues to be made for a further 12 weeks after the death of the person being cared for. In circumstances where a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment together with a half-rate Carer’s Allowance then the half-rate Carer’s Allowance will also continue for 12 weeks.
The Carer’s Support Grant, which is paid on the first Thursday in June will automatically be paid where Carer’s Allowance is paid on that date. This will also include instances where the person being cared for has passed away before that date.
There are financial supports available from the Department of Social Protection, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. This includes financial assistance with funeral expenses. These payments are administered by the Community Welfare Service of the Department and are payable at the discretion of the Community Welfare officer taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1089. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will consider establishing a policy review for parents and carers in receipt of social welfare supports that will cease once their child passes away; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29243/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe death of a child is a tragedy and the difficulties that parents and families experience as a result cannot be over-stated.
Within the social welfare system, there are a number of supports for people who suffer a bereavement. In particular, there is an arrangement known as the six-weeks payment after death which allows for certain payments to continue to be made after a person dies.
If a person is in receipt of a primary social welfare payment which includes an increase for a qualified child and, tragically, that child dies, the qualified child payment will continue for six weeks after the child's death. In cases where an individual has been in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment in respect of one qualified child, both the personal rate of payment and the increase for a qualified child, will continue for six weeks after the death of that child.
Working Family Payment and the Back to Work Family Dividend also remain in payment for up to six weeks after the death of a qualifying child. Eligibility may continue beyond those six weeks if there are other children associated with the claim.
In the case of Carer’s Allowance, payment continues to be made for twelve weeks after the death of the person who was being cared for, including where this was a child. Carer’s Benefit continues to be paid for six weeks and Domiciliary Care Allowance continues to be paid for three months after the death of the child being cared for.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, the Department may make an exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. An application can be made under the ENP scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship. In 2021, approximately 2,400 exceptional needs payments totalling €5.1 million were made in relation to funeral and burial costs.
In Budget 2020, €60,000 was allocated to the Irish Hospice Foundation, to carry out a research project into funeral poverty in Ireland, together with the wider economic impact of bereavement. I understand that the report is near completion.
Any increases in the social welfare supports available to bereaved parents and carers could only be considered in a Budgetary context.
1090. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of domiciliary care allowance applications that were declined in 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29244/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, social welfare schemes with complex qualifying conditions like Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) can require a large amount of evidence on which to base the decision on entitlement. 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. This can result in multiple reviews being carried out on a single application and several disallowances being counted against that application notwithstanding the fact that the final decision is then ultimately that the claim is allowed. It is also the case that applicants who submit an application at the end of a year may not receive a decision until the following year. As such, it is not possible to provide an accurate percentage of DCA claims that are declined for any given year.
The following is a breakdown of the number of applications that were received and the number of disallowal decisions issued in the years 2020 and 2021.
|
Year |
Applications Received during the year |
pplications disallowed during the year |
|
2020 |
7,289 |
2,639 |
|
2021 |
9,121 |
2,468 |
I would encourage all people who apply for DCA, or any 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 position for the Deputy.
1091. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to providing correspondence from her Department in a simpler fashion, particularly for elderly people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29247/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department serves a wide and diverse group of clients including families, people in employment, unemployed people, people with illnesses and disabilities, carers and older people. It administers over 90 separate schemes and services which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. In administering these schemes, the Department generates a large volume of literature such as information leaflets, booklets, letters, and posters and online information. My Department is constantly working to improve its communications with all customers.
The Department’s website was replaced by the new central government website www.gov.ie in 2019. The aim of www.gov.ie is to allow users to be able to access information on all Government supports and services from a single place. Information for the Department’s over 90 schemes and services were developed in Plain English. Staff in the Communications Unit are fully trained in the use of Plain English and content design.
One element of the web content that is monitored is the reading age. In migrating to www.gov.ie, the reading age of the Department's services was reduced from 21 years to 15.2 years and this is an ever-evolving process. The Government is committed to making www.gov.ie accessible to all users.
Furthermore, we continually to strive to improve the accessibility of our more traditional communications with our customers. Evidence of this can be seen from the development of the Illness, Disability and Caring Guide, which I launched last December. This helpful guide contains alternative text in tables and pictures to assist persons who use screen readers.
Also, in relation to the withdrawal of Ulster Bank from the Irish market, my Department is currently writing to customers, including those in receipt of State Pensions, who use Ulster Bank accounts to receive their payments from the Department. These letters set out in clear language the steps the person should take to switch payment details so as to ensure there is no disruption to their payments.
1092. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the free electricity allowance of €35 under the household benefits package to reflect the significant increase in the cost of electricity in recent months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29249/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1131. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the rate of electricity allowance payable under the household benefits package will be increased to reflect the increase in energy costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30141/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1092 and 1131 together.
The Household Benefits Package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €273 million this year on HHB for over 492,000 customers. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
Any decision to enhance or increase the electricity and gas aspect of the package would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations.
Having said that, 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.
In response the Government acted early to address these challenges. To help mitigate the effects of these rising costs, the Government announced a package of measures which will have a positive impact on the incomes of all households in our country.
This package included lump sum payments of €125 and €100 to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment, which were paid to social welfare recipients in March and May.
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 compared to last season. In conjunction with the electricity costs emergency benefit payment, such households will receive over €600 in additional energy supports this year. Deputies will also be aware of the measures taken by the Minister for Finance to reduce duties on fuel and retain the low level of VAT on hospitality services. The Minister for Transport has also reduced public transport fares by 20%.
These measures are in addition to others introduced as part of Budget 2022 - which was the largest social welfare budget package in 14 years - and are more expansive than measures introduced in most other countries.
This Government is very aware of, and concerned about, the impact on rising prices on Irish households, particularly pensioners. We have reacted quickly with not just social protection measures, but implemented a wide range of initiatives covering tax, energy credits, excise and transport measures.
All of these measures will be kept under review, together with trends in prices to inform preparations for the budget later this year.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
1093. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if any former Secretaries General are seconded from her Department; the locations of same; the purpose of the secondment; the remuneration they are in receipt of from her Department or additional allocation to the agency or institution to which they are seconded arising from the secondment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29271/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no former Secretaries General on secondment from the Department of Social Protection.
1094. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of JobPath participants who have gained sustained employment for 13 weeks; 26 weeks; 39 weeks; and 52 weeks respectively by year since 2015, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29340/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1104. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of participants who have been referred to JobPath since 2015 by year in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29544/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1094 and 1104 together.
JobPath provides a case management based employment advice and counselling service to long term unemployed jobseekers.
The numbers of jobseekers that have each year engaged with JobPath and of those have sustained employment for 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks can be seen presented below in Table 1.
It should be noted that many clients currently engaged with JobPath are still in the first phase of the service. They have not yet had sufficient time with the service to have gained employment nor sustain that employment for up to 52 weeks. The measure of performance will improve as more clients complete their engagement with the service and have a chance to reach 52 weeks in employment.
Table 1 - JobPath Engagements and Sustainment
|
JobPath 2015-2022 (End April 2022) |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Total |
|
Number of client engagements |
6,588 |
65,452 |
74,860 |
60,822 |
50,412 |
33,296 |
38,157 |
10,735 |
340,322 |
|
Total No Clients to Start a Job |
1,659 |
14,421 |
21,631 |
14,897 |
10,232 |
7,052 |
9,326 |
1,162 |
80,380 |
|
Total No Clients to Start a FT Job |
1,368 |
12,020 |
19,544 |
13,963 |
9,623 |
6,687 |
8,855 |
1,118 |
73,178 |
|
Total No Clients to Start a PT Job |
291 |
2,401 |
2,087 |
934 |
609 |
365 |
471 |
44 |
7,202 |
|
No. of clients who sustained FT Job for 13 weeks |
986 |
8,684 |
14,606 |
10,447 |
6,615 |
4,943 |
5,210 |
56 |
51,547 |
|
No. of clients who sustained FT Job for 26 weeks |
827 |
7,203 |
12,214 |
8,615 |
5,090 |
3,883 |
2,982 |
N/A |
40,814 |
|
No. of clients who sustained FT Job for 39 weeks |
720 |
6,204 |
10,355 |
7,224 |
4,119 |
2,919 |
1,110 |
N/A |
32,651 |
|
No. of clients who sustained FT Job for 52 weeks |
644 |
5,477 |
9,061 |
6,189 |
3,451 |
1,939 |
163 |
N/A |
26,924 |
1095. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the total cost of JobPath since 2015 to date and the cost by year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29341/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobPath is a payment by results model and all set-up and day-to-day operational costs are borne by the companies. The companies are paid on the basis of performance and with the exception of the initial registration fee; the majority of payments are made only when a client has achieved sustained employment.
The overall cost of JobPath will be determined by the number of people who participate in the programme and the number who get sustainable jobs.
The roll out of JobPath began in 2015 and the yearly expenditure is as follows:
2015 - €1.2m;
2016 - €25.2m;
2017 - €57.4m;
2018 - €71.7m
2019 - €58.6m
2020 - €36.2m
2021 - €33.9m
2022 - €18.2m (to date)
Total - €302.4m
Please note this is gross expenditure and does not take into account the savings made in welfare payments for those who secured sustained employment.
1096. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection when JobPath referrals are due to end given that the scheme was due to end in December 2021 and was extended by six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29342/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNew referrals to the JobPath employment advisory service will end on the 30th of June 2022. Individuals who have been referred to JobPath will finishes their engagement period with the service.
In December 2021, in light of the continuing adverse impacts of Covid-19 and on foot of extending the period of consultation with the relevant stakeholders in connection with the procurement processes currently underway, it was agreed to extend all contracted employment services for the long term unemployed - the Local Employment Services, the Job Clubs and JobPath - for a further twenty six weeks until the end of June 2022.
This measure was taken in order to ensure that the public employment service has sufficient capacity to support those impacted by the pandemic with access to employment services. LES and Job Club contractors have been offered a further extension to end August 2022.
1097. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a disability allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29371/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from the person concerned on 25 May 2022. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
