Written Answers Nos. 715-737
715. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she would consider changing the means test for benefit payments so that other household incomes are disregarded, particularly in the case of unmarried cohabiting couples. [47532/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecipients of certain social welfare payments can claim an increase in their payment in respect of a Qualified Adult, subject to a means assessment. A Qualified Adult is the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the recipient who is being wholly or mainly maintained by that claimant.
The means test in respect of the increase for a Qualified Adult applies to both contribution based social insurance payments (where only the means of the Qualified Adult is assessed), and contingency based social assistance payments (where the means of both the main claimant and the qualified adult are assessed).
The means assessed include income from employment or self-employment, non-social welfare pensions, and the capital value of savings, investments and property other than the family home. It should be noted that the value of the family home, regardless of who is the legal owner, is never taken into account in this assessment.
For social assistance schemes, the total household income is always assessed as part of the means test.
For social insurance schemes, where savings, property or other assets are held jointly, the spouse or partner's means is taken to be half of the total amount.
The current means testing arrangements are based on the actual means of the spouse or partner at any given time.Any proposals to change the means assessment formula for assessment of social protection schemes would have to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
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.
In 2022, I expanded the list of agri-environmental schemes that qualify for a disregard, and as part of Budget 2023 I increased this disregard.
In 2022, I also introduced a Rent a Room disregard, for all Social Protection schemes, to enable recipients to support those arriving from Ukraine, and others, in a tight housing market. Earlier this year, I extended that provision for a further two years.
From January this year I introduced significant changes to eligibility rules for Fuel Allowance, including a new means threshold for people aged 70 years and over - €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. These changes resulted in an additional 35,000 households joining the scheme so far.
Last year, I significantly increased the income and capital disregards for Carer's Allowance. This enables more carers with modest incomes to become eligible for the scheme and allows carers and their families to earn more from employment while retaining their carer’s payment.
As part of Budget 2024 I have further increased the disregard to €450 for a single person, and €900 for carers with a spouse/partner from June.
Regulations which provide for disregards in relation to UCD's Cothrom na Féinne scholarship programme are in development and I hope to sign them in the coming days, benefitting third level students from lower income households.
I have committed to a carrying out broad review of means testing this year, which is ongoing, and it will be completed by the end of the year.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
716. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average length of time between an initial application for jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit and the ultimate decision to grant or deny that application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47565/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra717. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average time taken to process an application for jobseeker's received from a person who was previously self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47566/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 716 and 717 together.
At the end of October 2023, the average processing time for Jobseeker’s Allowance claims was 2 weeks, and for Jobseeker’s Benefit claims it was 1 week.
Data on the average processing times for those who were previously self-employed and applied for Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit is not readily available in my Department. However, the average processing time for Jobseeker’s Benefit for the Self-Employed was 4 weeks.
718. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm whether a person who resumes paid employment after applying for jobseekers, but before their application is approved, is entitled to backdated payments once their application is approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47567/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhere a person makes a claim for a jobseeker's payment and resumes their paid employment before a decision is made on their claim, all backdated payments due to the person are paid from the date of their claim application provided that the person satisfies all the qualifying conditions for that payment.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
719. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal submitted (details supplied) on foot of the suspension of a guardians' payment; if an oral hearing is being organised to consider further information from the appellant, or if her Department would consider such a step; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47590/23]
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 02 August 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.
These papers were received on 29 August 2023 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 21 September 2023, 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.
720. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the qualifying criteria for people with epilepsy and other medical conditions who cannot drive but are not in receipt of a social welfare payment for free travel as per Budget 2024; whether such support will be means tested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47599/23]
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.
There will be no requirement to satisfy a means test or that the person be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment to qualify for the medical free travel pass.
My officials are currently working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of relevant qualifying criteria and development of administrative and IT systems as necessary.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
721. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of PRSI contributions by a person (details supplied) in Count Cork; when payment of self-employed PRSI contributions commenced in this case; and if payments continue until this person reaches pension age, if they will have an entitlement to the State pension (contributory). [47603/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State Pension (contributory).
On assessing entitlement to pension, factors such as an individual’s social insurance record, their attachment to the workforce, and their countries of employment affect the rate of pension. It is advisable that all contributors maintain their social insurance record as fully as possible over their working life with paid contributions or, if this is not possible, with PRSI credits. Alternatively, a person who ceases to be covered by compulsory PRSI may opt to become a voluntary contributor provided certain conditions are satisfied.
The person concerned will reach 66 years of age in 2029. According to the records of my Department, their first recorded self-employed contribution was in the 1988/89 tax year. I have arranged for a copy of their social insurance record to issue along with a detailed explanatory to assist in understanding their record, and information on how to calculate entitlement to State pension (contributory). Information was also included on pension changes to be introduced from January 2024.
As part of those changes, I am introducing a flexible pension system in Ireland. Under this new system, people will still be able to retire at 66 and draw-down their pension in exactly the same way as they can today. In addition, there will be new flexibility so that people can choose to defer their pension, work longer and receive a higher pension payment. The person concerned can decide for themselves what best suits their needs and circumstances.
Further information in relation to State pension (contributory) is available on the Government website at gov.ie/pension.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
722. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a timeline for the implementation of each of the nine recommendations outlined in the Review of the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47620/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a wide range of income and employment supports to assist jobseekers and employees with disabilities, and their employers. These supports include the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme.
The Reasonable Accommodation Fund provides financial support for people with disabilities and for employers to help make their workplaces more accessible. The Disability Awareness Support Scheme provides funding for disability awareness training for employees.
I recently published a review of these schemes. The review recommends combining the two schemes into a single flexible scheme, simplifying systems and processes, providing approval in principle, and promoting the reformed scheme.
It also recommends increasing funding, extending workplace needs assessments, and job coaching to new recruits and all existing employees, increasing the number of support hours eligible for funding, providing support for blended working, and opening the scheme to other employers, for example the voluntary and community sector.
My Department is currently working to implement these recommendations and I expect to launch a reformed scheme that will give effect to all nine recommendations in Q1 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
723. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of PRSI contributions by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when payment of self-employed PRSI contributions commenced in this case; if payments continue until this person reaches pension age; and if she will have an entitlement to the State (contributory) pension. [47622/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State Pension (contributory).
On assessing entitlement to pension, factors such as an individual’s social insurance record, their attachment to the workforce, and their countries of employment affect the rate of pension. It is advisable that all contributors maintain their social insurance record as fully as possible over their working life with paid contributions or, if this is not possible, with PRSI credits. Alternatively, a person who ceases to be covered by compulsory PRSI may opt to become a voluntary contributor provided certain conditions are satisfied.
The person concerned will reach 66 years of age in 2025. According to the records of my Department, their first recorded self-employed contribution was in 2018. I have arranged for a copy of their social insurance record to issue along with a detailed explanatory to assist in understanding their record, and information on how to calculate entitlement to State pension (contributory). Information was also included on pension changes to be introduced from January 2024.
As part of those changes, I am introducing a flexible pension system in Ireland. Under this new system, people will still be able to retire at 66 and draw-down their pension in exactly the same way as they can today. In addition, there will be new flexibility so that people can choose to defer their pension, work longer and receive a higher pension payment. The person concerned can decide for themselves what best suits their needs and circumstances.
Further information in relation to State pension (contributory) is available on the Government website at gov.ie/pensions.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
724. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of statements of interests for the purposes of section 19 filed by her special advisers in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will provide a schedule of same. [47654/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have one Adviser in the Department of Social Protection. They have returned a Statement of ‘Nil’ Interests to SIPO in respect of each of the years 2020, 2021 & 2022.
The deadline for returns to SIPO in respect of 2023 will be January 2024.
725. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47717/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
An application for DA in respect of the person concerned was received on 19 October 2022 and they were awarded full maximum personal rate from that date.
Correspondence from the person concerned was received by the DA section on 16 June 2023 advising of a change in their circumstances and submitted supporting documentation.
Based on the information received, a review of the claim was undertaken. Correspondence issued to the person concerned on 28 August 2023, requesting completion of a form in relation to their spouse.
Social welfare legislation provides that, for social assistance schemes, all income and capital (such as savings, investments and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her spouse/partner, where applicable, are assessable for means assessment purposes.
The person concerned supplied their spouse’s self-assessed Income Tax information for year end 2021. Based on the information received, it was not possible for the deciding officer to determine the current means of the person concerned.
The file has been referred to the Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to carry out a means assessment in this case. Once the SWI returns their report, a decision will issue directly to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
726. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a breakdown of the advertising spend of her Department and agencies under the remit of her Department, by national media outlet and local newspaper outlet, for each of the years 2020 to 2022, in tabular form. [47739/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection is committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services available to them. Public information campaigns, including advertising in print media, are an important part of this work.
All campaigns are developed carefully in collaboration with our media buyer using the best mix of media formats to ensure that messages target members of the public effectively while ensuring the best value for money.
The cost of local and national newspaper advertising for my Department and agencies under my Departments remit for each of the years 2020 to 2022 is outlined below in tabular form. Please note that these figures exclude VAT, ASAI (Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland), and agency fees.
In reply to this query, 'national media outlet and local newspaper outlet' has been interpreted as pertaining only to print advertising.
The following table details expenditure by my Department on advertisements from 2020 to 2022.
|
The Department of Social Protection |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
National press |
€702,813.65 |
€487,541 |
€254,229 |
|
Local press |
€292,412 |
€121,785 |
|
|
Total |
€702,813.65* |
€779,953 |
€376,014 |
* 2020 figures are the combined spend for national media and local newspaper outlets as both were collated together during this period.
The following table details expenditure by the Citizens Information Board on advertisements from 2020 to 2022.
|
Citizens Information Board |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
National press |
€23,237.22 |
€20,865.37 |
€24,959.36 |
|
Local press |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Total |
€23,237.22 |
€20,865.37 |
€24,959.36 |
The following table details expenditure by the Pensions Authority on advertisements from 2020 to 2022.
|
Pensions Authority |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
National press |
€19,890 |
€19,890 |
€20,655 |
|
Local press |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Total |
€19,890 |
€19,890 |
€20,655 |
The following table details expenditure by the Pensions Council on advertisements from 2020 to 2022.
|
The Pensions Council |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
National press |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Local press |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Total |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
727. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give details of the humanitarian assistance schemes in place for those affected by flooding; if a householder in Dublin, who was flooded in August 2023 due to a severe weather event and who cannot get insurance cover anymore due to previous flooding, can apply for humanitarian assistance; the income limits in place; the role of an organisation (details supplied) in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47743/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra766. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the humanitarian assistance scheme is available for residents of the recent flooding (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48390/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 727 and 766 together.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies. My Department provides assistance to eligible households in the immediate aftermath of emergency weather events under the humanitarian assistance scheme.
The humanitarian assistance scheme, administered by my department through the local Community Welfare Service, was activated to assist householders affected by a number of recent weather events across the country. The scheme was also activated in August 2023 to support those affected by Storms Antoni and Betty. This scheme remains open to those affected by these weather events to apply for assistance.
The purpose of the humanitarian assistance scheme is to provide income- tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair.
• Assistance is not available under the scheme for losses which are already covered by insurance.
• The scheme does not cover commercial, agricultural, or business losses.
• Any additional properties that are not occupied and lived in as the applicant’s primary residence are not covered.
The income test for humanitarian assistance is more generous than that which applies in the case of social welfare schemes generally. I have recently secured Government approval to increase the income limits for the scheme. Income limits will now be increased from:
• €30,000 to €50,000 for a single person;
• €50,000 to €90,000 for a couple; and
• €10,000 to €15,000 per dependent child
It should be noted that a reduced or tapered level of support may be provided in cases where families have income above the limits.
In addition, Government has approved the opening of two Emergency Business Flooding Schemes for small businesses, sports clubs, community, and voluntary organisations unable to secure flood insurance and affected by recent flooding in Counties Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Kilkenny, and Louth, under the remit of my colleague Minister Coveney. The Irish Red Cross will administer and make payments under the schemes on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
If any household in an area affected by severe weather needs to access the support of the humanitarian assistance scheme, they can contact the Community Welfare Service by phoning 0818 60 70 80.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
728. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on the review requested on behalf of a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of a State pension (contributory) and,, as a result of an error, has had their qualified adult allowance stopped; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47744/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) on their State Pension (Contributory).
The increase for qualified adult is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed the means limit. Where a qualified adult has weekly means in excess of €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment.
As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that claimants are receiving their full and correct entitlements, ongoing reviews are carried out.
The IQA was reviewed on 23 May 2023. Based on the information provided, it was determined that the IQA would cease as the means exceeded the limit. Following a review, the payment has been re-instated at the maximum weekly rate. Any arrears due will issue without delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
729. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagements her Department, or any agency or body under her direction, has had with the Government of Israel, any state body of the Government of Israel, or any engagement within or with Israel, in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47814/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra730. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagements her Department, or any agency or body under her direction, has had with the Palestinian Authority, any organ of the Palestinian Authority, or any engagement within, or with organisations in, the occupied Palestinian territory, in the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47832/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 729 and 730 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that neither myself or officials of my Department, have had any engagement with the government of Israel, any state body of the government of Israel, or any engagement within or with Israel during the years specified.
I can also confirm that neither myself or officials of my Department have had any engagement with the Palestinian Authority, any organ of the Palestinian Authority, or any engagement within, or with organisations in, the Occupied Palestinian Territory during the years specified.
In relation to Minister of State O’Brien, I am advised that he undertook an official visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory in March 2022. In Israel, he held a number of meetings, including with a member of the Israeli Knesset who advocates for Palestinian rights. In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he undertook another meeting with a member of the Israeli Knesset who advocates for Palestinian rights. He also held a number of meetings with civil society organisations, the United Nations, and met with the Chair of the Palestinian Environment Quality Authority in Ramallah. He also visited a refugee camp, a school, and a checkpoint.
Minister of State O’Brien also met with the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland on 9th November 2022.
731. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the way her Department would handle personal data disclosed during the Green Paper on Disability Reform: A Public Consultation to Reform Disability Payments in Ireland (details supplied). [47844/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September, I launched the Green Paper on Disability Reform and the associated public consultation.
As part of this public consultation, we invite individuals, Disabled Persons' Organisations, and other disability stakeholder bodies to share their views with us by participating in one of our public consultation events or by making a making a written or video submission.
Privacy is of the utmost importance to me and my Department when handling the submissions we receive. The public consultation page on gov.ie contains detailed information on privacy. It states that "any personal information which you volunteer to this department, will be treated with the highest standards of security and confidentiality, strictly in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/67 and the Data Protection Act 2018".
Submissions on the Green Paper are handled by officials in my Department's Disability and Carers' Policy Unit only and personal information is redacted from every submission. Data and submissions are kept within this unit and no personal data is shared with other Units in my Department or with anyone outside of the Department.
The Department will publish submissions received after the consultation period ends. The names of organisations that make a submission will be included. All personal data from individual submissions will be removed prior to publication.
I can assure everyone that making a submission will have no impact on their payment or on any dealings they may have with my Department.
I want to emphasise that the Green Paper is a consultation document. Its purpose is to generate discussion, debate and invite suggestions. I am open to ideas and welcome all submissions. I would like to encourage everyone with an interest in improving the lives of people with disabilities to engage in the consultation process and to make a submission or visit one of our consultation events.
These are taking place in Dublin Castle on 9 November, in Cork on 14 November and in Athlone on 23 November. Public consultation events are open to disability groups, Disabled Persons' Organisations and members of the public. Depending on demand, my officials are happy to add more locations and more events to this event series.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
732. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify if persons in receipt of illness benefit are entitled to any 'bonus payments' that may be issued from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47864/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness Benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance contribution conditions. Illness Benefit is paid for a maximum of two years and is classified as a short-term scheme.
Customers in receipt of Illness Benefit for at least one year are eligible to receive the Christmas Bonus and the January 2024 cost of living bonus.
All recipients of Illness Benefit will also get a €12 increase in their weekly rate of payment from January 2024.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
733. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the payments which remain payable should the recipient relocate permanently outside the State. [47892/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following payments can be retained when the recipient relocates permanently outside the State subject to continuing to satisfy all of the relevant scheme qualifying conditions.
• Guardians Contributory payment
• State Pension Contributory
• Disablement Benefit or Death Benefit (under the Occupational injury Benefit Scheme)
• Widows/Widowers or Surviving Civil Partners Contributory Pension
• Invalidity Pension, and
• Partial Capacity Benefit (where Invalidity Pension is the underlying scheme)
Where a Social Welfare recipient, in receipt of one of the above payments, wishes to move to another Country and retain their payment, they should contact the Department to make arrangements for the transfer of that payment and provide information regarding payment details.
While Social Assistance payments are generally not payable to a person who takes up permanent residence outside the State, there are two exceptions provided for in legislation. These exceptions relate to State Pension Non-Contributory and Blind Pension and apply only where either scheme was paid to a person prior to relocating to Northern Ireland. Such payments may continue in payment for a period of up to 5 years or until an alternate payment is made by the appropriate authority in Northern Ireland, whichever occurs first.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
735. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns and proposals (details supplied) relating directly to the introduction of a temporary abolition of pay-related social insurance (PRSI) for lower earning workers in 2024, 2025 and 2026 which is a matter for her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47921/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe correspondence referred to in the Question seeks a temporary abolition of social insurance liability for low earning workers in 2024, 2025 and 2026 (whether for employees, employers or both). Such a move would have significant financial implications for the Social Insurance Fund.
The Social Insurance Fund derives income, in the main, from social insurance contributions paid by employees, their employers, and self-employed persons. Contributions made can therefore be differentiated from taxation in that those who participate do so in the knowledge that once the contributions and any other scheme specific requirements are satisfied, they will benefit from these contributions in the event of certain contingencies arising during their working life such as unemployment, illness, maternity and, thereafter, upon retirement from the work force. It is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Fund is financially secure to meet these benefits.
The 2020 Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund found that even without any economic shocks to the economy or change to policy, the long-term sustainability of the Fund will face significant challenges. In the absence of any action to tackle the shortfalls, the excess of expenditure over income of the Fund will increase significantly over the medium to long term with an accumulated deficit by 2076 of €500 billion.
In this context, the Government has approved proposals for PRSI changes as one of the primary means of addressing the projected shortfalls in social insurance income. This approach was agreed as an alternative to increasing the State Pension age. Under Budget 2024, the Government agreed to increase all rates of PRSI by 0.1 percentage points effective from 1 October 2024.
Any proposal to introduce a temporary abolition of social insurance liability for low earning workers in 2024, 2025 and 2026 would have to be considered in a budgetary context, taking account of the current economic circumstances and with a view to the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
736. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in respect of a disability allowance application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47949/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 4 September 2023. Their initial application did not contain all the information required to determine their eligibility for DA. An information request letter was sent to the person concerned on 20 September 2023 to supply this supporting documentation. I can confirm that this information was received on 27 September 2023.
Based on the information received, it was still not possible for the deciding officer (DO) to complete an assessment of this application without additional information. A further information request issued to the person concerned on 27 October 2023 to supply confirmation of a financial account held.
Once the requested information is returned, the DO will review the claim and issue a written decision directly to the customer.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
737. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department engages a company (details supplied); if so, the duration and nature of the work; the cost of same to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48019/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department does not engage the services of the company in question. Therefore, no costs have been incurred.
