Written Answers Nos. 419-434
421. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average processing times for all social welfare payments; the number of applications received for each payment; the number of applications processed to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62201/22]
View answerMy Department understands the many pressures faced by customers and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently.
Processing times for new applications vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria. Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested payments can also require more detailed investigations and interaction with the applicant, thereby lengthening the decision-making process. Delays can also arise if information is required from social security organisations in other jurisdictions and where additional information has been requested from the applicant but remains outstanding.
I am pleased to report that claim processing targets are currently being met for all of the Department's primary schemes. My department continues to ensure that customer service is maintained at a high level.
|
Scheme |
Average Processing Times (Weeks) |
Applications Received Jan to end Oct |
Total Processed Jan to end Oct |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
6 |
35,024 |
31,938 |
|
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension |
1 |
7,282 |
7,199 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
6 |
10,647 |
12,222 |
|
Jobseekers Allowance |
1 |
91,658 |
91,724 |
|
Jobseekers Benefit |
1 |
110,164 |
113,848 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
3 |
11,762 |
9,019 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Basi |
1 |
47,943 |
47,252 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
6 |
35,584 |
37,018 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
6 |
23,792 |
24,846 |
|
Parent's Benefit |
1 |
65,398 |
66,598 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
5 |
19,313 |
21,721 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
7 |
4,405 |
4,305 |
|
Disability Allowance |
7 |
21,699 |
25,224 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
7 |
7,325 |
9,139 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1 |
697,305 |
715,597 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
1 |
8,678 |
9,320 |
|
Child Benefit |
2 |
28,972 |
26,593 |
|
Working Family Payment |
4 |
29,980 |
30,687 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
6 |
9,047 |
10,109 |
|
Household Benefits |
1 |
69,224 |
70,804 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
0 |
1,340,850 |
1,340,850 |
In recent years, my Department has introduced a wide range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximized.
In addition, the staffing needs of the Department are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
423. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for domiciliary care allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62213/22]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent /guardian in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of that normally required by children of the same age and the child must be likely to require full time care and attention for at least 12 months. Eligibility for DCA is established primarily by reference to the degree of ongoing additional care and attention required by the child rather than the child's disability.
An application for DCA in respect of their child was received from the person concerned on 08 April 2022. Their application was disallowed as per decision dated 30 April 2022, as their child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for DCA.
A new application in respect of the child concerned was subsequently received from the applicant on 26 October 2022.
DCA applications are processed in date of receipt order and are currently taking 6-8 weeks to process.
This application is currently assigned to a deciding officer for decision. Once finalised, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the decision details.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
424. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an approved payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62222/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a final settlement was reached with unions at the end of 2021 to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsoring organisations. The settlement resolves this long-standing issue through the payment of a once off ex-gratia payment to eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. Some 2,500 people employed by CE schemes going back to 2008 will benefit at an estimated total cost of over €24 million.
Generally, under the terms of this settlement, on reaching retirement age, eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors will receive a once off ex-gratia payment in respect of time employed by CE schemes since 2008.
People who retired since 2008 and who have reached retirement age are now able to apply for this payment. Work on processing payments to this first group of recipients is well underway. Recipients are receiving notifications by text or e-mail when their payments are issuing. It is my intention that all these payments due will issue before the Christmas break. I am advised that the person concerned received the payment last week.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
425. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a decision on their invalidity pension claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62223/22]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The person concerned has been awarded IP from 20 October 2022 and first payment will issue on 22 December 2022 by their chosen payment method. Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
426. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community welfare officers in County Tipperary in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the locations in which these services were located in each year. [62237/22]
View answerThere are currently 14 (WTE 13.3) Community Welfare Officers based in County Tipperary:
Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) are physically on site daily in over 50 Intreo Centres across the country where they are available to be seen without an appointment, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday including at the Clonmel and Thurles Intreo Centres. In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and DSP offices, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home.
It is important to note that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make a claim and any person who needs to access the CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO. An appointment can be arranged within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home. Alternatively, a person can speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to wait or to travel to meet with a CWO in person – currently the CWOs on the phoneline are dealing with approx. 1,700 callers per week and this service is proving very popular with customers in rural areas.
When the CWS becomes aware that a customer has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the person receives immediate service. Where possible, this is a same-day service and circa 9%+ of our payments are made on the day to clients.
A person can apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) payment by completing a SWA1 form, which is widely available. It can be downloaded at www.gov.ie. It is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. It can also be requested by emailing cwsforms@welfare.ie or by calling 0818 60 70 80. Customers can also request a SWA1 form by using the Request Application Form page available on www.gov.ie. The completed application form and supporting documentation can be posted or dropped into the local Intreo Centre where it will be processed quickly.
Given the fluctuation in demand for the Community Welfare Service, particularly during the pandemic when resources were allocated to areas where they were most needed, it is not possible to provide accurate information relating to years prior to 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
427. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the average time for processing additional needs payment applications in County Tipperary in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022. [62238/22]
View answerThe Community Welfare Service (CWS) is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
In general, most Additional Needs Payment (ANP) applications are processed within four weeks.
If an application is urgent, every effort is made to ensure the person receives a payment on the same day. Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) are very experienced and can generally assess when a case is so urgent as to require an immediate response. Approximately 9% of Community Welfare Services (CWS) payments to customers across the country are made on this basis, which shows just how responsive the service is to an urgent customer need.
Applications which take longer than four weeks, usually relate to cases where additional information or documentation has been requested from the applicant confirming the essential nature of the expense or the person’s inability to cover the expense from their normal income. This can result in longer processing times for these applications as greater flexibility is given to clients with extended time to respond. Upon receipt of this information, the application will then be processed quickly.
My Department has taken a number of steps to simplify and streamline the ANP application process:
- There is a full-time CWO presence in 50 Intreo Centres nationwide, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday in line with my continuing commitment to a service which has local engagement with local clients as its cornerstone.
- A person does not have to attend an office to make a claim. If it is more convenient for them, they can speak directly with a CWO when they call the CWS freephone line. People who have never been to a CWO before find this very useful.
- Of course, in addition, CWOs attend clinics in other locations, deal with people over the phone and where needed, arrange to visit a person’s house by appointment.
- As part of the Budget estimate, I secured agreement for some 74 additional staff to be assigned to the CWS. Recruitment has commenced and it is anticipated that they will be in place by Q1 2023. In the interim, until the staff have been recruited, 30 Social Welfare Inspectors have been temporarily reassigned to the Community Welfare Service since the start of November to assist with claims processing.
The number of applications for ANPs has slowed in recent weeks. This can likely be attributed to the €1.2 billion which has been paid out under the eight lump sum payments since the Budget.
The average processing time for ANPs in the years 2019 to 2021 is not available.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
428. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the directives or circulars from her Department that have issued to State-funded services, including MABS, regarding the mandatory retirement age; the way that this issue is being treated in State-funded organisations; the way that it impacts in particular on a cohort of workers who were seconded from her Department to these agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62253/22]
View answerThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department which are relevant to this question are the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Authority. The details requested by the Deputy are set out for each body below:
Citizens Information Board
The Citizens Information Board (CIB), under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, is the statutory body responsible for providing information, advice (including money and budgeting advice services) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. CIB delivers on this remit through providing some services directly through the citizensinformation.ie website while also funding a network of Service Delivery Companies. These Service Delivery Companies include the Citizens Information Services, Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS), the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities, the Sign Language Interpreting Service and the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters.
CIB operates in line with Circular 03/2021: Guidance on Minimum Pension Ages/Compulsory Retirement Ages in the Public Service. The minimum retirement age for CIB staff is based on the date of commencement of employment in accordance with the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018.
CIB have informed my Department that all employees in the Service Delivery Companies receive a staff handbook as part of their contract. This is a guide to working within the organisation and it informs each employee of their terms and conditions of employment, including retirement policy. The retirement age for Service Delivery Company staff is 66, linked with the current State Pension age and agreed upon through a collective agreement process mediated by the Workplace Relations Commission.
Any Departmental staff seconded to any of the Service Delivery Companies remain members of staff of the Department and are covered by the same terms and conditions as other Departmental staff.
Pensions Authority
The Pensions Authority (‘the Authority’), which comes under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, is a statutory body set up under the Pensions Act 1990, as amended. The Authority supervises compliance with the requirements of the Pensions Act and investigates suspected breaches of the Act. It also provides policy advice and technical support to the work of the Minister and Department of Social Protection, and relevant information and guidance to the public and those involved with pensions.
Regarding the retirement age of its staff, the Authority complies with Circular 03/2021. The minimum retirement age of Authority employees is determined by the date of commencing employment as a public servant and in accordance with the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018.
The Department has been advised that the Authority’s employees are provided with a copy of the Authority’s employee handbook which details the organisation’s policies and procedures. They are also provided with confirmation of their membership to the relevant superannuation scheme on commencing employment. Any Departmental staff seconded to the Authority remain members of staff of the Department and retain the associated terms and conditions.
429. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any discretion in relation to the provision of the Christmas bonus to persons on illness benefit (details supplied); if it is a full year to qualify for the bonus or if it is 312 days as per other payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62277/22]
View answerI was pleased to announce on Budget Day that a 100% Christmas Bonus will be paid this year benefitting 1.3 million people in receipt of long-term social welfare payments.
The Bonus includes payments to pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and long-term unemployed people in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all, or most, of their income.
I am particularly pleased that, for the first time, the Christmas Bonus is being extended to long-term recipients of Illness Benefit.
This payment is an additional help to people as we enter the Christmas period and much of this is spent locally, supporting local economies throughout the country. Given the ongoing cost of living pressures, this will be a particularly important support for low-income households this year.
Illness Benefit recipients are required to be on the scheme for an aggregate of 312 payment days on or before the 12th of December 2022 in order to be eligible for the Bonus in 2022. The 312 days referenced by the Deputy relates to payment days (Sundays are not counted for payment purposes) and equates to 12 months on the scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
430. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection if rental income is classed as working or self-employment, when a person over 65 years of age has ceased their full-time work and applied for benefit payment for 65-year-olds, given that the rules of the payment state that a person can continue in subsidiary employment, which could have been done while a person was in full-time employment and outside one’s normal working hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62283/22]
View answerThe Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, provided under the Jobseeker's Benefit schemes, is available to address the position of people who are required to or who choose to retire at age 65 before the pension age of 66.
In the case of person who has ceased their usual self-employment but continues to be a self-employed contributor by virtue of their rental income, the benefit payment may be paid if the person is considered to be engaged in subsidiary employment. However, conditionality does apply including that the income does not exceed approximately €7,500 per annum.
If the Deputy has a specific case, he should forward the details of the case and I will arrange a review of the circumstances involved.
The Deputy should also be aware that any person aged 65 who does not qualify for the benefit payment may apply for the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
431. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who moved from jobseeker’s transitional payment each year between the years 2013 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the locations that they transferred to, for example, jobseeker’s allowance, other specific social welfare payments, particular education and training schemes, employment and so on in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62293/22]
View answerJobseeker’s Transition Payment (JST) is a form of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) that aims to support lone parents into the workforce while they have young children. Administratively, JST is a subset of JA, and JST recipients are therefore not readily distinguishable from other JA recipients. As the Deputy may be aware, the ESRI examined the impact of changes to the One Parent Family Payment and the introduction of the JST scheme. The study found that lone parents impacted by the reforms were thirteen percentage points more likely to be at work, with an associated increase in employment earnings between 23% and 29%.
The volume of data requested by the Deputy would necessitate a comprehensive report to adequately examine, explain, and understand the intricacies of the data and my Department is not in a position to meet the Deputy's request in full. Recipients of JST at of 31 December 2021, and what payments, if any, they were in receipt of from my Department in November 2022, are set out in the table below.
Table 1 Persons in receipt of jobseeker’s transitional payment as of December 31st 2021 in receipt of another social protection payment (excluding jobseeker’s transitional payment) in November 2022
|
Scheme |
Number |
|
Back To Work Enterprise Allowance |
34 |
|
Back to Work Family Dividend |
292 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
284 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
49 |
|
Other |
12 |
|
Total |
671 |
432. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection if any discretion is applied in cases in which an applicant for the fuel allowance payment is very marginally over the income threshold; if so, the value of discretion available; and if not, if her Department will consider providing a discretionary bracket in order to assist those who are experiencing hardship in meeting the cost of fuel. [62295/22]
View answerThe 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 €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria including a means test and the household composition criteria. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
Fuel Allowance can only be awarded if an applicant satisfies the qualifying conditions and cannot be awarded on a discretionary basis to those who are marginally above the qualifying limit.
In Budget 2023, I secured funding for the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme. It is estimated that this expansion could bring up to 81,000 additional households into the scheme. The changes announced take effect from the first week in January.
For applicants aged 70 and over, there is a new means test limit of €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 will increase from €20,000 to €50,000. Also, from next January, an over-70 applicant no longer needs to be in receipt of a qualifying payment. Existing household composition rules continue to apply.
For applicants under age 70, the weekly means threshold is being increased by €80, from €120 to €200 above the appropriate weekly rate of State Pension Contributory.
From January 2023, Disablement Benefit and Half-Rate Carer's Allowance payments will be disregarded when assessing means for Fuel Allowance purposes.
The Government has, therefore, implemented significant improvements through Budget 2023. Any proposal to further increase the allowable means for Fuel Allowance purposes or any further changes to the eligibility criteria would have to be considered in the context of the overall policy and budgetary situation.
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 hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
433. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an overview of the key social protection improvements announced since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62296/22]
View answerSince 27 June 2020, my Department has made a number of changes to the Social Protection system.
In Budget 2021, while the country was still widely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, I secured a social protection package which included:
|
1. Qualified Child Increase (a) Increase the weekly rate of the Qualified Child Increase for children aged 12 and over by €5 per week, from €40 to €45 per week. (b) Increase the weekly rate of the Qualified Child Increase for children under the age of 12 by €2 per week, from €36 to €38 per week. |
|
2. Parent’s Benefit Extend paid parental leave by 3 weeks for parents of children born/adopted since 1st November 2019 |
|
3. Working Family Payment Increase the Working Family Payment income threshold for families with up to 3 children by €10 |
|
4. One Parent Family Payment Earnings Limit Remove the €425 earnings threshold on One-Parent Family Payment |
|
5. Hot School Meals Programme Continue to review and expand the roll-out of the new Hot School Meals initiative |
|
6. Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant Increase the Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant by €2,000, from €6,000 to €8,000 |
|
7. State Pension Age State Pension Age will remain at 66 years, and the increase to 67 years will be deferred |
|
8. Living Alone Allowance Increase the Living Alone Allowance by €5 per week, from €14 to €19 per week |
|
9. Living on a Specified Island Increase the Island Allowance by €7.30, from €12.70 to €20 per week |
|
10. Disability Allowance Increase the earnings disregard by €20, from €120 to €140 per week |
|
11. Illness Benefit Reduce the number of waiting days for Illness Benefit from six days to three days |
|
12. Carer's Support Grant Increase the Carer’s Support Grant by €150, from €1,700 to €1,850 per year |
|
13. Enterprise Support Grant Extend the Covid-Enterprise Support Grant payments until end March 2021 |
|
14. Targeted Activation Measures Additional funding across activation schemes – particularly for the new work experience programme, training and support grant and JobsPlus |
|
15. Support Grant for Jobseekers with a Disability Provide for a €1,000 technical support grant for people who are referred to contracted employment support services, which can be accessed on a similar basis to the TSG (Intreo) and Mediator Fund (Local Employment Service) |
|
16. Self-Employed Activation Measures Provide that self-employed Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) recipients can engage in limited self-employment and earn up to €480 over a four-week period and continue to maintain entitlement to PUP |
|
17. Fuel Allowance Increase rate by €3.50, from €24.50 to €28.00 per week |
|
18. Treatment Benefit Change the conditions of the hearing aid benefit to provide a flat rate grant of up to €500 instead of it needing to be matched by the customer; and provide a flat rate grant of up to €100 towards repairs without it having to be matched |
In Budget 2022, I delivered a social protection package which included:
|
1. Pension Rate Increase Increase the maximum weekly rate of all pension payments (for those aged 66 and over) by €5 per week with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates of payment. |
|
2. Living Alone Allowance Increase the Living Alone weekly payment by €3 to €22 |
|
3. Working Age Rate Increase Increase the weekly rates of payment for working age recipients (under 66 years of age) by €5 per week, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates. |
|
4. Treatment Benefit Grant A Treatment Benefit grant of up to €500 towards the cost of wigs/hairpieces/hair replacement systems for people suffering from hair loss due to illness. |
|
5. Reduced Contributions for Treatment Benefit Increase the age threshold at which the requirement to have at least 5 years paid PRSI contributions applies, from 25 to 29 years. |
|
6. Farm Assist Amend the list of agri-environmental schemes that attract a disregard under the Farm Assist Scheme. |
|
7. Qualified Child Increase Increase the weekly rate of the Qualified Child Increase by €2 per week for children under the age of 12 and increase the weekly rate of the Qualified Child Increase by €3 per week for children aged 12 and over. |
|
8. Parent’s Benefit Extend Parent’s Benefit from 5 weeks to 7 weeks for parents of children born or adopted after the implementation date |
|
9. Working Family Payment Threshold Increase Working Family Payment income thresholds for all families by €10 per week |
|
10. Hot School Meals Programme Extend the provision of hot school meals to the remaining DEIS primary schools that submitted an expression of interest to avail of hot school meals in 2020. |
|
11. Equalise Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Increase the income thresholds applied to lone parents for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance to the threshold applied to two-parent households |
|
12. Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Increase Increase the rate of payment for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance by €10 |
|
13. Carer’s Allowance Disregards (i) Increase in the amount of capital disregarded in the Carer’s Allowance means test to €50,000; and (ii) increase the weekly income disregarded in the means test for Carer's Allowance to €350 for a single person and €750 for a couple |
|
14. Domiciliary Care Allowance Extend period during which Domiciliary Care Allowance can be paid for children in hospital from 3 months to 6 months (including payment of Carer's Allowance for this period) |
|
15. Disability Allowance and Blind Pension Disregards Increase the earnings threshold above which all means is fully assessed, from €350 to €375 for both Disability Allowance and Blind Pension |
|
16. Disability Allowance – General Disregards Increase the general weekly means disregard for Disability Allowance from €2.50 to €7.60 per week |
|
17. Employability Extend access to support grants for jobseekers with disabilities, through an EmployAbility provider. 1. Job Interview Interpreter Grant (JIIG) 2. Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant (WEAG) 3. Personal Reader Grant (PRG) |
|
18. Wage Subsidy Scheme Increase the rate of the Wage Subsidy by €1.00 to €6.30 per hour |
|
19.Blind Pension- Student Extend the income disregard for bursaries, stipends or scholarships towards completing a PhD to Blind Pension |
|
20. Fuel Package (a) Increase rate by €5, from €28 to €33 per week (b) Increase the income threshold for qualification by €20 (c) Allow recipients of Jobseekers Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance to access Fuel Allowance at 12 months - currently 15 months |
In the first half of 2022, in response to increases in inflation which affected the cost of living, Government provided a targeted package of increases which included two Fuel Allowance lump sums of €125 and €100 paid in March and May 2022 and a €100 increase in the rate of Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance paid in June 2022.
Most recently, in Budget 2023, I announced a Budget package of €2.2 billion, which is made up of both budgetary measures and once-off supports to tackle the rising cost of living. These included:
|
1. Cost of Living Support Pay a once-off double payment to social welfare recipients in October 2022 |
|
2. Fuel Allowance Lump Sum Pay a lump sum of €400 to all Fuel Allowance recipients in 2022 |
|
3. Child Benefit Double Payment Pay a double payment of Child Benefit in 2022 |
|
4. Living Alone Allowance Lump Sum Pay a lump sum of €200 in 2022 to recipients of the Living Alone Increase |
|
5. Working Family Payment Lump Sum Pay a once-off cost of living payment of €500 to Working Family Payment recipients in 2022 |
|
6. Disability and Carer's Lump Sum Provide a once-off payment of €500 to recipients of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and the Carer’s Support Grant |
|
7. Weekly Personal and Qualified Adult Rates of Payment - Pensioners Increase the maximum weekly rate of all pension payments (for those aged 66 and over) by €12 per week with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates of payment. |
|
8. Fuel Allowance Means Test Extend Fuel Allowance to those who are aged over 70 and below the weekly means threshold of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for couple (Household rules still apply) |
|
9. Weekly Personal and Qualified Adult rates of payment - Working Age recipients Increase the weekly rates of payment for working age recipients (under 66 years of age) by €12 per week, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates. |
|
10. Employment Supports Increase the additional payment of €22.50 on Community Employment, Tús and the Rural Social Scheme by €5, and increase the current rate of Jobs Initiative by €10 |
|
11. Farm Assist Increase the disregard for income received from agri-environmental schemes from €2,540 to €5,000 |
|
12. JobsPlus Extend access to the JobsPlus scheme |
|
13. Qualified Child Increase Increase the weekly rates of the Increase for Qualified Children (IQCs) by €2 per week for children of all ages |
|
14. Working Family Payment Increase Working Family Payment income thresholds for all families by €40 per week |
|
15. Domiciliary Care Allowance Rate of Payment Increase rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance to €330 per month |
|
16. Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility Provide Domiciliary Care Allowance to parents of babies who remain in an acute hospital after birth for a period of 6 months |
|
17. Disability Allowance Increase the earnings disregard for Disability Allowance and Blind Pension from €140 to €165 per week. |
|
18. Reasonable Accommodation Amalgamate the four Reasonable Accommodation Fund grants into a single, flexible grant with increased funding |
|
19. Fuel Allowance (a) Increase the Fuel Allowance means threshold to €200 (b) Disregard Disablement Benefit in Fuel Allowance means test (c) Disregard Half-rate Carer's Allowance in Fuel Allowance means test |
|
20. Pilot Food Poverty Programme Develop and implement a pilot scheme, based on a case work model, to support people experiencing food poverty. |
My Department will continue to review policies and practices to improve service delivery to our customers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
434. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of locations in the State that offer a drop-in centre where a community welfare officer would be available; the location of these drop-in centres; the number of drop-in centres offering this service over each of the past three years in tabular form by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62327/22]
View answerCommunity Welfare Officers (CWOs) are physically on site daily in over 50 Intreo Centres across the country where they are available to be seen without an appointment, during business hours, Monday to Friday. In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and DSP offices, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home.
It is important to note that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make a claim and any person who needs to access the CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO. An appointment can be arranged within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home. Alternatively, a person can speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to wait or to travel to meet with a CWO in person – currently the CWOs on the phoneline are dealing with approx. 1,700 callers per week and this service is proving very popular with customers in rural areas.
When the CWS becomes aware that a customer has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the person receives a prompt service. Where possible, this is a same-day service and circa 9%+ of our payments are made on the day to clients.
A person can apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) payment by completing a SWA1 form, which is widely available. It can be downloaded at www.gov.ie. It is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. It can also be requested by emailing cwsforms@welfare.ie or by calling 0818 60 70 80. Customers can also request a SWA1 form by using the Request Application Form page available on www.gov.ie. The completed application form and supporting documentation can be posted or dropped into the local Intreo Centre where it will be processed quickly.
A citizen can meet with a Community Welfare Officer in any of the locations listed below.
|
Town |
Office |
Address line 1 |
Address line 2 |
County |
|
Achill |
Intreo Centre |
Achill Sound |
Achill |
Co Mayo |
|
Arklow |
Intreo Centre |
Castle Park |
Arklow |
Co Wicklow |
|
Athlone |
Intreo Centre |
Government Offices |
Grace Park Road |
Co Westmeath |
|
Balbriggan |
Intreo Centre |
Gallens Mill |
Mill St |
Co Dublin |
|
Ballina |
Intreo Centre |
Government Buildings |
Ballina |
Co Mayo |
|
Ballybofey |
Branch Office |
Garvan House |
Main Street |
Co Donegal |
|
Ballyfermot |
Intreo Centre |
Rossmore Ave |
Ballyfermot |
Dublin 10 |
|
Ballymun |
Intreo Centre |
Main Street |
Ballymun |
Dublin 9 |
|
Bishop Square |
Intreo Centre |
Redmond's Hill |
Dublin 2 |
|
|
Blanchardstown |
Intreo Centre |
Westend House |
Snugborough Road |
Dublin 15 |
|
Boyle |
Branch Office |
Elphin Street |
Boyle |
Co Roscommon |
|
Bray |
Intreo Centre |
The Cualann Centre |
Main Street |
Co Wicklow |
|
Buncrana |
Intreo Centre |
Inner Relief Road |
Ardarvan |
Co Donegal |
|
Carlow |
Intreo Centre |
Kennedy Avenue |
Carlow |
Co Carlow |
|
Carrickmacross |
Branch Office |
Ardee Road |
Carrickmacross |
Co Monaghan |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
Intreo Centre |
Leitrim Road |
Carrick-on-Shannon |
Co Leitrim |
|
Castlebar |
Intreo Centre |
Michael Davitt House |
Castlebar |
Co Mayo |
|
Castleblaney |
Branch Office |
Monaghan Road |
Castleblaney |
Co Monaghan |
|
Cavan |
Intreo Centre |
Dublin Road |
Cavan |
Co Cavan |
|
Clifden |
Intreo Centre |
Galway Road |
Clifden |
Co Galway |
|
Clondalkin |
Intreo Centre |
9th Lock Road |
Clondalkin |
Dublin 22 |
|
Clones |
DSP Office |
Clones |
Co Monaghan |
|
|
Clonmel |
Intreo Centre |
Harbour House |
New Quay, Clonmel |
Co Tipperary |
|
Coolock |
Intreo Centre |
Northside Civic Centre |
Bunratty Road, Coolock |
Dublin 17 |
|
Cork |
Intreo Centre |
Intreo Centre Cork City |
Abbey Court House |
Co Cork |
|
Drogheda |
Intreo Centre |
Custom House Quay |
Drogheda |
Co Louth |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
Intreo Centre |
18-21 Cumberland Street |
Dun Laoghaire |
Co Dublin |
|
Dundalk |
Intreo Centre |
Government Buildings |
St. Alphonsus Road |
Co Louth |
|
Dungloe |
Intreo Centre |
Public Service Centre |
Gweedore Road |
Co Donegal |
|
Edenderry |
Intreo Centre |
IDA Park |
Carrick Road |
Co. Offaly |
|
Ennis |
Intreo Centre |
Kilrush Road |
Ennis |
Co Clare |
|
Finglas |
Intreo Centre |
Mellowes Road |
Finglas |
Dublin 11 |
|
Galway |
Intreo Centre |
Sean Duggan Centre |
Fairgreen Road |
Co Galway |
|
Kells |
Branch Office |
Cross Street |
Kells |
Co Meath |
|
Kenmare |
Intreo Centre |
Bridge Street |
Kenmare |
Co Kerry |
|
Kilkenny |
Intreo Centre |
Government Buildings |
Hebron Road, Kilkenny |
Co Kilkenny |
|
Killarney |
Intreo Centre |
Fl 1, Park Court |
Beech Road |
Co Kerry |
|
Kilmallock |
Branch Office |
Charleville Road |
Kilmallock |
Co Limerick |
|
King's Inns Street |
Intreo Centre |
20 King's Inns Street |
King's Inns Street |
Dublin 1 |
|
Letterkenny |
Intreo Centre |
High Road |
Letterkenny |
Co Donegal |
|
Limerick |
Intreo Centre |
Dominick Street |
Limerick |
Co Limerick |
|
Listowel |
Intreo Centre |
The Square |
Listowel |
Co Kerry |
|
Longford |
Intreo Centre |
Government Buildings |
Longford |
Co Longford |
|
Loughrea |
Intreo Centre |
Railway House |
Station Rd |
Co Galway |
|
Macroom |
Branch Office |
Units 1&2 Millstreet Road |
Macroom |
Co Cork |
|
Manorhamilton |
Intreo Centre |
Sligo Road |
Manorhamilton |
Co Leitrim |
|
Monaghan |
DSP Office |
Plantation |
Monaghan |
Co Monaghan |
|
Mullingar |
Intreo Centre |
Blackhall Place |
Mullingar |
Co Westmeath |
|
Navan |
Intreo Centre |
Abbey Buildings |
Abbey Mall |
Co Meath |
|
Newbridge |
Intreo Centre |
Moorefield Rd |
Newbridge |
Co Kildare |
|
Newcastlewest |
Intreo Centre |
Gortboy |
Newcastlewest |
Co Limerick |
|
Newmarket |
Branch Office |
Main street |
Newmarket |
Co Cork |
|
Nth Cumberland Street |
DSP Office |
Elisabeth O'Farrell House |
19-21 Nth Cumberland St |
Dublin 1 |
|
Nutgrove |
Intreo Centre |
Nutgrove Shopping Centre |
Rathfarnham, |
Dublin 14 |
|
Portlaoise |
DSP Office |
Government Buildings |
Abbeyleix Road |
Co Laois |
|
Rathdowney |
Branch Office |
Main Street |
Rathdowney |
Co Laois |
|
Roscommon |
Intreo Centre |
Roscommon Town |
Co Roscommon |
|
|
Sligo |
Intreo Centre |
Government Offices |
Cranmore Road, Sligo |
Co Sligo |
|
Swords |
Intreo Centre |
Mainscourt |
23 Main Street |
Co Dublin |
|
Tallaght |
Intreo Centre |
The Square |
Tallaght |
Dublin 24 |
|
Thurles |
Intreo Centre |
Tipperary Technology Park |
Racecourse Road |
Co Tipperary |
|
Tralee |
Intreo Centre |
Godfrey Place |
Tralee |
Co Kerry |
|
Trim |
Branch Office |
Haggard Street |
Trim |
Co Meath |
|
Tuam |
DSP Office |
Shop Street |
Tuam |
Co Galway |
|
Tubbercurry |
Branch Office |
Humbert Street |
Tubbercurry |
Co Sligo |
|
Tullamore |
Intreo Centre |
Castle Buildings |
Tara Street |
Co Offaly |
|
Waterford |
Intreo Centre |
Cork Road |
Waterford |
Co Waterford |
|
Westport |
Intreo Centre |
Prospect Avenue |
Westport |
Co Mayo |
|
Wexford |
Intreo Centre |
Anne Street |
Wexford |
Co Wexford |
|
Wicklow |
Branch Office |
Unit E6, |
The Enterprise Centre |
Co Wicklow |
I trust this clarifies the matter.
