Tuesday, 28 Mar 2023

Written Answers Nos. 121-140

Social Welfare Code

Questions (121, 126)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

121. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise on her Department's review of means testing for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15043/23]

Richard Bruton

Question:

126. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has assessed the way in which capital is treated in means tests; and if it needs to be rebalanced to encourage right-sizing and fair treatment. [14948/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 126 together.

The Department of Social Protection provides income supports through a mixture of contributory payments (which are based on a person's social insurance record) and means-tested social assistance payments.

Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse / partner, if applicable) applying for the relevant scheme. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.

The assessment of capital reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of capital and property are in a position to use that capital or to realise the value of property to support themselves without having to rely solely on a means-tested welfare payment.

In this regard, for most social assistance schemes, the first €20,000 of capital is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.

Disability Allowance and Carer’s Allowance have the highest capital disregard of all social assistance schemes; the first €50,000 of capital is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.

Means tests in my Department are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years. In particular, I have introduced a number of changes to means testing which provide for higher income disregards.

I have committed to a carrying out broad review of means testing this year which will include examining the means assessment provisions for Carer's Allowance and how capital is assessed across schemes.

Labour Activation Measures

Questions (122)

Robert Troy

Question:

122. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the labour activation measures put in place by her Department, considering many sectors are facing recruitment challenges and unemployment stands at 10.2% youth unemployment and 3.4% for persons of 25 years plus. [14840/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The labour market in Ireland experienced a strong recovery as the economy emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall unemployment is among the lowest in the history of the State, at 4.2% in the last quarter of 2022. Young jobseekers are typically among the most disproportionately affected by recessions and economic shocks, however, they usually recover rapidly with labour market improvements. The seasonally adjusted youth unemployment rate for February stood at 10.2%, lower than the pre-pandemic average in 2019 of 12.5%. The importance of targeting support for young people towards opportunities for employment, education and training is reflected in the European Council Recommendation 'Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee' which was adopted in October 2020 and replaced an earlier Recommendation that established a Youth Guarantee in 2013.

The Government’s national employment services strategy, Pathways to Work, aims to support jobseekers finding and maintaining quality employment. With specific focus on tackling youth unemployment under the Strand of Working for All, Pathways commits to a number of actions aimed at supporting young jobseekers that reflect the recommendations of the EU Reinforced Youth Guarantee.

Delivering on this, Intreo, Ireland's national public employment service, provides a one-stop shop for all income and employment support services in all Intreo Centres across the country, where all citizens regardless of age can access job-seeking advice, information on vacancies and income support services all in the one place. Employment Personal Advisors and Job Coaches deliver a mandatory activation and case management services for unemployed jobseekers. In addition, JobsIreland.ie is a free online recruitment and job matching platform where jobseekers apply for open vacancies and register to be matched with recruiting employers.

In supporting young jobseekers in particular the following additional number of measures to support young jobseekers are being progressed:

- young jobseekers who are considered most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed are engaged with every two weeks under a new intensive engagement model;

- eligibility for the JobsPlus financial incentive for employers has been extended to those who recruit jobseekers under the age of 30;

- in July 2022 Intreo rolled out a national programme of early engagement for young people in receipt of a disability payment, as committed to in Pathways , ensuring those interested in getting a job are offered all available support;

- during 2022 in addition general recruitment events, 29 were held specifically for young jobseekers. During Intreo Construction Work and Skills week, held in May 2022, 12 events were specifically targeted at those aged under 30. These events were to highlight potential careers in the construction sector and in particular apprenticeships and training options via the ETBs;

- under the Work Placement Experience Programme launched in July 2021, 263 young people have voluntarily participated in a placement. The target for the programme is to have at least 40% of participants under the age of 30 with the current participation rate running at 45% which is positive. Over 40% of those young jobseekers who have finished their WPEP placement, moved into employment.

Finally, Pathways to Work includes a commitment to re-launch and promote a new Employer Youth Employment Charter, with a target of signing up 300 employers who will support young people to transition into employment – the proposed new Charter is being finalised at present.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (123)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

123. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection who receives the working family payment in a two-parent household; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14958/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment for employees with children which supports people in low paid employment. The WFP is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependents, and to offer a financial incentive to take up employment.

It is a targeted measure that is directly linked to household income and therefore directly supports low-income working families. To qualify for WFP, a family's income must be below a prescribed limit which varies in accordance with the number of qualified children. All family and household income is assessable for WFP and includes an applicant's and their spouse/partner's average net weekly assessable earnings from employment plus any other income such as other social welfare payments, income from self-employment, etc.

In a two-parent household, an application should be made by the parent who works as an employee for 38 or more hours per fortnight (in any combination of hours). The applicant can combine their weekly hours with their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant's hours to meet this condition. Where hours are combined to satisfy the 38 hours per fortnight, the parent working the most hours each week should apply.

The easiest and fastest ways for customers to make an application for Working Family Payment is online via mywelfare.ie

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Strategies

Questions (124)

Gary Gannon

Question:

124. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline her Department's consumer protection strategy in the wake of a recent report (details supplied) which showed the numbers unable to heat their homes more than doubled in 2022. [15176/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

While the consumer protection strategy referred to by the Deputy is primarily a matter for the Energy Regulator and Suppliers, I made a number of significant changes in Budget 2023 which will assist low-income households with rising energy costs.

A number of considerable reforms were made to the Fuel Allowance scheme designed to provide a major expansion of the scheme. From January 2023, a new Fuel Allowance means threshold was introduced for people aged 70 years and over. The new means threshold is €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. Under the formula used to assess means for the Fuel Allowance for over 70s, the threshold for capital that is disregarded in the assessment was increased from €20,000 to €50,000.

The weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 was increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory). Similarly, the allowable means for Household Benefit Package (HHB) purposes for those aged between 66-69 not in receipt of a qualifying payment was also increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory).

As part of the Government's cost of living measures in Budget 2023, an Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment was paid to Social Protection recipients in October.

In November, a €200 Lump Sum Payment was paid to pensioners and people with a disability receiving the Living Alone Allowance, a €500 Cost of Living Payment was paid to people receiving Carer’s Support Grant and a €500 Cost of Living lump sum was paid to people in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension. A €400 additional Lump Sum payment was also paid to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance Payment. A double month of Child Benefit was paid and a €500 lump sum payment was made to people in receipt of Working Family Payment.

In December, a Christmas Bonus Double Payment was paid to 1.3 million Social Protection recipients including pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.

From January 2023, the maximum rate of core Social Welfare rates was increased. There were proportionate increases for qualified adults and for people getting a reduced rate. The weekly full rate for a qualified child increased to €42 for children under 12 years of age and to €50 for children aged 12 years and over.

In addition, the enhanced electricity credit of €600 is another important Government measure, which was announced in the Budget. This benefitted all households.

As well as the €2.2 billion of supports in Budget 2023 and underlining the government’s continued commitment to address the increased cost of living being experienced by people, an additional €410 million social welfare package will be paid to families, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities in April.

The Government will continue to monitor the imapct of engery costs and will, as it has to date, take appropriate responses as necessary.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (125)

Joe Flaherty

Question:

125. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will look at further widening the thresholds for accessing the fuel allowance scheme in Budget 2023 given that the cost of heating homes remains very high; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15136/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €412 million in 2023. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.

The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of supports, energy efficiency awareness initiatives and investment in programmes to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock.

In Budget 2023 the Government has already provided an unprecedented response that aims to ease the financial pressure on households throughout the State. This response included the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme. Consequently, from January of this year, a new Fuel Allowance means threshold was introduced for people aged 70 years and over. The new means threshold is €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. Under the formula used to assess means for the Fuel Allowance for over 70s, the threshold for capital that is disregarded in the assessment was increased from €20,000 to €50,000. The weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 was increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory). Similarly, the allowable means for Household Benefit Package (HHB) purposes for those aged between 66-69 not in receipt of a qualifying payment was also increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory). Up to 81,000 new households will benefit from this major expansion of Fuel Allowance Scheme. Analysis by the ESRI indicates that the net impact of the combined measures is progressive and will fully insulate low-income households from the impact of energy price increases.

The Government will continue to monitor the cost-of-living situation closely and how it can support people on low incomes and those on social welfare payments who are at risk of fuel poverty. However, any further widening of the thresholds for accessing the fuel allowance scheme can only be considered while taking account of the overall policy and budgetary situation.

Finally, my Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 121.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (127)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

127. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the consultation process as part of her Department’s work on addressing the cost of disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15041/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Cost of Disability report found that there is not a single typical cost of disability. Rather, there is a spectrum from low to high additional costs of disability, depending on individual circumstances. The report also identified that additional costs of disability run across a number of areas of expenditure, including housing, equipment, aids and appliances, care and assistance services, mobility, transport, communications, medicines, and additional living expenses. For this reason, a whole of Government approach is required to address the issues raised.

Responses to the report were considered regularly by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group as part of its monitoring of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. This group was chaired by my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD. The group comprised of relevant departments, agencies, and a Disability Stakeholder Group. The work of the Steering Group was due to end in 2021 but was extended to the end of 2022. A new national cross-Government strategy to succeed the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and to satisfy the Programme for Government commitment to develop a coordinated plan to continuously advance the implementation of the UNCRPD is being developed throughout 2023 by all government departments and agencies. The Cost of Disability report is an important element of the evidence base which will inform the scope and focus of the strategy.

Officials in my Department are working on a Strawman on disability reform. The Strawman will deliver on existing Government commitments and take account of the findings and recommendations of a number of key reports, including the Cost of Disability report. In accordance with a commitment under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion (2020-2025), the Strawman will present proposals on the restructuring of long-term disability payments. It will look at simplifying the system and will take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay report. The Strawman will also look at any current inconsistencies/anomalies related to our disability income and employment supports.

Work on the Strawman is at an advanced stage. Following the publication of the paper in Q2, a wide scale public consultation is planned with stakeholders, the general public and advocacy groups.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (128)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

128. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 824 of 21 March 2023, if consideration will be given to introducing a young carer’s grant, similar to the one introduced in Scotland in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15050/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Government acknowledges the important role played by family carers, including young carers, and is fully committed to supporting them in that role.

The grant in Scotland is a yearly payment available for those who are 16, 17 or 18 year olds and caring on average 16 hours a week.

The Carer's Support Grant that my Department offers is already available to the same age-group and is, in fact, more generous that the one paid in Scotland. The Carer's Support Grant can be paid to a carer who has reached the age of 16 years. The grant is almost 5 times the value of the grant paid to young carers in Scotland and is not contingent on the the person or people you care for getting certain benefits themselves.

The Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment for carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention. As part of Budget Measures 2021, the rate of the grant was increased by €150. The new rate of €1,850 is the highest rate of the grant since its introduction. The grant can be used for any purpose at the discretion of the carer. It is not subject to means testing, nor does it require having social insurance contributions. 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.

As of February, the grant was paid to some 120,738 carers in respect of 135,670 care recipients. The overall cost of the grant in 2023 is expected to be over €268 million.

I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the commitment and challenges faced by carers, including young carers, and in this regard I announced a €500 Cost of Living lump sum payment for people receiving the Carer’s Support Grant, which was paid in November.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Staff

Questions (129)

Joan Collins

Question:

129. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide evidence around her Department’s assertions that staff members moving into the Social Welfare Appeals Office were experienced staff from within her Department. [15197/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I understand the Deputy may be referring to a discussion on the operation of the Social Welfare Appeals Office that took place in the Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, in November of last year. In the course of the debate the issue of staff turnover was discussed and the Deputy expressed concern about the loss of experienced appeals officers. The Deputy indicated that she understood that approximately 70% of appeals officers over the last couple of years were new hires. I can confirm that this is not the case. In addition, staff appointed as appeals officers receive significant training in the legislation and regulations governing entitlement to social welfare benefits, regardless of their level of experience. In addition, an externally accredited level 8 programme, specifically developed for the social welfare appeals office and delivered in conjunction with the National College of Ireland, was introduced in recent years and is being rolled out to all appeals officers. Further, as with all management appointments, the recruitment and selection process has regard to the skills and experience level necessary for the job and as such any appointees will have gone through a robust process before any appointment is made.

More generally, the Department manages its staff turnover through succession planning and recruitment via all channels available to it including new hires through the Public Appointments Service (PAS), external (PAS) promotion panels, internal promotion panels, internal mobility and external mobility through the Civil Service Mobility Schemes. Finally, I would reiterate the point made at the Committee debate that, in response to the increased volume and complexity of work of the Appeals Office over the past 20 years, the Department has responded in a number of ways including significantly increasing the staffing compliment of the office.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (130)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

130. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give consideration to extending the fuel allowance to households in receipt of the working family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15181/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €412 million in 2023. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.

The Fuel Allowance is paid to social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income.

People on long term payments are unlikely to have additional resources of their own and are more vulnerable to poverty, including energy poverty. It is for this reason that the Department allocates additional payments, supports and resources such as Fuel Allowance to this cohort of claimants.

The Working Family Payment is a weekly, tax-free payment available to employees with children. It gives extra financial support to families with children with rates depending on their incomes and family size. It is not considered a long-term Social Protection payment and recipients are in full time employment and are more likely to have additional resources.

While Working Family Payment (WFP) is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, people may receive Fuel Allowance while on WFP if they are in receipt of One Parent Family Payment.

I have asked my Department officials to prepare a report on the potential extension of eligibility for the Fuel Allowance to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment. The work is ongoing and when finished, I will carefully consider its contents and any recommendations that it may contain.

Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (131)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

131. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount paid out by her Department for the accommodation recognition payment since 4 March 2022; the total number of recipients of this payment; the number who have applied for a backdated payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14957/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Accommodation Recognition Payment is administered by my Department on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. It is available to individuals hosting people who are beneficiaries of Temporary Protection having fled the conflict in Ukraine. The rate of payment increased from €400 per calendar month to €800 per calendar month with effect from 1st December 2022.

As at 22nd March 2023 €22.9 million has been paid to recipients of the payment and 5,234 individual hosts are currently in receipt of the payment. A total of 6,739 individual hosts have received at least one payment since the introduction of the scheme.

The scheme opened for applications on Tuesday 26th July 2022. People who make an application are paid in respect of each calendar month for which they have an entitlement from March 2022.

I trust that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (132, 142)

Holly Cairns

Question:

132. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to support family carers. [14887/23]

Alan Farrell

Question:

142. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the work of her Department to support carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15186/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 142 together.

The Government acknowledges the important 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 for carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending in 2023 is expected to amount to almost €1.6 billion on these payments. The value of income transfers to family carers has increased by over 50% since 2015.

Since my appointment as Minister, I have made a number of significant improvements within the social welfare system to enhance the supports available for our carers. As part of Budget 2022, I was delighted to announce the first improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance in 14 years.

- The capital and savings disregard for the means assessment for Carer’s Allowance was increased from €20,000 to €50,000, aligning it with the capital means test for Disability Allowance.

- For carers who are working, I increased the weekly income disregard to €350 for a single person, and to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.

These are the highest income disregards in the social welfare system.

There are a range of other supports for carers provided by my Department which are not based on a means assessment. These include the Carer’s Support Grant which is a payment for all carers regardless of means or social insurance contributions. I increased this grant as part of Budget 2021 to €1,850, its highest ever rate.

As part of Budget 2023, I announced a range of measures directly benefitting family carers, particularly in light of the current cost of living crisis, these include:-

- A €12 increase in the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced rate.

- A €2 increase for each Qualified Child bringing rates to €50 for Over 12s and €42 for Under 12s.

- The Half-rate Carer’s Allowance is now disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance.

- Domiciliary Care Allowance increased by €20.50 to €330 per month.

- Domiciliary Care Allowance is now available in respect of children with severe illness or disability who remain in hospital for up to six months after birth.

- A double payment for carers paid in October 2022.

- A €500 payment for people receiving Carer’s Support Grant paid in November 2022.

- Carers received the Christmas Bonus Double Payment.

More recently the Government announced a €200 payment for social welfare recipients including carers, which will be paid in April.

In acknowledging the role that family carers play in society and supporting carers in that role the Government has also committed to provide a pension solution for carers. In September I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system. One of the most important reforms is enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. We will do this by attributing social welfare contributions to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record and by establishing a register of family carers for this purpose.

Department officials are currently working to implement the reforms, including drafting legislation and developing administrative and IT systems for implementation by January 2024.

Finally, I have committed to a carrying out a broad review of means testing this year, which will include the Carer's Allowance means test provisions. Changes to any of the schemes on foot of this review will only be done in the context of ensuring the most effective and targeted use of public funds that are required to provide income support on a broad societal level.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (133)

Seán Haughey

Question:

133. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of organisations that have received the disability awareness support scheme to date in 2023; how this number compares with the same time in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14928/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Disability Awareness Support Scheme provides a contribution towards the cost of disability awareness training for private sector employers. Employers can claim 90% of the eligible training costs in the first year and 80% in subsequent years.

The training to be delivered must provide clear and accurate information about disability, address questions that employers or employees may have and cover anti-discrimination and equal opportunities legislation.

So far this year three organisations have received this grant and the value of the grants issued was €2,160. For the same period last year, January to March, one organisation received the grant. It is important to note that the grant is demand-led, and so the number and value of the grants provided is linked to the number of applications received.

My Department promotes the grants through its Intreo service and employer engagement activities. The funding available is also highlighted by private training companies and disability organisations who provide disability awareness training.

These actions are part of my Department's commitment to providing adequate supports for people with disabilities.

I would like to see an improved take-up of the grant and have asked my Department to review the scheme this year to see how it could be made more effective.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (134)

Bríd Smith

Question:

134. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify that people in district heating systems who have faced large increases in their energy bills can access additional needs’ payments; if any instruction has been issued from her Department to community welfare officers in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15162/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources and which are deemed to be necessary.

The schemes are demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance, including District Heating systems customers experiencing difficulty meeting energy costs.

Guidance has issued to the Community Welfare Service staff of my Department on the administration of additional needs payments to meet the income needs of vulnerable individuals and families who find themselves in difficulty meeting the higher costs of fuel and energy, including people who have their homes on District Heating systems.

Any person who considers 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.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (135)

Brian Stanley

Question:

135. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection what plans there are to introduce unemployment benefit based upon one’s previous employment income. [15165/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Programme for Government and the Economic Recovery Plan include commitments to consider a pay-related jobseeker’s benefit scheme. Pathways to Work further commits to using the experience from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to inform the design of such a scheme that may be developed. The introduction of a pay-related benefit for jobseekers would bring Ireland in line with the majority of EU Member States.

The core rationale for the introduction of a pay-related benefit which would align income support with a person’s prior recent employment income is twofold. First, to provide a tangible return to people who make social insurance contributions as a means of better reflecting the contributory principle and strengthening the solidarity principle, both of which are at the heart of the social insurance system. Second, to better cushion people against the ‘income shock’ that arises on loss of employment.

I published a Strawman document in December 2022 which sets out the broad parameters of a possible new approach to a pay-related jobseeker's benefit. The objective of the Strawman is to elicit feedback through a national public consultation process to develop a preferred policy design. The closing date for written submissions was 28th February and officials in my Department are currently in the process of analysing responses from that recently completed public consultation to inform the design of any proposal that may be brought to Government.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (136)

Alan Dillon

Question:

136. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the criteria for assessment for the domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15199/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable to a parent /guardian in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention in the home, substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and the child must be likely to require this substantial level of care for at least 12 consecutive months.

Eligibility for DCA is determined primarily by reference to the degree of ongoing additional care and attention required by the child rather than the child's disability. In order to qualify for DCA, it must be established that the level of care and attention required by the relevant child is substantially in excess of that normally required by children of the same age and likely to be required for at least 12 months as provided for in the governing legislation.

The assessment process that applies in the consideration of whether a child satisfies the criteria for receipt of DCA includes the examination of all relevant factors identified as impacting on the child's additional care needs. Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability, but rather on the impact of the disability, in terms of the child's resulting medical and additional care needs.

Applications for DCA are decided by a deciding officer on an individual case by case basis, in respect of the relevant child. The personal details supplied on the completed application form (Dom Care 1), including the signed details from the applicant's GP on this form, along with any additional information or documentary evidence that is provided by the applicant, such as medical professional report(s), or otherwise, forms the basis for the DCA assessment and decision process.

In addition, the deciding officer also considers the opinion of the Department's medical assessor in the decision process.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

State Pensions

Questions (137)

David Stanton

Question:

137. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has given consideration to pro-rata contributory pensions in the event that a person has not been able, through circumstances such as illness, to have the current 520 required paid contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15152/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The State Pension (Contributory) is a PRSI-based pension, financed by contributions made by current workers and their employers, and paid to pensioners, at a rate based upon their PRSI record.A person is required to have a minimum of 520 paid reckonable PRSI contributions in order to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory). As the actuarial value of the State Pension is currently estimated at approximately €380,000, it is reasonable to require people claiming a contributory pension to have made at least 10 years of paid contributions over the term of their working life, before qualifying for a payment. The requirement for eligibility criteria in order to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory) was endorsed by the Commission on Pensions.It should be noted that, if a person does not satisfy the conditionality to qualify for a contributory State Pension, he or she may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the rate of the State Pension (Contributory).Alternatively, an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is paid, generally, where a pensioner has an adult dependent who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate contributory State Pension his or her own right. The payment rate for the IQA is up to 90% of a full contributory pension. The most advantageous payment for a pensioner will depend upon their individual circumstances.Last September, I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in response to the recommendations from the Commission on Pensions. The set of measures represents the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.One of the key measures is the introduction of 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 flexible State Pension system is about providing people with choice. People will decide for themselves what best suits their needs and circumstances. For example, in the case of a person who reaches age 66 and does not have sufficient contributions to qualify for a full pension, they will now have the option to work for longer to build up additional entitlements. If a person has less than 10 years PRSI reckonable paid contributions, they may be able to use this period to establish entitlement.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 114.

Social Welfare Appeals

Questions (139)

Joan Collins

Question:

139. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason it is no longer made clear on the Social Welfare Appeals Office’s website that appellants can request an oral hearing. [15195/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department of Social Protection which is independent in its decision making functions.

When an appeal is assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration the Appeals Officer makes a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, holds an oral hearing. Under the governing legislation the decision on whether or not to hold an oral hearing is at the discretion of the Appeals Officer to whom an appeal has been assigned.

It is not the case that it is not longer made clear on the SWAO website www.gov.ie/swao that an appellant can request an oral hearing. The website provides detailed information on the appeals process. In relation to oral hearings it states as follows:

“There is no absolute right to an oral hearing and a request for an oral hearing will not be necessarily granted in all cases. It is therefore important that all evidence relevant to your appeal be submitted.

In practice, in forming an opinion as to whether an appeal can properly be determined without an oral hearing an Appeals Officer will have regard to:

- the overall nature of the appeal and the question to be determined,

- any request that has been made for an oral hearing,

- whether there are unresolved conflicts in the documentary evidence presented by the parties as to any matter essential to the determination of the appeal,

- whether there are any disputes as to the facts or differing professional opinions.

This is not an exhaustive list and as an Appeals Officer may determine an appeal on a summary basis it is important that all the documentary evidence and grounds relied on are submitted with the notice of appeal.”

I trust that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (140)

Steven Matthews

Question:

140. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to cases where people in receipt of full disability allowance will see it revoked if they move out of their parental home to get married or to cohabit with their partner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15194/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Disability Allowance is a means-tested social assistance scheme, which is also subject to a medical assessment and habitual residency requirement.

Where a person makes an application for Disability Allowance, the means assessment includes income from employment or self-employment, income from a social security pension from another country and maintenance payments.

If a claimant is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, the means of the couple will be assessed. This is the case even if only one of the couple is claiming a payment.

In the assessment of capital means, the couple’s savings, investments, shares and property are included. The home in which the claimant lives is not included in the assessment of means, unless the person receives an income from it.

It must be noted that the entire amount of income or capital is not included while assessing means. The first €50,000 of capital and savings is fully disregarded, the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per thousand, the following €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand. These disregards are the most generous among social welfare schemes.

For people in employment, an income disregard of €165 per week is applied. In addition, 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 per week is also disregarded for the purpose of the means test.

Where the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant is engaged in insurable employment a disregard of €20 per day applies subject to a maximum of €60 per week and the balance is assessed at 60%.

Means is assessed on a household basis and as such must be reassessed if a person’s living circumstances change.

The means assessment reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of income or capital are in a position to use these resources to support themselves so that social welfare expenditure can be directed towards those who need it most.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.