Written Answers Nos. 1170-1189
1170. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered restoring access to the fuel allowance for the small cohort of persons on the jobs initiative scheme who previously could access the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43942/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, which is supporting over 370,000 households in 2022, at an estimated cost of €366 million. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to the Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for fuel a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and satisfy all relevant qualifying conditions.
The Job Initiative Scheme programme provided full-time employment for people 35 years of age or over, who had been unemployed for 5 years or more. Since November 2004, there has been no recruitment to the Scheme. Since January 2004, participants on the Job Initiative Scheme could no longer retain their entitlement to Fuel Allowance while participating on the scheme. This decision was taken as the minimum rate of payment to participants on the scheme was significantly higher than the rate of qualifying Social Welfare payments.
The minimum rate of payment to a Job Initiative participant is still significantly higher than most Social Welfare primary payments, including payments such as Illness Benefit and Jobseeker's Benefit, which are also non qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance. Participants on the Job Initiative Scheme are also considered to be in full time employment and not in receipt of a Social Welfare support payment.
Any decision to allow Job Initiative Scheme participants to access the Fuel Allowance payment would have to be considered in the context of overall scheme policy and budget negotiations.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1171. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average waiting time for a public services card appointment; and the current average waiting time for a card to be issued. [43959/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe SAFE registration process, which involves the authentication of a person's identity in a face-to-face interview, results in the issuing of a Public Services Card (PSC), which can be used as proof of identity when accessing public services.
Since the beginning of this year, over 224,000 SAFE registration and PSC renewal appointments have been carried out by my Department.
Requests for appointments are dealt with at a local level across the Department's network of offices. In most parts of the country, offices are offering a walk-in service, with no appointment required, while in other areas appointments are available within a number of days.
Some offices in the Dublin area are facing higher demand and, in these offices, the average waiting time for a PSC appointment is between 1 and 4 weeks.
Urgent requests for a PSC appointment are dealt with on a local basis, and any person who requires a PSC should contact their local INTREO Centre where an appointment will be made for them at the earliest opportunity.
Once a person has been SAFE registered, their PSC issues to them within 5 to 10 working days.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1172. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any plans to reintroduce the dietary supplement to help those on a special diet prescribed by a doctor or hospital consultant in this time of increased cost of living. [43960/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDiet supplement, administered under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, is payable to qualifying persons, in receipt of the supplement prior to February 2014, who have been prescribed a special diet because of a specified medical condition. There are currently approximately 1,325 people in receipt of diet supplement.
A review of the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute was commissioned by my Department during 2013. The research showed that the average costs across all the retail outlets of the diets supplemented under the scheme could be met from within one-third of the minimum personal rate of social welfare payment, i.e. the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) rate, which was then paid at €186 per week (and is currently paid at €206 per week). The diet supplement scheme was discontinued for new applicants from 1 February 2014 based on this evidence.
Recipients continue to receive the diet supplement at their existing rate of payment for as long as they continue to have an entitlement to the scheme or until their circumstances change. This measure ensured that nobody was immediately worse off by the closure of the scheme.
The 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. Supports provided under the scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).
Under the SWA scheme, a supplement can be awarded to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. In addition, officers can make a single ANP to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. Decisions on ANPs and SWA supplements 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.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to financial support should contact their local Community Welfare Service for assistance.
Any decision to re-instate the Diet Supplement would have to be considered in the context of the budgetary process.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1174. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the eligibility criteria for qualification for the free travel scheme to persons under 66 years who have paid a D1 stamp and who are deemed to be medically ill, given that they cannot receive a qualifying payment for this benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44017/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are approximately 1,034,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2022 is €95 million.
It is important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit. While qualification for Invalidity Pension is based on satisfying contribution requirements, both Disability Allowance and Blind Pension are social assistance payments which require satisfying a means test and there is no minimum contribution requirement.
While consideration is always given to any requests to improve or extend eligibility to the free travel scheme, uncoupling the link between receipt of particular social welfare payments and eligibility for the free travel scheme would so fundamentally alter the scheme that it would move it away from being a social welfare measure to being a general transport initiative.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers and include help towards recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1175. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a working family payment by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if the payment will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44030/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP), formerly Family Income Supplement, is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least 1 qualified child who normally resides with them. For the purposes of WFP a qualified child is deemed to be living with the applicant and aged under 18 or aged 18 to 22 and in full time education.
An application for WFP was received on 10th August 2022 from the person concerned with one child included on the claim. As the child is over 18 a letter must be provided by the relevant college confirming that the child is in full time education.
This information has been requested and when the relevant information is received, the claim will be reviewed and a deciding officer will contact the person concerned directly.
Any rate awarded will be backdated to the date of application and will be paid to the person concerned as arrears.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
1176. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reconsidered taking into account the fact that the only income in the home is that from long-term social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44035/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 scheme operates from June to September each year.
In order to qualify for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an applicant must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions, one of which requires the applicant’s household income to be within the relevant income limits.
A review of the eligibility to the allowance for the person concerned has been undertaken and their application for the allowance has not been awarded as their household income is in excess of the relevant income limit. Details of the income assessed has been sent to the person concerned.
Applications which fall outside the normal rules of the scheme may be considered for an additional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme by the Community Welfare Service.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service. There is a National Community Welfare Service Contact Centre in place – 0818-607080 – which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1177. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will remain in receipt of a payment pending a decision on a review. [44040/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn information request letter issued to the person concerned on 5 August 2022 as part of a means review into her continued entitlement to disability allowance (DA). This letter clearly set out all of the required information needed to complete the review and allowed 21 days for the return of the information. The letter also stated that payment would be suspended if all of the requested information was not returned by 29 August 2022.
The person concerned did not provide any of the requested financial information and therefore a letter issued to them on 30 August 2022 advising them that consequently their DA payment would be suspended from 7 September 2022.
To date, the person concerned has not provided the outstanding requested information and therefore their payment will remain suspended pending the outcome of the review as the Department is unable to determine if their current means are within the statutory limits for receipt of disability allowance.
It is open to the person concerned to make an application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance pending the outcome of the review of their disability allowance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1178. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider creating a new band of the fuel allowance scheme to allow working families and persons on modest incomes to access emergency support this winter as part of Budget 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44055/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, which is supporting over 370,000 households in 2022, at an estimated cost of €366 million. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the fuel allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria including a means test and the household composition criteria. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
All options, including the suggestion in the question, will be kept under review, together with trends in prices, to inform preparations for the budget. We will, however, have to take account, as always, of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources. The Government will finalise its consideration of the Budget in the coming weeks having regard to all of its commitments. The outcome of this process will be announced on Budget Day.
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.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1179. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the process of putting the application for the additional needs payment online as an option. [44147/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
The Department is currently assessing the provision of an online application process that meets the needs of our customers.
The application form, SWA1, is available online at www.gov.ie to download for those who can access online services. The completed application form can then be posted or dropped into the local Intreo Centre where it will be processed promptly.
The provision of SWA1 forms online will ensure that those who wish to access this scheme without needing to attend an office can do so. Customers can also request a form by emailing CWSforms@welfare.ie.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. 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.
1180. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that she will take to reduce processing times for the additional needs payment. [44148/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1181. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff dealing with the additional needs payment; and the number of staff dealing with similar payments as of the same time in 2021, in tabular form. [44149/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1180 and 1181 together.
The 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.
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. This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customers own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
Payments are made at the discretion of the Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) 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 Community Welfare Service (CWS) is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
There are approximately 221 Community Welfare Officers who work on processing applications for Additional Needs and other SWA payments. This number may change from day to day if other urgent issues arise that require the attention of a CWO locally and depending on their general attendance availability.
The Department has introduced innovations this year which have increased efficiency in processing applications for SWA payments. One of these is the establishment of a back-office team to undertake the preparatory work on applications - for example, the gathering of supporting documentation that is necessary to assess and finalise a claim. This method of processing applications supports a number of CWS areas across the country and it has been found to be very effective in releasing CWOs from the requirement to undertake administrative tasks and to focus on delivery of services. It allows for increased capacity for CWOs to meet with customers as required and to process claims. This model will be extended to cover all CWS areas across the country in the coming weeks.
Other measures to improve the service include the establishment of a national organisational structure to oversee the operation of the service across the entire country and targeted overtime for CWO's is in place with a particular focus on processing of Additional Needs Payments.
In addition, a new National CWS Claims Decisions Team is being established this month to work on finalising SWA applications. The focus of this team initially will be on claims for Additional Needs Payments. Where claims require further contact with the customer or a home visit is required, the claim will remain with the local CWO to be finalised.
It’s important to note that the Community Welfare Service remains a flexible service which meets the varied needs of vulnerable people and continues to provide local access to a CWO. CWOs can facilitate emergency and in-person meetings in 51 Intreo Centres across business hours, five days per week. Some CWOs are based in Social Welfare Branch Offices and provide appointments at those offices. In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and DSP offices, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within an hour with a person at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home.
Claims activity in the Community Welfare Service is closely monitored at all times and changes to modernise and improve the service for customers are a feature of the service.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
1182. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average waiting times for applications for social welfare supports, including appeals. [44150/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department understands the many pressures faced by customers and always seeks to ensure that claims are handled quickly and efficiently. I am pleased to report that claim processing is up to date, with processing targets met, or exceeded, on average for all the main scheme areas.
Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria. Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested payments can also require more detailed investigations and interaction with the customer, thereby lengthening the decision-making process.
Overall, I am pleased that my Department continues to ensure that the customer service has been maintained at a high level, notwithstanding the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The current average processing times across the schemes, and associated appeals, is outlined in the table below:
|
Social Welfare Scheme |
Weeks to Award claims |
Weeks for Summary Appeals |
Weeks for Oral Appeals |
|
Carer's Allowance |
6 |
11.8 |
18.3 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
8 |
11.5 |
19.8 |
|
Child Benefit |
5 |
26.1 |
24.8 |
|
Disability Allowance |
7 |
11.4 |
20.8 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
9 |
21.5 |
33.1 |
|
Free Travel |
4 |
- |
- |
|
Household Benefits |
1 |
- |
- |
|
Illness Benefit |
1 |
15.1 |
20.3 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
6 |
13.8 |
15.7 |
|
Jobseekers Allowance |
1 |
12.9 |
36.6 |
|
Jobseekers Benefit |
1 |
12.8 |
24 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
6 |
11.7 |
20.9 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
1 |
22.5 |
- |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
3 |
16.5 |
22.9 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
6 |
13.6 |
- |
|
State Pension Contributory |
5 |
18.6 |
45.2 |
|
State Pension Non Contributory |
4 |
23 |
57.4 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1 |
14.5 |
32.5 |
|
Widows Contributory Pension |
1 |
15.5 |
58.7 |
|
Working Family Payment |
3 |
17 |
65.4 |
The Department has introduced a wide range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology in recent years. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximized.
In addition, the staffing needs of the Department are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources.
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.
Average appeal processing times have generally improved in recent years from 30.0 weeks for an oral hearing in 2018 to 25.5 weeks in 2021, and from 24.8 weeks for a summary decision in 2018 to 13.9 weeks in 2021. The equivalent figures for the period January – August 2022 are 25.6 weeks for an oral hearing and 15.0 weeks for a summary decision. Further improvements in appeals processing times are a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer.
It should be noted that due to the nature of the processing of appeals (particularly those involving an oral hearing), the processing times for a very small proportion of cases can be lengthy. This can have a disproportionate effect on the average processing time for a particular category of appeal if there are no or very few cases of a more typical processing time in that category.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1183. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if funding will be extended beyond 2022 to the 27 ability group programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44160/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1184. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the current dormant accounts fund measures to support the employment of people with disabilities programme will be extended beyond 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44161/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1183 and 1184 together.
The Ability Programme, introduced in June 2018, was a three-year pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities, managed by my department. The funding for the programme amounted to around €16 million and was provided jointly under the European Union’s ESF 2014-2020 Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning Operational Programme and the Irish Exchequer.
The Ability Programme concluded at the end of August 2021 and, in line with commitments under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy, the Final Evaluation of the Programme was published.
Last year, I put a plan in place to allow for the transition of the remaining Ability providers and participants to new arrangements and this was agreed with the Ability Providers Subgroup following a meeting with this group. This included a two-month extension to the 26 organisations still operating under the programme at that time.
It was agreed that a new employment programme for people with disabilities would be included in the new Operational Programme for Ireland under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027. This new disability focused employment measure will build on the learnings of the former Ability Programme. The new programme will also need to add complementarity to the suite of existing employment supports targeted at people with disabilities provided by my department and broader national strategies for employment of people with disabilities, including the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.
The ESF Managing Authority in Ireland - based in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science - has compiled the Operational Programme for Ireland which has been approved by Government. The Operational Programme has been formally submitted to the European Commission. It is expected that Commission approval will be communicated in the latter part of the year.
Once approval is in place, it is anticipated that the new disability programme will be open by way of a competitive process in 2023 to applications from organisations across the country including the 27 former Ability Programme organisations.
The current Dormant Accounts Fund Measure to Support the Employment of People with Disabilities was a new employment support measure for people with disabilities. On 30 July last year I announced that 45 projects had been funded up to an amount of €7.6 million. This programme began in September and runs up to the end of 2022. All organisations were notified of the relevant timelines in advance, and this was clearly indicated in the Call for Applications in April of last year. All 27 organisations who received funding under the former Ability Programme were successful in securing funding under this new measure.
I can assure the Deputy that my commitment in relation to providing funding supports to improve the employment possibilities of people with disabilities has not been found wanting to date and that the issue raised by the Deputy is recognised. The Deputy will understand that commitments regarding the allocation of public expenditure, including Dormant Accounts Funding, are subject to the overall budgetary situation and will be considered in that context over the coming weeks.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy at this time.
1185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration is being given to establishing an enhanced illness benefit scheme for monkeypox, as was the case with Covid-19; her views on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44189/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to illness or disability.
Entitlement to these supports is generally not contingent on the nature of the illness but on the extent to which a particular illness impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type and who are covered by Pay Related Social Insurance contributions. It is payable for up to two years, depending on satisfying the eligibility conditions.
Illness Benefit is payable at a rate of €208 in respect of a range of infectious diseases, including monkeypox, as well as other conditions such as long Covid or cancer. This approach is broadly in line with that being adopted in other international jurisdictions where specific monkeypox-related payments have not generally been introduced.
While I note the position regarding the public health status of monkeypox, I think it is important not to draw parallels with COVID-19, which involved society-wide infection risks, including high risks of workplace transmission, and the imposition of unprecedented restrictions.
My officials continue to monitor the evolving public health situation in consultation with the Department of Health.
Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context, and in light of the evolving public health situation.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1186. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of a once-off doubling of child benefit for one month and an additional once-off additional €100 payment of child benefit, respectively. [44197/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated cost of making a once-off double payment of Child Benefit is €170.4 million.
The estimated cost of an additional €100 payment of child benefit per child is €121.9 million.
This costing is based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2022 and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of beneficiaries.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
1187. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the analysis that her Department has carried out into extending payment of maternity benefit beyond the current 26 weeks, particularly in view of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44201/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaternity Benefit is a payment made to women who are on maternity leave from work or who are self-employed and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. Maternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks at a rate of €250 per week. In 2022, it is estimated that my Department will spend approximately €267 million on Maternity Benefit.
The question of extending the duration of maternity leave would, in the first instance, be a matter for consideration by my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. My Department has responsibility for the payment of any associated Maternity Benefit which is provided for in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended).
Decisions around the extension of this benefit would have to be considered in a budgetary context and the impact it would have on employers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1188. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the analysis that her Department has carried out into increasing the rate of maternity benefit in Budget 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44202/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaternity Benefit is a payment made to women who are on maternity leave from work or who are self-employed and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. Maternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks at a rate of €250 per week. In 2022, it is estimated that my Department will spend in excess of €267 million on Maternity Benefit in respect of an average of 20,290 recipients per week.
The rate of Maternity Benefit is kept under review by the Department of Social Protection taking account of the overall budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1189. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility conditions for a person who does not have a social welfare pension to qualify for the household benefit package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44211/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. People over the age of 70 receive the Household Benefits Package, with one package provided per household. The package is also available to people living in the State aged 66-69 years who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments or who satisfy a means test. The package is available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
The HHB guidelines which are available on the Government website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/3bacea-operational-guidelines-household-benefits-package/ set out in detail the qualifying conditions for the scheme.
A person aged between 66 and 69 who is not receiving a qualifying payment from the Department, such as the State Pension (Contributory), may still apply for the HHB package, subject to satisfying a means test and the spousal household composition requirement.
Once a person is aged over 70, the HHB package is not means tested and an applicant does not need to be receiving a Social Welfare pension or satisfy the spousal household composition requirement.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
