Written Answers Nos. 631-650
631. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the status of the recent additional special education accommodation approvals at a school (details supplied); the reason that officials from her Department have delayed the development of additional accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34476/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year my Department increased the level of accommodation for pupils with special educational needs that was previously approved for the school in question. This required a new application for planning permission. Pending the provision of this accommodation, which includes four classrooms, arrangements are in train to provide further interim accommodation for pupils with special educational needs at the school for the 2022/2023 school year.
633. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education the status of a special needs assistant allocation for a child (details supplied). [34508/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
In relation to SNA support the NCSE have confirmed that the school has an allocation of SNA support to provide support for children with primary care needs.
The following arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2022/23 will apply:
a) The SNA allocations for mainstream classes in schools on 31st May 2022 will be maintained for 2022/23. This will provide greater certainty for schools;
b) A process for schools, whereby if they consider their SNA allocation is in excess of the required care needs, to engage with the NCSE. Schools should contact their local NCSE Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) to commence the process; and
c) The exceptional review process undertaken by NCSE will remain in place throughout the 2022/23 school year, where schools can seek a review of their SNA allocations which will result in one of the following outcomes:
i. No change in the level of care need identified (and no change in the resultant SNA allocation);
ii. Increase in the level of care need identified (which if significant would see an increase in the SNA allocations to the schools); and
iii. Decrease in level of care need identified in the school (which if significant would result in a reduction in SNA allocations as the care need could be managed with less resources than are currently allocated), and the SNA allocation will be adjusted at the end of the relevant school term.
It is expected that schools will review and reprioritise the deployment of SNAs within mainstream settings and allocate resources to ensure those with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support. Providing access to SNA support continues to be based on primary care needs as outlined in DES Circular 0030/2014 circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/education/2014/30.pdf. Following such a review and reprioritisation, it is expected that a small number of schools, e.g. developing schools, may not have a sufficient SNA allocation to meet the needs of their students. These schools can apply to the NCSE for an Exceptional Review of their allocation.
Detailed information on the NCSE Exceptional Review process is published on the NCSE website. ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
The NCSE will endeavour to respond to all applications for Exceptional Review received as expediently as possible and in that regard, it will prioritise applications from schools with no current SNA allocation and developing schools. The Exceptional Review process for mainstream allocations will be available to schools throughout the 2022/23 school year.
The NCSE has developed an appeal mechanism for schools who are not satisfied with the outcome of the Exceptional Review. Local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) will provide information and clarification to schools on the outcome where requested. Where schools wish to appeal the outcome of the review, they must do so using the prescribed form provided by the NCSE ncse.ie/ncse-appeals-process.
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations for the 2022/23 school year and they are available at ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, and the SENO is available to offer assistance and advice to the school. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
634. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of complaints that she has received in the past five years to date under her Department's customer service charter; if she will provide a breakdown, by heading in tabular form, of the complaints made in respect of each service that she provides. [34572/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials within my Department aim to consistently provide quality customer services to all stakeholders, and this commitment is underpinned in my Department’s Customer Charter. However, a complaints procedure is in place to address instances where the Department falls short of this.
The Department's complaints procedure guides customers who wish to make a complaint by outlining the steps the Department takes once a complaint has been received. Officials tasked with investigating a complaint are also guided by the procedures, as it informs them how to best respond in a fair and courteous manner, within a set timeframe.
Complaints can be made to any official within my Department. However, formal complaints are generally made to my Department’s customer service office, if an issue cannot be resolved at the point of service.
Please see the attached table for the number of formal complaints received by my Department from 2018 to-date in 2022 and a break-down of the Departmental services and business units the complaints related to. Complaints
635. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the number of places that are available for young people with special educational needs and disabilities currently in a school (details supplied); the number of places being resourced for September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34575/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department's budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs. This includes additional teaching and care supports. As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for co-ordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. Over the last two years, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year.
I am satisfied that this more joined-up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen over 300 special classes, providing over 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.
I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
I can confirm that the NCSE is aware of an identified need for additional special education placements for students with autism in Cork and the Deputy will be aware of the work underway to meet this demand for places.
NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for 2022/23 and beyond. There are specific plans in place to open both additional special class and special school provision and every support will be made available to progress their opening in the shortest possible timeframe with a particular focus on September next.
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want to reassure the Deputy also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
The list of special schools is available on the NCSE website at the following link:
ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCSE-Special-School-Allocations-21-22-website-03-12-2021.pdf.
and for special classes at: ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Final-2021_2022-Sp-Class-list-25_03_22.pdf.
As the query refers to an individual school, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
636. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the implementation of the programme for Government commitments for gender recognition. [33807/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, contains a number of actions with respect to gender recognition. My Department is engaged in progressing these actions. The Government has approved the drafting of legislation to give effect to recommendations with respect the process of gender recognition for children aged 16 and 17. Research is being commissioned to inform policy options with respect to children aged under 19 and all Departments and public bodies have been asked to progress positive actions to give effect to the acceptable use of pronouns, improvements in the design and content of official forms and documentation to permit the use of a third gender option, or no gender at all, where it is possible to do so, and to take any other positive steps to promote inclusiveness of person of all genders.
The Deputy will appreciate that some of the work being undertaken may result in proposals to amend the Gender Recognition Act 2015 which will be considered by Government in due course. I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
637. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the fuel allowance was not paid in 2022 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33639/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records in my Department, the person concerned was awarded a basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) with effect from 03/09/2021 while awaiting the outcome of an application for Disability Allowance (DA). The person's DA application was subsequently disallowed. The Designated Person is currently awaiting confirmation that an appeal for DA has been lodged with the Social Welfare Appeals Office in order that the person’s SWA payment can continue.
A fuel allowance is not payable with SWA while another claim is pending award.
If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties, he can apply for an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) or a Heating Supplement by contacting his local Community Welfare Service where his circumstances will be assessed.
The purpose of an ANP is to assist people with essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The ANP scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
To assist the person concerned an application pack has issued to him by post. When a completed application and supporting documentation is received, the claim will be assessed, and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
638. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility for assistance for a funeral bill in the case of a person (details supplied) will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33681/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Additional Needs payment (ANP), including the Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP), is to assist people with essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Applications for ANPs (and ENPs) are made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in my Department.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for financial assistance towards the cost of funeral expenses on 15/03/2022. The claim was disallowed on the basis that the person had already paid the funeral expenses and had not shown that a need for assistance existed.
Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.
Following a request from the person concerned a review of the decision was undertaken by the SWA Reviewing Officer. In the course of the review, the person concerned was asked to provide signed statements from the three persons who had paid the undertaker’s bill and to whom the person is repaying the amount paid.
This information was not provided by the person concerned and in the absence of these statements the SWA Reviewing Officer upheld the original decision of the Designated Person.
It is open to the person concerned to provide this information and a further review of her claim will be carried out.
In her correspondence with my Department, the person concerned mentions that she has medical issues which incur additional costs. The person concerned has been advised previously that she may apply for assistance with these costs under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. A report or statement from a medical or healthcare professional in support of her application should be provided if the person concerned makes an application in this regard.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
639. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if support will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33723/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer's Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers by my Department. I can confirm that my Department received an application for the Carer's Support Grant (CSG) from the person concerned on 3 May 2022.
It is a condition for receipt of a CSG that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention. This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least six months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined. The deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied for this care recipient. The person concerned was notified on 28 May 2022 of this decision, the reasons for it, and of her right of review and appeal.
A request for a review of the original decision, together with further medical evidence, was received on 10 June 2022. The application is currently under review and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome in due course.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
640. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated yearly cost of increasing by €20 the weekly rates of disability allowance, domiciliary care allowance and carer's allowance, respectively, by payment type in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33780/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated full year cost of a €20 increase to the Disability Allowance, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Carer's Allowance payments is as shown in the table below.
Domiciliary care allowance is paid monthly, while Disability Allowance and Carer's Allowance are weekly payments.
These costings are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2022 and are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
|
Schemes |
Proposed increase to rate of payment |
Additional Full Year Cost (€m) |
|
Disability Allowance |
€20 |
€174.5 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
€20 |
€11.2 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
€20 |
€77 |
*Figures may be impacted by rounding
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
641. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been made to date in the determination of an application for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); when processing is likely to conclude and decision issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33784/22]
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 for the person concerned on 04 April 2022. On 09 May 2022, a deciding officer (DO) wrote to the person concerned requesting he provide a letter from his accountant or from Revenue confirming the date he ceased self employment. To date, the DO has not received this information. Upon receipt of same, the IP claim will be finalised and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
642. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the statutory redundancy payment application made by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33791/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that no application under the Redundancy Payments Scheme has been submitted or received by my Department in respect of the person concerned.
It is an employer's responsibility to pay all eligible employees their statutory redundancy entitlements in the first instance should a redundancy arise. If an employer is in financial difficulty and unable to make this statutory payment themselves, an application can be submitted under the Redundancy Payment Scheme by the employer to my Department. Applications can be made through the welfare partners website -.www.welfarepartners.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
643. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33801/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Person Concerned made a Jobseeker's Application on 7th January 2022. While they had an entitlement to a reduced rate of Jobseeker's Benefit they were given the option of applying for Jobseeker's Allowance.
The person Concerned was awarded Jobseeker's Allowance from 7th January at a rate of €208. In March 2022, it became apparent that they had been awarded the incorrect rate of payment for their household composition. The Payment was revised with the Person Concerned being awarded a rate of €123. This rate comprises of an increase for a Qualified Adult and an increase for 2 Qualified Children with a means deduction of €263 applied based on the household income.
In line with Department policy, all new Jobseeker's Claims are now paid into their preferred Post Office. The person concerned declared on their online application that Blackwater BR PO Killarney was the area where their Post Office was located, hence this is where her payment was assigned. Their payment has since been moved to Killarney Post Office.
In relation to the overpayment that has been assessed, the customer has appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office and the outcome of that appeal is awaited.
644. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the State boards that are under her remit; the details of each State board; the details in tabular form of all the persons who are on each board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33839/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council and the Social Welfare Tribunal. Details and membership of each of these bodies is set out in tabular format below.
Citizens Information Board
The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the national agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy on social services, and for the provision of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).
|
CIB Membership |
|
Catherine Heaney (Chairperson) |
|
Cearbhall O’Meadhra |
|
Joan O’Connor |
|
John Saunders |
|
Mary Doyle |
|
Mary Higgins |
|
Nicola Walshe |
|
Seán Sheridan |
|
Teresa Blake |
|
Tim Duggan |
|
Tina Leonard |
Pensions Authority
The role of the Pensions Authority is to monitor and supervise the operation of the Pensions Act (as amended) and private pension developments generally.
|
Pensions Authority Membership |
|
Dr. David Begg (Chairperson) |
|
Ciarán Lawler (Representative of the Minister for Social Protection) |
|
Michael J. McGrath (Representative of the Minister for Finance) |
Pensions Council
The Pensions Council advises the Minister for Social Protection on matters relating to policy on pensions. The Council represents and protects the consumer interest and helps to ensure that the pensions system has a stronger consumer focus.
|
Pensions Council Membership |
|
Roma Burke (Chairperson) |
|
Deirdre Cummins |
|
Eoin Dormer (representing the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform) |
|
Clare Dowling (representing the Minister for Social Protection) |
|
Olive Gaughan |
|
Stephen Gillick |
|
Brendan Kennedy (Pensions Regulator) |
|
Ciara McLoughlin |
|
Munro O'Dwyer |
|
Tim O'Hanrahan (representing the Central Bank) |
|
Joanne Roche |
Social Welfare Tribunal
The Social Welfare Tribunal is a statutory body set up to deal with cases where entitlement to Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance is refused due to an involvement in a trade dispute. The members of the Tribunal are appointed by the Minister for Social Protection and consists of an independent Chairperson, two members nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and two by the Irish Business and Employer's Confederation (IBEC).
|
Social Welfare Tribunal Membership: |
|
Chair – Vacant |
|
Rachael Ryan (ICTU Nominee) |
|
Frank Vaughan (ICTU Nominee) |
|
Ciarán Loughran (IBEC Nominee) |
|
Fiona Higgins (IBEC Nominee) |
645. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available to a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of an invalidity pension and applied for disability allowance but was turned down because of being better off on an invalidity pension yet, as a result, cannot access a household benefits package or a fuel allowance; the way that the Minister intends to address this anomaly in the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33948/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to has been awarded invalidity pension (IP) with effect from 09 June 2022. There was no application for the fuel allowance received with his IP application nor was there an application for Household Benefits (HHB) package while he was in receipt of IP. Claim forms for fuel allowance and HHB have issued to the person in question in order for his entitlement for both to be considered by a deciding officer.
A previous application for HHB was received on 13 April 2022 while the person in question was in receipt of Illness Benefit. This was refused on the grounds that he was under 66 and not in receipt of a qualifying payment.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
646. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will implement recommendation No. 27 of the pre-budget submission by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection to provide State contributory PRSI credits to those who provide long-term foster care to ensure entitlement to a State pension after a lifetime of providing foster care and assisting the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33958/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters related to foster caring are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tusla.
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 (of up to 20 years) outside of paid employment in the calculation of a State Pension payment.
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). It recommended that long-term carers should be given access to the State Pension (Contributory) by having retrospective contributions paid for them by the Exchequer for any gaps in their contribution history arising from that caring. The Commission also recommended that relevant Departments should examine, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, options for the creation of a statutory "Family Carer Register" which could, in time, facilitate the identification of long-term carers for State Pension (Contributory) purposes as well as assisting in the planning and delivery of services for family carers.
In the interests both of older people and future generations of older people, the comprehensive and far-reaching recommendations in the Pensions Commission's Report need to be considered 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. Once we have considered all of these matters in detail and taken on board the views of my Ministerial colleagues, I intend bringing a recommended response and implementation plan to Government.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
647. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons employed by her Department; the number who currently work remotely; and the estimated number of persons in her Department who ordinarily worked from home prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. [33982/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total number of persons employed by my Department as at 30 April, 2022 is 6,781, which includes staff on temporary contract.
The number of staff who have been working remotely across business areas of my Department since March 2020 has been approximately 50% of the total staffing number. This figure will have changed in more recent months as restrictions have lifted, permitting more on site and in-person engagement. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, staff working remotely would have been very infrequent.
My Department will shortly implement a formal blended working policy and staff may apply for a hybrid working pattern with attendance both in the office and remotely, subject to role suitability and other conditions.
648. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if all contributions for the purpose of calculation of an entitlement for the State pension (contributory) have been accounted for in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34079/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 19 April 2022. They applied for State pension (contributory) on 23 March 2022. According to the records of my Department they have a total of 490 reckonable paid contributions and 126 credited social insurance contributions. As these contributions fall short of the required 520 paid full-rate contributions, this person does not qualify for standard State pension (contributory).
As the person concerned was employed in the public sector for the tax years from 1979/80 to 2010, during which period modified contributions were payable, their entitlement to a mixed insurance pro rata State pension (contributory) was also determined, based on their combined modified and full-rate social insurance records.
The pro rata pension entitlement of the person concerned was assessed as 27.04% of the maximum pension rate, based on their combined social insurance record of full-rate contributions and credits plus modified-rate contributions. This pension is currently in payment and is the correct rate of pension commensurate with their contribution history. In the calculation formula for a mixed insurance pro rata state pension, the more full-rate contributions that a person has, the higher the rate of state pension payable. Conversely, the more modified contributions used in the calculation, the lower the rate of pension payable. The person concerned was provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based.
The person concerned may wish to consider applying for State pension (non-contributory). This is a means-tested pension, the maximum rate of which is approximately 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory).
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
649. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the person who is in receipt of social welfare payments following the death of a person; the payments that continue following the death of a person; the person the payments are paid to in cases in which there are caring duties; the length of time that they are paid for respective of the relationship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34081/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key role of the Department of Social Protection is to provide income support where an income need arises because of a particular contingency – be that illness, disability, caring or unemployment.
The 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.
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.
The provisions for a continued payment after death, for customers with a spouse/civil partner/co-habitant, are set out in Section 248(2)(a) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. To qualify for a continued payment, the spouse/partner must be either be a qualified adult on the deceased person’s payment or a customer in receipt of a payment in his/her own right.
Where a person in receipt of a social welfare payment dies and there is an Increase for a Qualified Adult in payment, this payment continues for six weeks. Where there is no Increase for a Qualified Adult, entitlement to payment ceases upon the death of the customer.
It should also be noted that legislation provides that following the death of a qualified adult in respect of whom an increase of benefit is being paid for, payment of the increase also continues for 6 weeks after the date of death.
Most social welfare primary payments include an additional allowance for a qualified child, known as an Increase for a Qualified Child payment, in respect of children aged up to 18, and aged 18 to 22 in certain circumstances. The provisions for a continued payment after death, for customers with a qualified child are set out in Section 248(2)(b) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. If a person is in receipt of a primary social welfare payment which includes an increase for a qualified child and that child dies, the Increase for a Qualified Child payment will continue for six weeks after the death of that child. In cases where an individual has been in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment and an increase for a qualified child, both payments will continue for six weeks after the death of that child.
Regarding in-work supports, the 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.
Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer's Support Grant are the main income supports provided by my Department to carers in the community.
- Payment of Carer's Allowance continues to be made for a further twelve weeks after the death of the person being cared for, including where this was a child.
- Carer's Benefit continues for six weeks after the death of the person being cared for, including where this was a child.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance continues to be paid for three months after the death of the child 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, including where this was a child.
- 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, including where this was a child.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
650. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection , further to Parliamentary Question No. 1107 of 14 June, if she will advise on the number of exceptional needs payments and urgent needs payments that have been made from 2020 to date, by county; if this information can be provided in tabular form, by county and by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34142/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra651. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection , further to Parliamentary Question No. 1107 of 14 June, if she will advise on the number of exceptional needs payment and urgent needs payment applications that have been received by her Department in 2022 to date; the number that have been approved; the number that have been rejected; if this information can be provided in tabular form, by month and by application status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34143/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 651 together.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. An exceptional needs Payment (ENP) is a single payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. An urgent needs payment (UNP) may be made to persons who may not normally qualify for supplementary welfare allowance but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or where an alternative is not available at that time. Government has provided €45.75 million for the exceptional and urgent needs schemes in 2022.
The scheme is demand led. Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
The Department is developing more extensive statistics in relation to the number of applications made to the ENP/UNP schemes. The focus of the development has been on current data from January 2022 with details on the number of applications available from this date onward. Details of applications pre-January 2022 are not available at this time. However, it is possible to provide details on the number of payments that were made.
Table 1 show the number of ENPs/UNPs awarded by county for 2020-2022 (end of May).
Table 2 shows the number of ENP/UNP applications received/awarded/disallowed by month to-date for 2022 (end of May).
This represents a snapshot of claim activity taken at 1st June 2022 and is subject to change.
My Department is currently running a major awareness campaign which includes national radio adverts to promote and raise awareness of the Additional Needs Payment. This support is available to anybody on a low income who is experiencing financial hardship regardless of the number of hours they work per week. Anyone who needs support should contact the Department either through their local Intreo or Branch Office or by phoning 0818 60 70 80. Further details on the Additional Needs Payment are available online at: www.gov.ie/en/service/4eb45-additional-needs-payment/.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
TABLE 1 – Number of ENP/UNPs awarded by County 2020-2022(to end of May)
|
County |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 (May) |
|
CARLOW |
754 |
682 |
424 |
|
CAVAN |
589 |
565 |
371 |
|
CLARE |
1,777 |
1,271 |
923 |
|
CORK |
5,385 |
4,164 |
2,423 |
|
DONEGAL |
1,356 |
1,397 |
939 |
|
DUBLIN |
22,525 |
19,058 |
8,308 |
|
GALWAY |
1,825 |
1,477 |
927 |
|
KERRY |
1,970 |
1,497 |
959 |
|
KILDARE |
2,931 |
2,365 |
757 |
|
KILKENNY |
1,055 |
952 |
512 |
|
LAOIS |
2,169 |
1,585 |
744 |
|
LEITRIM |
850 |
710 |
554 |
|
LIMERICK |
2,530 |
2,197 |
1,275 |
|
LONGFORD |
1,227 |
1,080 |
533 |
|
LOUTH |
1,457 |
1,454 |
904 |
|
MAYO |
1,722 |
1,044 |
540 |
|
MEATH |
2,350 |
2,327 |
1,016 |
|
MONAGHAN |
993 |
558 |
170 |
|
OFFALY |
1,026 |
852 |
566 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
874 |
837 |
378 |
|
SLIGO |
924 |
1,083 |
541 |
|
TIPPERARY |
2,958 |
2,465 |
930 |
|
WATERFORD |
2,201 |
1,337 |
732 |
|
WESTMEATH |
2,185 |
1,701 |
730 |
|
WEXFORD |
882 |
761 |
571 |
|
WICKLOW |
3,074 |
2,133 |
1,121 |
|
Total |
67,589 |
55,552 |
27,848 |
Note: The figures in table 1 are taken from the Department's ENP/UNP database and represent a snapshot of the ENPs/UNPs as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid. Please note the figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.
TABLE 2 – Number of ENP/UNP applications received/awarded/disallowed by month to-date for 2022(to end of May)
|
Month |
Received |
Awarded |
Disallowed |
|
January |
4,321 |
3,596 |
376 |
|
February |
4,870 |
4,249 |
425 |
|
March |
6,076 |
5,328 |
476 |
|
April |
6,538 |
5,752 |
432 |
|
May |
8,540 |
8,923 |
350 |
|
Total |
30,345 |
27,848 |
2,059 |
