Written Answers Nos. 362-368
362. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for fuel allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56113/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs.
The main eligibility conditions for receipt of Fuel Allowance are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a means test and live alone or with other qualifying persons. The current threshold for the fuel allowance means test is €120 above the appropriate maximum weekly rate of State Pension Contributory.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was disallowed Fuel Allowance in March of this year, as she was in receipt of Working Family Payment which is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance. I understand that the person concerned remains in receipt of Working Family Payment.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
363. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the assistance available to persons diagnosed as deaf to replace their hearing aids should they become damaged; if there is a time limit on such replacement or cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56122/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department’s Medical Appliance scheme, which provides grants to assist in the purchase of hearing aids, is available to those who have the required number of PRSI contributions and is also available to their dependant spouse/partner.
The scheme provides for a €500 grant per ear, towards the purchase of up to two hearing aids every 4 years.
The scheme also provides for one repair per aid in a 4 year period, up to a maximum of €100 per aid.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
364. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has sufficient contributions to qualify for invalidity pension. [56124/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter-alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E ,H & S contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.
Eligibility for IP can only be established on receipt of a completed application form. The person in question should submit an IP application form and their entitlement can then be determined.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
365. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on her Department's position regarding the recognition of Covid-19 as an occupational disease for front-line healthcare workers in Ireland, as per EU ACSH Agreement in May 2022, following the monitoring of the European Commission's work and recommendations in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56125/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 does not currently 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.
In response to the recommendations made by the Advisory Committee for Safety and Health at Work, the European Commission announced that they would update their list of recommended occupational diseases towards the end of this year. The Department is monitoring the European Commission's work and recommendations in this regard.
My Department reviews its supports and schemes regularly 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.
366. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) for the State pension (contributory) could be reviewed according to section 110(2) of the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56126/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 14 November 2020 and applied for State Pension (contributory) on 31 August 2020.
According to the records of my Department, the person has a contribution record of 221 paid full-rate social insurance contributions. As their contributions fell short of the required 520 paid full-rate contributions to qualify for State Pension (contributory), their claim was disallowed. Their entitlement to a Mixed Insurance pro-rata State Pension (contributory) was also examined. As they did not have the required 260 paid full-rate contributions to qualify, this claim was disallowed. The person concerned was notified in writing on 06 October 2020 and provided with a copy of their social insurance record.
The person concerned appealed the decision on 11 November 2020; the appeal was disallowed, and they were notified of the outcome in writing.
My Department is currently reviewing entitlement and will write to the person concerned on completion of this review.
It is also open to the person concerned to apply for State pension (non-contributory), a means tested payment. I have arranged for an application form to be issued to them. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the applicant (and spouse/civil partner/cohabitant as applicable). Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
367. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to resolve the backlog of applications for supplementary welfare allowance in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if the applications can be expedited. [56138/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that when the Community Welfare Service becomes aware that a customer has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the person receives a prompt service. Where possible, this is a same-day service.
Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) are available to facilitate urgent and in-person meetings in the Carlow and Kilkenny Intreo Centres, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. In addition, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home.
If the Deputy is concerned about a particular case, I would ask that he brings this to the attention of my Department by emailing TDREPSCWS@welfare.ie or phoning the Oireachtas direct point of contact line at 01 462 4308.
30 Social Welfare Inspectors have been temporarily reassigned to the Community Welfare Service until February 2023 to assist with claims processing. In addition, having received an increased staffing allocation during the estimates process, recruitment has commenced in the Department for additional staff to be assigned to the Community Welfare Service. It is anticipated that all staff will be in place by February 2023.
The delivery of crucial community welfare services to meet the challenges and the needs of citizens across the country is a priority for the Government and for the Department of Social Protection.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
368. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if the autumn cost-of-living double payment will be considered as means for social welfare payments, such as those payments which are subject to income thresholds and where a change in income may affect a person's eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56144/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, my Department will spend approximately €1.2 billion in one-off measures during the coming months to help individuals and families through this difficult period.
These measures include the following lump sum payments:
- €400 Fuel Allowance lump sum;
- November double Child Benefit payment;
- €500 Working Family Payment;
- €200 Living Alone Allowance lump sum;
- €500 Disability Support Grant;
- €500 Carer's Support Grant.
In addition, an Autumn Cost of Living Payment was paid last month, and a Christmas Bonus will be paid in December.
These cost of living once-off payments will not be assessed as means for Social Protection purposes.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
