Written Answers Nos. 70-89
70. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for the carer’s allowance in the case of persons (details supplied); when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61082/22]
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 9 November 2022.
CA was awarded on today's date 5 December 2022 and the person concerned will be notified directly in writing of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
71. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a carer’s allowance application will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61121/22]
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.
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 13 October 2022.
The application was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 21 October 2022 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
The inspector interviewed the person concerned on the 7 November 2022 and requested additional documentation. A reminder email issued on 17 November 2022 regarding the outstanding requested documentation. No correspondence has been received from the person concerned to date.
Following a report from the SWI on 2 December 2022, the claim for CA will be disallowed on the basis that the customer failed to reply and has not submitted the means information requested by the SWI.
The person concerned will be notified of this decision in writing the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.
There is also a separate application for CSG and that is currently with a Deciding Officer and the person concerned will be notified once a decision has been made.
I hope this clarifies the position for the deputy.
72. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a representation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61148/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for a State Pension (contributory) payment on the 10 February 2022.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 353 full-rate contributions and 60 modified contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory).
They were notified in writing of this decision on 26 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.
The spouse of the person concerned applied for the fuel allowance on the 22 September 2022. The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April. One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.
From January 2023, there is a new means threshold for people aged 70 and over, of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. Following a means assessment, it was determined that the household means were €1267.25. As this exceeded the new means threshold for the household, the application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
73. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a representation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61150/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned was in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) from 24/03/2022 until 26/07/2022. Following the cancellation of her Temporary Protection Order by the Department of Justice, the person concerned was required to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) for continued eligibility to JA.
JA is subject to the HRC, wherein certain guidelines are followed in order to determine if an individual’s main centre of interest is the Republic of Ireland; the first step of which is determining a right to reside in the State. It was determined that the person concerned did not meet the HRC eligibility criteria and therefore her application for JA and subsequent application for a basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) were disallowed.
The person appealed the decision to disallow JA, which is currently under review by the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
There is no record of the person requesting an appeal on the disallowance of her basic SWA application.
A second basic SWA application was registered for the person concerned with effect from 29/11/2022. The application was assessed and was disallowed in a letter dated 05/12/2022 as the person concerned does not satisfy HRC. It is open to the person concerned to seek a review and/or appeal the decision to the SWAO within 21 days.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
74. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review will be carried out on the case of a person (details supplied). [61168/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn behalf of this Department, I wish to offer my sincere sympathies to the family of the person concerned on their recent bereavement.
I will ask my officials to examine this matter and revert to the Deputy.
76. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a decision in respect of a fuel allowance application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61204/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel Allowance is a payment to help with the cost of heating an individual’s home during the winter months. To qualify for Fuel Allowance, a person must satisfy the scheme criteria, which includes living alone, or living with an individual that also satisfies certain eligibility criteria.
Due to a recent change in circumstances which became apparent following an interview with one of the Department's Inspectors in October 2022, the person concerned withdrew his claim for the Fuel Allowance payment.
The customer made a subsequent application in early November 2022 and has this week been deemed to qualify once more for the Fuel Allowance, including arrears. The local Community Welfare Officer also issued an additional needs payment of €200 this week to the person concerned.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
77. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a representation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61207/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe representation to which the Deputy refers concerns funding provided to an organisation under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2021, Measure to Support the Employment of People with Disabilities. A total of 45 projects, including the one referred to in the representation, were awarded up to €7.6 million in funding. The programme started on 1 September 2021 and was due to conclude at the end of December this year.
I was very keen to avoid a gap in funding between the current Dormant Accounts Fund employment support measure for people with disabilities and an anticipated new programme under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027. It is anticipated that this new disability programme will be open by way of a competitive process in 2023 to applications from organisations across the country.
In this regard, I can confirm that I have extended funding to the organisations up until the end of 2023 and made provision for same under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2023.
Pobal, who manage the current measure on behalf of my department, have been in direct contact with all the projects concerned – including the organisation which is the subject of the Deputy’s representation - with further details.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
78. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine any policy or operational mechanisms to support a full-time nursing student such as a person (details supplied); his views on whether it is more likely this student will be able to support herself and her family over the long term if she is supported in college, rather than if she drops out to qualify for benefits. [61208/22]
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 the person concerned applied for disability allowance (DA) on 11 November 2022.
The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
An information request letter was sent to this lady on 18 November 2022 to supply supporting documentation, to determine her eligibility for DA.
On receipt of this information a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
My department is committed to do everything we can to assist people with disabilities to further their education. DA Recipients may be entitled to Back To Education Allowance (BTEA). There are two options available to applicants. They can remain on DA without applying for any grants. Furthermore, they can remain on DA and apply for the full grant through SUSI. This will not affect their weekly DA payment. Applications for BTEA must be made prior to commencing or within 30 days of the commencement of the course.
If the person concerned is awarded DA, an application for BTEA will issue to the person concerned for completion along with detailed information regarding her options for commencing a further education course.
On receipt of the completed application form along with confirmation of attendance at a course, a decision will be made on her entitlement to BTEA.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
79. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will qualify for the over-65 benefit payment. [61236/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, provided under the Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) social insurance schemes, was introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to address the position of people who are required to or choose to retire at age 65 before the pension age of 66.
The payment is designed to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at 65 until they qualify for the State Pension at age 66, i.e., for those who can demonstrate a recent attachment to the workforce. The social insurance contribution requirements are not as high as for receipt of the State Pension (Contributory), and people retiring at age 65, given their recent attachment to the workforce, should, in most cases, meet the required PRSI conditionality.
According to the Department’s records, the person concerned does not meet the requirements for entitlement to the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds. The information shows that the individual was last in PAYE insurable employment in 2016, at which time they made Class A PRSI contributions. The timeline of these contributions is not recent enough for eligibility for the payment.
I recently signed a Regulation which provides those self-employed contributors who have recently lost their usual self-employment business and in receipt of an Approved Retirement Fund may be eligible for the payment. However, information available to the Department advises that the person concerned was not previously operating a self-employed business.
The person concerned therefore does not meet the conditions of the payment. I hope that this clarifies the position.
80. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that women who received a W number upon becoming married in the past are not being issued with public service cards and are instead told they must apply for a new PPS number; the reason there is no warning in respect of same when persons apply for a card, leaving them waiting until they contact her Department; and if these new PPS numbers are automatically supplied to the Revenue Commissioners in order that there is no confusion in regards to credits or other such matters. [61242/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHistorically, when some women got married they were allocated a Revenue and Social Insurance Number (RSI Number) which was linked to their husband’s RSI Number. These linked numbers (Level W numbers) were issued by the Revenue Commissioners so that they could identify spouses in a jointly assessed relationship. The Level W number was generated by adding a W to the RSI number of the husband’s RSI Number.
The Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) was introduced in the Social Welfare Act 1998, replacing the RSI Number, and my Department was given legislative responsibility for allocating and managing these new numbers. In practice, the RSI numbers in existence were retained and became PPSNs, including “Level W” numbers. In other words, "Level W" numbers are PPSNs in their own right and it is not the case that any person's PPSN is linked with another person.
The practice of allocating “Level W” numbers to married women ceased from 1999. However, it was decided, at that stage, not to ask all individuals with “Level W” numbers to change them until there was an actual need to do so.
It is the case that the Office of the Revenue Commissioners request people with “Level W” numbers to change them once they need to engage with them on taxation matters.
The process of replacing a “Level W” number is relatively straightforward and there is no need for the person to attend any office or to queue for service. As part of the process, my Department verifies the identity of the individual, purges the existing number and replaces it with either a new number or one that the individual may have had prior to marriage. In addition, all pre-existing records relating to that individual are transferred over to the new number.
Once completed, a letter issues to the individual at their home address, advising of the new PPSN. The Revenue Comissionners are also advised of the new number. Once received, the notification of the new PPSN should be presented to Revenue to allow the new PPSN to be registered for tax purposes.
This process is carried out by staff of the Client Identity Services (CIS) section of my Department who can be contacted by phone at LoCall 0818 927 999 or 071 967 2616 or by email at cis.purges@welfare.ie
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
81. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 406 of 29 November 2022, the criteria which are considered before a decision to write off amounts due to her Department as a result of overpayments of the contributory and non-contributory old age pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61254/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments arise as a consequence of decisions made under the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended). Customers who have been overpaid social welfare have a liability to refund the overpayment as they have been in receipt of a payment to which they were not entitled. Some payments can issue where a customer is deceased and there has been a delay in notifying the Department.
Where an overpayment is raised, the Department is required to make every effort to recover the amount overpaid. Recovery of the debt owed will be pursued using all the debt recovery mechanisms available to the Department
The Department may write off debt where, because of the age of the debt or otherwise, there is no realistic possibility of recovery of the debt through the estate of the deceased or through a third party institution, or where the value of the debt is such that recovery is not considered economic.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
82. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61271/22]
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.
A new claim for IP was received from the person concerned on 10 November 2022. In order to establish medical suitability two forms were sent to him on 16 November 2022. On receipt of the completed forms, the IP claim will be processed as quickly as possible and he will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
83. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a decision to deny children’s allowance payment to a person in County Cork (details supplied). [61388/22]
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.
A manager will review the Child Benefit claim for the person concerned. The review will be prioritised for early decision. A further decision will issue when the review is complete.
I trust this helps clarify the position for the Deputy.
84. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the waiting times for those applying for the exceptional needs payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61395/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Welfare Service (CWS) is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
Where an application for an Additional Needs Payment is complete and accompanied by the required documentation, it is processed very quickly.
Where it is clear that a person has an immediate need, every effort is made to ensure he or she receives a payment on the same day.
Where an application cannot be finalised promptly, the delay is normally due to additional information or documentation being requested from the person to support their application and the length of time that it takes for the information to be provided. This can result in longer processing times for these applications as greater flexibility is given to clients with extended time to respond. Upon receipt of this information, the application is then processed as quickly as possible.
My Department has taken a number of steps to simplify and streamline the application process:
- There is a full-time CWO presence in 50 Intreo Centres nationwide, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday in line with my continuing commitment to a service which has local engagement with local clients as its cornerstone.
- A person does not have to attend an office in person to make a claim. If it is more convenient for them, they can speak directly with a CWO when they call the CWS freephone line. People who have never been to a CWO before find this very useful.
- Of course, in addition, CWOs attend clinics in other locations, deal with people over the phone and where needed, arrange to visit a person’s house by appointment.
- As part of the Budget estimate, I secured agreement for some 74 additional staff to be assigned to the CWS. Recruitment has commenced and it is anticipated that they will be in place by Q1 2023. In the interim, until the staff have been recruited, 30 Social Welfare Inspectors have been temporarily reassigned to the Community Welfare Service since the start of November to assist with claims processing.
- The number of applications for Additional Needs Payments has slowed in recent weeks. This can likely be attributed to the €1.2 Billion which has been paid out under the eight lump sum payments since the Budget.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
85. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on a disability allowance review for a person in County Cork (details supplied). [61398/22]
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 confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this gentleman on 22 June 2022.
Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, his application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 29 September 2022.
Further medical evidence was received, and a review of this decision was carried out. The original decision was upheld, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 05 December 2022.
The person concerned requested an appeal with the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO) on 26 October 2022.
The person will be notified directly regarding the outcome of the appeal by the SWAO.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
86. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the nationalities of the asylum seekers currently being accommodated at the former ESB offices in East Wall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61256/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, my Department, or any other Department, is unable to publish any information that would identify any person as being an international protection applicant. This is a separate matter to the law dealing with data protection matters more generally.
My officials are legally obliged, under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to ensure that the identity of any person who applies for international protection is kept confidential. Section 26(1) sets out that: “the Minister and the Tribunal and their respective officers shall take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept confidential”.
It is, therefore, an offence under law (punishable upon conviction by a Class A fine or up to 12 months in prison or both) that I or any of my officials would give any indication as to a person's status as an international protection applicant and thus breach their right to confidentiality. Due to its specificity, nationality can be an identifying characteristic and, therefore, cannot be disclosed.
As I am sure you will appreciate, these confidentiality requirements are especially important for an asylum-seeker, whose claim inherently supposes a fear of persecution in their home country and whose situation, or that of their family or friends still living in the country from which they have sought protection, can be jeopardised if the protection of their personal information is not ensured.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
87. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the nationalities of the asylum seekers currently being accommodated at a former convent building in Fermoy, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61257/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of asylum seekers currently being accommodated at a former convent building in Fermoy, County Cork; the breakdown by their country of origin, gender, age and if they are single or part of a family; the date on which they were first accommodated on the premises; the date on which Cork County Council was informed of the plan to accommodate them at this site; the date on which local representatives in the area were informed of the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61253/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 92 together.
Deputy, my Department releases generic information such as age ranges and gender as these are traits common to people in the entire country. As such, they cannot be used to locate or identify a specific person.
My officials are legally obliged, under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to ensure that the identity of any person who applies for international protection is kept confidential. Section 26(1) sets out that: “the Minister and the Tribunal and their respective officers shall take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept confidential” .
It is, therefore, an offence under law (punishable upon conviction by a Class A fine or up to 12 months in prison or both) that I or any of my officials would give any indication as to a person's status as an international protection applicant and thus breach their right to confidentiality.
Due to its specificity, nationality can be an identifying characteristic and, therefore, cannot be disclosed.
As I am sure you will appreciate, these confidentiality requirements are especially important for an asylum-seeker, whose claim inherently supposes a fear of persecution in their home country and whose situation, or that of their family or friends still living in the country from which they have sought protection, can be jeopardised if the protection of their personal information is not ensured.
As requested, please see below the total number of asylum seekers currently being accommodated at a former convent building in Fermoy, County Cork; the breakdown by their gender, age-range and if they are single or part of a family:
There are 63 people currently accommodated at a former convent building in Fermoy. Of this number, there are 19 families with 25 children and there are also 8 single women and no single males. Please see below age ranges:
|
Age |
Total |
|
Under 18 |
25 |
|
19 - 25 |
10 |
|
26 - 35 |
12 |
|
36 + |
16 |
In relation to prior engagement with the appropriate stakeholders in the area, I can confirm that I was in contact with local elected representatives who were informed of the decision before the arrival of international protection applicants on 29 November.
While efforts are made to notify public representatives and State agencies in advance of occupying a building, the emergency nature of the response required means that advance communications are not as comprehensive or as early as I, or my officials, would like. Due to the sheer scale of the present crisis this inevitably means that emergency accommodation of those seeking refuge must be occupied on a faster timeline than would otherwise be the case.Before the opening of any facility, my Department engages with local representatives to provide information as soon as possible following the agreement of terms with contractors. These constraints limit the time window for advance consultation. However, myself and my officials are cognisant of these issues and are working toward improving advance communications for elected representatives, local authorities and local communities in this regard.
I trust this information satisfies your query.
88. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans for IPAS accommodation or private accommodation contracted by his Department for international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection at locations in County Dublin in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61210/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, it is not possible to provide the information sought due the commerically sensitive nature of procurement negotiations.
My Department cannot comment on plans for accommodation in any specific area pending the agreement of rates, terms and contracts with providers.
However, I can assure you that the Department considers all offers of accommodation from all areas of the country and if offers in the areas specifically referred to by the Deputy are made, they are carefully considered and appraised.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the current critical situation facing IPAS. As of 27 November 2022, there are 17,648 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole.
To date, almost 61,000 Ukrainian refugees have come to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive and over 48,000 have been accommodated by the State. Alongside this, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking International Protection with over 13,600 arriving up to the end of November and a prediction of over 14,700 by the end of the year.
Overall, my Department is now accommodating over 66,000 people, compared with 7,250 at this time last year.
All of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used. Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, the Department has no option but to consider all offers of accommodation.
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country. There have been circa 40 accommodation locations utilised since January across 13 counties.
The Department is availing of all offers of accommodation made to it, including the use of office buildings and sports facilities, to address the accommodation shortfall. These options are necessary in order to provide shelter to international protection arrivals, to meet basic needs and to prevent homelessness.
I trust this information satisfies your query.
89. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 30 November 2022, the date on which the contract referred to was originally signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61250/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe contract for the International Protection Accommodation Service centre in East Wall was signed on 17 November.
