Written Answers Nos. 401-418
401. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if any directives have been given to Intreo staff on the way to deal with those aged 65 years respectfully in their transition from working to being in receipt of a pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56584/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI introduced the Benefit Payment for 65 Year olds last year under the Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed social insurance schemes to bridge the gap for people who retire at 65 but do not qualify for State Pension until they are aged 66.
A key feature of the payment is that recipients do not have to sign on or partake in activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work to avail of it. Unlike other Jobseeker's Benefit customers who are paid at a graduated rate according to their previous earnings, recipients of this payment are paid at the maximum personal rate of Jobseeker's Benefit.
Where a person does not meet the PRSI contribution requirements for receipt of Benefit Payment for 65 year olds, they may be eligible for the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance.
Intreo Centres offer a single point of contact to all our customers for employment and income supports. To constantly improve service quality the Department, through its programme of Frontline Customer Service training, provides staff with communications and other skills to deliver a professional and customer focused service.
A key principle for excellent customer service, as set out in my Department’s current Customer Service strategy is that we inform and respect customers through every part of their interaction with the Department.
402. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if an invalidity pension payment will be reinstated for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56587/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) has been reinstated to the person in question with effect from 2O October 2022 and she received her first payment including arrears due, to her nominated post office on 10 November 2022. Notification of the decision to reinstate her IP issued to the person in question on 04 November 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
403. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if the profit gained from the agricultural use of land (details supplied) and or the capital value of the piece of land will be taken into account for a means test for an application for a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56621/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
Social welfare legislation provides that, for social assistance schemes, such as Disability Allowance, income and capital (for example savings, investments and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her partner, where applicable, is assessable for means assessment purposes.
The assessment of capital reflects an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of capital and property are in a position to use that capital, or to realise the value of the property, to support themselves without having to rely solely on a means-tested welfare payment.
In the case of Disability Allowance, an applicant can have up to €50,000 in capital and still receive the full rate of payment; the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.
However, it is important to note that capital assessment does not include property which is being personally used or enjoyed by the claimant such as the family home where they reside or a premises or a farm of land used by the claimant in carrying out a business.
Where a person is farming their land, or leasing their land, the assessment of means is designed to reflect the actual net income from farming and looks at gross income, less allowable expenses necessarily incurred. Income and expenditure figures for the preceding year are generally used as an indicator of the expected position in the following year. However, account is taken of any exceptional circumstances so as to ensure that the assessment accurately reflects the current situation.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
404. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long for their working family payment to be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56624/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work weekly payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children.
An application for WFP was received from that individual on 31st August 2022. Further information was requested by the Department. On receipt of the information, a Deciding Officer reviewed the application. The claim was then further delayed as the person concerned had an open Illness Benefit claim.
Working Family Payment and Illness Benefit may only be claimed simultaneously in limited circumstances. When the Illness Benefit claim was closed, the WFP claim was awarded at a rate of €270.00 per week from 29th September 2022 to 27th September 2023. The person concerned has been advised of their award in writing and arrears have issued to their nominated bank account.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
405. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPS number will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56664/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number on 03/11/2022.
The application has been processed and a PPS Number was issued by post to the person’s home address on 11/11/2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
406. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria necessary for an application to be successful under the farm spouses scheme in order for the spouse of a farmer to qualify in their own right for the State pension (contributory); the proofs would be required in cases in which no formal proof of a partnership exists in order for a partnership to be recognised for the State pension (contributory) to be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56691/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, self-employed social insurance contributors, including men and women farmers, can qualify for a wide range of benefits, including the State Pension (Contributory).
Since 2014, following amendments to the relevant provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to transpose EU Directive 2010/41/EU on the application of equal treatment between men and women engaged in self-employment activity, the spouse or civil partner of a self-employed person can benefit from social protection in accordance with the qualifying criteria set in national law.
The provisions mean that liability for social insurance contributions has been extended to the spouses and civil partners of self-employed contributors who are not formal business partners or employees, where they perform the same, or ancillary tasks. This arrangement can apply where the family members operate a business in partnership, including farming, and where they share profits of the business or farm.
The liability of spouses and civil partners to make self-employment contributions is subject to the established provisions that apply to all self-employed contributors. Each business partner is insurable as a self-employed contributor in their own right, provided that each partner reaches the annual reckonable income threshold of €5,000. However, Section 110 (1) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 restates a condition in earlier social welfare legislation that in order to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory) a self-employed contributor must have paid at least one year’s self-employment contributions prior to reaching age 66. It is important that all farm partnerships are registered on the Register of Farm Partnerships that is maintained by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.
If there is a particular case that the Deputy has a concern about, my officials would be happy to examine it and advise accordingly.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
407. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56692/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department received correspondence from the person concerned on 08 August 2022, notifying a change of circumstances regarding her disability allowance (DA).
The file was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 29 September 2022 for an urgent report on the person’s means and circumstances. The file was returned to DA on 10 November 2022.
I can confirm that following a review, the DA rate of the person concerned was increased with effect from 13 July 2022.
In addition, the person concerned was assessed with nil means from 26 October 2022.
The first payment at the increased rate will be made by the person's chosen payment method on 16 November 2022. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 10 November 2022.
Arrears of payment due from 13 July 2022 to 1 November 2022 will issue as soon as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
408. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection when a permanent solution will be in place for the replacement of the social welfare office in Castlepollard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56695/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo formal decision has yet been taken as to the opening of a new Social Welfare Branch Office dedicated to Castlepollard.
In the interim, the Department has put an outreach service in place in the County Council Offices, Mullingar Road, Castlepollard on Tuesday and Wednesday each week from 09.30 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00 since April 2022.
The outreach service is fully supported by the Mullingar Intreo Centre where customers are welcome to conduct their business by either attending in person, emailing mullingar@welfare.ie or by phone (044) 9350921. The Department’s services are also available through the Department’s digital & online channels (MyWelfare.ie). The effectiveness of this outreach service is subject to ongoing review.
In my capacity as Minister for Rural and Community, I was pleased to allocate funding of over €3.8million in November 2022 for a major regeneration project in Castlepollard. This exciting project will see the complete refurbishment and renovation of the historic Market House Building in the town. In addition, a new 1.2 acre town park will be developed to include looped walks, play areas and a new skate park. I am very pleased to support this transformational project for Castlepollard as part of the Government’s Our Rural Future Strategy.
409. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether smaller schemes are at a disadvantage to bigger urban schemes when it comes to pathways to work (details supplied). [56697/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Irish labour market has experienced a remarkable recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest CSO Labour Force Survey figures for Q2 2022 indicate that there are over 2.55m people in employment, while the employment rate for 15-64 year olds has risen to 73.5 percent. Both of these figures are the highest since the series began in 1998. The monthly unemployment rate in October stood at 4.4 percent.
It is particularly welcome that all areas of the country have felt this improvement in the labour market. For instance, the Midlands region has just over 20 percent more people in employment in Q2 2022 compared to pre-pandemic (Q2 2019), the largest increase out of any region, and considerably higher than the national average increase of 11.3 percent.
Under Pathways to Work 2021-2025, the Government’s national employment strategy, my Department provides a range of employment supports to help people access and find sustainable employment in the labour market. Two key supports are Community Employment (CE) and Tús which enable long-term unemployed persons to make a contribution to their communities whilst upskilling themselves for prospective future employment.
The work opportunities available through CE and Tús placements are provided by community and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural areas across the country. Participants are generally engaged in some element of service support and delivery such as amenities management, arts and culture, sports, tidy towns, childcare and health-related services.
I am pleased that under Budget 2023, from January 2023, CE and Tús 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 and Tús allowance of €5; bringing the minimum payment for participants to €247.50 per week.
My Department is currently undertaking a counterfactual impact evaluation of the Community Employment and Tús schemes in conjunction with the OECD and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. This work will examine, among other things, the impact of these schemes in helping jobseekers from around the country find and sustain employment in the open labour market. This will add to the evidence base on the effectiveness of active labour market programmes operated by my Department.
410. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a State pension (contributory) by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56709/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned will reach pension age on 20 December 2022.
A State Pension (contributory) at the maximum weekly rate of €253.30 has been awarded from 20 December 2022. They were notified in writing of this decision on 11 November 2022.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
411. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to recognise long-Covid as an occupational disease or illness following this Government's support of the motion in relation to long-Covid on 9 November 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56712/22]
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. Under the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027, the European Commission committed to updating their Recommendations on Occupational Diseases by the end of this year in order to include COVID-19. 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.
412. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a State pension (contributory) arrears payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56716/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHaving reviewed the payments record, I can confirm that the person concerned collected and signed for their weekly State Pension (Contributory) of €253.30 on 14 October 2022 covering payment for the period 14 October to 20 October 2022.
On 28 October 2022, the payment was collected and signed for by an agent known to him. The payment of €759.90 included the Autumn cost of living double payment covering the period 21 October to 27 October 2022 plus the weekly payment for the period 28 October to 03 November 2022.
There are no outstanding arrears on the persons State Pension (contributory) payment.
A letter outlining the payment of pension for the period in question has issued to the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
413. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families in each county that received the double child benefit payment in November 2022; and the number of children in each county in respect of whom a payment was made in tabular form. [56748/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17, if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
The once off double payment for those in receipt of Child Benefit payments issued on the 1st of November 2022.
Payments were made to 643,000 families in respect of 1.2 million children.
Please find attached, the number of families in each county that received the double child benefit payment in November 2022. The specific number of children, by county, who were the beneficiaries of this payment is not readily available at this time.
|
County |
Customers |
|
ARMAGH |
310 |
|
ANTRIM |
67 |
|
CORK |
71,655 |
|
CLARE |
14,920 |
|
CAVAN |
10,518 |
|
CARLOW |
8,904 |
|
DUBLIN |
171,339 |
|
DONEGAL |
20,925 |
|
DOWN |
948 |
|
DERRY |
200 |
|
FERMANAGH |
491 |
|
GALWAY |
33,236 |
|
KILDARE |
34,113 |
|
KILKENNY |
11,632 |
|
KERRY |
18,642 |
|
LIMERICK |
26,104 |
|
LONGFORD |
5,916 |
|
LOUTH |
20,316 |
|
LEITRIM |
4,297 |
|
LAOIS |
11,547 |
|
MEATH |
30,275 |
|
MONAGHAN |
8,202 |
|
MAYO |
16,313 |
|
OFFALY |
10,357 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
7,990 |
|
SILGO |
8,086 |
|
TIPPERARY |
21,409 |
|
TYRONE |
313 |
|
WATERFORD |
16,532 |
|
WESTMEATH |
13,242 |
|
WICKLOW |
21,207 |
|
WEXFORD |
21,470 |
|
OTHER |
2,520 |
|
Sum: |
643,996 |
I trust this helps clarify the position for the Deputy.
414. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in each county receiving an autumn double payment, in tabular form. [56749/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2023 included a very comprehensive package of measures to be implemented over the rest of 2022 and for the early part of next year to help households, businesses and civic society cope with the increased cost of living. As part of this package an Autumn double payment has been issued to recipients of weekly Social Protection payments. In addition, recipients of Child Benefit in November 2022 have also received a double payment. The county breakdown of the recipients of these double payments is shown in the table.
|
County |
Recipients of autumn payment for all other schemes |
Recipients of autumn payment for Child Benefit |
|
Clare |
34,262 |
15,817 |
|
Cork |
140,410 |
70,822 |
|
Cavan |
20,094 |
10,607 |
|
Carlow |
17,934 |
8,333 |
|
Donegal |
48,825 |
20,497 |
|
Dublin |
328,012 |
170,191 |
|
Galway |
64,477 |
32,758 |
|
Kildare |
48,850 |
33,830 |
|
Kilkenny |
25,731 |
12,800 |
|
Kerry |
44,880 |
18,336 |
|
Longford |
13,236 |
5,782 |
|
Louth |
36,879 |
18,480 |
|
Limerick |
57,395 |
24,847 |
|
Leitrim |
10,501 |
4,287 |
|
Laois |
21,102 |
12,279 |
|
Meath |
43,397 |
30,958 |
|
Monaghan |
16,215 |
8,238 |
|
Mayo |
39,428 |
15,901 |
|
Offaly |
22,027 |
10,432 |
|
Roscommon |
19,306 |
8,411 |
|
Sligo |
19,752 |
8,102 |
|
Tipperary |
48,997 |
20,911 |
|
Waterford |
35,361 |
15,583 |
|
Westmeath |
25,797 |
12,582 |
|
Wicklow |
36,951 |
20,386 |
|
Wexford |
46,360 |
20,858 |
|
County unknown or not specified |
2,704 |
4,319 |
|
Total |
1,268,883 |
636,347 |
415. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in each county who will receive the €500 disability support grant announced in budget 2023, in tabular form. [56750/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department is committed to do everything we can to assist people with disabilities and to act quickly to deliver the Disability Support Grant and other budget measures within an exceptionally short timeframe.
The once-off payment of €500 to those in receipt of the disability support payments to people on Disability Allowance (DA), Blind Pension (BP) and Invalidity Pension (IP) will commence the week of the 14 November 2022.
At the end of October 2022, there are 157,101 recipients of Disability Allowance who are entitled to the Disability Support Grant.
The department is not in a position to collate the requested data of the number of persons in each county that will receive the €500 disability support grant in tabular form, while this process is ongoing.
Detailed information on scheme recipients, including recipients by county, are published each year by my Department in the Annual Statistical Report on Social Welfare Services, which is available at gov.ie/dsp/statistics. The Annual Statistical Report on Social Welfare Services in respect of 2022 will be published in 2023.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
416. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in each county that will receive a €400 fuel allowance lump sum payment, in tabular form. [56751/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2023 included a very comprehensive package of measures to be implemented over the rest of 2022 and for the early part of next year to help households, businesses and civic society cope with the increased cost of living. As part of this package a €400 lump sum payment is issued to people in receipt of the Fuel Allowance. The county breakdown of those in receipt of the Fuel Allowance at the end of October 2022 is shown in the attached tabular statement. Note that these numbers are subject to change given that the payment will be based on those awarded and in payment throughout the period of eligibility.
|
County |
Recipients of Fuel Allowance October 2022 |
|
Clare |
10,095 |
|
Cork |
39,510 |
|
Cavan |
6,829 |
|
Carlow |
6,138 |
|
Donegal |
18,874 |
|
Dublin |
79,688 |
|
Galway |
19,424 |
|
Kildare |
12,559 |
|
Kilkenny |
7,627 |
|
Kerry |
14,158 |
|
Longford |
4,882 |
|
Louth |
12,146 |
|
Limerick |
16,933 |
|
Leitrim |
3,697 |
|
Laois |
6,701 |
|
Meath |
11,540 |
|
Monaghan |
5,369 |
|
Mayo |
14,075 |
|
Offaly |
7,134 |
|
Roscommon |
6,049 |
|
Sligo |
6,355 |
|
Tipperary |
16,284 |
|
Waterford |
11,993 |
|
Westmeath |
7,563 |
|
Wicklow |
10,074 |
|
Wexford |
16,042 |
|
County unknown or not specified |
144 |
|
Total |
371,883 |
417. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in each county that will receive a €500 lump sum working family payment, in tabular form. [56752/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment for employees with children which supports people in low paid employment. The WFP is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependents, and to offer a financial incentive to take up employment.
It is a targeted measure that is directly linked to household income and therefore directly supports low-income working families. There are approximately 45,000 families with 100,000 children who are currently in receipt of WFP.
Budget 2023 included the provision of a once off €500 cost of living lump sum payment to all WFP recipients and is due to be paid on the 17th November.
The department is not in a position to collate the requested data of the number of persons in each county that will receive the €500 WFP cost of living lump sum payment in tabular form, while this process is ongoing.
Detailed information on scheme recipients, including recipients by county, are published each year by my Department in the Annual Statistical Report on Social Welfare Services, which is available at gov.ie/dsp/statistics. The Annual Statistical Report on Social Welfare Services in respect of 2022 will be published in 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
418. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in each county in receipt of the living alone allowance who will receive a €200 lump sum payment, in tabular form. [56753/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2023 included a very comprehensive package of measures to be implemented over the rest of 2022 and for the early part of next year to help households, businesses and civic society cope with the increased cost of living. As part of this package a €200 lump sum payment will be issued to people in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance. The county breakdown of those in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance at the end of October 2022 is shown in the attached tabular statement. Note that these numbers are subject to change given that the payment will be based on those awarded and in payment in November 2022.
|
County |
Recipients of Living Alone Allowance October 2022 |
|
Clare |
6,568 |
|
Cork |
26,343 |
|
Cavan |
3,822 |
|
Carlow |
3,087 |
|
Donegal |
9,188 |
|
Dublin |
53,389 |
|
Galway |
12,114 |
|
Kildare |
7,328 |
|
Kilkenny |
4,438 |
|
Kerry |
8,880 |
|
Longford |
2,538 |
|
Louth |
6,017 |
|
Limerick |
10,110 |
|
Leitrim |
2,351 |
|
Laois |
3,542 |
|
Meath |
6,683 |
|
Monaghan |
3,179 |
|
Mayo |
8,252 |
|
Offaly |
3,571 |
|
Roscommon |
3,914 |
|
Sligo |
4,023 |
|
Tipperary |
9,452 |
|
Waterford |
6,554 |
|
Westmeath |
4,311 |
|
Wicklow |
6,030 |
|
Wexford |
8,180 |
|
County unknown or not specified |
6,116 |
|
Total |
229,980 |
