Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection for a review of the current payment under the hearing aid grant with the rising costs of hearing aids; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33086/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. However, my Department administers the Treatment Benefit scheme which provides dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. These treatments are also available to their dependent spouse or partner if applicable. As part of Budget 2021, I made a flat rate grant of up to €500 available towards a hearing aid, with a grant of up to €1,000 for a pair. I also introduced a grant of up to €100 towards the cost of hearing aid repairs. Prior to that change, the support was limited to half the cost of a hearing aid up to a maximum grant of €500 per aid. The customer also had to pay at least half the cost of the aid.Following these enhancements to the hearing aid grant, the number of claims and expenditure on the scheme have increased by over 90%. In 2022, 25,775 people benefited from the grant at a cost of some €23.7 million.My Department will continue to monitor the impact of the recent changes. Any further changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she might review applicants previously refused for the State pension (contributory) on the basis of insufficiency of contributions, with a view to allowing payments on a pro-rata basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33079/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA person must have at least 520 full-rate paid contributions to qualify for standard State pension Contributory. A full pension is payable provided a person has a contribution record of 40 years and a reduced pension is payable if a person has more than 10 but less than 40 years contributions.At present the calculation of the reduced pension rate is performed using either a yearly average method (where the person’s contributions are divided by the number of years since a person first started making contributions) or by a Total Contributions method. The Total Contributions method provides a pure pro-rata payment for a person with more than 10 but less than 40 years contributions. The Department calculates a person’s entitlement under both methods and awards the person the higher of the two amounts.At the time the Total Contributions option was introduced a review was conducted of people already in payment and their pension was adjusted if it yielded a better outcome. It is intended to phase out the yearly average approach and move to a fully total contributions approach over a 10 year period starting next year. In addition it is proposed to grant people who cared for an incapacitated person for 20 years or more with attributed contributions. This will enable them to meet the 10 years contribution threshold.It should be noted that, if a person does not satisfy the conditionality to qualify for a contributory State Pension, they may qualify for the means-tested State Pension Non-Contributory, the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the rate of the State Pension Contributory. Alternatively, an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is paid, generally, where a pensioner has an adult dependent who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate State Pension Contributory in his or her own right. The payment rate for the IQA is up to 90% of a full contributory pension.I do not propose to undertake a review of those who were previously refused State Pension (Contributory) on the basis that they did not have the minimum of 10 years of contributions as I believe it is reasonable to require people claiming a contributory pension to have made at least 10 years of paid contributions, over the term of their working life, before qualifying for a payment. In addition the Department does not record the reason a person did not have the minimum of 10 years contributions so it would not be possible to identify those people already over pension age who might now qualify if prior periods of caring are taken into account. However, my Department will run a national media campaign later this year on the pension reforms. It will be open to individuals to re-apply for State Pension (contributory) if they feel they then meet the criteria, including if they can demonstrate a long-period of caring for an incapacitated person.I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
123. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has plans to introduce tiered disability payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32982/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is very clear from the Indecon Cost of Disability report that the cost of disability is significantly broader than income supports and that it will not be addressed through income supports alone. Additional costs of disability arise across a number of areas of policy areas including housing; equipment, aids and appliances; mobility, transport and communications; medicines; and care among others.One of the key conclusions contained in the Cost of Disability report referenced the significant challenges faced in accessing employment and that a high priority should be given to facilitating an increase in employment opportunities for people with disabilities. I am committed to improving targeted employment supports where people are facing additional challenges accessing work. In this context, my Department is due to publish a review of the Reasonable Accommodation Fund in the near future and is currently carrying out a review of the Wage Subsidy Scheme.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. 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.
124. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amounts paid out in jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker's benefit in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [32133/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total expenditure for Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit over the last ten years, and to date in 2023, is set out in the table below. The 2023 figure is the estimated expenditure over the period January to May 2023. Expenditure figures for 2022 and 2023 are provisional. Expenditure on Jobseeker's Benefit for the Self-Employed is not included in the Jobseeker's Benefit expenditure.Table 1 - Expenditure on Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit, by year
|
Year |
Jobseeker's Allowance (€ million) |
Jobseeker's Benefit (€ million) |
|
2023 |
772.57 |
171.37 |
|
2022 |
1,641.49 |
475.46 |
|
2021 |
1,567.38 |
331.62 |
|
2020 |
1,656.77 |
404.68 |
|
2019 |
1,628.17 |
345.53 |
|
2018 |
1,840.75 |
339.13 |
|
2017 |
2,103.45 |
340.46 |
|
2016 |
2,452.33 |
355.81 |
|
2015 |
2,742.51 |
387.15 |
|
2014 |
2,923.29 |
420.4 |
|
2013 |
3,108.97 |
560.46 |
125. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection when she intends to introduce legislation underpinning the provision of pensions to carers. [33004/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update regarding preparations within her Department for an enhanced pension for long-term family carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32968/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a State pension solution for long-term family carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33194/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 127 and 158 together.
This Government acknowledges the important contribution that carers provide and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, often to raise families or to provide another full-time caring role. PRSI Credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate. Despite these measures some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension. They may for example have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years paid contributions.I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in September 2022. The measures are in response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations and represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.One of the most important reforms agreed by Government is enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of paid 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 the drafting of legislation and development of administrative and IT systems for implementation by January 2024.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
126. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection through investigations by her Department and a firm (details supplied) how many RTÉ workers were found to be on bogus self-employment contracts; and how many have now been placed on full employee contacts. [32975/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra128. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to information (details supplied) from an email I have received from RTÉ staff, if her Department has investigated these matters; and what were the conclusions of these investigations. [32976/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has completed a thorough investigation of bogus self-employment contacts in RTÉ; and if she is satisfied that no staff at RTÉ are still on a bogus self-employment contract. [32970/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 128 and 152 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, there are different statutory bodies in place that make determinations on the employment status of a person for the purposes of PRSI, tax, and employment rights. My Department makes decisions in relation to PRSI; the Office of the Revenue Commissioners makes decisions in relation to tax; and the WRC determines employment status as a preliminary issue when adjudicating on employment rights issues.Employment status decisions are based on the criteria set out in the Code of Practice on Determining Employment Status and by reference to decided case law. The Code aims to be of benefit to employers, employees, independent contractors and legal, financial and HR professionals. It is also aimed at investigators, decision-makers and adjudicators in my Department, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the WRC, their respective appeals bodies, and the courts.The Code of Practice was updated in 2021 following work by my Department, the Revenue Commissioners, and the WRC. Other stakeholders such as ICTU and IBEC were consulted as part of this work.The criteria set out in the Code are applied by Deciding Officers in my Department on each occasion that they assess the insurability of a worker as being either an employee or self-employed. For that reason, the work is resource intensive. Investigations can be complex with a variety of issues to be considered.Where an engagement has been found to be misclassified by an employer for social insurance purposes, any arrears of PRSI are assessed on and payable by the employer. The worker's PRSI record is corrected and a compliance notice is issued to the employer. On foot of these compliance notices, the employer is required to pay the full arrears of Class A PRSI liability. My Department commenced an investigation in 2020 into the employment status of workers engaged by RTÉ on an independent contractor basis. This investigation is ongoing.The scale of my Department’s investigation in RTE is significant and involves retrospective analysis of the engagement of many workers. My Department will report on the outcome of the investigation upon completion. This will ensure equality of treatment for all parties involved and enable our officers to conduct a professional investigation in the normal manner.I trust that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
129. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection what new measures she plans to adopt to ensure that people with disabilities are not at risk of poverty due to the cost of disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33167/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to introducing a cost of disability payment in Budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32969/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra149. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to provide for an ongoing cost of disability payment in Budget 2024, as opposed to a once-off payment, as a way to begin to address the inequality identified in the Cost of Disability in Ireland Report; for details of any analysis carried out by her Department in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32826/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 132 and 149 together.
The Indecon Cost of Disability 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. The findings of the research have implications for many areas of public policy. Based on this, one of Indecon's conclusions is 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 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. A new national cross-Government strategy to succeed the National Disability Inclusion Strategy is currently being developed by all government departments and agencies. This is also intended to satisfy the Programme for Government commitment to develop a coordinated plan to advance the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Cost of Disability report is an important element of the evidence base which will inform the scope and focus of the strategy.In Budget 2023, the social protection element sought to support people with disabilities and reflected some of the findings of the cost of disability report, through a mix of measures including a combination of lump sum payments, increases to income disregards, increases to core weekly payment rates and changes to the fuel allowance scheme.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 in the coming weeks. 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.
130. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children who will receive a hot school meal in the new school term from September; and the number planned for the following year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31600/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra155. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to expand the free hot meals for schools programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32984/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra163. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the progress on the expansion of the Hot School Meals Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33093/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 130, 155 and 163 together.
The School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations benefitting 260,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.Budget 2023 provided €94.4 million for the programme. The Government recently approved an additional €14.5m to allow access to the Hot School Meals scheme for all remaining DEIS schools from September 2023.Since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, I have increased the number of schools with access to the Hot School Meal option from 37 to over 500. I am committed to continuing to expand the School Meals Programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme that has taken place in recent years. In this regard, I intend to roll out the Hot School Meals to all remaining DEIS primary and Special schools from September 2023, benefiting more than 60,000 children. In the 2022/2023 academic year 113,388 pupils in 570 schools benefitted from Hot School Meals. An additional 65,638 pupils in 498 DEIS schools and 7,385 pupils in 110 special schools were invited to apply for the Hot School Meals from September 2023.As part of significant plans to extend the Hot School Meals to all children in the coming years all remaining primary schools have been contacted and have been asked to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals. From 2024, I intend commencing the roll-out of Hot School Meals to all remaining primary schools on a phased basis. I trust this clarifies the matter.
131. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will ensure that households that have accumulated significant debts, including arrears on bills and on prepayment meters, have access to sufficient support to avoid a long-term legacy of indebtedness and reduced financial resilience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33193/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection has an important role in supporting those who are most vulnerable in society.It is important to note that the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities is running a public campaign informing people of their rights if they are struggling with utility payments. It also notifies people that providers are willing and obliged to work with them on a payment plan.From a Department of Social Protection perspective, the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, provides, where necessary, Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income such as arrears that have accumulated on energy bills and on prepay meters.Government has provided €66 million for the Additional Needs Payment schemes and €3.27 million for reoccurring supplements in 2023. This is a demand-led scheme with no budget cap. Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme who will consider all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. This assistance is available to anyone who needs it, even to those who are working but on a low income.In response to the on-going cost-of-living pressures, Budget 2023, saw the largest Social Protection package in the history of the state at a total of €2.2 billion. Some €1.2 billion of this package was targeted to provide a wide range of lump-sum payments to alleviate the cost of living pressures. These measures included a €400 Lump Sum Fuel Allowance Payment that was made to all households receiving the Fuel Allowance, a €200 Spring Bonus was paid to all long-term social welfare recipients at the end of April 2023 and a significant expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme that focused on supporting older people over 70 was implemented.Government has provided an enhanced electricity credit of €600 which has benefited Bill and Prepay meter users alike.Persistent difficulty with indebtedness can be helped through budgetary advice from the Money Advice and Budgeting Service. While this engagement is not a pre-condition for receipt of assistance, the service provides impartial advice and expertise to help people manage money and take control of debt.I would encourage any person on a low income who needs assistance with bills to engage with their provider to agree a suitable repayment plan, and, where necessary, 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.
133. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has undertaken an assessment of the take-up of the working family dividend, and consulted with the Revenue Commissioners who collect income data to ensure that this support is fully taken up. [33146/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a number of in-work supports for families with children such as the Working Family Payment and the Back to Work Family Dividend.The Back to Work Family Dividend is a weekly payment to help people with children move from social welfare into employment. The scheme provides up to two years of financial support, for persons with qualified children, who are in or take up employment or self-employment and who cease claiming one of the following payments: Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit, or Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) after a specified period, the One-Parent Family Payment or the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment.As of May 2023, there was approximately 2,593 families with 5,345 children in receipt of the payment. While the estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2023 is €11.88 million.In line with Commitment 78 of the Government’s national employment strategy, Pathways to Work 2021-2025, which commits to "Implement, with the support of the Labour Market Advisory Council, a formal analysis of programme impacts", a request for tender for the provision of an evaluation of the Back to Work Family Dividend was published on the 22nd of June 2023. Prior to publishing the request for tender, the Department sought input from the Labour Market Advisory Council sub-group on Evaluations. The assessment will use a wide range of administrative data sources in the analysis and will seek to establish if a causal link exists between receipt of the Back to Work Family Dividend and subsequent outcomes, comparing outcomes of persons who were in receipt of the payment and those of persons who while eligible, did not avail of the payment. Following completion of the tender process and contract award it is expected that the analysis will commence in September and will take nine months to complete. I am very conscious of the importance of ensuring that people are aware of and take-up the payments for which they are eligible. I look forward to receiving the findings of the analysis of Back to Work Family Dividend, which will be used to shape the future design of the scheme and other future in-employment supports.
134. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise on her Department's review of means testing for carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33196/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made with the review of means testing of social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32072/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has undertaken a review of means test in the social welfare code; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33145/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the review into means testing for the carers allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32567/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 134, 137, 157, 159 and 168 together.
The system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most. Means tests in my Department are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years including to the Carer's Allowance means test. I have introduced a number of changes to means testing, including providing for higher income disregards. These disregards ensure that, where people are in receipt of a social assistance payment and are working, their income from work, to the level of the income disregard, is not assessed in the means test.I have committed to a carrying out a broad review of means testing this year which will include consideration of means test provisions. This review is ongoing and I hope to complete it in Quarter 4. I trust that clarifies matters for the Deputy.
135. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on how many people received the carer’s support grant in 2023; the further supports that her Department are working on in relation to carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32910/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer’s Support Grant is available to all family carers providing full-time care and assistance, regardless of means. As part of Budget Measures 2021, I increased the grant by €150 to its highest ever rate of €1,850. It is an annual payment for each care recipient and is paid in a single lump sum. This grant is paid automatically to those in receipt of Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care allowance in June of each year.This year, on 1st June, some 141,000 Grants were paid to approximately 126,000 family carers. The overall cost of the grant in 2023 is expected to be over €268.5 million.Other carers not in receipt of a carer’s payment may also be eligible for the grant if the applicant provides full-time care and attention to a person that is so incapacitated that they are likely to require this full-time care and attention for at least 12 months. There is no requirement to satisfy a means test or social insurance contributions. Carers may use the grant in a manner that is appropriate to their needs. The grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for to take account of the additional cost of providing care and to recognise the particular challenges faced by these carers.Since my appointment as Minister, I have made a number of significant improvements within the social welfare system to enhance the supports available for our carers. As part of Budget 2022, I was delighted to announce the first improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance in 14 years.
• The capital and savings disregard for the means assessment for Carer’s Allowance was increased from €20,000 to €50,000, aligning it with the capital means test for Disability Allowance.
• 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. As part of Budget 2023, I announced a range of measures directly benefitting family carers, particularly in light of the current cost of living crisis, these include: -
• A €12 increase in the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced rate.
• A €2 increase for each Qualified Child bringing rates to €50 for Over 12s and €42 for Under 12s.
• The Half-rate Carer’s Allowance is now disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance.
• Domiciliary Care Allowance increased by €20.50 to €330 per month.
• Domiciliary Care Allowance is now available in respect of children with severe illness or disability who remain in hospital for up to six months after birth.
• A double payment for carers paid in October 2022.
• A €500 payment for people receiving Carer’s Support Grant paid in November 2022.
• Carers received the Christmas Bonus Double Payment.
• A Cost-of-Living lump sum payment of €200 was paid in April to carers.
Finally, 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. Changes to any of the schemes on foot of this review will only be done in the context of ensuring the most effective and targeted use of public funds that are required to provide income support on a broad societal level.I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
136. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of successful applicants for fuel allowance in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32983/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards winter 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 instalments (payable in September and January). Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually. The Department generally collates data on an annual basis. In September 2022, at the start of the 2022/23 Fuel Allowance season, there were approximately 369,000 households in receipt of Fuel Allowance. By the end of the 2022/23 Fuel Allowance season, in April 2023, the number of households supported increased to over 404,000. The increase in Fuel Allowance recipients was due to the measures implemented as a result of Budget 2023, announcing the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme.The changes introduced, from January 2023, were:- the introduction of a new means threshold for people aged 70 years and over, of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple;- for applicants aged 70 or over, the amount of capital (savings and investments) disregarded in the means test for Fuel Allowance was increased from €20,000 to €50,000. (Savings over €50,000 are assessed on a proportionate basis only);- the weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 was increased by €80 and is now €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory; and,- Disablement Benefit and Half-rate Carer’s Allowance payments were disregarded when assessing means for Fuel Allowance purposes. Disablement Benefit also no longer debars a household from receiving the Fuel Allowance payment.The number of successful applications processed between January 2023 and the end of April 2023, amounts to just over 30,000. This number does not represent all successful applicants for 2023, as further new applications will qualify on the reopening of the new 2023/24 Fuel Allowance season, from September 2023 onwards. It should be remembered that the number of qualified households continuously fluctuates, as recipients join and exit the scheme as their circumstances change.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
138. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the report being compiled by her Department on expanding the free travel scheme for people who have been excluded from driving with epilepsy is available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33085/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million.It is important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is a secondary benefit 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. As many illnesses or physical conditions have an impact ranging 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 and in the case of Disability and Carer's Allowance to an assessment of their means. In this way, resources can be targeted to people in most need.I am aware of an ongoing campaign by Epilepsy Ireland. I fully 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. I have met with representatives of Epilepsy Ireland to discuss its proposal in detail and following the meeting I asked my Department officials to examine the issues raised in relation to access to the Free Travel scheme. As previously advised to the Deputy, I am awaiting a report from my officials on the issues raised by Epilepsy Ireland. I expect to receive the report shortly and will carefully consider its contents and any recommendations that it may contain. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she aware that An Taoiseach has publicly commented that he anticipates energy prices are anticipated to remain high this winter (details supplied); how she is preparing for sustained inflated energy prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32925/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is acutely aware of the effect of energy costs on low-income households and is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of supports, energy efficiency awareness initiatives and investment in programmes to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock. As the Deputy is aware, the Government has provided a range of supports to assist people with rising energy costs to date, through a series of targeted lump sum payments and increases in core payment rates for those in receipt of social welfare payments, and through the energy credit scheme which was available to all households.My Department also provides direct support towards energy costs to qualifying low-income household through schemes such as the Fuel Allowance Scheme, Household Benefits Package as wells as through Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.Funds raised through the carbon tax will again be used to ensure that those in the lowest income deciles are protected from increased energy costs.All options will be kept under review, together with trends in prices, to inform preparations for the budget later this year. We will, however, have to take account, as always, of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
140. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of supports provided to Tara Mines workers to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33168/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection what social welfare packages can be made available to people who lost their jobs in Tara Mines, County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32134/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 145 together.
Following notification of the planned temporary layoff of employees, my Department engaged immediately with Boliden Tara Mines management to support the business and the employees affected. A dedicated team was put in place in my Department to work with the company, sub-contractors and all employees to ensure that they have speedy access to income supports and are provided with information about the wider supports available to clients of my Department. Since 22nd June, my Department's officials have been onsite in Tara Mines to meet and advise employees. My officials have met with over 500 employees and have processed some 400 applications for Public Service Cards which will ensure smooth and easy access to Departmental supports.My officials, in collaboration with the Louth Meath ETB, are also onsite to advise on opportunities for short training courses. This training could be in areas such as SafePass, Manual handling, Forklift training, digital skills etc. Assistance will also be given to those who wish to prepare or improve their CVs, and employees will be offered opportunities to avail of temporary work.As the temporary layoffs are not due to occur until later in July, there are no associated income support costs yet.
