Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
82. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider undertaking a pilot to inviting people to check if they are getting their full entitlements and targeting categories of persons who may be more likely to be missing out, perhaps in co-operation with other public bodies that may experience underpayment of benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7860/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra90. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered initiatives to identify the extent of underclaiming of entitlements from her Department by categories such the low paid at work, by carers, and by pensioners, for whom rules of entitlement may be poorly understood; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7859/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 90 together.
My Department administers more than 90 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. We are fully committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services available, and to ensuring key changes are communicated to them.
Public information campaigns play an important role in achieving this objective. These campaigns include paid media, use of our social media channels to promote information organically, as well as engagement and information shared directly with other public bodies where relevant.
All advertising campaigns are tailored to ensure the best possible mix of media is used to effectively reach the target audience.
In 2023, my Department ran a public information campaign on changes to the State Pension Contributory specifically for long term carers and their entitlements. The target audience for our national media and social media advertising campaign were people who have either cared for, or are currently caring for, a family member or loved one on a long-term basis.
My Department also ran a public information campaign to raise awareness of the Fuel Allowance payment scheme from August to December 2023. The target audience was those on low income, who may qualify for the scheme subject to the compliance requirements regarding thresholds and qualifying payments, with an emphasis on the over 70s.
The ESRI’s analysis of the Working Family Payment, published last year using 2019 SILC data, estimated that 53% of eligible families claimed WFP in 2019.
Meanwhile, a nationwide public information campaign to promote the Working Family Payment scheme took place last year to help increase awareness of the payment among working families on low to moderate income especially those who may not be aware that they qualified for the payment. Another campaign is planned in 2024.
Officials from my Department also directly engage with stakeholders, including groups which represent lower paid, older and vulnerable communities.
Our Customer Representative Forum, which is a quarterly meeting, gives us the opportunity to engage with around 30 organisations and NGOs around Ireland who represent vulnerable communities and older people.
For more than 30 years my Department has hosted an annual Pre-Budget Forum, where the community, voluntary sector, and other stakeholders share their views on the measures that should be included in the upcoming budget.
We also hold a post-Budget briefing to update groups on the key measures announced as part of the social welfare package. We also host the Social Inclusion forum every year which brings together a wide variety of representative groups to highlight issues of concern and discusses issues concerning promotion and awareness of Departmental schemes and people's entitlements.
Meanwhile, as part of our commitments under the National Carers’ Strategy, we host the Annual Carers' Forum, which provides an opportunity for engagement between officials and people directly experiencing care issues.
Intreo is a service from my Department that offers a single point of contact for all employment and income supports. This includes providing information on all the income supports we provide including jobseeker’s payments, back to work and back to education payments, one-parent family payments and pensions.
My Department also funds the Citizens Information Board (CIB), which is a statutory agency tasked with providing independent, impartial, confidential, and non-judgmental information, advice, money advice and advocacy. CIB also acts as a signpost for people including vulnerable groups and older people and provides information in local Citizens Information Centres and through the Citizens Information website as well as periodicals and publications.
