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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 14 Jun 2022

Written Answers Nos. 1134-1152

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1134)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1134. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30506/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 4 May 2022.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the appeal of the person concerned on foot of this additional evidence. The Appeals Officer has reviewed the case and has decided to convene an oral hearing. Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1135)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

1135. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if funding or grant assistance is available for a person seeking admission to a private addiction treatment facility such as a facility (details supplied) who is not in a position to afford such treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30518/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This is a matter for the Department of Health, which has already provided a response to this question.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1136)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1136. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30523/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this person on 14 January 2022.

On 24 February 2022 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on their eligibility.  This documentation was returned on 9 March 2022.

The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 19 January 2022.  He was notified of this decision in writing on 11 March 2022.  He received his first payment by his chosen payment method on 30 March 2022. 

The person concerned was in receipt of another social welfare payment during the period from 19 January 2022 to 29 March 2022.  Consequently, the amount of social welfare already paid required calculation and was deducted from any arrears due.  

This process was completed by my department and the correct amount of DA arrears issued to the person in question on 30 March 2022.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1137)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

1137. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider those on the disability allowance and long-term illness schemes as qualifying payments for the household benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30525/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.  These qualifying payments are in general long-term disability/illness type payments and includes schemes such as Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Blind Person's Pension and Incapacity Supplement or Workmen's Compensation, with Disablement Pension, for at least 12 months.

Therefore, Disability Allowance is already a qualifying payment for the HHB package, as are the other long-term disability/illness schemes outlined above.

I hope this clarifies the matter. 

Social Welfare Appeals

Ceisteanna (1138)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1138. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30527/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision.  The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 28 February 2022.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (1139)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

1139. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Ukrainian refugees who have been issued with PPS numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30554/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As of 13th June 2022, the latest figures from my Department show that 37,328 PPS numbers have been provided to refugees arriving in Ireland from Ukraine. 

The table below shows the age and sex breakdown of the refugees arriving in Ireland.

 

Males

Females

Under 18

       6,648

       6,259

18-24

           827

       2,422

25-34

       1,602

       4,639

35-44

       1,639

       5,534

45-54

           849

       2,805

55-64

           596

       1,774

65+

           471

       1,263

Total

     12,632

     24,696

Arts Policy

Ceisteanna (1140)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

1140. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on her Department's involvement in the basic income for the arts pilot scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30555/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The pilot basic income scheme for artists, which the Government launched in April, is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.  It is expected that there will be 2,000 participants on the pilot scheme which will run for three years.  My Department was represented on the Life Worth Living Taskforce and the associated technical sub-group.

It is important to stress that a payment under the pilot Basic Income for Artists is not a social protection or income support payment.  Rather it is a payment in recognition of the valuable contribution of the arts community and an incentive to encourage people to remain actively employed in the arts rather than seeking employment elsewhere.

Payments under the pilot scheme are income and will therefore be reckonable as income for the purposes of taxation.  I understand that recipients will be required to make annual self-employment returns to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners on that basis.

Similarly, my Department will treat income from the scheme as income from self-employment for the purpose of its various means tests.  The extent to which this income will have an impact on a person’s social welfare payment will depend on the means test for the scheme and the person’s individual circumstances.  For an artist on Disability Allowance with no other employment income, payment of the basic income would result in a 113% increase in their income without any secondary benefits being affected. 

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (1141)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

1141. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that she is taking to ensure that Ukrainian refugees have access to social protection supports upon their arrival in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30556/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive implemented in March, people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been granted the status to avail of the supports and services, including income supports and employment services, provided by my Department.  This means that these citizens can work in Ireland and can access social services and the full range of social welfare supports.

A reception facility is operating at City West Convention Centre where officials from the Department of Justice, the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are available to meet arrivals from Ukraine.  This centre is open 7 days a week. People who arrive through Dublin Airport are being transferred to City West. 

Anyone who does not arrive through Dublin Airport can call in to the Department’s dedicated City Centre Ukraine Support Centres, located in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, or into local Intreo Centres or Branch Offices where staff will help them to apply for a PPSN and income supports.

A fast-track approach in processing these supports is in place which includes a simplified decision-making process for income supports and quick processing of PPSNs to allow access to public services that will be provided to them.

A dedicated section on www.jobsireland.ie has been developed to provide information on employment opportunities for newly arrived Ukrainians.  This is available in Ukrainian and Russian.

Intreo staff are also attending information events organised by Education and Training Boards, Local Development Companies and Chambers of Commerce at which they provided information on the full range of income and employment support services.

Since mid-April the Department of Social Protection has been organising employment support engagement events for people fleeing the war to gather information on their education and skills and to provide information on vacancies and jobs.  These events are taking place in locations throughout the country in accommodation centres and in Intreo Offices.  These events will continue over the coming weeks.   

Up to and including Friday 10th June, 9,083 persons have attended these events which are being organised specifically for people who have arrived from Ukraine.  The full range of Intreo employment services is also available to Ukrainians.

The Department is also working closely with education and training boards to facilitate access to relevant training supports, including English language training.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (1142)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

1142. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Ukrainian refugees who have availed of rent supplement by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30557/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for meeting the immediate and short-term accommodation needs of persons availing of protection in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

Rent supplement is a short-term income support which is means-tested.  It plays a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation.  The scheme was providing support to 11,295 recipients at the end of May 2022.

Rent Supplement is available on a flexible basis to support those availing of temporary protection in Ireland and who wish to access private rented accommodation.  There are 45 such households currently being supported with Rent Supplement.  In total, 48 households have availed of the support since the measure came into operation in February 2022.

Table 1 shows the number of recipients who have availed of Rent Supplement support, under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, by county to date.

Table 1 - The number of recipients who have availed of support under the EU Temporary Protection Directive by county to date.

 County

 No. of Recipients

 Cavan

 2

 Cork

 4

 Donegal

 2

 Dublin

 8

 Kerry

 4

 Kildare

 8

 Leitrim

 6

 Limerick

 2

 Louth

 2

 Mayo

 1

 Meath

 2

 Waterford

 3

 Wexford

 1

 Wicklow

 3

 Total

 48

  I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1143)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

1143. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are available to support a young person who is on JobPath with an organisation (details supplied) and is trying to access funding to undertake a bus and coach driving instructor course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30622/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to thank the Deputy for the question.  Without the particular details for the individual concerned I am unable to make enquires into the particular circumstance that the Deputy raises.

However, the following broad principles apply.  Participants on JobPath receive intensive individual support to help overcome barriers to employment and to find employment.  Each person is assigned a personal advisor who assesses their skills, experience, challenges and work goals and agrees a personal progression plan, that includes a schedule of activities, including relevant training and educational programmes to assist them in finding full-time sustainable employment.  There are no barriers to any participants pursuing further education and training courses, provided they are relevant to the agreed personal progression plan.

JobPath providers have their own discretionary funds available to pay for training or other interventions; the decision to approve a request for funding is at the discretion of the JobPath provider.  They will consider the duration, cost and relevance to the customer’s job goal preferences.  The prevalence of employment opportunities in the sector will also be considered along with the likelihood that the customer secures full-time employment upon completion of the course. 

Several courses are provided in-house while others are provided by specialist training providers including the Education and Training Boards (ETBs).

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1144)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

1144. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is eligible for a hair piece and wig under the treatment benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30629/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The hair replacement benefit is an annual benefit of up to €500 available to persons who satisfy the medical requirements and the PRSI conditions of the Department’s Treatment Benefit scheme.

The payment will assist people who have suffered hair loss due to a disease or treatment of a disease such as cancer or certain types of alopecia to purchase a hair replacement product.

In the circumstances of the named person, in order to qualify for treatment benefit a PRSI contributor must have a total of 260 paid contributions at class A/E/H/P/S since starting work and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based,  which currently is 2020. 

The named person has the required number of PRSI contributions paid to qualify for the treatment benefit scheme.

Details of the qualifying medical conditions and the providers registered with the Department to provide hair replacement products are available on the gov.ie website 

Should the named person meet the medical requirement and wish to avail of the benefit, they should attend a hair replacement provider registered with the Department and provide confirmation of their medical condition.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Policies

Ceisteanna (1145)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

1145. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider changing the treatment of savings to better reflect the real income being derived from savings instead of a notional return of €4 per €1,000 savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30630/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Social welfare legislation provides that means tests take account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse / partner, if applicable) applying for the relevant scheme.  Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares, and other investments. 

The assessment of capital reflects an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of capital and property are in a position to use that capital, or to realise the value of the property, to support themselves without having to rely solely on a means-tested welfare payment.

While savings are assessed in the means test, most social protection schemes have a general capital disregard meaning the full amount of the capital is not assessed.

The standard formula for assessing the value of capital for most social welfare payments is as follows: the first €20,000 is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.

As part of Budget 2022, I was pleased to announce that, from this June, the capital disregard for Carer’s Allowance will increase to €50,000, bringing it into line with the capital disregard for Disability Allowance.  The new formula is as follows: the first €50,000 is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.

The capital assessment formula is not designed to reflect interest or annuity rates available to investors and no account is taken of interest or dividend payments received in the means assessment. 

Any changes to the means assessment formula for social assistance schemes would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1146)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

1146. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that the information that is outstanding relative to the claim for an increase in pension for a qualified adult in the case of a person (details supplied); and if the matter will be reopened and expedited. [30635/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An increase for qualified adult (IQA) is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.

Where a qualified adult has weekly means of less than €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable.  Where their weekly means are over €100 and not more than €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable.  If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment.  Where property or assets are held jointly, the qualified adult's means are assessed as half of the total amount.  The family home is not included in the means assessment.

As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that claimants are receiving their full and correct entitlements, ongoing reviews of all means tested payments are carried out.  In the case of an increase for qualified adult (IQA) on SPC, the primary claimant is contacted by my Department to notify them that their continuing entitlement to the means tested IQA payment is being examined.  A questionnaire is required to be completed to include details of the means of their qualified adult.  Additional documentation is not requested for the majority of reviews.

A review letter and questionnaire issued to the person concerned on 13th May 2021.  As no response was received a reminder letter issued on 6th July 2021.  The person responded on13th August 2021 submitting the review questionnaire.  Further information was requested on 15 October 2021, but to date the customer has not responded to this communication. 

This information request will be re-issued to the person and once all the outstanding information is submitted a decision will be made on the matter.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy. 

Care Services

Ceisteanna (1147)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1147. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider improving measures within the social welfare system to support existing foster carers and to encourage additional foster carers such removing the 20 year cap on homecare provision for foster carers, changes in the contributory pension to allow for periods spent fostering to count towards a state pension (contributory); and her views on the initiatives she is pursuing with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to assist foster carers and promote foster caring. [30772/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Matters related to foster caring are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tusla.  There has been some initial engagement between officials in my Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the purpose of providing informed responses to PQs and representations regarding State Pension provision for foster carers. 

More widely, this Government acknowledges the important role that carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role.  Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system includes a range of measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment in the calculation of a State Pension payment.  

HomeCaring Periods may be awarded for each week not already covered by a paid or credited social insurance contribution (regardless of when they occurred) to a maximum of 20 years.  Only one person can benefit from a HomeCaring Period for supporting a child or adult at one time.  HomeCaring Periods can only be used under the Interim Total Contributions Approach (also known as the Aggregated Contribution Method) of pension calculation.  HomeCaring Periods relate to full-time care for:

- a child or children under the age of 12 years of age;

- a child or children over the age of 12 who needed an increased level of care; or

- an adult who needed an increased level of care.

Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of the HomeCaring Periods, on the same basis as other carers, and will qualify if the carer is in receipt of Child Benefit.  If the foster carer is not in receipt of Child Benefit, s/he can still qualify for HomeCaring Periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla. 

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 examine options for a pension solution for carers, the majority of whom are women, particularly those of incapacitated children, in recognition of the enormous value of the work carried out by them.  The Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund.  The Commission’s terms of reference included consideration of how people who have provided long-term care for incapacitated dependants can be accommodated within the State Pension system. 

The Pensions Commission’s Report was published on 7th October 2021.  It established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that changes are needed.  The report set out a wide-range of recommendations, including enhanced pension provision for long-term carers (defined as caring for more than 20 years). 

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.  My officials are examining each of the recommendations and consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system.  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.  I intend bringing a recommended response and implementation plan to Government for its consideration in the coming weeks.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1148)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the detailed basis on which overpayment has been assessed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30780/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) is a means-tested payment made to people who are unemployed and meet all of the qualifying conditions.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was awarded JA from 16/07/2010. 

An official in my Department wrote to the person concerned on 10/02/2020 in relation to a review of her entitlement to JA, requesting additional information in order to complete this review.  According to the records of my Department, the person concerned did not provide the information requested.

Further correspondence issued on 28/05/2020 in which the person concerned was asked to provide end of year payslips from 2014 to 2019 from her spouses’ employment and a current payslip from her spouses’ employment in 2020.  The requested documentation was not provided by the person concerned.  Therefore, on the basis of the information available to my Department, a revised decision and assessment of an overpayment of €31,146 was subsequently issued to the person concerned on the 18/06/2020.

The person concerned was advised that she was not entitled to JA from 22/09/2014 to 04/02/2020 on the grounds that JA is not paid if a person’s means are more than the weekly rate of JA that would be payable to them based on their family circumstances.  The Deciding Officer made this decision on the basis that the person had not shown that her means were less than the weekly rate of JA appropriate to her family circumstances as she had failed to provide the requested information in the review of her JA claim.

The person concerned was advised of her right to request a review of this decision and/or appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office outlining the grounds for her appeal and including any facts or evidence in support of her case.  The SWAO has advised that no appeal was registered for the person concerned.

Following your representation, I have requested that a review of this case be undertaken.  It is important however that the person concerned engages with my officials in the review of the overpayment and provides any requested information.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1149)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

1149. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if domiciliary care allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30813/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Domciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment in respect of a child, aged under 16 with a severe disability who requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age.  The child must be likely to require fulltime care and attention for at least 12 months.  Eligibility is determined on the additional care required by the child rather than the particular disability.

An application for DCA in respect of their child Brody was received from the person concerned on 04 April 2022.  Their application was disallowed as per Department's decision dated 28 May 2022, as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for DCA.

The person concerned was notified in writing of the details of this decision on 28 May 2022 and of their right of review and appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). 

If seeking a review or appeal of the above decision, the person concerned should forward any new or additional information, or further documentary evidence (medical reports) for consideration.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1150)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); if the application will be expedited given the terminally-ill health circumstances of their father for whom they care; if they will qualify for a carer's support grant in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30815/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

I confirm that my department received an application for Carer’s Allowance from the person concerned on 3 June 2022.  Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 9 June 2022.

Once this information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

It is not possible to confirm the automatic entitlement of the person concerned to the Carer's Support Grant until a decision can be made on the CA application.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1151)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

1151. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a carer’s allowance award in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not been backdated to the date that their carer’s benefit expired given that the person was not notified that their carer’s benefit was due to expire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30845/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

I confirm that an application for CA was received from the person concerned on 20 April 2022.

The person concerned was awarded CA on 1 June 2022 with effect from 21 April 2022.

Following a review of the date of award the person concerned was awarded CA with effect from 3 March 2022.

The person concerned was notified in writing of the outcome of this review on 9 June 2022 and of their right of review and appeal.

Arrears due from 3 March 2022 to 20 April 2022 has now issued to their nominated bank account.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (1152)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

1152. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants who applied for the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance in each year for the past five years; the number who were successful; the total cost to the Exchequer for each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30905/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn.  The Government has provided €58.17m for the scheme in 2022 which operates from June to September.

The allowance is payable for eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid, and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid. 

The majority of customers are awarded Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance automatically and will be notified of their award.  This year, those customers will be notified of their award by 20 June.  Customers who have not received notification of an automated award will be required to apply for the allowance before the closing date of 30 September 2022.

The number of customers that applied for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance in each of the years 2017 to 2021, the number who were awarded the allowance, and the total cost to the Exchequer for each of the years is set out in tabular form below.

Year

Total   Awards (customers)

Total   Awards (children)

Auto   Awards (customers)

Auto   Awards (children)

Manual   Applications Received

Manual   Awards (customers)

Manual   Awards (children)

Total Expenditure

2017

150,867

275,416

113,801

204,957

47,759

37,592

70,459

€48.73

2018

144,040

266,462

104,461

190,308

50,815

39,579

76,154

€49.73

2019

143,146

263,405

116,614

212,078

39,496

26,532

51,327

€53.54

2020

143,324

264,453

115,552

212,045

44,330

27,772

52,408

€54.1

2021

137,168

252,423

111,125

205,160

40,550

26,043

47,263

€51.74

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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