Written Answers Nos. 251-262
251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an entitlement for a carer's allowance is being reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62908/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarers 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 21 October 2022.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision, and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the Deciding Officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that these conditions were satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 2 December 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.
In order to review this decision, the person concerned should submit any further medical evidence or information that would be of benefit to the application. The options for the submission of this evidence were outlined in the letter dated 2 December 2022.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
252. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline any changes to the registration of new births; if parents are now required to present themselves at an office, given that previously the entire process was completed by the hospital and her Department without needing a parent to show up in an office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62917/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 3 of the Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended, sets out the requirements for the registration of births. Section 19 of the Act sets out the duties on parents (or others in the absence of the parents) to register a birth. The requirements are that parents, within three months of the date of birth, attend before a registrar to provide the required particulars of the birth and to sign the register in the presence of a registrar. These provisions are similar to those in place under the legislation first introduced in the 19th Century. Other than the temporary measures introduced to remove the obligation for parents to attend in person during the Covid-19 pandemic, these requirements remain unchanged.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
253. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims submitted and the number of persons who have received enhanced illness benefit for Covid-19; the number of persons who were in payment for ten weeks; the number of persons who transferred to illness benefit after the ten-week payment period had expired; the number of these claims that were in payment for more than two weeks, four weeks, eight weeks, 12 weeks or in excess of 12 weeks, respectively; the number that were transferred to disability allowance; the number of such claims that were rejected or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62919/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnhanced Illness Benefit (EIB) was a form of Illness Benefit that is payable to self-employed persons or an employee who is told to self-isolate or has been diagnosed with Covid-19. The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit came to an end on Friday 30 September 2022.
It is important to note that a person may have received Enhanced Illness Benefit on more than one occasion since the payment was introduced, and thus have more than one claim for Enhanced illness Benefit. EIB was payable for up to 10 weeks where a person was diagnosed with Covid-19. In a case where a person continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility.
Based on claim certification dates, there were 7,756 EIB claims with a duration of 10 weeks or more. Of the claims with a total certification period of 10 or more weeks, these relate to 5,855 individuals of whom 4,203 transferred to Illness Benefit payments, and were certified for 2 or more weeks. The duration of these illness benefit claims are set out in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Duration of Illness Benefit claims for those who transferred from EIB
|
Weeks |
Claims |
|
2-4 |
983 |
|
4-8 |
1,180 |
|
8-12 |
565 |
|
12+ |
1,475 |
119 individuals who had at least one EIB claim of more than 10 weeks duration are now in receipt of Disability Allowance. A total of 97 people had a Disability Allowance claim rejected, while 48 people had Disability Allowance claims pending as of end-November 2022.
254. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of full-time medical assessors working in her Department in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased during 2023. [62921/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 32 Medical Assessors working in my Department. The numbers in situ at the end of 2019 to 2021 inclusive and at the end of November 2022 are outlined below in tabular form. It is intended to run a recruitment competition for Medical Assessors in early 2023 to form a panel from which any future vacancies will be filled.
|
Year |
People |
Posts |
|
2019 |
33.00 |
30.10 |
|
2020 |
33.00 |
30.30 |
|
2021 |
32.00 |
30.00 |
|
2022 |
33.00 |
31.10 |
255. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who has a mixed social welfare record consisting of A, B and D contributions and can satisfy the minimum conditions for a pro rata pension for a person with mixed insurance is entitled to have their pension assessed under the total contribution system, including up to 1,040 ordinary and caring credits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62943/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand my officials have spoken with the Deputy to clarify the information sought in this question.
Pension entitlement can only be assessed on the basis of the eligibility conditions applicable on the date an individual reaches State Pension age.
A pro-rata State Pension (Contributory) pension for an applicant with mixed insurance can be calculated on an interim TCA basis (with provision for 10 years of PRSI Credits and 20 years of HomeCaring Periods, but with a cap of 20 years combined PRSI Credits and HomeCaring Periods).
Assessment for eligibility for a State Pension (Contributory) payment, including a mixed insurance pro-rata State Pension, depends on the individual’s circumstances, including when he or she have reached / will reach State Pension age and their social insurance history.
A contributor who has not yet reached pension age is best advised to maintain their social insurance record as fully as possible over their working life. In the event that a person ceases insurable employment before reaching State pension age, they may wish to consider payment of voluntary contributions. Information about voluntary contributions, including eligibility conditions, is available by writing to Voluntary Contributions Section, Department of Social Protection, Cork Road, Waterford or emailing volcons@welfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
256. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62964/22]
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 15 September 2022.
CA was awarded on 12 December 2022, with effect from 15 September 2022 and the first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on 15 December 2022.
Arrears for the period 15 September 2022 to 14 December 2022 will issue in due course.
The person concerned was notified on 12 December 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.
257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has not been able to obtain a full contributory State pension; the way this can be addressed in the context of their circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62981/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 09 May 2019. According to the records of my department an application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 12 July 2022.
The person concerned has a total of 694 reckonable paid and credited social insurance contributions from 14 September 1970 to the end of December 2018. This equates to a yearly average of 14 contributions giving an entitlement to 40% of the State Pension (contributory) rate of payment. This is the correct rate commensurate with the social insurance record as held by my Department.
To qualify for State Pension (contributory) at the maximum rate, the person concerned would need a yearly average of at least 48 contributions. Contributions paid after a person’s 66th birthday are not currently reckonable for pension purposes.
The claim was reviewed on 17 August 2022 with no change to the rate of payment. If the person in question considers that additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.
The person concerned has appealed the decision and this appeal has been submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Officer on 02 November 2022.
It is also open to them to apply for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). I have arranged for a State Pension non-contributory application form to issue to them.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when the State pension will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) who is a vulnerable person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62983/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraState pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
An application for state pension (non-contributory) was received from the person concerned on 4 August 2022. The case was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector to investigate the means of the person concerned.
Following receipt of the Inspector's report and further information requested from the Wards of Court Office, the Deciding Officer has decided the person concerned is entitled to a state pension (non-contributory), at a reduced rate, with effect from 17 June 2022.
Payment of pension and arrears from 17 June 2022 will issue to the person's bank account on 16 December 2022.
A letter issued to the person concerned on 13 December 2022 outlining this decision and offering the right, if dissatisfied with the decision, to request a review or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
259. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a child benefit payment for a child (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63104/22]
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.
Child benefit has been awarded to the named person with effect from August 2022. Payment, including arrears, will issue via the nominated payment method on 20th December 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
260. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any potential funding streams are available to a centre (details supplied) for the targeted youth employability support initiative, which was previously funded under the Dormant Accounts Fund by the Department of Children, Equality; Disability, Integration and Youth but has not been renewed as a multi-annual project.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62901/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department secured Dormant Accounts funding for the Initiative which was designed to run over the period 2021 to 2022. Funding was made available to applicants from all 16 Education and Training Board functional areas.
The time limited nature of the initiative and the overall duration of funding available was advised to all successful applicants from the outset as part of the terms and conditions. The aim of this particular initiative was to provide short-focused interventions to enable young people to support their confidence and agency to engage in a wide range of progressive routes to further education, training and employment.
Separate to the initiative referred to by the Deputy, my Department provides significant funding to organisations at local and national level to support young people to address a range of needs including the provision of age-appropriate tools and information related to the acquisition of employment and life skills.
For example, funding in excess of €44 million is provided to over 260 funded organisations under the UBU Your Place Your Space funding scheme. The mission of this scheme is to provide out of school supports to marginalised, disadvantage or vulnerable young people aged 10-24 years of age in their communities. The organisations referred to by the Deputy receive funding under this scheme. The scheme includes a range of target groups to support young persons and some 75% of the funded organisations include target groups working with young people not in employment, education or training.
In addition, there is a youth related focus and a number of actions included in 'Pathways to Work 2021-2025', the government’s national employment services strategy and overall framework for activation and employment support policy.
261. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the national disability inclusion strategy transport working group approved the review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers' scheme at its meeting on 8 December 2022; when the final report will be published; and if submissions made by TWG members between September and October 2022 will be published. [63054/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of mobility supports for people with disabilities is a key priority for me as Minister of State with responsibility for disability. Important cross-Government action to review and consider proposals for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports has been advanced through the framework of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), and in particular in the context of Action 104 of the NDIS. The Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress in this regard. I have chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group since January 2022, from which point the participation of the Department of Finance in the work of the Group was facilitated for the purposes of including the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme in the Group's holistic considerations. This was arranged following correspondence between Minister O'Gorman and Minister Donohoe on the matter.
As part of its work in 2022, the Transport Working Group has engaged in discussions on way to improve Government-funded transport and mobility supports with a view towards developing proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward. The Department of Finance helpfully provided a number of inputs to the Group, based on the work of a Criteria Sub-Group which it convened for this purpose, specifically in relation to the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme. The membership of the Criteria Sub-Group comprised of former members of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal and Principal Medical Officers in the HSE. Its purpose was to capture their experiences, expertise and perspectives in relation to the practical operational and administrative challenges of the Scheme, as well as to explore what alternative vehicular arrangements were available for those with mobility issues based on international experience. The main conclusion of the Criteria Sub-Group is that the Scheme needs to be replaced with a fit for purpose, needs-based vehicular adaptation scheme in line with best international practice. The materials provided to the Transport Working Group by the Department of Finance in this regard include an evaluation of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme which concludes that it is no longer fit for purpose; a proposal for a new vehicular adaptation scheme; and international evidence in support of its proposal. The discussions at the Transport Working Group have been particularly enriched by the contributions of Disability Stakeholder Group representatives, and other disability organisations, who have ensured that the lived experience of people with disabilities remains at the centre of considerations.
The Group's work is now completed, and the final report - which synthesises submissions made by members of the Transport Working Group for this purpose - will be finalised and published in Q1 2023. As Chair of the Working Group, I do not propose to comment on any specific scheme in advance of the Group finalising its own position.
It will be incumbent on colleagues across Government with responsibility for transport and mobility supports to carefully consider how the recommendations of the Transport Working Group ought to be advanced following the completion of Action 104 and the conclusion of the NDIS in 2022. In that regard, I would note that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has a policy coordination role in relation to disability matters but does not hold responsibility for the specific parameters or administration of any transport or mobility supports for people with disabilities.
262. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to correspondence being issued to persons (details supplied) advising that they are unable to meet the statutory obligation in processing applications; his views on this; the engagement his Department has had in this regard; his views on whether this is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62897/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department have been engaging with both the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) and the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, in respect of the ongoing implementation of services under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022.
Information and Tracing services, as provided for under the Act, opened to applications on 03 October 2022. As of 12 December, a total of 5,956 applications for information have been received by Tusla and the AAI, with over two thirds of that total being received within two weeks of commencement. These applications are in addition to the 2,652 applications made for tracing services since 03 October, and 2,934 preferences registered to the Contact Preference Register since it opened on 01 July.
Processing the initial volume of information requests, reflecting decades of pent-up and increasing demand, is proving to be a challenge. As of Monday 12 December, the two agencies have processed and issued over 800 requests for information, with more due for completion and issue each day.
In addition to Information and Tracing services, applications are continuing to be made to the Contact Preference Register, and the AAI has successfully identified 196 matches for relatives for whom they are facilitating contact.
I am deeply aware of the disappointment and frustration caused to applicants receiving a notification indicating that there will be a delay in the compilation and release of their information. I have been assured that both agencies are doing their utmost to respond to all the applications received within the shortest possible timeframe. I have also been advised that they are re-assigning additional staff members to work exclusively on processing applications and that they will continue to keep every person who is waiting for information informed about their application.
