Holly Cairns
Ceist:109. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection to address the findings of the Cost of Disability in Ireland – Research Report. [32538/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Reports
Ceisteanna (109)
Freagraí scríofa
The Indecon Cost of Disability report was prepared following an extensive consultation with disabled people and disability stakeholders. This included one of the largest disability surveys ever undertaken in the State.
The report identified that additional costs of disability run across a number of areas of expenditure including housing, equipment, aids and appliances, care and assistance services, mobility, transport, communications, medicines, and additional living expenses. Furthermore, Indecon found that there is not a single typical cost of disability; rather, there is a spectrum from low to high additional costs of disability, depending on individual circumstances.
It is very clear that the findings in the research have implications for many areas of public policy. Based on this, one of report's conclusions was that a multifaceted, whole of Government approach is required to address the cost of disability.
It is for this reason the Government decided that the report, and actions to be taken on foot of the report, should be considered and monitored by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
The work of the Steering Group, chaired by the Minister of State for Disability, was due to end in 2021 but was extended to the end of 2022. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are in the process of developing a new disability strategy which will be informed by the Cost of Disability report. Officials in my Department will contribute to the development and implementation of this strategy.
In addition, my Department has committed under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to develop and consult on a Strawman proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments. The Strawman also intends to simplify the system and take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay report, the Pathways to Work report and the findings of the Cost of Disability Report. Work on the Strawman is at an advanced stage and I expect to bring it forward for publication shortly. I intend to carry out a wider consultation process with all stakeholders and advocacy groups following publication.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Questions Nos. 110 and 111 answered orally.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (112)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:112. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection what engagement she has had with the Minister for Health on home care packages and the financial impact of those families in receipt of carers' payment who do not receive home care support. [32066/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government acknowledges the important role that family carers play in Irish society. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending in 2023 is expected to amount to almost €1.6 billion on these payments. The two principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that full time care and attention is required and provided, and that a means test is satisfied. Carer's Allowance acts as an income support for those who cannot earn an income due to their caring responsibilities. The application of the means-test not only ensures that the recipient has an income need but also that limited resources are targeted to those with the greatest need.The means test for Carer’s Allowance takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital.When assessing an application by a family carer for income support, my department would not be aware of whether or not the caree is in receipt of a home care package, or any other Department of Health support. As such, these supports are not considered in the eligibility test for the carer.The provision and availability of home care packages is a matter for the Department of Health. I have not engaged with the Minister for Health as queried by the Deputy as the payments provided by my department paid to carers are made regardless of the services or supports provided by the Department of Health to the person being cared for.I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Questions Nos. 113 to 115, inclusive, answered orally.
Social Welfare Schemes
Ceisteanna (116)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:116. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are in place for older working people who do not own their own home, are above social housing assistance limits but will be unable to afford private renting once they retire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33032/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The main supports available to those in the private rented sector with an ongoing long-term accommodation need are the Housing Assistance Payment, which supports more than 58,000 active tenancies and the Rental Accommodation Scheme which supports more than 16,500 tenancies. The Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme are administered by Local Authorities under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Separately, my department administers the Rent Supplement Scheme which continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation. There are 8,861 active recipients being supported at the end of May 2023.
Rent Supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Housing policy and the provision of supports to those in the private rented sector is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Under the means tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or from other personal and household resources. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements.
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. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Ceisteanna (117)
David Stanton
Ceist:117. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection when the maximum rent limits under the rent supplement scheme were last updated; the plans, if any, she has to increase these rent limits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32912/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The last review of the rent limits was completed by my department in 2016. My Department led the review because of its provision of rent supplement payments. However, since that time the number of people availing of Rent Supplement has reduced significantly. The Housing Accommodation Payment scheme and the Rental Accommodation scheme, administered by the local authorities, are now by far the largest schemes providing rental supports. Combined they now support over 74,000 tenancies compared to about 8,800 tenancies being supported through Rent Supplement.Accordingly, the issue of a review in the rent limits used across all three schemes is a matter for the Minister for Local Government and Heritage. Rent limits are not absolute. Insofar as Rent Supplement is concerned the Department operates a flexible policy on a case-by-case basis that allows for higher rent supplement payments in certain circumstances. Special arrangements are also in place under the Interim Tenancy Sustainment Protocol and the National Tenancy Sustainment Framework to prevent customers entering homelessness where it was difficult to maintain and/or source available rental properties. In addition, the Department, in conjunction with Threshold, operates a special protocol in the Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Galway, Meath and Wicklow areas where supply issues are particularly acute. Threshold advise, advocate and intervene on behalf of individuals or families in receipt of rent supplement who are in danger of losing their tenancies.In addition, Additional Needs Payment are also available to assist those who have essential expenses, such as rent deposits, rent in advance and household bills, that they cannot pay from their weekly income.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (118)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:118. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection whether her Department has produced a report on the unpaid carers identified in Census 2022; and whether she intends to expand the carer’s allowance to provide payment to these people. [33091/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The key role of my department is to provide income supports where an income need may arise due to unemployment, illness/disability and caring responsibilities.The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending in 2023 is expected to amount to almost €1.6 billion on these payments. The two principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that full time care and attention is required and provided, and that a means test is satisfied.My department has not produced a report on the carers identified in Census 2022 as the Census figure includes all unpaid carers providing care from 1 hour a week and upwards. For the purposes of Carer's Allowance however, a carer must be 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.The Carer’s Allowance is a demand led scheme. There are currently 93,609 recipients of Carer’s Allowance. I would encourage any carer who feels they may be eligible to apply for this income support.I have a proven track record in providing significant enhancements to social welfare benefits for carers, including the first increase in the disregard for 14 years, an increase to the Carer's Support Grant to its highest ever level of €1,850, as well as lump sum payments and increases to core rates.I hope that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (119)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:119. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to support family carers. [32539/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government acknowledges the important role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.The main income supports for carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending in 2023 is expected to amount to almost €1.6 billion on these payments. Since my appointment as Minister, I have made a number of significant improvements to the supports available for our carers, including increasing the Carer’s Support Grant to €1,850, its highest ever rate.In Budget 2022, I announced significant improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance.
• The capital and savings disregard for the means assessment for Carer’s Allowance was increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
• For carers who are working, I increased the weekly income disregard to €350 for a single person, and to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
These are the highest income disregards in the social welfare system. In Budget 2023, I announced a range of measures for carers, particularly in light of the current cost of living crisis, including a double payment for carers paid in October 2022 and a €500 payment for people receiving Carer’s Support Grant paid in November 2022. A further Cost-of-Living lump sum payment of €200 was paid in April to carers.In acknowledging the role that family carers play in society and supporting carers in that role the Government has also committed to provide a pension solution for carers. We will do this by attributing social welfare contributions to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record and by establishing a register of family carers for this purpose.Department officials are currently working to implement the reforms, including drafting legislation and developing administrative and IT systems for implementation by January 2024.Furthermore, I have committed to a carrying out a broad review of means testing this year, which will include the Carer's Allowance means test provisions. I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to support carers and meet regularly with them and their representative groups myself, so that I can hear directly from them about their issues. I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (120)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a more personalised approach might be given to applicants who are being refused on various grounds in respect of applications they have made in the genuine expectation that an appeal or a review would be beneficial to their case reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33078/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the Deputy's Office has clarified that this question relates to cases where an applicant has been refused a payment on medical grounds, and whether when reviewing or appealing that decision, an oral hearing would be given rather than summary decision as it may be viewed as more beneficial to the appellant.As part of the statutory appeals process, the appeal papers are in the first instance forwarded to the Department. It then carries out a review of the decision and will take into account any new evidence provided as part of the appeal. In many instances, particularly with decisions relating to medical schemes, the appellant makes an early claim to establish an entitlement date as soon as they are diagnosed and while they are still awaiting detailed consultant reports. They then provide the additional consultant reports as part of the appeals process. This additional information is considered by the Department and, in many cases, the original decision will be revised.If the Department finds no reason to revise the original decision, the file papers are submitted to the Appeals Office. Under the governing legislation the decision on whether or not to hold an oral hearing is at the discretion of the Appeals Officer to whom an appeal has been assigned. Neither I nor any other person can direct an Appeals Officer as to the course of action they should take. It is not the case that every appeal warrants an oral hearing; in general, an oral hearing is only essential if it appears to the Appeals Officer that a question arises that is not capable of being addressed though the documentary evidence available to them.The Deputy may be aware that we are looking to make some changes to the appeals process including setting timelines for decisions; giving a person a right to request an oral hearing and a right to be given a reason if an oral hearing is not granted. We have recently consulted on these changes and the responses to the consultation are currently being reviewed.Separately, I have asked my officials to examine the possibility of allowing people to delay submitting a claim until they have all of the medical evidence necessary to substantiate their claim and to then have the effective date of payment backdated to a date of diagnosis rather than the date of claim. These measures will, I believe, go some way to addressing the Deputy's concern.