Written Answers Nos. 1-62
56. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the changes she is making to her Department’s free travel scheme to support people with epilepsy and other medical conditions who cannot drive but are not in receipt of a social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46185/23]
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.
As part of Budget 2024 I was particularly pleased to extend my Department’s Free Travel Pass to support people who are medically certified as unable to drive including those with Epilepsy.
The measure will expand access to the Free Travel scheme to:
• People who have never been able to drive due to a disability.
• Drivers who have a license and have been deemed medically unfit to drive for a period of one year or longer. In some cases these drivers will only need the Travel Pass until they are medically certified to drive again.
In addition, there will be no requirement that the person be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment to qualify for the medical free travel pass; however they must meet the other qualifying criteria.
The measure could also benefit people who return to work, from certain long-term disability schemes, and lose their free travel entitlement after 5 years. If they are deemed medically unfit to drive for a period of one year or longer, they too may qualify for the medical grounds free travel pass.
This measure is a significant expansion of the free travel scheme and will require my Department to develop a new administrative process, engage with outside agencies and transport providers and update the Department’s I.T. systems.
It is for this reason that the implementation date for the measure is July 2024.I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
59. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason lone parents working on CE schemes are excluded from receiving the €400 cost of living payment, given the scheme’s proven track record of helping people who are long-term unemployed and disadvantaged to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within their local communities. [46362/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI agree with the Deputy that Community Employment (CE) has a proven track record of helping people who are long-term unemployed and lone parents to get back to work and has many benefits for these individuals and our communities. It is an active labour market programme designed to assist eligible people including lone parents by offering work experience and training through short-term placements in jobs based within their local community. The training provided through CE is delivered within the Quality Assurance framework, that leads to major awards on the National Framework of Qualifications, further adding to their employability when they finish their CE placement.
Budget 2024 will provide almost €2.3 billion in a package of measures to assist households with cost of living increases, through a mix of lump sum payments and increases to weekly payment rates. This is the largest social welfare Budget package in the history of the State.
CE wage payment rates are determined by the participants underlying social welfare payment at the time of commencement, subject to a minimum payment. The minimum payment on CE will increase in January 2024 as part of Budget 2024 from €247.50 to €259.50 per week. Those in receipt of an Increase for a Qualified Child will also benefit from a €4 weekly increase, while those in receipt of an Increase for a Qualified Adult will benefit from an additional €8 weekly increase.
In addition, a number of once off bonus payments were announced in Budget 2024, which will benefit eligible CE participants, including lone parents. A Christmas Bonus week will be paid to CE participants in December 2023, a January cost of living bonus will be paid to CE participants in 2024 and a €100 cost of living lump sum will be paid to CE participants in respect of each Qualified Child. There will also be a double payment of Child Benefit in December 2023.
Following Budget 2024 a lone parent, depending on their individual circumstances, including those participating on CE, will see an effective increase of a minimum of €1,983 in their social welfare payments on foot of changes to core rates, an increase in the rate of IQC payment, and an additional payment of Child Benefit.
