Written Answers Nos. 921-940
921. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 63 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to introduce a non-means tested, targeted cost-of-disability payment for the carers to autistic people and disabled people with high levels of expenditure due to their autism diagnosis or disability; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57310/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a comprehensive package of carers’ income supports including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending in 2024 is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion on these payments.
The Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. Carer's Allowance is means tested and does not require any social insurance contributions. The means test is used to target the support to those most in need.
While the caring requirements of the caree(s) will be different, this does not affect the rates of the allowance, which is intended to provide an income support for the carer and does not depend on individual care requirements.
In addition to Carer's Allowance, this department also provides a number of other income supports for carers which are not means tested. Carer’s Benefit is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their hours to care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. For those providing ongoing care and attention for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, Domiciliary Care Allowance is available and is also not means-tested. Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16, who has a severe disability and requires care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age. It ceases to be payable when a child reaches 16 years of age. The young person can then apply for Disability Allowance if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Furthermore, the annual Carer's Support Grant - which I increased to its highest-ever rate of €1,850 - is also available to carers who are not on a social welfare payment. The grant is paid in a single lump sum annually, usually on the first Thursday in June. The grant is not means-tested and is not taxable and is paid in respect of each care recipient. 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 time as Minister I have introduced a number of measures to support people with disabilities and carers, to improve their living standards and to mitigate the impacts of the rising cost of living. These include a combination of once-off payments, increases to the rate of weekly income support payments and increases to income thresholds. I have continued with this targeted approach as part of Budget 2024, such measures include:
• €12 increase in maximum personal rate of weekly payments, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates, from January 2024.
• €10 per month increase for people in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance from January 2024
• From June 2024 the earnings disregard for Carer's Allowance will increase to €450 for a single person and €900 for a couple.
Significant Cost-of-Living lump sum payments are also being provided for carers and people with disabilities.
• These include Double Payments in December and January.
• €400 for people in receipt of disability payments and people receiving the Carer’s Support Grant, paid in November.
I am satisfied with the range of carer income supports provided by my department and in this regard I do not intend to introduce a cost of disability payment for carers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
923. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 65 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to increase the income disregard for disability allowance and carer’s allowance to account for the high costs of disability; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57312/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is a payment for people who are aged between 16 and 66 with an injury, disease or disability that has continued, or may be expected to continue, for at least one year and, as a result of this disability, the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable. The allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement.
From January 2024, the maximum personal rate of payment is €232.00 with the maximum adult dependent rate at €154.00. Rates for child dependents are €46.00 for children under 12 and €54.00 for children over 12.
There are over 161,400 recipients of Disability Allowance as of October 2023 and the total estimated expenditure on the scheme for 2024 is over €2.1 billion.
Disability Allowance is structured to support recipients to avail of work opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment.
When an individual commences employment, they can avail of an income disregard of €165 per week. In addition, 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 are also disregarded for the purpose of the means test.
The earnings disregard for recipients of Disability Allowance has increased by almost 38% over the last four budgets from €120 to €140 to €165 currently. This enables them to earn more without having a negative impact on their means tested payment. A person can now earn a maximum of €495.10 per week and still keep a portion of their Disability Allowance payment.
Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which my department provides income support to carers in the community. Some 95,848 people are supported by this payment. Estimated expenditure on this scheme in 2024 is €1.1 billion.
The primary objective of the payment is to provide an income support to carers whose earning capacity is substantially reduced as a consequence of their caring responsibilities and in so doing to support the ongoing care of the person in respect of whom care is being provided.
As part of Budget 2022 I increased the income disregards from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
In June 2024, the weekly income disregard will be further increased from €350 to €450 for a single person, and from €750 to €900 for carers with a spouse/partner.
This amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €117.50 for a single carer and €235.00 for a carer who is part of couple, during my time as Minister for Social Protection. These are the highest income disregards in the social welfare system. It is also worth noting that the capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was also increased in 2022 from €20,000 to €50,000.
Since my appointment as Minister, I have made a number of significant improvements to the social welfare system to enhance the supports available for our carers and for disabled people. Any further changes to the income disregards would have cost implications and therefore could only be considered in an overall Budgetary and policy context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
924. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 66 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to recognise the work of carers and the services they provide the State by establishing a pilot scheme for a basic income entitlement or a participation income to replace the carer’s allowance, in line with the recommendations of an organisation (details supplied) and the Joint Committee on Gender Equality; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57313/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending in 2024 is expected to amount to almost €1.7 billion on these payments.
The Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which my department provides income support to carers in the community. Some 95,848 people are supported by this payment.
The conditions attached to payment of Carer’s Allowance are consistent with the overall conditions that apply to social assistance payments generally. The means test ensures that support is provided to those most in need and plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of caring.
Since my appointment as Minister, I have made a number of improvements in the social welfare system to enhance the supports available for our carers.
• In June 2022 the income disregards were increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
• As part of Budget 2024, the weekly income disregard will be further increased from €350 to €450 for a single person, and from €750 to €900 for carers with a spouse/partner.
This amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €117.50 for a single carer and €235.00 for a carer who is part of couple, during my time as Minister for Social Protection. These are the highest income disregards in the social welfare system. It is also worth noting that the capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was also increased last year from €20,000 to €50,000.
I am familiar with submission referred to by the Deputy calling for the introduction of a form of non-means tested payment or basic income for caring work.
Carer's Allowance does not purport to be a payment for care, and I do not intend to deviate from the underpinning principle of this scheme being an income support payment.
However, I am establishing an Interdepartmental Working Group with the Department of Health to examine and review the system of means test for carer payments.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
925. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 67 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to establish a grant to assist autistic people and disabled people in paying for larger, one-off expenses; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57314/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability, including autism. Entitlement to these supports is contingent on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work. It is not dependent on the nature of the illness or disability. The income supports available are Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit.
My Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have essential expenses, which they cannot meet from their own resources. This assistance is available to anyone who needs it, even to those who are working but on a low income.
The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Other State supports that may already be available to the person are also considered. This ensures that support is provided to people with the greatest financial need.
I am confident that there are supports in place for disabled and autistic people who need assistance to pay for larger, once-off expenses and therefore I do not consider that a specific grant, as suggested above, is required.
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.
926. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 68 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to benchmark the rate of disability allowance and other social protection payments to ensure that autistic recipients can achieve a minimum essential standard of living; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57315/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) is an assessment of the minimum income needed to live and partake in the social and economic norms of everyday life for various household types.
My Department has partly funded this excellent, detailed work of the Vincentian MESL Research Centre at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and I find it extremely useful.
One of the benefits of the work is that it provides an analysis of the different levels of income needed for a wide range of household types, including the different costs that arise for households in rural and urban locations. However, differentiating social welfare payment rates based on location would be problematic and could lead to inequities being created within the welfare system.
The MESL research also highlights issues that may be better solved with greater access to services, rather than increases in income. In this regard, having access to secondary benefits such as medical cards and supports in the areas of housing and childcare can result in significant reductions in the minimum income standards needed by households. This is also the case for additional costs associated with having a disability, which the Indecon Cost of Disability report found are significantly broader than income supports. These costs run across many areas of expenditure, including housing, transport, health, and education, and need to be addressed across Government. This presents another difficulty in using the MESL as a benchmark for the level of social welfare payments alone.
The estimated annual cost of bringing weekly social welfare rates in line with the MESL, including the Qualified Child Increase, would be approximately €2.3 billion.
Over recent years I have improved supports for people with disabilities through weekly rate increases and cost of living payments. In Budget 2024 the following measures were announced which people on long-term disability supports may benefit from:
• €400 once-off payment for Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and Carer’s Support Grant recipients;
• €100 lump sum for each Qualified Child;
• Double Child Benefit payment;
• €200 lump sum Living Alone Allowance payment;
• €300 lump sum Fuel Allowance payment;
• Christmas Bonus double payment;
• January Cost of Living Bonus double payment.
Also, as part of Budget 2024, I introduced:
• €12 increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly payments from January 2024;
• Increase the weekly rate for each Qualified Child by €4;
• Reduce the minimum weekly hours threshold for employers to avail of the Wage Subsidy Scheme from 21 to 15 hours from April 2024;
• Extend Free Travel to people medically certified as unfit to drive from July 2024;
• Extend Child Benefit to 18 year olds in full time education from September 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
927. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 69 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to undertake consultation with the autistic community on the accessibility of information regarding supports and services provided by her Department and ensure that there is no reduction in supports when those in receipt of disability allowance reach State pension age; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57316/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to working to ensure that services and information can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, ability or disability.
In developing our communications, we use the guidelines outlined in the Customer Communications Toolkit for the Public Service - A Universal Design Approach. The guidance in this toolkit is based on a Universal Design approach promoted by the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) at the National Disability Authority (NDA).
Primary application forms in my Department are designed to be as accessible as possible and follow the guidelines of the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform, as set-out in its Plain English Style Guide for the Public Service. We also work with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA). They provide Plain English training for staff as well as input on accessibility when developing our forms and other customer materials, e.g. ‘Your Guides to our Schemes and Services’, and the Illness, Disability and Caring guide.
The all-of-government platform gov.ie is partially compliant with the AA Standards under the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 international guidelines, to ensure the website is accessible for people with disabilities. We will continue to work with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) to improve the accessibility and usability of gov.ie and have committed to reducing our use of PDFs on the website due to their inaccessibility, as text is not searchable on a page. PDFs can be an obstacle for people with disabilities mostly because they don’t support assistive technology. Our content on this site is also developed using Plain English and regularly updated in line with customer feedback and comments provided by site users. We have an accessible ‘request an application’ form, which is interactive, on gov.ie.
The Department has developed the MyWelfare platform as the online home of welfare services and is committed to making the information on MyWelfare accessible to all, regardless of ability. In order to achieve this, we have designed MyWelfare to follow guidelines set out by the W3C (the World Wide Web Consortium). The W3C WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) produces accessibility guidelines that are an internationally recognised benchmark of accessibility. In designing new services for MyWelfare, the Department continues to engage with customers and stakeholder groups to assist in the design and testing of prototypes to help shape online services in a customer centric manner. MyWelfare’s accessibility statement includes a statement of commitment and a compliance status statement as required under the European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020.
We have appointed Access Officers to provide or coordinate assistance and guidance for people with disabilities so they can access the services and information we provide. This is in accordance with section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005. A list of our Access Officers and their contact information is available online at gov.ie.
Delivering on the commitments in our Customer Action Plan, we are in the process of introducing sensory rooms, and JAM (Just a Minute) cards to our network of Intreo Offices, to provide space, and extra time or assistance to those who need it. Maintaining accessible services is an ongoing process and as part of this process we continue to investigate any barriers to accessing our information and service and regular stakeholder engagement plays an important part in this.
A Saver Clause exists in social welfare legislation (section 159 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005) for customers who are transferring from Disability Allowance to State Pension Non-Contributory. This ensures that the weekly rate of State Pension Non-Contributory shall be greater than or equal to the rate of payment that the customer was entitled to receive on the other scheme, prior to their 66th birthday. The Saver Clause will only apply where a person has an entitlement to State Pension Non- Contributory, therefore if a customer's means exceed the limit, a saver cannot be applied.
In terms of Household Benefits, those transferring from Disability Allowance to State Pension retain their Household Benefit entitlements assuming that there has been no material change in their circumstances. Similarly, other secondary supports such as Fuel Allowance, the Living alone increase and Free Travel would also likely continue past 66 provided the conditionality continues to be met.
Costs for implementation are covered within my Department's administrative budget. I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
928. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 70 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to undertake a review of the accessibility and user-friendliness of all application forms for disability supports with the autistic community; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57317/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to working to ensure that services and information can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, ability or disability.
In developing our communications, we use the guidelines outlined in the Customer Communications Toolkit for the Public Service - A Universal Design Approach. The guidance in this toolkit is based on a Universal Design approach promoted by the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) at the National Disability Authority (NDA).
Primary application forms in my Department are designed to be as accessible as possible and follow the guidelines of the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform, as set-out in its Plain English Style Guide for the Public Service. We also work with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA). They provide Plain English training for staff as well as input on accessibility when developing our forms and other customer materials, e.g. ‘Your Guides to our Schemes and Services’, and the Illness, Disability and Caring guide.
The all-of-government platform gov.ie is partially compliant with the AA Standards under the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 international guidelines, to ensure the website is accessible for people with disabilities. My department's content on this site is also developed using Plain English and regularly updated in line with customer feedback and comments provided by site users. We have an accessible ‘request an application’ form, which is interactive, on gov.ie.
As part of our ongoing work to improve the accessibility of our communications we have also committed to reducing our use of PDFs on the website due to their inaccessibility, as text is not searchable on a page. PDFs can be an obstacle for people with disabilities mostly because they don’t support assistive technology. My department will continue to work with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) to improve the accessibility and usability of gov.ie.
My department has developed the MyWelfare platform as the online home of welfare services and is committed to making the information on MyWelfare accessible to all, regardless of ability. In order to achieve this, MyWelfare has been designed to follow guidelines set out by the W3C (the World Wide Web Consortium). The W3C WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) produces accessibility guidelines that are an internationally recognised benchmark of accessibility. My department is committed to inclusive design, enabling websites which can be used by all users including those who may have cognitive or physical impairments. The design of MyWelfare supports cognitive and visual impairments to ensure that for all users there is a smooth journey and experience through the site. In designing new services for MyWelfare, the Department continues to engage with customers and stakeholder groups to assist in the design and testing of prototypes to help shape online services in a customer centric manner. MyWelfare’s accessibility statement includes a statement of commitment and a compliance status statement as required under the European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020.
Access Officers have been appointed across my department to provide or coordinate assistance and guidance for people with disabilities so they can access the services and information we provide. This is in accordance with section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005. A list of Access Officers and their contact information is available online at gov.ie.
Delivering on the commitments in my department's Customer Action Plan, sensory rooms and JAM (Just a Minute) cards are being introduced to the network of Intreo Offices, to provide space, and extra time or assistance to those who need it.
My officials regularly engage with stakeholder groups, and feedback from the people who access our services is always welcome. Our stakeholder engagement includes a biannual Customer Service Representative Forum, where groups have an opportunity to hear about relevant developments to services and to communicate feedback from their members and stakeholders. Maintaining accessible services is an ongoing process and as part of this process my department continues to investigate any barriers to accessing its information and services. Costs for implementation are covered within my Department's administrative budget.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
929. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 71 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to initiate a review of application processes and their transparency to minimise the rate of rejection of applications for disability supports and care supports; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57318/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. In general, eligibility to social welfare schemes which involve?medical or caring conditionality take longer to process than non-medical schemes, and may require a review of a more in-depth level of information.
Since 2022 and into 2023, a series of projects were undertaken by my Department to review the application forms for the Carers Allowance and Benefit schemes, in addition to the forms for Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension. This review sought to ensure any information needed to decide eligibility for each scheme was requested and presented on the application form in an easy to understand manner. The review also sought to eliminate requests for information already available to a Deciding Officer through existing data held by the Department.
A series of stakeholders were consulted throughout the process.
The amended forms ensure that only information that is required to complete the application is requested and Plain English is used to assist the application process.
It is important to note that an initial incomplete application for one of these schemes will not, in isolation, result in a disallowed decision when reviewing someone's eligibility. Where an applicant has misunderstood what is requested, or there are gaps in the information required to determine an individual's eligibility, a Deciding Officer will contact the applicant to request any further information required in support of their application.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
930. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 72 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to allow those who were previously in receipt of disability allowance and have subsequently entered employment to retain their entitlement to a medical card and free travel pass, subject to certain limitations; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57319/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra935. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection in line with Action 72 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report (details supplied) if she has plans to allow those who were previously in receipt of disability allowance and have subsequently entered employment to retain their entitlement to a medical card and free travel pass, subject to certain limitations; and the estimated first and full year cost respectively of implementing this proposal. [57370/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 930 and 935 together.
The 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 2024 is €104 million.
Since 2017, people moving from certain long-term disability schemes such as Disability Allowance are able retain their Free Travel entitlement for a further period of 5 years, provided they previously had an entitlement to Free Travel.
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.
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 unable to drive for a period of one year or longer.
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. The expected implementation date for the measure is July 2024.
Any further expansion of the Free Travel scheme in excess of the measures announced in Budget 2024 would require additional funding for the free travel scheme and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
Finally, as the Medical Card is under the remit of the Minister for Health any queries in relation to the retention of a Medical Card should be directed to that Department.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
931. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 73 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to raise the age limit of domiciliary care allowance to 18 years; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57320/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability and requires care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age. It ceases to be payable when a child reaches 16 years of age. The young person can then apply for Disability Allowance if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Under Budget 2024, I increased the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance to €340 per month. Parents or guardians in receipt of this allowance may also receive the annual Carer’s Support Grant of €1,850 each June.
The Government committed as part of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to develop and consult on proposals to restructure long-term disability payments and to simplify the system.
One of the Green Paper’s proposals is to extend Domiciliary Care Allowance to age 18. This recognises that young people aged 16 and 17 are usually still in the care of their parents and guardians.
In line with this change, the Green Paper proposes to raise the qualifying age for Disability Allowance to 18 to create a common approach to disability payments, with the qualifying age for Domiciliary Care Allowance being extended up to age 18. This proposal would bring Disability Allowance’s age criterion in line with the rest of the social welfare system, as all other working age payments become payable at age 18.
The reconfiguration of Disability Allowance and Domiciliary Care Allowance has been highlighted in a wide range of reports going as far back as the Report of the Commission on Social Welfare in 1986, and more recently, in the May Work Pay report in 2017.
Under the proposals in the Green Paper there would be a number of years of a transition whereby 16 year olds could receive Disability Allowance to avoid a potential loss of income. Thus, to calculate the costs associated with increase the allowance to age 18, we have made the assumptions for the first year after the transitional arrangement, where all 16 year olds would remain on the Domiciliary Care Allowance. Based on figures from December 2023 the proposed change would cost approximately €31 million in the first year of payment. The following year, where the allowance becomes eligible to both 17- and 16-year-olds, it would cost an estimated €64.3 million.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
932. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of providing school meals to every primary school where there is established deprivation but no DEIS classification, by county, in tabular form. [57349/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the School Meals 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. Following the expansion of the programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering 443,000 children are now eligible for funding.
My department does not measure or collect information on deprivation at school level, so it is not possible to provide the estimates requested.
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. As part of this significant expansion plan, all non-DEIS primary schools were contacted last year and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals.
Expressions of interests were received from over 900 primary schools in respect of 150,000 children and late last year these schools were invited to participate in the Hot School Meals Programme from April 2024. There will be an opportunity for the other primary schools who had subsequently expressed an interest, to do so formally during this year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
933. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of the total number of children who have received the back-to-school payment to date; the number of children who are expected to receive the payment in the coming weeks; and the total amount spent on this allowance to date, in tabular form. [57351/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn.
The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid, and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.
The scheme operates from June to September each year. The 2023 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme closed to new applications on 30 September 2023.
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments totaling €86.07m have issued to 154,019 households in respect of 274,114 qualified children.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
934. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of introducing a permanent ISL voucher scheme. [57353/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 9 of the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act, 2017 assigns responsibility to the Minister for Social Protection to provide funds to facilitate users of Irish Sign Language to access social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical) and other activities.
I have assigned the implementation of these responsibilities to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body under the aegis of my Department. CIB in turn has assigned the delivery of this work to its Service Delivery Company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS).
In 2021, CIB and SLIS launched a pilot project, supported by the Department of Social Protection, which involved the creation of a “Voucher Scheme” in line with Section 9 of the ISL Act.
Following this successful pilot, the Department was delighted to see SLIS commence the Voucher Scheme on a permanent basis on 2nd October 2023. Findings from the pilot project's evaluation informed the design and roll out of the permanent Scheme.
As part of CIB’s allocated funding from the Department for 2024, CIB has allocated €400,000 to SLIS to provide the Voucher Scheme for a 12 month period in 2024. This funding is in addition to the sanctioning by CIB of a full-time Administrator in SLIS for the operation of the Voucher Scheme.
The ISL Voucher Scheme allows individuals to request ISL interpretation services to meet their needs in respect of access to social, cultural and education activities and is an important step in the implementation of the ISL Act 2017. I am firmly committed to supporting and funding this Scheme into the future, in line with my responsibilities under the ISL Act.
I trust this clarifies your query.
936. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the estimated additional cost of implementing the Green Paper on Disability Reform that was indicated as €130 million by a person (details supplied) on 25 October 2023 at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, if she will give a detailed breakdown of what this estimated additional spend will consist of. [1005/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Green Paper on Disability Reform addresses my department’s commitment under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to develop and consult on proposals to restructure long-term disability payments and to simplify the system.
The Green Paper’s main proposal is to introduce a new long-term, three-tiered disability payment with associated employment supports. This new payment would merge the long-term disability payments of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, and Invalidity Pension into a single payment.
Under tier 1, people who cannot supplement their income with work would receive a higher payment rate set at the State Pension Contributory rate. People with the greatest capacity to work would be assigned to tier 3. They would remain on the current Disability Allowance rate and would be offered employment supports appropriate to their needs. People with a more limited capacity to work would be placed into tier 2 and their payment would be half-way between the other two tiers.
The estimated costs of this proposed scheme are based on the additional weekly payments that people in tiers 1 and 2 would receive and are not related to the cost of administering the scheme. To estimate the distribution of people across the proposed tiers, my department’s medical assessors carried out an analysis of 1,000 applications which were successful in being awarded Disability Allowance and notionally assigned them into tier 1, 2 or 3 based on the bio-psycho-social model of assessment. The proportion of those 1,000 people assigned to each tier was extrapolated to the entire population of people on the three disability payments. The additional costs of the proposed three-tiered payment were estimated as the proportion of people who would be assigned to tier 1 and tier 2 multiplied by the additional payment they would receive per week.
Based on 2024 rates, these measures would cost an additional €153 million each year. These new measures would cost an additional €117.48 million for those previously on Disability Allowance, €34.48 million for those on Invalidity Pension and an additional €0.75 million for those on Blind Pension.
Note, these estimations only account for the current number of people in receipt of disability payments and do not propose to estimate the number of new entrants onto the schemes.
Nobody will lose their payment or have their payment reduced based on the Green Paper proposals. Those assigned to tier 3 will retain their current payment rate. The objective is to increase people’s payments and provide more employment supports for those who can and want to work.
The Green Paper is designed for public consultation and no final decisions have been made. It offers one possible approach on how to target limited resources – its proposals are intended to invite discussion, debate, and suggestions.
I encourage all those with an interest to express their views in our public consultation by making a submission in writing or by video. It is essential that we hear from as many disabled people and representatives as possible. I have extended the consultation period until 15 March 2024 to ensure everyone has adequate time to make a submission.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
939. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the category of insurance contributions made by a person (details supplied) for the period they worked in the HSE qualifies them for an invalidity pension; and if their record of contributions will be provided. [1030/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity Pension (IP) is payable to an insured person who satisfies certain Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions and who is permanently incapable of work due to an illness or incapacity and for no other reason. Applicants must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions class (A, E, H or S) since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their Invalidity Pension claim.
An application for IP was received from the person concerned on 3 July 2023. It was decided that the relevant contribution year in his case is 2021. According to the Department’s records, this person has only Class D contributions paid in the relevant contribution period. The person does not have the required contributions at Class A, E, H or S in either of the 2 years immediately prior to the relevant date and IP is not a scheme for which Class D employment contributions are reckonable. This application was refused on 25 August 2023 on the grounds that the qualifying contribution conditions for IP were not met. The person in question was notified of the decision on 25 August 2023 and of their right to request a review and/or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) within 21 days.
The person concerned requested a review of the decision to refuse his application on 12 September 2023. His application was reviewed and his medical eligibility for the scheme was confirmed. However, a Deciding Officer (DO) again decided on 25 September 2023 that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. The person in question was notified of this decision on 25 September 2023 and of their right to request a review and/or to appeal the decision to the SWAO within 21 days.
The person in question has appealed the decision to disallow their claim and a further review of all the information available has been undertaken. However, a DO has decided that there is no change to the original decision. He was notified on 9 January 2024 of the outcome of the review and his file was submitted to SWAO on 9 January 2024 for further determination by an Appeals Officer. A copy of the contribution record for the person concerned is set out below. I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
An Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí Department of Social Protection
Contribution Statement Date of Entry: 04-02-1980
|
Year |
Paid Contributions |
Credited Contributions |
Long Term Carers Contributions |
Reckonable Contributions for Pensions |
Reckonable Credited Contributions for Pension |
Combined Reckonable Contributions and Credited Contributions for Pension |
|
2023 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2022 |
52 M |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2021 |
21 D, 35 M |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2020 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2019 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2018 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2017 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2016 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2015 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2014 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2013 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2012 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2011 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2010 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2009 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2008 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2007 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2006 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2005 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2004 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2003 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2002 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2001 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2000/01 |
52 D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1999/00 |
50 A, 2 D |
- |
- |
50 |
- |
50 |
|
1998/99 |
52 A |
- |
- |
52 |
- |
52 |
|
1997/98 |
52 A |
- |
- |
52 |
- |
52 |
|
1996/97 |
14 A1, 38 AX |
- |
- |
52 |
- |
52 |
|
1995/96 |
13 A1, 39 AX |
- |
- |
52 |
- |
52 |
|
1994/95 |
47 A1, 5 A0 |
- |
- |
52 |
- |
52 |
|
1993/94 |
52 A |
- |
- |
52 |
- |
52 |
|
1992/93 |
52 A1 |
5 |
- |
52 |
- |
52 |
|
1991/92 |
51 A1 |
3 |
- |
51 |
1 |
52 |
|
1990/91 |
43 A1 |
11 |
- |
43 |
9 |
52 |
|
1989/90 |
- |
52 |
- |
- |
52 |
52 |
|
1988/89 |
50 A1 |
3 |
- |
50 |
2 |
52 |
|
1987/88 |
30 A1 |
22 |
- |
30 |
22 |
52 |
|
1986/87 |
51 A1 |
1 |
- |
51 |
1 |
52 |
|
1985/86 |
52 A1 |
- |
- |
52 |
- |
52 |
|
1984/85 |
48 A1 |
5 |
- |
48 |
4 |
52 |
|
1983/84 |
48 A1 |
4 |
- |
48 |
4 |
52 |
|
1982/83 |
34 A1 |
8 |
- |
34 |
8 |
42 |
|
1981/82 |
51 A1 |
- |
- |
51 |
- |
51 |
|
1980/81 |
52 A |
- |
- |
52 |
- |
52 |
|
Total |
- |
- |
- |
924 |
103 |
1027 |
940. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for invalidity pension, now under appeal (details supplied), will be expedited and approved. [1031/24]
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 in that office on the 5th of December 2023.
It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection.
These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 9th January 2024, and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
