Written Answers Nos. 470-493
470. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if the domestic abuse rent supplement will be maintained or adjusted for inflation in the next year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50359/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe accommodation needs of victims of domestic violence are met through a joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with the close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide. Access to Rent Supplement can be provided on referral by Tusla or by prescribed Tusla funded service providers. This provides victims of domestic violence with a fast track approval and screening process with a simplified means test to get immediate access to rent supplement so that they are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial concerns.
The standard rent supplement means test does not apply to these applicants for an initial three month period. After three months, a further three month extension may be provided, subject to the usual rent supplement means assessment. After six months, if the tenant has a long-term housing need, they can apply to their local housing authority for social housing supports and, if eligible, will be able to access the Housing Assistance Payment, a social housing support provided by Local Authorities. While this protocol to assist victims of domestic violence in accessing rent supplement was initially introduced in August 2020 in response to the pandemic, I was pleased to announce in November last year that the measure has been made a permanent feature of the Rent Supplement Scheme, recognising that the underlying rationale for this support will be required long after the impact of the pandemic has receded.
Access to rent supplement is additional and complementary to the range of other supports already in place for victims of domestic violence.
The minimum income disregard for rent supplement has been increased by €12 to €218 per week for a single person in line with the rate increases which I announced recently in Budget 2023.
The cost of maintaining this scheme can be met from within the existing Rent Supplement budget of the Department of Social Protection. I do not anticipate that additional funding will be required and that it will be possible to meet the cost of this measure under the existing Rent Supplement budget. The service has been successfully delivered and is available nationally with active tenancies using the Protocol in all counties.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
471. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of the number of persons who have availed of domestic abuse rent supplement by month since its introduction in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50360/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe accommodation needs of victims of domestic violence are met through a joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with the close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide. Access to Rent Supplement can be provided on referral by Tusla or by prescribed Tusla funded service providers. This provides victims of domestic violence with a fast track approval and screening process with a simplified means test to get immediate access to rent supplement so that they are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial concerns.
The standard rent supplement means test does not apply to these applicants for an initial three month period. After three months, a further three month extension may be provided, subject to the usual rent supplement means assessment. After six months, if the tenant has a long-term housing need, they can apply to their local housing authority for social housing supports and, if eligible, will be able to access the Housing Assistance Payment, a social housing support provided by Local Authorities. While this protocol to assist victims of domestic violence in accessing rent supplement was initially introduced in August 2020 in response to the pandemic, I was pleased to announce in November last year that the measure has been made a permanent feature of the Rent Supplement Scheme, recognising that the underlying rationale for this support will be required long after the impact of the pandemic has receded.
Access to rent supplement is additional and complementary to the range of other supports already in place for victims of domestic violence.
In the period since August 2020, 241 victims of domestic violence have been supported with rent supplement under the protocol. There are 31 victims of domestic violence currently being supported under the Protocol, with a further 29 victims of domestic violence being supported on rent supplement subject to the standard rent supplement means assessment and eligibility criteria, following a period of support under the domestic violence protocol.
Table 1 shows the number accessing rent supplement support under the domestic violence protocol from August 2020 to date in 2022.
Table 1 – The number accessing rent supplement support under domestic violence protocol at end of month, to date in 2022.
Recipients of Rent Supplement under Domestic Violence Protocol
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
|
January |
47 |
49 |
|
|
February |
53 |
46 |
|
|
March |
55 |
45 |
|
|
April |
68 |
48 |
|
|
May |
73 |
43 |
|
|
June |
56 |
38 |
|
|
July |
52 |
32 |
|
|
August |
1 |
50 |
29 |
|
September |
14 |
54 |
31 |
|
October |
22 |
47 |
|
|
November |
32 |
47 |
|
|
December |
41 |
46 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
472. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a policy regarding the appropriate use of domestic flights in her Department and bodies under the aegis of the Department. [50120/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a dedicated Policy on all matters relating to official travel by staff of the Department and its Offices, including air travel. The Policy is framed on the relevant circulars and advice from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and reflects the general principle of achieving efficiency and value for money and minimising travel and subsistence costs. The Policy is regularly reviewed. The last such review was completed in March of this year.
In respect of the Agencies that come within my remit, they are statutorily independent in their functions and this is an operational matter for them.
473. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who has a claim for arrears of carers allowance has been refused as this person is only working 16 hours and the extra hours of income was holiday pay he was owed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49463/22]
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(s) in need of full-time care and attention.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses for a maximum of 18.5 hours per week provided that the income from these activities is not more than €350.00 per week.
An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on the 29 June 2022 with confirmation from the employer that carer’s leave had been granted from 1 July 2022 to 26 June 2024 and that the person concerned would work and be paid for just 16 hours per week during this period.
Subsequently, the employer commenced paying the person concerned for annual leave in addition to the time worked.
The Carer's Leave Act (section 13(4) of Part 3) provides that an absence from employment while on carer’s leave shall not be treated as part of any other leave from the employment. This includes annual leave to which the employee concerned is entitled.
The Organisation of Working Time Act (section 19(5) provides that time taken on annual leave is contracted work time.
As a result, both the hours of employment and the employment income arising in this case were in excess of the prescribed conditions for Carer's Benefit for certain periods between 1 July 2022 to 18 September 2022.
On 19 Sept 2022, an updated letter from the employer of the person concerned was received. This confirmed that the person concerned would be on carer’s leave from 19 Sept 2022 where they would work a maximum of 16 hours per week and no further additional annual leave would be paid for the duration of their carer’s leave. Based on this new information, the CARB application was awarded from 22 Sept 2022 in line with the relevant legislation.
The person concerned was notified in writing of the details of this decision on 19 Sept 2022 and of their right of review and appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
If seeking a review or appeal of the above decision, the person concerned should forward any new or additional information, or further documentary evidence for consideration.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
474. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community welfare officers employed at the Finglas Social Welfare office for the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49465/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra475. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of additional needs payments applied for in the Finglas Social Welfare office in the past year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49466/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra476. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of additional needs payments processed at the Finglas Social Welfare office in the past year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49467/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the average time it takes to process and decide on an additional needs payment at the Finglas Social Welfare office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49468/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra478. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if an applicant has a right to an oral hearing when requesting an appeal of a social welfare decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49474/22]
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.
In the case of an appeal against the decision of a Deciding Officer/Designated Person, the Department is required furnish to the Chief Appeals Officer a statement, showing to what extent the facts and contentions advanced in the grounds of appeal are admitted or disputed.
On receipt of the submission from the Department the question at issue is referred to an Appeals Officer for determination. Under social welfare legislation where the Appeals Officer is of the opinion that the appeal can be determined on the basis of the documentary evidence and without the need for an oral hearing, she or he may determine the appeal summarily.
Where the Appeals Officer considers that an oral hearing is required to determine the question at issue, she or he will arrange for an oral hearing of the appeal. Oral hearings are held online, by phone or in-person.
There is no absolute right to an oral hearing and a request for an oral hearing will not be necessarily granted in all cases. It is therefore important that all evidence relevant to the appeal be submitted.
In practice, in forming an opinion as to whether an appeal can properly be determined without an oral hearing an Appeals Officer will have regard to:
- the overall nature of the appeal and the question to be determined,
- any request that has been made for an oral hearing,
- whether there are unresolved conflicts in the documentary evidence presented by the parties as to any matter essential to the determination of the appeal,
- whether there are any disputes as to the facts or differing professional opinions.
This is not an exhaustive list and as an Appeals Officer may determine an appeal on a summary basis it is important that all the documentary evidence and grounds relied on are submitted with the notice of appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
479. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if those pensioners who may qualify for the fuel allowance under the new threshold limits will be automatically granted the payment; if not, if they must apply; if so, if they must apply in advance of 1 January 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49488/22]
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, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. 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. Only one allowance is paid per household.
As part of the overall social welfare Budget 2023 package of almost €2.2 Billion, I was pleased to have secured a major expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme, which will benefit up to 81,000 new households for the first time.
One of the reforms that I was pleased to announce is that, from January 2023, a new means threshold will be introduced for people aged 70 years and over. The new means threshold will be €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. This is a significant expansion of the means threshold for those aged 70 or over. In addition, the standard means test threshold for those under 70 is being increased from €120 to €200 over the maximum State Pension Contributory rate.
My Department’s immediate priority is to issue 8 separate cost of living lump sum payments worth €1.2 Billion between now and Christmas and the Deputy will appreciate that each of these payments involves significant IT development work and resources.
The new means test thresholds for Fuel Allowance will take effect from January 2023. I can confirm that there will be an application process involved and further details in relation to the application process will be advertised once the operational and IT requirements for the new measure have been finalised.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
480. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if the additional €400 one off payment for recipients of the fuel allowance that will be paid in 2022 will be made available to those who will be granted the allowance in January 2023 under the new threshold limits given the cost-of-energy-crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49489/22]
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, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. 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. Only one allowance is paid per household.
As part of the Government's cost of living measures in Budget 2023, I announced that, in November 2022, a further lump sum payment of €400 will be paid to Fuel Allowance recipients, to alleviate the burden of rising energy prices and inflation.
This further lump sum payment will only be available to households that have an entitlement to the Fuel Allowance payment on the week that the lumpsum payment is paid.
The enhanced electricity credit of €600 is another important Government measure announced in the Budget. This will also benefit households to whom access to Fuel Allowance is extended from January. The first €200 will be applied to electricity bills before Christmas.
My Department’s immediate priority is to issue 8 separate cost of living lump sum payments worth €1.2 Billion between now and Christmas and the Deputy will appreciate that each of these payments involves significant IT development work and resources.
The new means test thresholds for Fuel Allowance will take effect from January 2023. Further details in relation to the application process will be advertised once the operational and IT requirements for the new measure have been finalised.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
481. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are available to persons from her Department in the context of the recent adoption of the Dublin Declaration (details supplied) [49497/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dublin Declaration is a joint effort within Europe to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
Primary responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence rests with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
The accommodation needs of victims of domestic violence are met through a joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with the close involvement of housing authorities nationwide and the support of the Department of Social Protection through the provision of rent supplement.
My Department provides access to rent supplement on referral by Tusla or by prescribed Tusla-funded service providers for victims of domestic violence. This provides a fast-track approval and screening process with a simplified means test to get immediate access to rent supplement so that they are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial concerns.
Under this protocol, the standard rent supplement means test does not apply to these applicants for an initial three-month period. After three months, a further three-month extension may be provided, subject to the usual rent supplement means assessment.
After six months, if the tenant has a long-term housing need, they can then apply to their local housing authority for social housing supports and, if eligible, will be able to access the Housing Assistance Payment, a social housing support provided by Local Authorities.
The arrangements in this protocol are additional and complementary to, and not in substitution for, the range of other supports already in place for victims of domestic violence.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
482. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to introducing a travel stipend to support community employment participants in rural communities, given the ongoing cost of living crisis and increasing cost of fuel and limited public transport in many rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49502/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. Participation on the scheme is part time - 19.5 hours per week.
Currently payment rates on CE are related to the underlying value of certain social protection payments plus €22.50 per week - with a minimum payment of €230 per week to participants. In addition, a participant may be eligible for payments in respect of any qualified dependent adult and children.
Under Budget 2023, CE participants will receive an increase in weekly payments arising from the increase in core social welfare payments of €12 per week, in addition to the increase in the weekly CE allowance of €5; bringing the minimum payment for participants to €247.50 per week. Additionally, there will be proportional increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment. The weekly payments for qualified child dependents will increased by €2 to €50 for children aged 12 or over and €40 for children aged up to 12. These increases will also benefit eligible CE participants.
The provision of rural transport falls under the remit of my colleague, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan. However, it is worth noting that Minister Ryan has announced the retention of the 20% average reduction on public transport fares along with continued enhancements to the public transport network with the roll-out of new services through Connecting Ireland over the coming year. There are no plans at this time to introduce a travel stipend as suggested by the Deputy .
Under Budget 2023, Government also introduced an extensive package of measures, aimed at tackling the cost of living increases. These measures include a double weeks payment to social welfare customers in mid-October, a double month child benefit payment in November, a €600 credit on electricity bills and additional fuel allowance payments. These payments will also be provided to CE participants to assist with their cost-of-living challenges.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
483. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision can urgently issue on an supplementary welfare allowance claim for a person (details supplied) given that their application was submitted several weeks ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49526/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) is a weekly allowance paid to people who do not have enough income to meet their needs and those of their families.
If a person has no income, they may be entitled to the basic SWA. If a person’s weekly income is below the SWA rate for their family size, a payment may be made to bring their income up to the appropriate SWA rate. If a person has claimed a social welfare benefit or pension but it has not yet been paid and they have no other income, they may qualify for basic SWA while awaiting a decision on their claim.
According to the records of my Department, an application for a basic SWA was received from the person concerned on 24/08/2022. A request for further information in support of the person’s application issued on 31/08/2022.
Following a representation from the Deputy, a review of the request for information was undertaken by my officials. An amended request for information was sent to the person concerned on 04/10/2022 and separately to the Deputy’s office.
When this information is returned the person’s application will be assessed and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
484. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection if a response will issue to a query in relation to the State Pension (Non-Contributory) of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49543/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means test, at application stage and through the lifetime of a claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investment(s) held and inform the Department of any relevant changes in their circumstances that may affect their pension entitlement.
On 27 April 2022, a means review questionnaire issued to the person concerned. The completed questionnaire was returned, together with supporting financial documentation. On examining the details provided, the Deciding Officer determined that the person's means had increased since the previous assessment and made a revised decision, reducing their weekly entitlement. The person concerned was notified of the decision on 20 May 2022 and provided with details of the revised means assessment. The person was also informed of their right, if dissatisfied with the decision, to request a review, or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. There is no record of an appeal having been lodged.
On foot of further communication from the person concerned, the Deciding Officer issued a letter of clarification about the payment reduction on 16 June 2022.
A further reply issued on 4 October 2022 to follow on correspondence received from the person concerned. The Deciding Officer has again reviewed the person’s entitlement and they have been notified that their pension entitlement, at the reduced rate remains unchanged. The person concerned has also been informed of their right, if dissatisfied with this decision, to request a review, or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
485. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a carer's support grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49545/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer's Support Grant (CSG) is an annual payment for carers who look after a person in need of full-time care and attention. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but is subject to certain conditions such as that the carer cares for the person full time, the carer lives with the person they are caring for or they are contactable quickly by a direct system of communication such as a telephone or an alarm and that the carer is not working, self-employed, or on a training or education course for more than 18.5 hours a week.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for the CSG from the person concerned on 14 April 2022.
Having considered all of the available information and evidence in this case, a Deciding Officer has found that the eligibility criteria have not been met. Therefore, the application for CSG for the year 2022 was disallowed. A letter issued to the person concerned on 4 October 2022, informing them of this decision and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
486. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding that her Department has put in place for the 2023 school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49546/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,700 schools and organisations and benefitting 260,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Budget 2022 provided €68.1 million for the programme.
I am pleased that my estimate for school meals next year provides for an increase of €23.5m on the 2022 estimate, bringing the total to €91.6m.
I am committed to continuing to expand the school meals programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme in recent years. In this regard, I have commissioned an evaluation of the school meals programme, which is currently underway. As part of this review all elements of the programme will be considered.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
487. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for the disability allowance will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49548/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.
A completed application form for DA must be submitted to the Department in order to have eligibility checked and a formal decision made on entitlement. To date no application for disability allowance has been received. An application form has been posted to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
488. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49563/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the first person concerned made an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) following a disallowance of his Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) claim.
JA is a means-tested payment made to people who are unemployed and who do not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker’s Benefit for the Self-Employed.
During the course of a review of his JA claim the person concerned was asked to provide evidence that his means were less than the weekly rate of JA appropriate to his family circumstances. The person did not provide a full disclosure of his means despite multiple requests made by officials in my Department. The JA claim was subsequently disallowed with effect from 17/08/2022 as the person had not shown that his means were less than the weekly rate of JA appropriate to his family circumstances. A Deciding Officer advised the person of their decision in a letter dated 19/08/2022.
The person concerned subsequently appealed the decision of the Deciding Officer on his JA claim to the SWAO. The SWAO functions independently of my Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. The SWAO has advised that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26/09/2022. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. The Deciding Officer sent a submission to the SWAO on 10/10/2022. The case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
While awaiting a determination from the SWAO, the first person concerned applied for a basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA). A basic SWA is a weekly means assessed allowance paid to people who do not have enough income to meet their needs and those of their families. It may be awarded where a person is awaiting the outcome of an appeal to disallow a primary scheme payment.
Further information in support of the person’s basic SWA application was sought by an official during a phone conversation with the person on 26/08/2022. When this information was not received a follow up request issued by a letter on 30/09/2022. As this information has not yet been provided the claim cannot be progressed. As soon as the person concerned provides the required information, his application will be finalised and he will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
489. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will remove the income threshold for deserted wife benefit which is in place for the years 3 August 1992 to 2 January 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49578/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra490. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will index link the income threshold for the deserted wife payment to match the rise in inflation year on year given that no increase has been allowed since its inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49579/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together.
Deserted Wife's Benefit is a payment made to a woman deserted by her husband. Entitlement to the payment is based on social insurance contributions paid by the woman or her husband as well as a number of other qualifying criteria. The Deserted Wife's Benefit scheme was closed off to new applications with effect from 2 January 1997, when One-Parent Family Payment was introduced.Some women have continued to receive Deserted Wife’s Benefit because they qualified for the payment before 2 January 1997 and have continued to meet the qualifying criteria. No earnings limit applies to claims made before 30 August 1992. An earnings limit of €12,697.38 was introduced on 31 August 1992 with a reduced rate payable provided earnings did not exceed €17,776.33. From 3 May 2007 the earning limit was increased to €20,000.
There are no plans to change the qualification conditions for the scheme at present. Where a woman no longer meets these conditions but has an income need she may qualify for another payment from my Department.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
491. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the categories of welfare payment recipients (details supplied) that will receive the November 2022 cost-of-living double payment. [49582/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cost of Living Support is a lump-sum measure that will support social welfare recipients who rely on their social welfare payments for financial support through the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The Support will be paid in October 2022 on the same basis as the Christmas Bonus, with the additional removal of the 12-month duration requirement resulting in short term Jobseekers and Supplementary Welfare Allowance customers qualifying for the support. Approximately 1.4 million recipients will benefit from this payment. The total number of schemes eligible for the payment are outlined in Table 2.
The projected number of recipients of the schemes requested by the Deputy are shown in Table 1 and refer to the total number of people in receipt of payment as of September 30th 2022.
Table 1 Recipients of social welfare payment recipients (details supplied)
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
37,410 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance for less than 12 months |
55,488 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance for more than 12 months |
68,819 |
|
Illness Benefit |
55,524 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
56,654 |
|
Parent's Benefit |
5,136 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
18,549 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
726 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
42,190 |
Table 2
Schemes eligible for Autumn Bonus
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Contributory) |
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Death Benefit) |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
|
Widows' Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners Pension (Non-Contributory) |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
|
Farm Assist |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
|
Community Employment Programme |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
|
Tús |
|
Job Initiative |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
|
Disability Allowance |
|
Blind Pension |
|
Carer's Allowance |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
|
Invalidity Pension |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
|
Disablement Benefit |
|
Carer's Benefit |
|
Guardian Payment (Non-Contributory) |
|
Back to Work Family Dividend |
|
Guardians Payment (Contributory) |
|
Magdalen Commission Scheme |
|
*Jobseeker's Allowance - No duration requirement for Autumn Bonus |
|
*Back to Education Allowance - No duration requirement for Autumn Bonus |
|
*Jobseeker's Benefit - No duration requirement for Autumn Bonus |
|
*Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed - No duration requirement for Autumn Bonus |
|
*Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments - No duration requirement |
|
*Daily Expenses Allowance - No duration requirement for Autumn Bonus |
492. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review an application by a person (details supplied) for the State pension (non-contributory). [49583/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 19 April 2008. An application for the state Pension non-contributory was received on 21 January 2008.
Their entitlement under the state pension non-contributory was assessed. However, as the qualified adult payment was financially more beneficial than the state pension non-contributory, they continued to receive that payment.
On 24 February 2022 an application for State Pension (contributory) was received.
According to the records of my department, the person concerned has a total of 832 reckonable contributions from 1988 to 2008. Based on this record the person concerned has a yearly aver of 42 giving entitlement to state pension (contributory) at the weekly rate of €248.30 plus €10.00 per week over 80 allowance. The state pension (contributory) was initially awarded from 29 July 2021.
Following a review, the state pension (contributory) has been awarded from 19 April 2008, the date of their 66th birthday. Details of the revised decision issued on 05 October 2022. Arrears have been calculated and will issue to the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
493. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if the materials budget for community employment participants was increased in Budget 2023, given that it currently stands at €13.46 per person [49639/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. It supports projects that provide work experience for long term unemployed persons. The programme is delivered through CE sponsor organisations in the community and voluntary sector.
CE sponsor organisations receive annual contracts from my department, which funds the employment of both CE participants and CE supervisors. Funding is also provided towards training and material costs.
The materials grant is not a set amount for all CE schemes, as the rate is determined by individual scheme costs and participant numbers. The materials grant is a contribution towards the running costs of CE schemes and covers consumable services and materials necessary for the effective operation of the CE project including such items as employers and public liability insurance, tools, stationery, audit fees, bank charges (excluding bank interest), protective clothing and the hiring of equipment.
It is estimated that the expenditure on materials grants will be of the order of €12.3 million this year. I was very pleased that the provision for material grants was increased in Budget 2023 to €13.5 million next year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
