Written Answers Nos. 119-138
119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if school caretakers who worked during the pandemic are included in the Covid bonus payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56776/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question of whether school caretakers can be considered for the Covid bonus payment referred to by the Deputy would be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education.
I trust this clarifies the position.
120. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the HB1 application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56777/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for the Household Benefits Package was received from the person concerned on 19 October 2022. The person concerned has been awarded the Household Benefit Package and has been notified of the decision by post.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
121. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider incorporating outgoings and household expenses into the means test for payments from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56780/22]
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.
By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure.
Means tests are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years. In particular, I have introduced a number of changes to means testing which provide for higher income disregards. These disregards ensure that, where people are in receipt of a social assistance payment and are working, a certain level of income from that work is not assessed in the means test.
Introducing consideration of outgoings would have significant budgetary implications and would significantly increase the complexity of the means assessment. Any changes in this regard would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
As part of Budget 2023, I announced €1.2 billion in measures which will assist low-income families with increasing household expenses over the coming months. I have also announced a €12 increase in weekly payments from next January.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
122. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who works past their 66th birthday in accordance with the new pension laws which are to be introduced, will be able to pay a full rate contribution after their 66th birthday if they work past that date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56809/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system on 20th September 2022. The measures, which were approved by Government, are in response to the Pensions Commission's recommendations. The set of measures represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.
Rather than fixating on the idea of a single State Pension age, a flexible pension system will be introduced in Ireland. Under this new system, which will take effect from January 2024, people will still be able to retire at 66 and draw-down their pension in exactly the same way as they can today. In addition, there will be new flexibility so that people can choose to defer their pension, work longer and receive a higher pension payment.
People can draw down their State Pension at age 66 and continue in paid employment if that is what they want to do. The current position is that a person aged 66 years of age and over who works in paid employment can receive a State Pension (Contributory) payment, and there is no means testing or retirement condition for this payment. Furthermore, a person in receipt of the State Pension (Non-Contributory) can also work in paid employment subject to means testing rules. The State Pension reforms announced in September 2022 will not change that position.
The flexible State Pension system is about providing people with choice. People will decide for themselves what best suits their needs and circumstances. For example, in the case of a person who reaches age 66 and does not have sufficient contributions to qualify for a full pension, they will now have the option to work for longer in order to obtain a higher pension payment. A person will also have the option to continue working between age 66 and 70 and receive an actuarially based increase in their weekly payment rate.
My officials are working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of legislation and development of administrative and IT systems as necessary.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
123. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56815/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 12 October 2022.
CA was awarded on 9 November 2022, with effect from 28 July 2022 and the first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on 17 November 2022.
Arrears for the period 28 July 2022 to 16 November will also issue on 17 November 2022.
The person concerned was notified on 9 November 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
124. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the community employment scheme employment conditions and responsibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe are all very conscious of the important role that Community Employment (CE) and other programmes play in our communities. In addition to providing valuable occupational experience and training as a stepping-stone to employment for people who are long term unemployed, schemes such as CE also provide important and, in many cases essential, services to their local communities.
The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring authorities who are the legal employers of CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors. CE sponsoring authorities receive state funding to cover the cost of remuneration, training and material costs from the department. Therefore, any pay increases could increase the cost to the state of running CE schemes.
The Department of Social Protection, as the funder of CE schemes, has received correspondence from Fórsa and SIPTU seeking a pay increase for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. Any increase in pay rates that would potentially increase the overall cost to the state of funding schemes, or state funded activities in the wider community and voluntary sector, must take into consideration the potential cost to the exchequer. Given these budgetary implications, this correspondence has been forwarded to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for their consideration.
The Department is continuing to follow-up on this issue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and will also continue discussions with the Trade Unions concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
125. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when recipients of disability benefit will receive their bonus week payment as part of the recently announced cost-of-living supports measures. [56835/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe once-off Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment was paid in the week commencing 17 October 2022 to people in receipt of qualifying payments, including those in receipt of Disablement Benefit.
It was estimated that 13,777 people who are on this payment would benefit from the measure at a cost of €1.2 million.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
126. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to providing community employment, Tús, and rural social scheme supervisors with a bonus payment, in recognition of the work that they carried out during the Covid-19 pandemic and of the valuable work that they carry out in communities across the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56844/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protections operates a number of employment support schemes for long term unemployed persons which also assist communities across the country in the provision of vital services. Currently, there are some 24,000 participants engaged on the two schemes supporting long term unemployed persons back to work; Community Employment and Tús, with a further 2,873 on the Rural Social Scheme.
There are just over 1,600 supervisors and assistant supervisors employed on these three schemes and I wish to acknowledge the valuable and dedicated service that CE, Tús and RSS supervisors provide in running these schemes, in particular during the Covid-19 pandemic. They are invaluable in delivering local based community services while providing a valuable training and development opportunity to the long-term unemployed and to those often furthest removed from the labour market. I have been hugely impressed by the range and value of the work undertaken on these schemes, many of which I have had the opportunity to visit and witness at first hand.
The Department of Social Protection supported employment support schemes during the pandemic, in particular by extending participant contracts. As we emerged from the COVID-19, Minister Humphreys and I also introduced a number of reforms to rules governing schemes, to make sure they could continue to deliver vital community services. However, it is not envisaged that any bonus payment will be paid to CE, Tús and RSS supervisors.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
127. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the applications by persons (details supplied) for PPS numbers can be processed without delay, given that they are awaiting same in order to open a business. [56845/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has allocated Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) to the individuals referred to by the Deputy.
Letters issued on 11th November 2022 with details of their PPSNs.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if a matter in relation to a payment for a person (details supplied) will be examined and rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56849/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I can confirm that my Department received correspondence from the person concerned on 19 October 2022, notifying a change of circumstances regarding her disability allowance (DA).
I can confirm that following a review, the person concerned was assessed with nil means and their DA reinstated with effect from 23 November 2022
The first payment will be made by the person's chosen payment method on 23 November 2022. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 11 November 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
129. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) who applied for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56852/22]
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, following correspondence with the person concerned, his appeal was registered in that Office on 14 November 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. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question 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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
130. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons who have applied for the fuel allowance from 7 November 2022 are entitled to the €400 one-off payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56866/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs, it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33.00; or if preferred, by way of two lump sum payments; and is paid over the winter season. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.
As part of the overall social welfare Budget 2023 package of €2.2 billion, I am pleased to have secured a major expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme, which will benefit up to 81,000 additional households from January 2023. As part of these Budget measures, I announced an additional lump sum payment of €400 to households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment.
The additional payment of €400 will be made to all households in receipt of Fuel Allowance in the week beginning 14th November 2022. Those in receipt of weekly Fuel Allowance payments will receive their weekly payment of €33.00 plus the additional payment of €400.00, and those who receive their payment by lump sum will receive the additional lump sum of €400.00.
The €400.00 lump sum will also be paid to all those whose entitlement to Fuel Allowance commences on or before week beginning 14th November 2022, even though their claim may be decided later than that week.
The additional €400.00 payment will issue automatically to all recipients of Fuel Allowance; they do not need to contact my Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
131. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) who is attending a course in the National Learning Network cannot qualify for the disability support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56903/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind excluding persons from receiving the €500 disability support grant payment who were on disability allowance but transferred to a training allowance when taking up a training course; if her attention has been drawn to reports that this is having a knock-on effect of lowering uptake on courses and participation in education by disabled persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56914/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra134. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if disabled persons were given assurances by the Government that they would not be made less financially well-off as a result of taking up a training programme and that their payments and secondary benefits would be retained; if not, if this decision can be justified at a time of escalating costs of living for persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56916/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra135. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that teenagers and young adults who would be in receipt of the disability allowance but who enter training with an organisation (details supplied) through the National Learning Network centres and have to switch over to a training allowance which is the same weekly value as the disability allowance which is mandatory in order to take up training with the organisation; the reason that these teenagers and young adults are excluded from the €500 bonus payment that persons on the disability allowance are entitled to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57000/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra138. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider those on a training scheme, who were previously on disability allowance but whose status has temporary changed to training allowance and are now not eligible for the €500 cost-of-living support grant (details supplied); if he plans to include this cohort of the population who are as much in need of this cost-of-living support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57008/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra139. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify that persons attending recognised training courses who are receipt of a qualifying payment will be eligible for the one-off €500 disability support payment. [57015/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 132, 134, 135, 138 and 139 together.
My Department has, as you will be aware, acted very quickly to deliver the Disability Support Grant and other budget measures within an exceptionally short timeframe. Wherever possible, budget measures that are usually implemented in the January to March period of the year following a budget announcement, have been brought forward and implemented within a period of weeks. While this early issue of payments was very challenging it was possible to achieve for people paid directly off the Department’s own payment systems.
However, when undertaking training courses, recipients of Disability Allowance move off the Department’s payment systems and transfer to a Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science funded Training Allowance. As a consequence, it was not possible to process early payment of the Disability Support Grant to these recipients in the same manner as was implemented in respect of people paid directly through the Department’s own systems.
I can confirm, however, that it is absolutely the intention that people on training courses, having previously been in receipt of a Disability Allowance payment, will receive the €500 Disability Support Grant.
My officials are examining this issue in conjunction with their colleagues in the Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure the payment is made to those who are on Training courses as soon as possible.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
133. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who were in receipt of disability allowance and are currently on training courses and who are now going to be excluded from the €500 disability support grant payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56915/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has, as you will be aware, acted very quickly to deliver the Disability Support Grant and other budget measures within an exceptionally short timeframe. Wherever possible, budget measures that are usually implemented in the January to March period of the year following a budget announcement, have been brought forward and implemented within a period of weeks. While this early issue of payments was very challenging it was possible to achieve for people paid directly off the Department’s own payment systems.
However, when undertaking training courses, recipients of Disability Allowance move off the Department’s payment systems and transfer to a Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science funded Training Allowance. As a consequence, it was not possible to process early payment of the Disability Support Grant to these recipients in the same manner as was implemented in respect of people paid directly through the Department’s own systems.
I can confirm, however, that it is absolutely the intention that people on training courses, having previously been in receipt of a Disability Allowance payment, will receive the €500 Disability Support Grant.
My officials are examining this issue in conjunction with their colleagues in the Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure the payment is made to those who are on Training courses as soon as possible.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
136. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if State Pension (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory) applications were made by a person (details supplied); if so, the outcome of the applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57004/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for a State Pension (Contributory) in 2011. At that time, an individual was required to have had 260 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). According to the records of my department they had 144 paid full rate social insurance contributions. Since their contributions fell short of the requisite 260 paid full-rate contributions, they did not qualify for State pension (contributory).
The person’s record was requested from the Department of Work and Pensions in the UK. One of the qualifying conditions for the State Pension (contributory) under EU Regulations is that a combined average of at least 10 paid or credited full rate Irish and EU social insurance contributions from entry into insurable employment to the end of the last tax year before their 66th birthday is required. According to the records, the person concerned had a combined yearly average of 7. As they did not meet the required average of at least 10 paid or credited contributions, they did not qualify for State pension (contributory) under EU Regulations.
They were notified in writing of these decisions, provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decisions were based, and afforded the right of review and/or appeal. There is no record of an appeal.
Their entitlement to an EU mixed rata state pension (contributory) based on their Irish and UK contributions was recently examined. The person concerned was awarded this pension from 25/11/2011 at the current weekly rate of €10.30. A letter has issued to the person concerned requesting their bank details. On receipt of the requested information their claim will be processed, and arrears issued.
The State Pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment with the maximum rate set at approximately 95% of the state pension (contributory) rate. An application for state pension (non-contributory) was received on 30 November 2021. Following an assessment of their means, the Deciding Officer determined that the weekly means of the person concerned exceeded the permissible statutory weekly limit of €262.50, and their application was disallowed.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 7 December 2021, together with the reasons for the decision and their right of review and/or appeal. There is no record of an appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
137. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection when assessing the contributory pension for a person (details supplied) if contributions from the UK have been requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57005/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted an application for a State Pension (Contributory) on 7 September 2022.
A copy of their record was requested from the Department of Work and Pensions in the UK. On receipt of this record on 15 November 2022 their entitlement to a State Pension (Contributory) under EU Regulations was examined.
A qualifying condition for State Pension (Contributory) under EU Regulations is that the person must have at least 520 paid full rate social insurance contributions in the EU countries before their 66th birthday. According to the records, the person concerned has a combined total of 443 Irish and EU paid full rate contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory) under EU Regulations.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 15 November 2022, provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based, and afforded the right of review and/or appeal.
It is also open to them to apply for State Pension (non-contributory). This is a means-tested payment with the maximum rate set at approximately 95% of the state pension (contributory) rate. I have arranged for a form to issue to them.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
