Written Answers Nos. 266-286
266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update in respect of a carer's allowance payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33246/23]
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.
Once Carer's Allowance claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is a continued entitlement. In this case, a means review was initiated by the Department on 21 February 2023, as records indicated that the person concerned had commenced employment on 9 December 2022. The matter was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector on 31 May 2023 to assess all means and to confirm that all the conditions for the receipt of CA are satisfied.
On 22 June 2023, the Social Welfare Inspector requested the person concerned to submit a number of documents. To date, these documents remain outstanding.
Once the requested items have been received and the Social Welfare Inspector has completed their report, a decision will be made at the earliest possible date and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update in respect of an appeal for a carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33247/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 27th June 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.
268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for an exceptional needs payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33254/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments (ANPs) to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. Items for which an ANPs may be provided include:
• the increased cost of heating and electricity,
• essential repairs to property and replacing household appliances and furniture,
• assistance with deposits for private rented accommodation,
• furniture, bedding and other items if you are setting up a home for the first time,
• funeral costs,
• recurring travel expenses such as for hospital appointments or visiting relatives in hospital or prison, or
• assistance with immediate needs such as food, clothing and accommodation expenses following an emergency event such as a house fire.
The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the Designated Persons administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. The person must provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need arising.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has not made an application for assistance under the SWA scheme. If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulty with cost-of-living expenses, they can apply for an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP). My officials have issued an ENP pack to the person concerned which can be completed and returned to their local Community Welfare Service with documentation supporting the application.
It may be useful for the person concerned to know that the Government provides the following services to assist and advise those experiencing difficulty meeting their mortgage commitments:
• ABHAILE is the national mortgage arrears resolution service. It is provided free of charge to people in home mortgage arrears at risk of losing their home. ABHAILE is focused on providing expert financial, insolvency and legal advice aiming to put in place solutions and wherever possible enable the borrower to remain in their home.
• The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, provides support free of charge to people, in particular those on low incomes or living on social welfare payments, with money advice, budgeting, tackling debt and mortgage related debt. MABS offer support online, over the phone and in person.
• In collaboration with MABS, the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) has launched a new online resource, DealingWithDebt.ie. which provides information for customers on the best action to take if they are experiencing financial difficulties that may impact their ability to meet their mortgage or other repayments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal against a decision to refuse the invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33255/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 8th June 2023. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts, or where there has been a change of circumstances which has come to notice since the date of the Appeals Officer's original decision.
I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of his appeal has been finalised.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); whether any further information is outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33262/23]
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.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 17 May 2023. Following a review of their application, additional supporting information was requested by a Deciding Officer on 23 May 2023.
The person concerned contacted my Department on 27 June 2023 to say they were sending information by post on that day. Once this information is received, the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
271. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the working family payment for a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33263/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support which provides an income support for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them.
An application for WFP has been received by the department from the person concerned. This application was examined by a deciding officer and further information was requested on 17th May 2023. The additional information has not yet been received by the Department. A second request for the required information issued on 3rd July 2023.
When the requested information is received, a deciding officer will review the claim and the person concerned will be advised in writing of the decision and, if awarded, any payments owed will be issued as arrears to their nominated bank account.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
272. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify whether at any point over the past ten years the SSL certificates for her Department’s websites expired for a period of time; if so, the reason this occurred; and the duration they remained expired. [33280/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has not had expired certificates in use on its websites during this period.
273. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if any additional supports will be provided to employees of rehab enterprises, many of whom have disabilities if they lose their employment; what these additional supports will be; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32402/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date, this Department has not a notification of any proposed redundancies in respect of this Employer.
When my Department receives a notification of collective redundancy from the company concerned, the Employer Relations Division of my Department makes contact with the company to provide information on income, redundancy entitlements and employment supports for their impacted employees. This communication contains a video presentation to be shared with their staff.
In addition, a team from the Department is available to meet with the workforce, virtually or in person, to ensure speedy access to income supports and to support them into alternative employment, or to access appropriate education, training and development options.
When a person moves onto a jobseeker payment, this team works with the individuals focusing on what they need to assist them re-enter the workforce. This individualised support comes in various forms including the provision of supports and schemes available when a customer returns to employment, to full or part time education, or who wishes to start their own business.
My Department also provides an online jobs portal - JobsIreland.ie - where jobseekers can apply for open vacancies and employers can advertise their job vacancies. Further help is provided to jobseekers to create a CV and find their ideal job while also assisting employers to advertise their vacancies and match their requirements to jobseeker profiles already uploaded into the JobsIreland portal.
In relation to jobseekers with disabilities, additional supports are available from Intreo Disability Liaison Officers and in collaboration with Intreo partners, such as EmployAbility. If a person has a disability and is starting or returning to employment, supports are in place where they may be able to keep all or part of their existing payments.
Details of the range of supports and services available to jobseekers with disabilities is available online – “Your Guide to Our Services - Illness, Disability and Caring”. This guide sets out the range of supports including JobsPlus, the Benefits of Work Estimator, the Training Support Grant and Partial Capacity Benefit.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which oral hearings in respect of appeals against disallowance for various payments are up to date; the number of oral hearing appeals that have taken place to date in 2023; how this compares with the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33371/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
Under Article 13 of the Social Welfare (Appeals) Regulations, 1998 (S.I. 108/1998), if an Appeals Officer is of the opinion that the case is of such a nature that it can be properly determined without a hearing, the appeal may be determined summarily. Once it is decided to hold an oral hearing it can usually be scheduled and held in a timely manner.
An oral hearing may be held online, by phone or, where it is deemed essential by the Appeals Officer, on an in-person basis.
Appeals Officers use telephone contact and written correspondence to gather additional information or seek clarification which might previously have been ascertained in the course of an oral hearing. This has reduced the need to conduct oral hearings.
As of 6th July there are 27 appeals awaiting oral hearings and all these have been scheduled to take place in the period 10th July to 26th July.
The below table provides the number of oral hearings held for appeals for the period January to June 2023 and the preceding 5 years.
Appeal Oral Hearings
|
Jan-June 2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
|
292 |
813 |
1,015 |
1,648 |
5,711 |
5,287 |
Oral hearing arrangements will continue to be kept under regular review by the Chief Appeals Officer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which self-employed or other contributions in respect of State pension applications to her Department have been refused on the grounds of an insufficiency of contributions in each of the past five years to date; if any consideration has been given to the awarding of pensions in such cases on a pro-rata basis, in line with their actual level of contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33372/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible to provide the information requested within the timeframe available. The data requested will be compiled as best as possible by my officials and will be sent to the Deputy as soon as they are available.
A person is required to have a minimum of 520 paid reckonable PRSI contributions in order to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory). The actuarial value of the State Pension is circa €380,000. The estimate does not include the value of the Over 80s Allowance, Household Benefits Package, Living Alone Allowance, Free Travel, Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension (assuming qualifying criteria are met by either recipient or spouse) and means-tested payments such as an Increase for a Qualified Adult or Fuel Allowance. It is, therefore, considered reasonable to require people claiming the State Pension (Contributory) to have made at least 10 years of reckonable PRSI paid contributions over the term of their working life.
Where a person enters the social insurance system over the age of 56, they will not be able to make sufficient social insurance contributions to be awarded a State Pension (Contributory) on reaching 66 years of age because it has a minimum contribution requirement of 520 contributions (i.e., 10 years). In such cases, a social insurance refund may be applicable.
It should be noted that, if a person does not satisfy the conditionality to qualify for State Pension (Contributory), s/he may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). Alternatively, an Increase for a Qualified Adult is paid, generally, where a pensioner has an adult dependent (e.g. a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant who is financially dependent upon him/her), who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate State Pension (Contributory) in his/her own right. The payment rate for the Increase for a Qualified Adult is up to 90% of a full contributory pension. The most advantageous payment for a pensioner will depend upon their individual circumstances.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the waiting time for decision in respect of applications for various social welfare payments has been shortened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33373/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department always seeks to ensure that claims are handled quickly and efficiently, understanding the many pressures faced by customers. I am pleased to report that claim processing is up to date, with processing targets met, or exceeded, for all the main scheme areas.
Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria. Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested payments can also require more detailed investigations and interaction with the customer, thereby lengthening the decision-making process.
The average processing times at end May 2023 and targets across the schemes are outlined in the table below:
|
Scheme Type |
Target Weeks to process claims |
Average number of weeks to process claims |
Percentage of claims awarded within target |
|
Carer's Allowance |
75% within 10 weeks |
7 |
94% |
|
Carer's Benefit |
90% within 12 weeks |
4 |
Not available |
|
Child Benefit |
90% within 4 weeks |
1 |
75% |
|
Disability Allowance |
75% within 10 weeks |
9 |
73% |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
90% within 10 weeks |
5 |
95% |
|
Free Travel |
90% within 2 weeks |
7 |
98% |
|
Household Benefits |
90% within 4 weeks |
1 |
99% |
|
Illness Benefit |
90% within 1 week |
1 |
94% |
|
Invalidity Pension |
90% within 10 weeks |
7 |
93% |
|
Jobseekers Allowance |
90% within 6 weeks |
1 |
96% |
|
Jobseekers Benefit |
90% within 3 weeks |
1 |
95% |
|
Maternity Benefit |
By Due date |
6 |
97% |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
90% within 1 week |
1 |
61% |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
90% within 10 weeks |
3 |
96% |
|
Paternity Benefit |
By Commencement date |
6 |
88% |
|
State Pension Contributory |
By date of entitlement |
7 |
99% |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
75% within 12 weeks |
6 |
86% |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
90% within 1 week |
1 |
82% |
|
Widows Contributory Pension |
90% within 6 weeks |
2 |
94% |
|
Working Family Payment |
90% within 6 weeks |
7 |
Not available |
Overall, I am pleased that my Department continues to ensure that the customer service has been maintained at a high level.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which it continues to be possible to address particularly sensitive issues in respect of family income and the cost-of-living impact; if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of her Department's resources to address such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33374/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully recognise the challenges the increased the cost of living has brought to many people and families, particularly one parent families who are a group at greater risk of poverty. That is why, last September, I announced the largest social protection Budget package in the history of the State - comprising measures worth almost €2.2 billion.
Most weekly social welfare payments include provision for an additional payment – an Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) – in respect of each qualified child up to the age of 18, which is extended to encompass older children to age 22 under certain circumstances. This measure provides targeted support to low-income families.
In Budget 2023, the IQC rates increased by €2 – to €42 per child for under 12s and to €50 per week for those aged 12 and over. Over the last three Budgets, these rates have increased by €6 and €10 per week respectively.
These increases were provided in the context of an overall package which included a €12 personal rate increase for weekly schemes, in addition to once-off measures to help ease the cost-of-living pressures for low-income households. For example, a lone parent with two young children will have seen a €16 increase in their weekly rate from January 2023. The improvements to the Working Family Payment thresholds also targets low-income families with children, resulting in a weekly increase of up to €24.
Recipients of long-term social welfare payments, including One-Parent Family Payment, received a double weekly payment in October as well as the Christmas Bonus double payment in December. Lone parents in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will have also received three fuel lump sums last year, and those receiving the Working Family Payment would have received a €500 lump sum last November and a higher rate of the payment from January as the income thresholds on that scheme were increased. All families with children received a double payment of Child Benefit last November.
After the Budget the Government has continued to monitor the situation and that is why we announced additional support for people in February which provide a further €410 million in supports to households and families in need.
This included a €200 lump sum payment in April for people on long term social protection payments, a €100 Child Benefit lump sum payment for each child paid just last month and an additional payment of €100 to be paid for each child for whom Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is paid again this year, as well as a further extension of the Hot School Meals programme.
Analysis by the ESRI shows that, combined with the increase in core social welfare payment rates, lump sums and energy credits has been effective in protecting most households from rising prices and, in fact, that lower income households are better off than if they had just received an inflation indexed increase in basic rates.
278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which exceptional needs’ payments are available in cases where family income is insufficient to meet requirements including funeral expenses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33375/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe supplementary welfare allowance 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.
Under the 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.
Government has provided €66.0 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.
All of the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into consideration by an officer of the community welfare service when deciding the level of support required. The decision process involves consideration of the nature of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.
An application can also be made under the scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.
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.
279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for the State pension (contributory) received in each of the past five years to date; the number granted, refused or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33376/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of State Pension (Contributory) (SPC) claims registered, awarded, rejected and pending for each of the last five years, and so far in 2023, are shown in the table below. For the years 2017 to 2022, claims registered, awarded and rejected refer to the entire year, while pending figures refer to claims pending on the 31st December. For 2023, claims registered, awarded and rejected refer to the period January to May 2023, while pending figures refer to claims pending on the 31st May 2023.
Table 1: SPC claims registered, awarded, rejected and pending, by year
|
Year |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Pending |
|
2023 (January to May) |
22,262 |
9,447 |
6,071 |
8,542 |
|
2022 |
43,633 |
18,776 |
12,207 |
6,942 |
|
2021 |
39,883 |
18,114 |
14,358 |
4,032 |
|
2020 |
38,808 |
17,155 |
13,742 |
5,231 |
|
2019 |
41,551 |
20,737 |
16,063 |
4,883 |
|
2018 |
42,084 |
28,364 |
10,304 |
4,252 |
|
2017 |
39,883 |
27,673 |
10,002 |
3,059 |
280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the carer's allowance has been improved to meet requirements of more persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33378/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 payments provided are an income support to people who cannot earn, or can only earn a limited income, and who have no other means or resources to rely upon.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. The application of the means-test not only ensures that the recipient has an income need but also that scarce resources are targeted to those with the greatest need.
As part of Budget 2022, I introduced significant improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance. These were the first changes to the means test in 14 years:
• For carers who work, the weekly income disregard was increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
• The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was increased from €20,000 to €50,000, aligning it with the capital means test for Disability Allowance. This allows carers who have accumulated relatively modest savings, often to provide care for a loved one, to retain an entitlement to Carer's Allowance.
The Carer’s Allowance disregards are the highest disregards in the social welfare system and the increase in the earnings limit enables more carers with modest incomes to become eligible for the scheme, and those in receipt of a reduced payment may now receive a higher payment.
It should be noted that, since 2015, there have been significant increases across all of the carer’s schemes provided. The number of people claiming Carer’s Allowance has increased by 52% resulting in a 68% increase in the cost of the scheme.
There are currently 93,766 recipients of Carer’s Allowance. The projected expenditure on Carer’s Allowance alone in 2023 is over €1 billion.Finally, I have committed to 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 this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the return of the funeral bereavement grant may be envisaged other than by way of an exceptional needs payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33379/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Bereavement Grant, which was a once-off payment for funeral costs, was discontinued in January 2014. The number of bereavement grant claims in 2013 was 23,716 at a cost of €20.3 million. It is estimated that the cost of reintroducing the grant would be close to €31 million per annum and would increase annually. Accordingly, any decision to reinstate the grant would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
In this context, it is worth noting that there are a range of supports available for people following bereavement which provide more significant support than the former grant.
These include weekly-paid Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory and Non-Contributory) pensions, which are based on contributions or a means test, and a once-off Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner grant of €8,000 where there is a dependent child. A number of social welfare payments, including State Pension, continue in payment for six weeks following a death, extending to 12 weeks in respect of Carer’s Allowance. Guardian payments are available where someone cares for an orphaned child. A special funeral grant of €850 is paid where a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease.
Under the Supplementary Allowance scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income, which may include help with funeral and burial expenses. This is a more targeted and efficient manner of assisting people with bereavement expenses in addition to the range of supports already set out.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which she and her office continue to ensure the making of a basic payment to applicants of social welfare payments while the primary application is being processed in order to alleviate hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33380/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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).
Basic SWA is paid at rates up to €218 per week with increases for adult and child dependents. Currently there are 12,556 recipients of a basic SWA payment.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to Supplementary Welfare Allowance 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.
283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which waiting times for payments in respect of means-tested applications compare with contribution-related payments; the extent of progress in reducing waiting times for means-tested payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33381/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following means test based schemes are assessed in terms of operational performance:• State Pension (Non-Contributory)• Jobseeker's Allowance• One-Parent Family Payment• Supplementary Welfare Allowance • Carer's Allowance• Disability Allowance• Household Benefits
The following schemes which are based on PRSI contributions are also assessed:• State Pension (Contributory)• Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension• Jobseeker's Benefit• Maternity Benefit• Paternity Benefit• Invalidity Pension• Illness Benefit• Occupational Injury Benefit
The attached tabular statements below outline the agreed target and metric for each scheme, along with the average targets achieved in May 2023.
Table 1: Processing times versus targets for means test based schemes
|
Scheme |
Target |
Metric |
Target Performance May 2023 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
75% |
In 12 Weeks |
94% |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
90% |
In 6 Weeks |
96% |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
90% |
In 10 Weeks |
96% |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Basic |
90% |
In 1 Week |
82% |
|
Carer's Allowance |
75% |
In 10 Weeks |
94% |
|
Disability Allowance |
75% |
In 10 Weeks |
73% |
|
Household Benefits |
90% |
In 4 Weeks |
99% |
Table 2: Processing times versus targets for contribution-related payments
|
Scheme |
Target |
Metric |
Target Performance May 2023 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
90% |
By date of entitlement |
99% |
|
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension |
90% |
In 6 Weeks |
94% |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
90% |
In 3 Weeks |
95% |
|
Maternity Benefit |
90% |
By due date |
97% |
|
Paternity Benefit |
90% |
By Commencement of leave |
88% |
|
Invalidity Pension |
90% |
In 10 Weeks |
93% |
|
Illness Benefit |
90% |
In 1 week |
94% |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
90% |
In 1 week |
61% |
284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current total number of recipients of child benefit payments; the extent to which this has fluctuated over the past three years, and is likely to so do in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33382/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
Child Benefit is currently in payment to 655,233 claimants, in respect of 1,230,491 children.
At the end of 2022 the total in receipt of Child Benefit was 648,053 claimants receiving payment in respect of 1.2 million children. The end of year totals for 2021 and 2020 were 630,663 and 633,456 claimants respectively.
The number of Child Benefit payments made in any year is related to a number of factors, including the birth rate, the number of families migrating to the State and the number of families leaving the State.
It is not possible to predict future fluctuations in the number of payments with any degree of certainty.
I trust this helps clarify the position for the Deputy.
285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which satisfactory provision continues to be made for those retiring at 65 years of age; the extent of any recent progress in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33383/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBenefit Payment for 65 Year Olds was introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment to address the position of people who are required to or choose to retire at age 65 before the pension age of 66. The payment is provided for under Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) legislation as appropriate. There were just over 4,000 people receiving this support at the end of May 2023.
A key feature of the payment is that recipients do not have to sign on or partake in activation measures or to be available for and genuinely seeking work to avail of it. Unlike other Jobseeker's Benefit customers, who are paid at a graduated rate according to their previous earnings, recipients of this payment are paid at the maximum personal rate of Jobseeker's Benefit. The personal rate has increased from €208 to €220 as part of Budget 2023.
In relation to recent progress, regulations have been signed in relation to persons with income from an Approved Retirement Scheme (ARF). The regulations provide that a self-employed contributor in receipt of income solely from an ARF is treated the same as a person without income from an ARF when it comes to eligibility for Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed). In both cases the loss of employment by a self-employed person founded on the person's PRSI contributions are relevant determining factors.
Where a person does not qualify for Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds they may be eligible for support under the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme subject to satisfying the qualifying conditions for that scheme.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate, notwithstanding replies to previous Parliamentary Questions on behalf of a person (details supplied), whether the circumstances might be urgently considered with a view to granting the pension in question given the evidence already submitted and being submitted, and that they continue to be a medical card holder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33396/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in previous Parliamentary Question replies, state pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over who have a legal right of residence and habitually reside in the state, and who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
An Irish state pension application can only be awarded when the deciding officer is satisfied that all the eligibility conditions for the scheme are met. Entitlement to a medical card is not linked to state pension conditionality.
As the Deputy is aware, the state pension claim of the person concerned is being reviewed. On 19 June 2023, the Deciding Officer wrote to the person, setting out the evidential requirements to assess their satisfaction of the habitual residency condition, in order to determine their eligibility.
On receipt of the requested documentation, the Deciding Officer will complete their review and the person will be notified of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
