Written Answers Nos. 1110-1129
1110. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection when the new measures and the disregard will be in place for social welfare recipients in order to avail of the rent-a-room scheme without affecting their social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42884/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) (Amendment) (No. 10) (Income Disregard) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 397 of 2022) and the Social Welfare (Consolidated Supplementary Welfare Allowance) (Amendment) (No. 3) (Calculation of Means) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 396 of 2022) were signed on 12th of July 2022.
These regulations provide that rental income received (up to a maximum of €269.23 weekly which equates to €14,000 per annum) by a person by renting out a room in their home to a person who is not an immediate family member will be disregarded in the assessment of means for the purposes of weekly social assistance payments, increases for qualified adults, Working Family Payment and Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
1111. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims in the education sector for short-term jobseeker’s payments from substitute teachers and all non-permanent education employees in each of the past five years to date for school summer holiday periods; the average length of time for processing the claims; if her attention has been drawn to the fact there is a backlog; the reason for the delay in processing claims; if she will review the way in which claims are processed to ensure that payments are issued in a timely manner in the future to reduce the backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42888/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatistics are maintained on the total applications, awards, refusals, and withdrawals for Jobseeker’s Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit but such detailed data is not separately collated in respect of educational sector workers. Accordingly, the data sought cannot be provided in the manner referred to by the Deputy.
The process in respect of all jobseeker's payments including part-time workers in the educational sector is kept under review. In general, there is no delay in processing jobseeker benefit claims if the relevant claim application forms and supporting documentation are completed by the customer in a timely manner.
Seasonal workers including educational workers should apply for jobseeker’s benefit as soon as they become unemployed. Educational sector workers, who are employed on a temporary basis and who have previously been in contact with the Department, are issued with a repeat jobseeker’s application form and holiday form in advance of the school holiday periods. This advance process facilitates an efficient service to these customers and allows for speedy processing of their claim when the period of unemployment actually arises.
However, it is important to note that educational sector workers are still required to sign on for each period of unemployment and satisfy all the qualifying conditions for jobseeker’s benefit including the 3 waiting days at the start of the claim if it does not link to a previous jobseeker's claim.
I want to assure the Deputy that prompt processing of all claims remains a priority for my Department. Scheme areas are monitored on an on-going basis and processing procedures are reviewed to ensure that claims are paid to customers as quickly as possible. If the Deputy has details of a specific case where it appears there may been a delay in processing, the information should be provided to my office for review.
Tables 1 and 2 below show the number of educational sector workers in receipt of Jobseeker's payments in June, July and August from 2018 to 2022. These figures refer to all those employed in the education sector, rather than just substitute teachers and all non-permanent education employees.
Table 1: Number of ESW recipients of Jobseeker's Allowance in June, July or August, 2018 to 2022
|
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
|
|
June |
602 |
330 |
292 |
424 |
517 |
|
July |
1,684 |
1,594 |
1,295 |
1,759 |
1,799 |
|
August |
2,050 |
1,816 |
1,095 |
1,320 |
1,330 |
Table 2: Number of ESW recipients of Jobseeker's Benefit in June, July or August, 2018 to 2022
|
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
|
|
June |
3,552 |
1,702 |
1,479 |
2,202 |
2,611 |
|
July |
10,148 |
9,216 |
7,494 |
9,550 |
8,867 |
|
August |
11,189 |
8,575 |
5,257 |
5,619 |
5,426 |
1112. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the income threshold will be increased for access to fuel allowance considering the ongoing cost-of-living crises and sharp rises in energy costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42896/22]
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.
Any decision to enhance the Fuel Allowance payment would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations. The Government has not made any decisions in relation to measures to be introduced in Budget 2023. 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.
All of these measures will be kept under review, together with trends in prices, to inform preparations for the budget.
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.
1113. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average waiting time for application approvals for the domiciliary care allowance; if steps will be taken to reduce this waiting time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42939/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe average waiting time to process applications for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is currently 6 to 8 weeks from date of receipt.
Processing times may fluctuate marginally in a given timeline in accordance with factors such as the volume of applications received and the complexity of individual cases.
DCA new claim processing activity, including associated customer review request processing is prioritised on an ongoing basis with particular focus on processing times, to ensure a timely service to applicants.
Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually monitored and reviewed to ensure that application processing capacity is maximised at all times.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1115. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of a widow's pension in 2022, broken down by gender and county of receipt in tabular form. [42965/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 123,995 recipients of Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension and another 1,119 recipients of Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Non Contributory Pension.
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension is a social insurance based payment made on the death of a spouse or civil partner.
Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non Contributory Pension is available to those who do not qualify for the contributory pension. This payment is a residency based means tested assistance payment. All income and earnings, including pensions, capital and property, excluding a person’s home, is assessable as means.
A breakdown of recipients by county and gender is detailed in the tables below.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
TABLE 1 – Number of recipients of Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension per county and gender in the Republic Of Ireland *
|
County |
Female |
Male |
Total |
|
Carlow |
1,341 |
245 |
1,586 |
|
Cavan |
1,502 |
279 |
1,781 |
|
Clare |
2,500 |
498 |
2,998 |
|
Cork |
11,770 |
2,022 |
13,792 |
|
Donegal |
3,009 |
611 |
3,620 |
|
Dublin |
25,625 |
4,746 |
30,371 |
|
Galway |
4,888 |
930 |
5,818 |
|
Kerry |
3,295 |
659 |
3,954 |
|
Kildare |
4,018 |
778 |
4,796 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,898 |
353 |
2,251 |
|
Laois |
1,443 |
301 |
1,744 |
|
Leitrim |
866 |
156 |
1,022 |
|
Limerick |
4,434 |
801 |
5,235 |
|
Longford |
903 |
173 |
1,076 |
|
Louth |
2,589 |
572 |
3,161 |
|
Mayo |
3,025 |
636 |
3,661 |
|
Meath |
3,501 |
665 |
4,166 |
|
Monaghan |
1,284 |
275 |
1,559 |
|
Offaly |
1,639 |
340 |
1,979 |
|
Roscommon |
1,458 |
290 |
1,748 |
|
Sligo |
1,528 |
330 |
1,858 |
|
Tipperary |
3,989 |
694 |
4,683 |
|
Waterford |
2,807 |
466 |
3,273 |
|
Westmeath |
1,959 |
402 |
2,361 |
|
Wexford |
3,586 |
621 |
4,207 |
|
Wicklow |
3,000 |
535 |
3,535 |
|
Grand Total |
97,857 |
18,378 |
116,235 |
* WSCPCP is also paid to another 7,760 customers resident outside ROI.
TABLE 2 – Number of recipients of Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non Contributory Pension per county and gender in the Republic Of Ireland
|
County |
Female |
Male |
Total |
|
Carlow |
10 |
1 |
11 |
|
Cavan |
18 |
2 |
20 |
|
Clare |
31 |
4 |
35 |
|
Cork |
99 |
4 |
103 |
|
Donegal |
52 |
9 |
61 |
|
Dublin |
224 |
39 |
263 |
|
Galway |
68 |
12 |
80 |
|
Kerry |
35 |
10 |
45 |
|
Kildare |
20 |
6 |
26 |
|
Kilkenny |
13 |
5 |
18 |
|
Laois |
19 |
1 |
20 |
|
Leitrim |
7 |
1 |
8 |
|
Limerick |
35 |
8 |
43 |
|
Longford |
13 |
2 |
15 |
|
Louth |
32 |
7 |
39 |
|
Mayo |
41 |
8 |
49 |
|
Meath |
17 |
5 |
22 |
|
Monaghan |
17 |
7 |
24 |
|
Offaly |
15 |
5 |
20 |
|
Roscommon |
19 |
2 |
21 |
|
Sligo |
11 |
3 |
14 |
|
Tipperary |
41 |
7 |
48 |
|
Waterford |
25 |
1 |
26 |
|
Westmeath |
30 |
0 |
30 |
|
Wexford |
35 |
13 |
48 |
|
Wicklow |
26 |
4 |
30 |
|
Total |
953 |
166 |
1,119 |
1116. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that recipients of the widow's pension cannot receive illness benefit; and if she plans to review the situation. [42966/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides social insurance and social assistance payments to those who are experiencing a particular contingency. Social insurance schemes are paid to those covered by the Social Insurance Fund, whereas social assistance payments are designed to support those most in need and are based on a means-test. However, there is a general principle of one person, one payment, which applies across the Irish social welfare system.
Given the contingency-based nature of this system, if a person experiences more than one contingency at the same time, they can generally receive only one of those payments to help meet the person’s income needs. This means that a person will not be able to claim Widow’s Pension, Widower's Pension or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension and Illness Benefit at the same time.
It should be noted, however, that people might be eligible to claim one of the supports below in addition to their Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension:
Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly means-tested tax-free payment available to employees with children. A person can receive Working Family Payment (if they meet the criteria) and get a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension at the same time. Full details are available and updated regularly on the www.gov.ie website. The Widow's, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension is assessed as means.
A person might also be eligible to receive Living Alone Increase, Fuel Allowance or Household Benefits Package depending on their living circumstances and their age.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance is available to people struggling financially. This is a means-tested payment. It is administered by this Department’s Community Welfare Service and can be accessed by customers through their local Intreo office. The Department may also make an Exceptional Needs Payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
Full details of the above and further rules and guidelines are available and updated regularly on the www.gov.ie website.
The Department will continue to keep the range of supports under review. However, changing the underlying 'one person, one payment' principle would involve significant additional expenditure which could prove unsustainable in the long-term, and which would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context. I do not intend to make a change to this principle at this time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1117. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of universally introducing the back-to-school allowance to all recipients of the widows pension who have school going children. [42967/22]
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.
This year, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payment has been increased by €100 for the 2022 scheme year, building on the previously announced increase of €10. The rates of payment for the 2022 scheme year are €260 for children aged between 4 and 11 years and €385 for children aged 12 and over.
To qualify for the allowance a person must satisfy a number of conditions, including being within the relevant income limit. This year, the income limits for one parent families were increased to bring them in line with the income limits for two parent families, widening the eligibility for that cohort of customers.
The estimated cost of universally introducing the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance to all recipients of the Widows Contributory Pension who have school going children is €2.7 million.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1118. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement that her Department had with the Department of Children regarding the national childcare scheme and the status of widowed persons and their income eligibility. [42968/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe qualification criteria for the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth.
My Department engaged with the Department Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth in advance of the launch of the National Childcare Scheme.
The NCS provides universal and income-assessed subsidies to parents. It is designed to be highly inclusive and to meet the needs of those families who need it the most. The status of widowed persons and their income eligibility with respect to the National Childcare Scheme is no different to that of any other applicant to the scheme.
I trust that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1119. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of exceptional needs payments under the supplementary welfare allowance paid in each month; the total and individual value of each payment; and the total expenditure by category and month from January 2021 to September 2022, inclusive in tabular form. [42969/22]
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. 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 client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
The schemes are demand led and 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.
While it is not possible to show the payment value for each individual Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and Urgent Needs Payments (UNPs) paid for the months in question, tables 1 and 2 show the breakdown by category of the number and total expenditure of ENPs and UNPs paid in each of the months for January 2021 to end of August 2022.
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.
Table 1 - The number by category of ENPs and UNPs paid for January 2021 to end of August 2022
|
Months |
Bills |
Child Related |
Clothing |
Funeral |
General |
Housing |
Illness |
Urgent Needs Payment |
Totals |
|
Jan-21 |
115 |
159 |
651 |
194 |
1,053 |
1,678 |
94 |
30 |
3,974 |
|
Feb-21 |
148 |
167 |
749 |
248 |
1,087 |
2,055 |
121 |
31 |
4,606 |
|
Mar-21 |
168 |
200 |
746 |
257 |
1,322 |
2,626 |
120 |
28 |
5,467 |
|
Apr-21 |
163 |
156 |
609 |
224 |
1,118 |
2,327 |
95 |
20 |
4,712 |
|
May-21 |
156 |
171 |
698 |
229 |
1,082 |
2,231 |
113 |
23 |
4,703 |
|
Jun-21 |
137 |
167 |
669 |
186 |
1,049 |
2,191 |
107 |
30 |
4,536 |
|
Jul-21 |
139 |
180 |
612 |
193 |
1,049 |
2,150 |
95 |
33 |
4,451 |
|
Aug-21 |
120 |
174 |
612 |
180 |
967 |
2,079 |
123 |
22 |
4,277 |
|
Sep-21 |
117 |
198 |
743 |
173 |
1,139 |
2,028 |
118 |
18 |
4,534 |
|
Oct-21 |
124 |
161 |
865 |
202 |
1,213 |
2,009 |
102 |
24 |
4,700 |
|
Nov-21 |
147 |
193 |
975 |
222 |
1,298 |
2,117 |
115 |
36 |
5,103 |
|
Dec-21 |
106 |
129 |
809 |
137 |
1,351 |
1,844 |
75 |
38 |
4,489 |
|
Jan-22 |
125 |
129 |
531 |
193 |
941 |
1,557 |
94 |
26 |
3,596 |
|
Feb-22 |
148 |
170 |
630 |
252 |
1,086 |
1,834 |
104 |
25 |
4,249 |
|
Mar-22 |
197 |
172 |
1,280 |
238 |
1,512 |
1,781 |
103 |
45 |
5,328 |
|
Apr-22 |
119 |
158 |
2,128 |
217 |
1,462 |
1,549 |
78 |
41 |
5,752 |
|
May-22 |
174 |
222 |
4,843 |
267 |
1,602 |
1,703 |
84 |
26 |
8,921 |
|
Jun-22 |
188 |
171 |
4,747 |
250 |
1,801 |
1,810 |
118 |
54 |
9,139 |
|
Jul-22 |
296 |
137 |
4,324 |
141 |
1,719 |
1,668 |
81 |
78 |
8,444 |
|
Aug-22 |
492 |
224 |
5,093 |
211 |
2,373 |
2,506 |
113 |
74 |
11,086 |
|
TOTAL |
3,379 |
3,438 |
32,314 |
4,214 |
26,224 |
39,743 |
2,053 |
702 |
112,067 |
Table 2 - The total expenditure by category of ENPs and UNPs paid for January 2021 to end of August 2022
|
Months |
Bills |
Child Related |
Clothing |
Funeral |
General |
Housing |
Illness |
Urgent Needs Payment |
Total |
|
Jan-21 |
€84,015 |
€24,210 |
€81,051 |
€390,827 |
€231,935 |
€1,976,352 |
€11,880 |
€12,427 |
€2,812,697 |
|
Feb-21 |
€111,582 |
€26,675 |
€89,711 |
€518,642 |
€251,606 |
€2,328,281 |
€16,019 |
€18,001 |
€3,360,517 |
|
Mar-21 |
€104,670 |
€29,525 |
€89,076 |
€552,178 |
€300,645 |
€3,275,510 |
€15,738 |
€10,289 |
€4,377,631 |
|
Apr-21 |
€119,405 |
€27,119 |
€72,027 |
€454,874 |
€229,397 |
€2,759,139 |
€13,300 |
€9,399 |
€3,684,660 |
|
May-21 |
€106,685 |
€25,205 |
€84,406 |
€466,549 |
€219,229 |
€2,708,716 |
€15,477 |
€12,974 |
€3,639,241 |
|
Jun-21 |
€80,173 |
€24,362 |
€83,440 |
€382,794 |
€228,527 |
€2,709,160 |
€15,530 |
€13,959 |
€3,537,945 |
|
Jul-21 |
€119,659 |
€26,360 |
€74,067 |
€397,751 |
€206,179 |
€2,621,736 |
€13,587 |
€26,590 |
€3,485,929 |
|
Aug-21 |
€96,788 |
€28,052 |
€71,996 |
€369,871 |
€187,127 |
€2,726,299 |
€18,497 |
€14,171 |
€3,512,801 |
|
Sep-21 |
€91,650 |
€31,220 |
€93,637 |
€362,723 |
€239,570 |
€2,391,710 |
€17,359 |
€7,384 |
€3,235,253 |
|
Oct-21 |
€77,283 |
€26,622 |
€104,760 |
€432,183 |
€272,448 |
€2,319,620 |
€13,560 |
€11,053 |
€3,257,529 |
|
Nov-21 |
€112,727 |
€31,373 |
€117,494 |
€444,204 |
€290,335 |
€2,600,017 |
€19,440 |
€21,913 |
€3,637,503 |
|
Dec-21 |
€64,757 |
€21,230 |
€103,877 |
€312,845 |
€327,786 |
€2,387,573 |
€13,883 |
€36,016 |
€3,267,967 |
|
Jan-22 |
€79,198 |
€18,870 |
€62,247 |
€421,974 |
€205,818 |
€2,019,290 |
€14,431 |
€9,066 |
€2,830,894 |
|
Feb-22 |
€79,721 |
€26,220 |
€74,844 |
€576,924 |
€224,198 |
€2,317,537 |
€16,325 |
€26,693 |
€3,342,462 |
|
Mar-22 |
€99,643 |
€26,369 |
€164,728 |
€571,588 |
€340,060 |
€2,386,875 |
€16,759 |
€38,115 |
€3,644,137 |
|
Apr-22 |
€66,165 |
€25,320 |
€340,818 |
€501,042 |
€365,468 |
€2,061,725 |
€10,035 |
€14,885 |
€3,385,458 |
|
May-22 |
€113,191 |
€38,210 |
€798,276 |
€642,411 |
€345,398 |
€2,650,575 |
€12,654 |
€22,415 |
€4,623,130 |
|
Jun-22 |
€122,521 |
€29,990 |
€697,212 |
€648,871 |
€444,840 |
€2,883,745 |
€19,996 |
€56,095 |
€4,903,270 |
|
Jul-22 |
€177,326 |
€24,095 |
€626,443 |
€371,733 |
€545,235 |
€2,933,566 |
€12,704 |
€45,603 |
€4,736,705 |
|
Aug-22 |
€301,079 |
€38,043 |
€720,474 |
€544,596 |
€858,325 |
€3,989,895 |
€16,630 |
€46,307 |
€6,515,348 |
|
TOTAL |
€2,208,238 |
€549,070 |
€4,550,584 |
€9,364,580 |
€6,314,126 |
€52,047,321 |
€303,804 |
€453,355 |
€75,791,077 |
Note: These figures are taken from the Department's ENP/UNP database and represent a snapshot of ENPs/UNPs as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid. The figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped and therefore will not reconcile with the end of year outturn figures.
1120. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of heating supplement payments that were paid under the supplementary welfare allowance for each month from January 2021 to September 2022, inclusive in tabular form; the number of persons who were in receipt of the fuel allowance; the number who were not in receipt of fuel allowance; the value of each monthly heating payment under the category; and if the payment was made directly to the person or to the energy company. [42970/22]
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.
Under the scheme, my Department may award an Additional Needs Payment, which is an overarching term for Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments and certain supplements to assist with on going or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. This can include a heating supplement where a person has need for additional heating due to ill health or infirmity. Heating supplement is not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the year.
Heating supplements are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme. All the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into account in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Table 1 below show the number of heating supplement recipients at the end of each month for January 2021 to August 2022.
The expenditure on heating supplement is provided for under the heading of “other supplements” which also include supplements such as travel. The value of each monthly payment amount is not available. Supplements may be paid on a weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly basis, and the payment amount will have a wide range depending on the circumstances of the customer.
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, which supported over 370,000 households in the 2021-2022 fuel season.
In January 2022, at a mid point in the fuel season, which began on 21 September 2021, there were 963 people in receipt of a heating supplement; 833 of those recipients were also in receipt of a fuel allowance and 130 people in receipt of a heating supplement who were not in receipt of a fuel allowance.
Payment of a supplement may be nominated to a supplier of goods or services with the permission of the customer. As at the end of August 2022, two heat supplement claims were nominated to an energy or fuel supplier.
In addition, my Department also provides payments where appropriate to people who face difficulties in meeting exceptional fuel bills. In 2021, over 2,300 exceptional needs payments totalling almost €750,000 were made to assist with household bills and heating costs.
Anyone who struggles with heating costs is entitled to make an application for a payment under the schemes. I would encourage them 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.
Table 1: Total number of heating supplement recipients at the end of each month for January 2021 to August 2022
|
Month (end of) |
Total Number of Recipients |
|
Jan-21 |
1,086 |
|
Feb-21 |
1,074 |
|
Mar-21 |
1,057 |
|
Apr-21 |
1,039 |
|
May-21 |
1,027 |
|
Jun-21 |
1,016 |
|
Jul-21 |
1,012 |
|
Aug-21 |
1,004 |
|
Sep-21 |
991 |
|
Oct-21 |
982 |
|
Nov-21 |
976 |
|
Dec-21 |
977 |
|
Jan-22 |
969 |
|
Feb-22 |
959 |
|
Mar-22 |
961 |
|
Apr-22 |
946 |
|
May-22 |
946 |
|
Jun-22 |
946 |
|
Jul-22 |
950 |
|
Aug-22 |
946 |
1121. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of payments that have been made under supplementary welfare either through community welfare officer discretion, emergency nurse practitioner or advanced clinical practitioners under the heading or criteria of back-to-school costs; the total payments made under that heading; the county breakdown of that heading; the average amount per payment in each county for the months May, June, July, August, 2022 in tabular form. [42971/22]
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.
Payments are made at the discretion of the community welfare 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.
Additional needs payments may be provided for child related costs, including clothing, but are not separately categorised as back to school costs. In general, additional needs payments are not intended to cover circumstances where responsibility rests with another Government Department or Agency. This includes the purchase of school books, for which assistance is provided for by the Department of Education.
My Department also administers the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme, which operates from June to September each year and 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 allowance was automatically awarded to 119,000 families in June 2022. The scheme opened for applications on 20 June 2022 and, by 6 September 2022 payments totalling €79.5m have been made to more than 141,976 families in respect of 253,558 qualified children. Table 1 represents a breakdown of the number of recipients awarded by county.
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.
Table 1 BSCFA recipients by County
|
County |
BSCFA recipients 2022 |
Number of Children Benefitting 2022 |
|
Carlow |
2,436 |
4,324 |
|
Cavan |
2,466 |
4,554 |
|
Clare |
3,419 |
6,214 |
|
Cork |
13,608 |
23,766 |
|
Donegal |
6,225 |
11,527 |
|
Dublin |
36,710 |
64,041 |
|
Galway |
6,589 |
12,144 |
|
Kerry |
4,553 |
7,797 |
|
Kildare |
5,836 |
10,327 |
|
Kilkenny |
2,308 |
4,135 |
|
Laois |
2,655 |
5,013 |
|
Leitrim |
1,081 |
2,006 |
|
Limerick |
6,498 |
11,716 |
|
Longford |
1,920 |
3,706 |
|
Louth |
5,643 |
10,105 |
|
Mayo |
3,900 |
7,270 |
|
Meath |
5,145 |
9,209 |
|
Monaghan |
1,986 |
3,819 |
|
Offaly |
2,614 |
4,733 |
|
Roscommon |
1,789 |
3,510 |
|
Sligo |
1,920 |
3,519 |
|
Tipperary |
5,299 |
9,564 |
|
Waterford |
4,528 |
7,927 |
|
Westmeath |
3,159 |
5,754 |
|
Wexford |
5,672 |
10,090 |
|
Wicklow |
4,017 |
6,788 |
|
Total |
141,976 |
253,558 |
1122. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on the review of a backdated appeal State pension (contributory) in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42975/22]
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.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on 22 June 2021.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the appeal of the person concerned on foot of this additional evidence. The Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has now decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 9 August 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1123. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will approve an application for back to school clothing and footwear allowance for a person (details supplied). [42988/22]
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.
1124. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the European Union decision to recognise Covid-19 as an occupational disease in health and social care settings; the measures that are being considered in the Irish context and in particular for those impacted by long-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43027/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as it does not meet the criteria laid down in the Act. Section 87 (2) of the Act states that a disease or injury shall be prescribed for the purposes of this section in relation to any insured persons, where the Minister is satisfied that-
(a) it ought to be treated, having regard to its causes and any other relevant considerations, as a risk of their occupations and not as a risk common to all persons, and
(b) it is such that, in the absence of special circumstances, the attribution of particular cases to the nature of the employment can be established or presumed with reasonable certainty.
My Department is aware of the work of the EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH) regarding the recognition of COVID-19 as an occupational disease. My Department is monitoring the Commission's work and recommendations in this regard and understands that they are expected to be updated towards the end of this year.
My Department reviews its supports and schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy, legislative and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1125. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied). [43032/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a person in need of full-time care and attention.
To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
People who spent time on PUP due to the Covid-19 pandemic are being attributed with contributions at the same class as they were paying immediately before their PUP claim. These contributions can be used to satisfy the PRSI contribution condition for Carer’s Benefit.
The person concerned should complete and return an application form (Carb1) to Carer’s Benefit Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford, N39 E4EO to have their entitlement for Carer's Benefit assessed.
I have arranged for a Carer's Benefit application to be issued to the person concerned.
Once the completed application is received, we will be process it without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1126. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if Covid-19 is included as a qualifying illness for the occupational injuries benefit scheme, considering cases where healthcare staff have contracted Covid-19 in their workplace which has resulted in long-term health issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43036/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department operates the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme which is a group of benefits for people injured or incapacitated by an accident at work or while travelling directly to or from work. The scheme also covers people who have contracted a disease as a result of the type of work they do. There are a number of benefits available and there are different conditions attached to each benefit. The benefits include Injury Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance and the Medical Care Scheme.
Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as it does not meet the criteria laid down in the Act. Section 87 (2) of the Act states that a disease or injury shall be prescribed for the purposes of this section in relation to any insured persons, where the Minister is satisfied that-
(a) it ought to be treated, having regard to its causes and any other relevant considerations, as a risk of their occupations and not as a risk common to all persons, and
(b) it is such that, in the absence of special circumstances, the attribution of particular cases to the nature of the employment can be established or presumed with reasonable certainty.
An enhanced Illness Benefit payment is payable for up to ten weeks for eligible people, subject to ongoing medical certification. In a case where a person continues to be ill with Covid-19 beyond ten weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility.
Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type. Additional payments may be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children. It is payable for up to two years, based on the person’s continued eligibility.
Should the illness continue beyond the coverage of Illness Benefit, the Department has long-term supports available in the form of Invalidity Pension and Disability Allowance.
Invalidity Pension is a long-term payment for persons who are permanently incapable of work and who are covered by social insurance.
Disability Allowance is one of a number of means-tested payments provided by the Department. It is paid to people with a disability aged 16 to 66, who are habitually resident in the State.
This department also provides means tested social welfare supports for those who experience financial hardship, including Additional Needs Payment and Urgent Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. The scheme is available through Intreo Centres across the country.
The Department regularly reviews its supports and schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1127. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline all qualifying illnesses for the occupational injuries benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43037/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Department operates the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme. This scheme provides benefits to people who were injured at work, who acquired an occupational disease at work, or who were injured travelling to and from work.
There is a range of benefits available under this scheme, with different qualifying conditions. The two main payments under the scheme are Injury Benefit and Disablement Benefit. The other payments are Incapacity Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance, Medical Care Scheme and Death Benefits (Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension; Orphan’s pension; Funeral Grant).
Expenditure on Injury Benefit is estimated to be €10.5 million for 2021. As of December 2021 there were 1,112 people in receipt of this payment.
Expenditure on Disablement Benefit is estimated to be €69.6 million for 2021. As of December 2021 there were 14,807 people in receipt of this payment.
Diseases from an occupation are generally contracted by a process (that is, over a period of time). However, they may occasionally develop from a once-off accident at work, and in such a case Injury Benefit can be paid.
A prescribed occupational disease is a disease listed in Social Welfare legislation which a person contracts in the course of his/her employment due to the nature of that employment, for example work with asbestos or certain chemicals, mining, quarrying, working with pneumatic percussive tools. A detailed list of prescribed diseases and of the employments in respect of which each is prescribed is available in S.I. 392 of 1983, in S.I. 102 of 1985 as consolidated in S.I. 102 of 2007.
The legislation also describes, in relation to each of the listed diseases, the occupations where in normal circumstances there would be a reasonable presumption that the disease was work related.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1128. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a State pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43042/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 22 March 2022. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 28 July 2022.
The case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 29 July 2022, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of an application for exceptional needs payment in the case of a person (details supplied) who recently submitted an application for assistance with the purchase of white goods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43044/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental records show that an ENP application was received in my Department for the person concerned on 04/08/22 requesting financial assistance with the cost of a washing machine. In line with this application, a letter dated 24/08/22 issued by post to the person requesting further documents/information in order to progress her application.
This was followed up with a phone call from the Designated Person on 01/09/22, to the person concerned, outlining the application process and clarifying the documentation required in order to assess the ENP application.
On receipt of the requested documentation, the ENP application will be assessed, and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
