Paul Murphy
Ceist:389. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will significantly increase the direct provision allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9504/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Rates
Ceisteanna (389)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department administers the daily expenses allowance, provided for under S.I. No. 230/2018 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, in order to meet incidental, personal expenses for those who are provided for directly with meals and accommodation by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS).
The Government has provided €20.15 million for the allowance in 2023. The current weekly rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. There are approximately 10,100 adults and 2,100 children residing in IPAS provided accommodation in respect of whom daily expenses allowance is being paid.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is leading the implementation of the recommendations contained in the White Paper to End Direct Provision, adopted by the Government in February 2021.
Any increases to the current rate of daily expenses allowance, pending the implementation of the White Paper to End Direct Provision, would have to be approved by Government and considered in an overall budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Code
Ceisteanna (390)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:390. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will support paying the full basic supplementary welfare allowance to asylum seekers who are not in direct provision and giving asylum-seeking children access to child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9508/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Applicants for International Protection, who are awaiting a decision on their application, are offered accommodation by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Those who accept IPAS accommodation are provided with material reception conditions including food and health services together with other facilities and services designed to ensure their needs are met while seeking the protection of the State.
My department administers the daily expenses allowance (DEA) which is paid to protection applicants who reside in accommodation provided by IPAS in order to meet incidental, personal expenses.
The Government has provided €20.15 million for the allowance in 2022. The current weekly rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. There are approximately 10,100 adults and 2,100 children residing in IPAS provided accommodation in respect of whom daily expenses allowance is being paid.
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. This assistance is subject to the person having the right to reside and satisfying the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC).
Child Benefit is a monthly payment to support parents and guardians and is also subject to the person having the right to reside and satisfying the HRC.
Applicants for International Protection do not satisfy HRC while their application for protection is pending a decision.
Persons granted refugee status have the right to the same social welfare benefits as an Irish citizen, including access to a basic SWA payment and child benefit.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to a payment under the SWA Scheme is encouraged to contact their local Intreo Centre. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (391)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:391. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused the one-parent family payment when they last applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9528/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
One-Parent Family Payment (OPFP) is a means-tested payment for parents under age 66 who are not cohabiting, and whose youngest child is under 7.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned last applied for an OPFP on 23/08/2018. The person was invited to meet with a Social Welfare Inspector on 19/09/2018 but did not attend the meeting. The claim was subsequently closed as it could not be progressed.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Rates
Ceisteanna (392)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:392. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct current rate of social welfare payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9538/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and 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. For the purposes of the means-test, at application stage and through the lifetime of a claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investment(s) held and notify the Department of any relevant changes that may affect their rate of entitlement.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of the maximum over 80 rate of state pension non-contributory payable, together with Fuel Allowance during the winter season.
The Deputy's representations will be taken as a request for a review, to ensure the person concerned is in receipt of the correct rate of pension. The person should complete and return a review questionnaire when received (together with any necessary supporting documentation).
The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of the review in writing when complete.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Rates
Ceisteanna (393)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:393. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct current rate of jobseeker’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9539/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following engagement between my officials and the Deputy we understand that this question should correctly relate to Disability Allowance (DA) rather than Jobseekers Allowance as is stated in the question.
Disability 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, a means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I can confirm that the person concerned is in receipt of DA effective from 11 July 2018 and currently assessed with nil means.
The current weekly rate of DA of the person in question is €303.00.
DA full weekly basic rate of - €220.00.
Increase for Qualified Child - €50.00.
Fuel Allowance - €33.00.
The Fuel Allowance under the national fuel scheme is paid during the Fuel Season currently during the months September to April inclusive.
A statement of Social Welfare payments for the period 01 January to 31 December 2022 and 04 January 2023 to date (28 February 2023) was issued to the person concerned on 22 February 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
Social Welfare Rates
Ceisteanna (394)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:394. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9542/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer'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.
The person concerned was in receipt of Illness Benefit from 1 September 2020 to 5 September 2022. The person concerned was also in receipt of half rate Carer's Allowance (CA) during this period. I can advise that the correct rate has now been applied in respect of the period from 8 September 2022.
Correspondence issued to the customer on 21 February 2023 outlining the up to date situation including details of arrears owing. These arrears will issue shortly.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Ceisteanna (395)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:395. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a jobseeker’s allowance backdating appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9543/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a Jobseekers Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered by that Office on 27th February 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.
Social Welfare Appeals
Ceisteanna (396)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:396. 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. [9545/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a carer's allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered by 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.
Public Services Card
Ceisteanna (397)
Francis Noel Duffy
Ceist:397. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that people are struggling to obtain appointments at their local Intreo offices in order to obtain their PSC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9551/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Requests for Public Services Card (PSC) appointments are dealt with at a local level across the Department's network of offices. Information on the PSC service can be found on gov.ie - PSC/SAFE Registration Centres (www.gov.ie). Once a person has been SAFE registered, their PSC issues to them within 5 to 10 working days.
In most parts of the country, offices are offering a walk-in service, with no appointment required, while in other areas appointments are available within a number of days. Urgent requests for a PSC appointment are dealt with on a local basis, and any person who requires a PSC should contact their local Intreo Centre where an appointment will be made for them at the earliest opportunity.
The Department is experiencing a high level of demand for PSC. Since the beginning of this year, over 56,000 SAFE Registrations and PSC renewals have been completed. In 2022, almost 346,000 SAFE registration and PSC renewal appointments were carried out by my Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (398)
Michael Creed
Ceist:398. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been refused carers allowance; the reason her Department considers the applicant not to be providing full-time care for her mother; and if she will also clarify the situation with regard to the means test applied and if means had been reduced just below the threshold level of carers allowance payment that could be received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9576/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer'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 Carer's Allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 16 January 2023.
It is a condition for receipt of Carer's Allowance (CA) that the person concerned must be providing full-time care and attention.
The legislation states that a carer must be regarded as providing full-time care and attention to a relevant person, where the number of hours providing such care is not less than 35 hours in a period of 7 consecutive days, and care is provided on any 5 days, whether consecutive or not, within a period of 7 consecutive days.
It has been decided that this condition has not been satisfied. Although the person concerned is providing a certain amount of care, the level provided is not considered to be full-time.
Another qualifying condition is that the means of the person concerned were more than the statutory limit of €325.10. The weekly means of the person concerned were assessed at €349.73 and they were therefore not entitled to Carer's Allowance (CA) on this basis also.
In summary, the Deciding Officer decided that the evidence received did not indicate that either of the conditions mentioned above were satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 15 February 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
However, if there is a change in circumstances, the claim can be reconsidered.
Our records show that to this date, we have not received a request for review or appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (399)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Ceist:399. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of successful applications to the additional needs’ payment according to the need addressed, both by number of applicants and by total expenditure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9682/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional Needs Payments are demand led and made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Table 1 provides a breakdown of the number of Additional Needs Payments claims awarded and expenditure, by category, in 2022.Statistics relating to claims made in 2023 are not yet available. A statistical summary will be published on a quarterly basis for 2023 onwards. Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
Table 1 – Breakdown of number of Additional Needs Payments claims awarded and expenditure, by category, in 2022.
|
Category |
Number of payments |
Expenditure |
|
Bills |
3,068 |
€1,824,645 |
|
Child Related |
2,067 |
€358,604 |
|
Clothing |
41,293 |
€5,759,138 |
|
Funeral |
2,583 |
€6,606,488 |
|
General |
22,855 |
€7,510,957 |
|
Housing |
22,682 |
€35,480,508 |
|
Illness |
1,150 |
€175,897 |
|
Other (Supplements) |
884 |
€663,278 |
|
Urgent Needs Payment |
642 |
€488,656 |
|
Grand Total |
97,224 |
€58,868,171 |
Note: These expenditure figures are taken from the Department's database and represent a snapshot of Additional Needs Payments as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid. The figures do not capture overpayments recouped and will not reconcile with the end of year outturn figures. The supplement expenditure figures relate only to supplements awarded 2022, and not other ongoing claims in payment.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (400)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:400. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is in receipt of the households benefits payment; if a response to a letter received is required; if the payment remains suspended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9743/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned has been contacted by officials from the Household Benefits section of my Department.
All Household Benefits payments due to the person concerned will be available for collection at their preferred Post Office on Tuesday, 7th March.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (401, 403, 410, 411, 427)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:401. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the full list of social welfare payments that will be eligible for the €200 bonus payment in April; if she will provide this information in a list form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9764/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraClaire Kerrane
Ceist:403. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if recipients of partial capacity benefit will be considered in the forthcoming Spring cost-of-living package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9784/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraClaire Kerrane
Ceist:410. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if half-rate carers allowance recipients will receive the announced €200 payment to carers in April 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9916/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraClaire Kerrane
Ceist:411. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if illness benefit recipients will receive the announced €200 payment to social welfare recipients in April 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9917/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrendan Griffin
Ceist:427. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the €200 lump sum due in April 2023 will be paid to community employment scheme workers and jobseeker's recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10159/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 401, 403, 410, 411 and 427 together.
I recently announced a further range of measures to support families through this difficult period. This package includes a €200 lump sum payment which will be paid to over 1.3 million recipients in receipt of long-term social welfare payments. This lump sum will be paid in April and will cost approximately €261 million.
This support will be paid on a similar basis to the Christmas Bonus, including to those on jobseeker's payments or Illness Benefit for over 12 months; with the addition of recipients of the Working Family Payment. One lump sum will be paid per person. If a person receives more than one qualifying social welfare payment, they will receive one €200 lump sum payment.
The full list of schemes who will be eligible for this lump sum is in the table below:
|
Qualifying Scheme |
|
Back to Education Allowance* |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
|
Back to Work Family Dividend |
|
Benefit Payment for 65 year olds, Jobseeker’s Benefit* Jobseeker’s Benefit for the Self-Employed* |
|
Blind Pension |
|
Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit (including half-rate Carer's Allowance) |
|
Community Employment |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance and Benefit |
|
Daily Expenses Allowance* |
|
Disability Allowance |
|
Disablement Benefit |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
|
Farm Assist |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory) |
|
Illness Benefit* |
|
Invalidity Pension |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance* |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional Payment |
|
Magdalen Commission Scheme |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
|
State Pension (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory) |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance* |
|
Tús |
|
Widow, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory)/Occupational Injuries Death Benefit |
|
Working Family Payment |
* 12 months duration on eligible social welfare payment or scheme is required in order to be eligible for the lump sum payment. Time spent on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is included in jobseeker qualifying period.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pensions
Ceisteanna (402)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:402. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the status of a pension claim submitted by a person (details supplied) which has been outstanding since September 2022; the reason for the delay. [9767/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned turned 66 on 29 September 2022.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have at least 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for a standard contributory pension. As the person concerned was employed in the South Eastern Health Board, from 1986 to 2012, they can also be considered for a mixed insurance pension. To qualify for a mixed insurance pension, 520 employment contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate employment contributions with the remainder made up of modified contributions.
My Department are awaiting confirmation from the HSE on the contribution record of the person concerned for the period 1986 to 2012. On receipt of this information, a decision will be made on their application and they will be notified of the decision.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.