Written Answers Nos. 916-935
916. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s plans, if any, to extend the living alone allowance to those under the age of 66 years who are in receipt of a widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner’s pension and are living alone; the estimated cost of extending the allowance to those in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1911/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Living Alone Increase (LAI) is a weekly payment of €22 in addition to the primary social welfare payment to:
- people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including State pensions, and who are living alone.
- people who are less than 66 years of age, living alone and in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
The payment types that allow a person under age 66 to receive the LAI are payments to people who have a long-term illness or disability.
There are currently over 30,250 recipients of the Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s pension aged under 66. The Department does not hold records on how many of those in receipt of such payments live alone. As a result, it is not possible to provide a cost for the measure proposed by the Deputy.
Any decision to extend the LAI to those in receipt of the Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s pension aged under 66 would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
917. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made for the disability allowance review of a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1912/23]
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 an application for disability allowance from the person concerned on 01 February 2022.
A means assessment has determined that the means of the person concerned exceed the statutory maximum allowed under the DA scheme. A letter notifying the person concerned issued on 23 March 2022.
An appeal was lodged with the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 04 May 2022. This was subsequently withdrawn as the claim of the person concerned was reviewed on 05 May 2022. Following a successful review outcome, the person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 02 February 2022.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 05 May 2022. The first payment was made by their chosen payment method on 11 May 2022 which included Arrears of Payment due from 02 February 2022 to 10 May 2022.
The DA section of my Department received a notification on 25 May 2022 that the person concerned was not living alone. On foot of this notification, the person's Living Alone Allowance (LAA) was stopped from 07 June 2022. Due to a departmental error, a letter of communication notifying the person concerned did not issue to him at that time.
I can confirm that a letter issued to the home address of the person concerned on 16 January 2023 advising him of this decision and of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
The person concerned did not receive any payment from 07 June 2022, as his net weekly means were assessed at €236.67. His means on 07 June 2022 are in excess of the statutory limit of €230 (Personal Rate of €208.00 plus increase for living on an island allowance of €22.00). This was a consequence of the person in question LAA being stopped.
All disability allowance claims are subject to reviews. The DA claim of the person concerned was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 24 October 2022 for a report on the person’s means and circumstances.
The SWI is currently carrying out an Urgent assessment on the claim. An information request letter issued to the person concerned on 12 January 2023 from the SWI as part of a means review into his continued entitlement to DA.
Once the SWI has submitted his/her report, a decision will be made on the application as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
918. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if participants on CE schemes and rural social schemes qualify for the €500 cost-of-living grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1938/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection operates a number of employment support schemes, including Community Employment (CE) and the Rural Social Scheme (RSS), for long term unemployed persons which also assist communities across the country in the provision of vital services.
Budget 2023 was designed to assist recipients of Social Protection payments with Cost-of-Living increases through a mix of lump sum payments, increases to weekly payment rates and an expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme.
CE and RSS participant wage rates are determined by their underlying social welfare payment (called the scheduled rate) at the time of commencement, subject to a minimum payment. The minimum payment on CE and RSS increased as part of Budget 2023 from €230.50 to €247.50 per week, from January 2023. Those in receipt of an Increase for a Qualified Child also benefitted from a €2 weekly increase, while those in receipt of an Increase for a Qualified Adult benefitted from an additional €8 weekly increase.
In addition, a number of once off bonus payments were announced in Budget 2023, which benefitted eligible Community Employment and RSS participants, including a once off payment of €400 for those in receipt of the Fuel Allowance and a €200 lump sum payment for those in receipt of a Living Alone Allowance. These are in addition to the Autumn Cost of Living double week payment, the double payment of Child Benefit in November and the Christmas double payment made in December 2022.
However, the cost of living disability support grant (€500) was not payable to CE or RSS participants who came from a disability payment. It was paid to people in receipt of a disability allowance, invalidity pension and blind persons pension.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
919. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if claims for illness benefit can be submitted online to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1992/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness Benefit claims can be submitted online through the MyWelfare service. Applications can also be made via post by completing an IB1 form.
All Illness Benefit applications, whether submitted online or by post, must be supported by appropriate medical evidence. The only acceptable form of medical evidence is a certificate of incapacity for work, which can be sent electronically by the applicant's GP directly to the Department, or a paper version which is available from a GP. The majority of GPs send certificates electronically to the Department. Any IB1 application forms and the Certificates of Incapacity for Work should be posted to PO BOX 1650, Dublin 1.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
920. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households receiving the over-70s fuel allowance; if there is a breakdown by local area, in tabular form, including Dún Laoghaire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2068/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist long-term social welfare dependent householders and those aged 70 and over 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 over the winter season at the weekly rate of €33.00 or, if preferred, by way of two instalment payments. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.
I was pleased, as part of the Social Protection Budget 2023 Package of €2.2 billion, to announce that I had secured funding for the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme. It is estimated that the changes introduced will see up to 81,000 additional households qualify for the scheme.
There is a more streamlined process in place for applicants aged 70 and over. A new online Fuel Allowance application service was made available on MyWelfare on 5 December 2022, which makes it easier and quicker for customers to apply for the payment, at a time and place that suits them.
As at the end of December 2022, almost 8,600 recipients aged 70 and over had been awarded Fuel Allowance since the start of the 2022/23 fuel allowance season on 26 September 2022. Of these, some 4,300 applicants qualified with effect from January 2023, when the new measures for the over 70s take effect. While it is not possible to provide a local area breakdown, I am informed that almost 900 of these newly qualified households have an address in Dublin.
This is the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme and applications are being processed as quickly as possible. Applicants who qualify for the payment will receive their full entitlement which will be backdated as appropriate.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
921. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal has been registered for a person (details supplied) as requested on 11 October 2022 by this Deputy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2089/23]
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 an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 12 January 2023 following its referral from the Department. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection.
These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 16 January 2023 and the case will now 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 hearing.
Every effort will be made to process this appeal as quickly as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
922. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their carer's allowance application. [2105/23]
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 CA from the person concerned on 27 October 2022.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding the claim and attends at such office or place as an officer may direct.
A request for information was issued to the person concerned on 9 November 2022; some information was received. A second request for the outstanding documentation was issued on 7 December 2022. The person concerned failed to provide the relevant certificates, documents, information or evidence that was requested from them.
A decision was made to disallow the application as the means of the person concerned could not be determined.
The person concerned was notified on 13 January 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
923. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for disability allowance; the total number of successful first-time applications; the total number of appeals; the total number of successful and unsuccessful appeals; the total number of requests for a review and the number of successful and unsuccessful reviews in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2128/23]
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.
During 2022 the Department received 26,021 new applications for Disability Allowance. Over the course of the year the Department awarded 13,817 claims. It should be noted that applications processed included some received in late 2021 and also that some of the applications awarded would have first been refused and then subsequently awarded following receipt of additional information.
The number of disability allowance (DA) applications received, allowed and disallowed from 2018 to date in 2022 are set out in the table below.
DA Scheme
|
Year |
DA Received |
*DA Award |
DA Disallowed |
|
Year |
DA Received |
*DA Award |
DA Disallowed |
|
2018 |
23,080 |
17,205* |
12,682 |
|
2019 |
24,017 |
16,949* |
13,981 |
|
2020 |
20,671 |
15,686* |
13,559 |
|
2021 |
20,599 |
13,298 |
14,860 |
|
2022 |
26,021 |
13,817 |
15,663 |
Stats in relation to reviews are not collated.
(*)Please note that the statistics in relation to awarded cases include cases in the disallowed category which were subsequently awarded following a review or a successful appeal.
The 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 following tables show the number of DA appeals received and allowed, disallowed or partially allowed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) from 2018 to the end of 2022.
Disability Allowance Appeal Outcomes 2018-2022
|
Year |
Received |
Appeals Allowed by Appeals Officers |
Appeals Partly Allowed by Appeals Officers |
Appeals Disallowed by Appeals Officers |
|
2018 |
5,200 |
3,112 |
99 |
1,256 |
|
2019 |
6,242 |
3,416 |
78 |
1,801 |
|
2020 |
6,661 |
3,930 |
127 |
2,642 |
|
2021 |
5,733 |
2,611 |
101 |
2,178 |
|
2022 |
5,637 |
2,348 |
74 |
2,222 |
Appeals which had a favourable outcome for the appellant consist of appeals which were either allowed in full or in part by an Appeals Officer, or which were resolved by way of a revised decision in favour of the appellant by a Deciding Officer.
There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with an appeal and that, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer.
Where the decision was not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds and, in addition, the Appeals Officer may gain further insights when they engage with the appellant throughout the appeal process which may influence the outcome of the appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
924. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide clarification under the criteria for disability allowance of the term "substantially" restricted due to one’s disability from doing work under the criteria for disability allowance; the way the criteria for being "substantially" restricted are determined when assessing an application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2129/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo qualify for a Disability Allowance (DA) payment a person must: be substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment; be aged between 16 and 66; satisfy a means test; and be habitually resident in the State
On Disability Allowance, the term ‘substantially restricted’ to carry out suitable employment depends on several factors, namely age, experience, and qualifications. The impairment arising from the medical condition(s) is assessed for functional limitations (disability). In turn, the functional limitations are assessed against the person’s age, experience, and qualifications for suitable employment.
It is the functional limitations that are being assessed, not merely the diagnosis(es).
Therefore, if a DO is not satisfied that a person is, by reason of a disability, substantially restricted in taking up his/her last employment, the DO will then have to decide whether they are substantially restricted in taking up suitable employment having regard to the person’s age, employment history and educational qualifications.
In some cases, a person may have no work history or work experience. These cases will have to be decided without reference to work experience and will have to be decided by reference to the likely impact of their condition on employment prospects.
There is an obligation on the customer to produce sufficient facts/evidence to make the case that s/he qualifies for the scheme in question. If the customer has not provided enough evidence, and the Medical Accessor’s ( MA)‘s opinion is that the employment test is not satisfied, it is open to the DO to decide that, in weighing up the evidence on file, the person has not shown that they qualify for the payment.
Any unfavourable decision of a Deciding Officer must be communicated in writing to the claimant setting out the reasons for the decision.
It is open to any person to request a review of any statutory decision made by the Department and any new evidence or information provided to the Department will be considered as part of this review.
It is important to note that any decision of a deciding officer can be revised in light of additional evidence without it ever being in the appeal process. This can result in several reviews being carried out on a single application and by extension multiple decisions being made on a single application.
Under the provisions of Section 311 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 if a person is dissatisfied with a statutory decision of the Department including the outcome of a review, they can submit a request for an independent appeal of the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
925. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a review of a decision on a carer's benefit application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2150/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions; employment conditions; show that they are providing full-time care and attention; and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on the 09 November 2022.
The person concerned was refused Carer’s Benefit on 28/12/2022 as the evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that although the person concerned is providing a certain level of care, the time involved was not considered to be full time.
A review request with further information on the care being provided was received on 09 January 2023.
Additional information in relation to the person’s review was requested by a deciding officer on 10 January 2023.
Once the information is received, the review will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
926. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2159/23]
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 an appeal by the person concerned 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. These papers were returned to the Appeals Office on 29 November 2022 and referred on 13 December 2022 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 hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
927. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer’s allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2160/23]
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 an appeal from the person concerned was registered in that Office on 16 January 2023. 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.
928. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of updated payment rates for core social protection payments from January 2023; and if she will provide this list, in tabular form, by payment. [2170/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced on Budget Day that over one billion euro would be spent on new Social Protection measures in 2023, including over €880 million in order to provide for a €12 across the board increase to the weekly rate of social welfare payments from January 2023.
The weekly rates per scheme for those schemes paid weekly are set below.
|
Scheme |
Personal Rate € |
|
|
Contributory - Pension Age |
|
|
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
66yrs & Over |
265.30 |
|
Widow/er's/Surviving Civil Partner (Con) Pension / Deserted Wife's Benefit |
66yrs & Over |
265.30 |
|
Death Benefit Pension |
66yrs & Over |
269.70 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
66yrs & Over |
239.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Contributory - Pension Age |
|
|
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
66yrs & Over |
254.00 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
66yrs & Over |
274.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Contributory - Working Age |
|
|
|
Invalidity Pension |
|
225.50 |
|
Widow/er's/Surviving Civil Partner (Con) Pension / Deserted Wife's Benefit |
Under 66yrs |
225.50 |
|
Death Benefit Pension |
Under 66yrs |
250.50 |
|
Carer's Benefit / Constant Attendance Allowance |
|
237.00 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
|
251.00 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit/JBSE/Illness Benefit/Incapacity Supplement/H&S/Injury Benefit |
|
220.00 |
|
Maternity Benefit/ Adoptive Benefit |
|
262.00 |
|
Paternity Benefit/Parent's Benefit |
|
262.00 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
|
203.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Contributory - Working Age |
|
|
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
|
220.00 |
|
Widow/er's/Surviving Civil Partner (Non-Con) Pension / Deserted Wife's Allowance |
|
220.00 |
|
Disability Allowance/Blind Pension |
|
220.00 |
|
Farm Assist |
|
220.00 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
|
220.00 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
|
218.00 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
Under 66yrs |
236.00 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
|
203.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Jobseeker's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
|
|
|
Rate for recipients aged 18 to 24 years of age (not living independently) |
|
129.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
Activation Schemes |
|
|
|
Back to Education Allowance |
|
220.00 |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
|
220.00 |
|
Community Employment Programme * |
|
247.50 |
|
TÚS - Community Work Placement * |
|
247.50 |
|
Rural Social Scheme * |
|
247.50 |
* Rate includes Top-Up payment
The monthly rates per scheme for those schemes paid monthly are set out below.
|
Scheme |
Monthly Rate € |
|
|
Children |
||
|
Child Benefit |
|
140.00 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
330.00 |
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
929. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2177/23]
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 an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 28 September 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. These papers were returned to the Appeals Office on 11 November 2022 and referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented. It is envisaged that the decision will issue to the person concerned in the near future.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
930. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the proposals that have been raised by an organisation (details supplied) with respect to making free travel passes available to persons diagnosed with epilepsy who are temporarily unable to drive due to their illness; the steps that have been taken since she met with the organisation in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2180/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are approximately 1,054,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million.
I am aware of an ongoing campaign by Epilepsy Ireland and recognise the issues and difficulties that can arise due to a person being diagnosed with epilepsy and who is unable to drive as a result of their condition.
Following the meeting with representatives of Epilepsy Ireland to discuss its proposal in detail, I asked my Department officials to examine the issues raised by Epilepsy Ireland.
Department officials are currently finalising the report examining the issues raised by Epilepsy Ireland, along with relevant submissions and I am expecting this report very soon.
It is important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit. Crucially, as many illnesses or physical conditions have an impact across a spectrum from mild to severe, entitlement to these social welfare schemes is not provided on the basis of a diagnosis but on the basis of the impact of that diagnosis on the individual concerned. In this way, resources can be targeted to people in most need.
Therefore, while a diagnosis of a particular medical condition will be required to establish if a person may be eligible for certain social welfare schemes, evidence of impact is also required before entitlement to the scheme or the related free travel scheme is established. The sole exception to this general approach is in respect of people who are blind.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
931. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reviewing the benefits available for those paying class S PRSI; if access to illness benefit will be extended to this group given the increased awareness and necessity for persons to isolate when ill from many illnesses and the increasing number of persons in this group who are on low or middle incomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2247/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra933. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has any plans to allow self-employed workers to claim illness benefit when they are out sick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2373/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 931 and 933 together.
Self-employed workers whose income is €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable to pay social insurance contributions at the class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. Such contributors are currently covered for a wide range of social insurance benefits including State pension (contributory), widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory), guardian’s payment (contributory), maternity, adoptive and paternity benefits, treatment benefits, invalidity pension, partial capacity benefit if in receipt of invalidity pension, jobseeker’s benefit (self-employed) and parent’s benefit.
The issue of extending additional social insurance benefits to self-employed persons paying class S social insurance contributions was considered in the last Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund, conducted by independent consultants, and published in October 2017.
That Review indicates that if access to certain additional benefits, including illness benefit, was extended to self-employed contributors, the class S rate of social insurance contribution would need to increase by 94% in order to ensure that the additional benefits are delivered in a revenue neutral manner. This rate of increase would bring the current class S contribution rate of 4% to 7.8% to cover the additional benefits only and does not take account of the value of the existing benefits to such contributors at the time of the Review.
Since the Review was published, self-employed contributors have gained access to invalidity pension from December 2017 and jobseeker's benefit (self-employed), and parent's benefit from November 2019, without any increase in their rate of contribution. With respect to the level of contribution to the social insurance fund by self-employed workers, they are now covered for most of the benefits available under the social insurance scheme which represents approximately 93% of the value of all benefits paid by the social insurance fund - in return for a contribution of 11 percentage points lower than that made in respect of employed contributors.
In view of the significant access to a range of social insurance benefits in recent years, without any increase in the rate of contribution by self-employed workers, access to the remaining benefits, including illness benefit, would fall to be considered in the context of the findings of the actuarial review due later this year and in the development of a proposal on the required changes to social insurance contribution rates.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
932. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2326/23]
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.The Department received a claim for IP for the person referred to on 23 November 2022. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. Notification of the decision issued to the person concerned on 17 January 2023 informing him of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal. I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
934. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a fuel allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2402/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
On foot of previous representations an application for Fuel Allowance issued to the person concerned on 16 January 2023. On receipt of the completed application their entitlement will be examined.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
935. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a fuel allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2403/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Fuel Allowance for the person concerned was awarded from 06 January 2023. They were notified in writing on 13 January 2023.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
