Written Answers Nos. 221-240
221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for the State pension (contributory) received in each of the past three years to date; the number granted, refused or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35213/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of State Pension (Contributory) claims registered, awarded, rejected and pending by year from 2019 to 2021 is shown in Table 1. Registered, awarded and rejected figures are taken as a cumulative total for the year while the pending figure refers to 31st December each year.
Table 1: The number of claims registered, awarded, rejected and pending by year from 2019 to 2021
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Registered |
41,551 |
40,584 |
41,157 |
|
Awarded |
32,810 |
31,924 |
32,604 |
|
Rejected |
8,152 |
6,615 |
7,260 |
|
Pending |
4,883 |
5,231 |
957 |
222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of situations in respect of which applications for the State pension (contributory) were refused during the past five years to date due to insufficient contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35214/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have complete data in respect of the information requested by the Deputy. However, based on the data that is available, it is estimated that at least 80% of SPC applications, which have been refused over the last five years have been as a result of insufficient PRSI contributions.
223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which self-employed or other contributions in respect of State pension applications to her Department in each of the past five years to date have been refused on the grounds of an insufficiency of contributions; if any consideration has been given to the awarding of pensions in such cases on a pro-rata basis in line with their actual level of contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35215/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being complied by my officials and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she hopes to be in a position to meet emerging requirements arising from increased cost of living and inflation; the degree to which she expects to be in a position to make provision to meet such requirements in the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35217/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the long term, Ireland’s social protection system has performed strongly in protecting our most vulnerable citizens. In 2021, social transfers reduced the at-risk-of-poverty rate from 38.6% to 11.6%. This represents a 70% reduction on the at-risk-of-poverty rate. Ireland is consistently one of the best performing EU countries in reducing poverty through social transfers.
It is through this evidence-based approach that, over the past 10 years, budget measures have both exceeded inflation in that period and have also been targeted to support those most at risk of poverty. This is evident in the recent results of the Survey on Income and Living Conditions which showed welcome reductions in the number of people at risk of poverty or deprivation.
Having said that, the Government is acutely aware of recent price increases and their impact on households who are dependent on social welfare. For this reason, this Government did not await a further budget cycle to address these challenges but acted early. Overall, the tax and spending measures we have introduced to ease the burden and provide support to those most in need have amounted to €2.4 billion.
The Government continues to monitor the situation carefully in preparation for the Budget later this year. I will be meeting a range of NGOs at the Department's pre-budget forum next month and will listen carefully to the views expressed.
This Government has provided timely, targeted support and I will continue to prioritise evidence-based measures aimed at supporting the most vulnerable in our society.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons currently in receipt of unemployment assistance on a short- or long-term basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35218/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the week ending 26th June 2022, there were 119,631 individuals in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance on a short or long-term basis.
227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons currently in receipt of unemployment benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35219/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the week ending 26th June 2022, there were 29,636 individuals in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit.
229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount received by her Department by way of eligible State pension contributions in which the level was insufficient to facilitate the awarding of a pension; if such funds can either be returned or paid by way of reduced pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35221/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Pension (Contributory) is a PRSI-based pension, financed by contributions made by current workers and their employers, and paid to pensioners at a rate based upon their PRSI record.
A person is required to have a minimum of 520 paid reckonable PRSI contributions in order to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory). The actuarial value of the State Pension is circa €380,000. The estimate does not include the value of the over 80 allowance, Household Benefits Package, Living Alone Allowance, Free Travel, Survivors Pension on death (assuming qualifying criteria are met by either recipient or spouse) and means-tested payments such as Qualified Adult or Fuel Allowance. It is, therefore, reasonable to require people claiming a contributory pension to have made at least 10 years of reckonable paid contributions over the term of their working life.
There are two basic principles which underpin the Irish social insurance system.
Firstly, there is the contributory principle. Under this principle there is a direct link between the PRSI contributions that a person has paid and entitlement to a varying range of benefits and pensions. Where a person has sufficient PRSI contributions, then benefits and pensions may be paid as of right, where a particular contingency arises and without a means test.
Secondly, there is the solidarity principle. Under this principle the benefits and pensions that are paid are not directly related to the amount of PRSI contributions paid by insured persons. PRSI contribution income is instead redistributed to support contributors who are more vulnerable. In this regard, it should be noted that some PRSI contributors do not experience all of the contingencies during their life. For example, one contributor may never require access to Invalidity Pension whereas it may be a crucial support for another.
Where a person enters the social insurance system over the age of 56 they will not be able to make sufficient social insurance contributions to be awarded a State Pension (Contributory) on reaching 66 years of age because it has a minimum contribution requirement of 520 contributions (i.e. 10 years). In such cases, a level of social insurance refund may be applicable.
It should be noted that, if a person does not satisfy the conditionality to qualify for State Pension (Contributory), s/he may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). Alternatively, an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is paid, generally, where a pensioner has an adult dependent (e.g. a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant who is financially dependent upon him/her), who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate State Pension (Contributory) in his/her own right. The payment rate for the IQA is up to 90% of a full contributory pension. The most advantageous payment for a pensioner will depend upon their individual circumstances.
The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for disability allowance and invalidity pension that have been refused on the grounds of various forms of ineligibility; if provision will be made to re-examine such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35222/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo qualify for a Disability Allowance (DA) payment a person must: be substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment; be aged between 16 and 66; satisfy a means test; and be habitually resident in the State.
The total number of DA applications disallowed in 2021 was 13,989.
Invalidity 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 total number of IP applications disallowed in 2021 was 4,551.
Any unfavourable decision of a Deciding Officer must be communicated in writing to the claimant setting out the reasons for the decision.
It is open to any person to request a review of any statutory decision made by the Department and any new evidence or information provided to the Department will be considered as part of this review.
It is important to note that any decision of a deciding officer can be revised in light of additional evidence without it ever being in the appeal process. This can result in several reviews being carried out on a single application and by extension multiple decisions being made on a single application. These multiple decisions are included in the figures above.
Under the provisions of Section 311 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 if a person is dissatisfied with a statutory decision of the Department including the outcome of a review, they can submit a request for an appeal of the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the carer's allowance has been improved to meet requirements of more persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35223/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer’s Allowance is the primary income support through which the Department supports carers in the community. Carer’s Allowance is a payment to people on low incomes who are caring full-time for a person who needs support because of age, disability or illness (including mental illness). The person being cared for must require full-time care and attention. There are currently 90,833 people in receipt of Carer's Allowance. This represents an increase of almost 21% in the past 5 years, from 75,264 in 2017. This year the estimated expenditure on the Carer’s Allowance scheme is over €990 million.As part of Budget 2022 significant changes were made to the Carer’s Allowance means test. These were the first changes to the means test in 14 years.
- The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was increased from €20,000 to €50,000, aligning it with that which applies for Disability Allowance.
- For carer’s who work, the weekly income disregard was increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
A more generous means assessment for Carer’s Allowance has been called for over successive Budgets by organisations representing carers. An increase in the general weekly income disregard will enable more carers with modest incomes to become eligible for Carer’s Allowance, and therefore provide an income support to carers, whose earning capacity is significantly constrained as a consequence of their caring responsibilities.
The change to the income disregard along with the measure in 2020, whereby the number of hours a carer could engage in employment increased from 15 to 18.5 hours will allow more carers who are in a position to work have a higher household income.
Increasing the capital disregard will allow carers who have accumulated relatively modest savings, often to provide sufficient moneys to care for a loved one, to retain these savings without it impacting upon their carer’s payment. It also brings the capital formula applied to savings in the means assessment for Carer’s Allowance in line with Disability Allowance.
The changes came into effect on 2 June. I am satisfied that many Carers who up to now did not qualify for a payment due to means will now be brought into the Carers Allowance system for the first time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which social welfare appeals by applicants can be expedited in order to ensure hardship does not occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35224/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
All claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers and Designated Persons are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded by the Department and approximately 2% are appealed. The Department endeavours to ensure that these cases are dealt with as quickly as possible. The time taken to process an appeal reflects a number of factors including that the appeals process is a quasi-judicial process with Appeals Officers being required to decide all appeals on a ‘de-novo’ basis. In addition, appeals decisions are themselves subject to review by the High Court and decisions have to be formally written to quasi-judicial standards. Significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years. As a result, average appeal processing times have generally improved between 2018 and 2021 from 30.0 weeks for an oral hearing in 2018 to 25.5 weeks in 2021, and from 24.8 weeks for a summary decision in 2018 to 13.9 weeks in 2021. Further improvements in appeals processing times are a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer. The desire to process appeals quickly has to be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and of high quality and made in accordance with the legislative provisions and the general principles of fair procedures and natural justice. Currently, there are 40 (full-time equivalent) Appeals Officers who decide appeals. A number of new Appeals Officers have joined the Appeals Office over the past 12-18 months to replace staff leaving on retirement and for other reasons. Given the complexity of the appeals process it can take some time for new staff to be trained up and develop expertise. Where a claimant has been refused a social welfare payment, regardless of the scheme involved, and is appealing that decision, if their means are insufficient to meet their needs it is open to them to apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim. If their application for supplementary welfare allowance is refused, they can also appeal that decision. The supplementary welfare allowance appeal will be prioritised for attention within the Appeals Office as soon as the appeal file and submission is received from the Department. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the return of the funeral bereavement grant may be envisaged other than by way of exceptional needs payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35226/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Bereavement Grant, which was a once-off payment for funeral costs, was discontinued in January 2014. The number of bereavement grant claims in 2013 was 23,716 at a cost of €20.3 million. It is estimated that the cost of reintroducing the grant would be close to €30 million per annum and increasing annually. Any decision to reinstate the grant would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
It is worth noting that there are a range of supports available for people following bereavement which provide more significant support than the former grant. These include weekly-paid Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory and Non-Contributory) pensions, which are based on contributions or a means test, and a once-off Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner grant of €8,000 where there is a dependent child. A number of social welfare payments, including State Pension, continue in payment for six weeks following a death, extending to 12 weeks in respect of Carer’s Allowance. Guardian payments are available where someone cares for an orphaned child. A special funeral grant of €850 is paid where a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease.
Under the Supplementary Allowance scheme, the Department may make a single 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, which may include help with funeral and burial expenses. This is a more targeted and efficient manner of assisting people with bereavement expenses in addition to the range of supports already set out.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a basic payment is being made available to various categories of persons including refugees and asylum seekers on an ongoing basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35227/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. This assistance is subject to the person having the right to reside and satisfying the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC).
Persons granted refugee status have the right to the same social welfare benefits as an Irish citizen including access to a basic SWA payment.
Basic SWA is paid at rates up to €206 per week with increases for adult and child dependents. Recent records show there are in total some 12,500 claimants in receipt of a basic SWA payment.
Applicants for International Protection, also referred to as persons seeking asylum, are provided with full board accommodation and other facilities and services by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
My department administers the daily expenses allowance (DEA) which is paid to protection applicants who reside in accommodation provided by IPAS.
The Government has provided €10.8 million for the allowance in 2022. The current weekly rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. There are approximately 4,400 adults and 1,540 children residing in the system of direct provision in respect of whom daily expenses allowance is being paid.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to a payment under the SWA Scheme is encouraged to contact their local Intreo Centre. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) can work part-time and receive a social welfare payment part-time without having their employment level prevent them from qualifying for a social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35235/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker’s Allowance (JA) is a means-tested payment made to people who are unemployed and who do not qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit.
Among the other qualifying conditions for JA, a person must be fully or partly unemployed for at least 4 days in any consecutive 7 days. In addition, the person’s household income must be below a certain level to qualify. Their income from work is assessed and can affect their JA payment. However, only a certain amount of income from work is taken into account.
If a person is getting JA, they can use a Benefit of Work Estimator, available on www.gov.ie to see how taking up part-time work would affect the amount of JA they would get. The Estimator works out the total amount a person would get if they take up part-time work (including any Working Family Payment payable for their family) and compares this to what they are getting in Jobseeker's payments (including Rent Supplement).
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was awarded JA on 20/12/2021 at the full personal rate. The person subsequently commenced casual work during the period 06/05/2022 to 06/06/2022 and was in receipt of JA with daily means of €47 assessed for each day worked. The person concerned returned to a full personal rate when she became fully unemployed from 07/06/2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which the proposed level of recovery of alleged overpayment in the case of a person (details supplied) may be reorganised to alleviate hardship; when the ongoing review will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35237/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the Deputy’s Dáil Question No. 1148, a review of the overpayment for the person concerned was initiated. An official from the Ballyfermot Intreo Centre phoned the person concerned on 14/06/2022 and requested end of year payslips for the person and her spouse from 2014 to 2020. A letter confirming the request also issued on 14/06/2022 and again on 28/06/2022. The person concerned was advised to contact officials if she was experiencing difficulty in accessing the requested documentation. To date the person concerned has not provided any documentation or contacted my officials. It is important that the person concerned engages with my officials and provides the requested information to ensure a thorough review can take place. The Central Debt Unit (CDU) is responsible for pursuing the recovery of debts from customers no longer receiving a payment from my Department. CDU has advised that further communications with the person will be suspended while a review is in progress. I trust this clarifies the matter.
238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) now qualifies for the living alone allowance given that they recently turned 66 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35238/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to examine entitlement to living alone allowance for the person concerned, they must submit an application to this Department. I have arranged for an application form for the living alone allowance to be posted to the person concerned. When the completed application is received in my Department, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which proposed recovery of alleged overpayment in the case of a person (details supplied) can be reconstructed in such a way as to prevent hardship given that the applicant is unemployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35239/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is currently repaying an overpayment to my Department amounting to €47,875.80. The recovery plan put in place allows for a deduction of €31.20 which is equivalent to 15% of the person’s Jobseeker’s Benefit payment with effect from 22/06/2022. If the person concerned is experiencing financial hardship in repaying the current deduction, he can contact my officials in the Newbridge Intreo Centre by email at newbridge@welfare.ie. The person should confirm the amount he can repay and the reason for requesting the reduction in the amount of his repayment. I trust this clarifies the matter.
240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPS number may issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35240/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number on 30/05/2022. The application was referred back to the person on 18/06/2022 and she was asked to provide proof of identity and documentation confirming the reason for requiring a PPS Number. The documentation was subsequently provided by the person on 23/06/2022 and her application was processed. Confirmation of the person’s PPS Number issued by post on 28/06/2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
