Written Answers Nos. 284-305
284. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 421 of 30 April 2024, the actions he will take to ensure that a degree course (details supplied) is included in his Department’s ongoing review of the suite of current engineering qualifications declared under section 160 of the Local Government Act 2001. [20589/24]
View answerThe purpose of the review, currently underway, of qualifications for engineering posts in the local government sector is to determine if changes are required in order that the qualifications are appropriate and relevant to the role of an engineer at the various engineering levels in a local authority. An examination of the educational and experience requirements at each engineering level will be undertaken as part of the review as appropriate.
285. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the details of funding applications from Mayo County Council for voids refurbishments in 2022, 2023 and 2024; the funding applied for and funding received; if his Department directs funding towards specific properties or if Mayo County Council has that discretion; and if he is aware there are 16 vacant local authority houses in the Ballina area that Mayo County Council ascertain they have not received funding to refurbish. [20621/24]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by making adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The funding was introduced originally to tackle long-term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock. The emphasis of the programme is on minimum refurbishment works to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times.
An annualised breakdown by local authority of the funding provided and the number of properties remediated under the Voids programme, including Mayo County Council for the years 2014 up to and including 2023 is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme
Local authorities in their administration of the programme select the properties for inclusion and the associated work programme of remediation in order to comply with the Housing (Standards For Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. Local authorities have been notified of their targets and funding available for 2024, however, it will be later this year before significant claims have been received.
Given the very significant investment into the Voids Programme over recent years local authorities are now in a strong position to continue the transition to a strategic and informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance.
To that end, my Department and local authorities are continuing to progress from a largely response and voids based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response.
286. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or his officials have engaged with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications or his officials to use money collected through the carbon tax and through the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Act 2023 to help tackle energy poverty in social housing in Ireland through measures such as the EnergyCloud initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20626/24]
View answerThere is no direct funding from carbon taxes associated with the retrofitting budget for social housing which relies on voted expenditure as part of the annual budgetary process. In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2 (BER)/Cost Optimal Equivalent standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.
An annualised breakdown of the funding and number of properties completed by each local authority is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
The 2024 Energy Efficiency Retrofit budget for local authority homes provides an increase in Exchequer funding support to €90 million which will allow approximately 2,500 local authority owned social homes to be upgraded to a B2 or cost optimal equivalent (BER) this year. Local authorities have been notified of their targets and funding available but it will be later this year before significant claims have been received.
287. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure the report conducted by a person (details supplied) into allegations of malpractice and conflicts of interest at An Bord Pleanála is made public as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20676/24]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála (ABP) is a quasi-judicial body which carries out its statutory functions independently of me as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
ABP appointed an external reviewer, Ms. Lorna Lynch, Senior Counsel, to carry out a scoping investigation into certain matters.
An Bord Pleanála has advised that, in conducting this scoping investigation, Ms. Lynch will be provided with the material which was gathered and collated by members of the senior management team who were involved in the preparation of the Internal An Bord Pleanála Report in 2022. The Senior Counsel has also been asked to consider the relevant Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) recommendations, following the completed and published OPR reviews of An Bord Pleanála.
Ms. Lynch's scoping investigation and report is entirely a matter for An Bord Pleanála who initiated this exercise. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
288. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the local authority home loan is going to be amended to include home renovations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20677/24]
View answerOn 14 November 2023, the Cabinet agreed a proposal to broaden the Local Authority Home Loan, to make finance available to purchase and/or renovate derelict or non-habitable properties.
A Working Group of key local authority stakeholders has been established and continues to meet to develop the supports and structures required to successfully implement the extension across the Sector.
The extension of the Local Authority Home Loan is expected to be implemented by end Q2 2024.
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports made available for persons affected by defective concrete blocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20690/24]
View answerI commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The Scheme provides very considerable enhancements for eligible homeowners, over the earlier 2020 Scheme including 100% of the costs of the remediation works approved subject to the grant rates and overall maximum grant of €420,000 per dwelling. It should be noted the current (and previous) DCB Grant Schemes are not compensation or redress schemes. They are remediation grant schemes of last resort, put in place by Government in order to voluntarily assist homeowners to remediate damage caused by the use of defective concrete blocks.
Under the Scheme, temporary alternative accommodation for defective concrete block homeowners is available, whereby vouched accommodation costs are an allowable cost within the scheme, subject to a maximum of €15,000 per household in the event that the applicant has to move out when remediation works are ongoing. Removal of contents/house components and their temporary storage and reinstatement on completion are also an allowable cost, subject to a maximum of €5,000. A further €5,000 is available for essential immediate repairs relating to the structural stability of any part of an affected home which are recommended on foot of a competent building professional's Building Condition Assessment process. Each of these additional grant payments are subject to the overall maximum grant cap of €420,000.
I fully acknowledge the difficulties that homeowners are facing and the Government is committed to helping those whose lives have been impacted by this issue. The Department of Health has worked with the HSE to ensure that mental health supports are available through My Mind and homeowners can visit www.mymind.org and register for the service.
I have also been supportive of applications by designated local authorities for Defective Concrete Block Facilitator posts to support homeowners through the grant scheme process.
The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is to introduce bespoke arrangements to assist DCB homeowners to access the existing SEAI energy efficiency retrofitting grant scheme as seamlessly as possible and for SEAI to undertake a focused communications campaign in the affected region to maximise awareness and uptake. I understand DECC will shortly make a submission to Government regarding the proposed SEAI DCB scheme.
Other grants may be available to DCB homeowners on similar terms and conditions as apply to all homeowners in the State such as septic tank grants, housing adaptation grants etc. Affected homeowners are encouraged to enquire to their relevant local authority in relation to such grants.
290. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average all in cost to the Exchequer for social housing acquisitions purchased in 2023 via the social housing investment programme. [20750/24]
View answer291. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average all in cost to the Exchequer fand the average full development cost for social housing acquisitions purchased in 2023 via the capital advance leasing facility. [20751/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
Social Housing is delivered through a range of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) delivery programmes across the build acquisition and lease delivery streams.
For 2023, the Government agreed that there would be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department provided funding for local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions have primarily focused on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter in March 2023, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2023.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including completed acquisitions. From 2023, this data includes a breakdown of acquisitions completed by each local authority where a Notice of Termination issued to a tenant and is available, for all local authorities, to the end of Quarter 4 2023 on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
The average cost to my Department for social housing acquisitions delivered under SHIP in 2023 was €254,491 and the average cost of acquisitions delivered under CALF was €67,433.39.
NOTE: The information above is calculated using the financial information available to the Department, however data is subject to revision as claims are received from local authorities and final accounts are finalised for the SHIP Acquisitions.
The Average CALF Amount represents the average amount of CALF funding provided. (A maximum of 30%).
292. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department compiles data on the number of qualified tradespeople employed in each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20774/24]
View answerUnder Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible.
My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis. However, granular data, in terms of the detailed breakdown of the numbers and grades of staff allocated to specific work areas within local authorities is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department. The relevant information would be available from each local authority.
293. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes built directly by each local authority in each of the years 2021 to 2023, in tabular form, broken down by whether they were delivered by direct labour employed by the local authority or through subcontracting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20776/24]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity, to include homes built by local authorities and by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), in each local authority area. This data is available to the end of 2023 and is published on the statistics' page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 4 2023. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority, funding stream etc. at this link: https://data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2023
The Report provides scheme-level details on the completion of social housing new-builds. It is a full compendium of live LA and AHB social housing new-build activity.
In general, local authority housing is not delivered by direct labour employed by the local authority. Projects are developed and designed by local authorities but the construction contractors are recruited via public tendering.
294. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will use a statutory instrument to give effect to empower a returning officer of a local election the authority to witness and retain a candidate's home address in lieu of displaying it on a ballot paper on request by a candidate. [20804/24]
View answerUnder electoral law, a nomination paper must state the name, address and occupation (if any) of a candidate at an election. A ballot paper must contain the name and description of the candidate standing nominated, as shown in the nomination paper. This requirement is intended as a means of identifying a candidate and ensuring the transparency of elections. In ruling on the validity of a nomination paper, the independent Returning Officer must, amongst other things, object to the description of a candidate which is, in his or her opinion, incorrect or insufficient to identify the candidate.Guidance provided to Returning Officers by my Department in advance of elections states that a candidate’s address need not necessarily relate to their residence but could, for example, refer to their place of business such as a constituency office.During the Committee Stage debate on the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2023, the issue of the requirement for the address of a candidate on ballot papers was raised. During the debate, I highlighted that An Coimisiún Toghcháin had prepared its first draft research programme and was seeking the views of the Oireachtas, the public and other interested parties on its research priorities. In response to An Coimisiún's call for submissions I asked it to consider the issue of the address of candidates on ballot papers.Changes to electoral law in respect of the issue would have regard to any recommendations made by An Coimisiún Toghcháin.
295. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions taken by his Department and the NPWS on foot of complaints by an person in relation to damage caused at a national park; the details of the damage that was caused; whether the site has been restored to its former condition; whether his Department accepts that the report he made was accurate in its description and that a press release issued by it was incorrect and damaged the person’s professional reputation; if he is willing to meet the complainant to discuss this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20824/24]
View answerI have contacted the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department and I note a previous response was issued in 2021 in relation to this incident. I have asked the National Monuments Service to contact the querist directly and he will be in touch in the coming days.
296. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cross departmental group which is reviewing the feasibility studies referenced in Parliamentary Question No. 430 of 16 April 2024. [20827/24]
View answerAs referenced in my reply to Question No. 430 of 16 April 2024, a cross-departmental group is currently tasked with reviewing the feasibility of Cathal Brugha Barracks for residential and/or other uses. The composition of the group is made up of officials from the following organisations:
• Department of Defence
• Department of the Taoiseach
• Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
• Land Development Agency
• Irish Defence Forces
The findings of the group's feasibility studies will be available in due course.
297. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if will provide, in tabular form, Kerry County Council’s social housing targets, units delivered and by whom since the launch of Rebuilding Ireland in July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20843/24]
View answerUnder Rebuilding Ireland individual local authority social housing delivery targets were set for the period 2018 - 2021. For Kerry the Build, Acquisition and Leasing Target was 1,544 social homes.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). The table below sets out the Build and Long-Term Lease targets for Kerry County Council.
|
- - |
Target Build & Lease |
Target Long-Term Lease |
Target Build |
|
2022 |
346 |
31 |
315 |
|
2023 |
269 |
8 |
261 |
|
2024 |
275 |
8 |
267 |
|
2025 |
287 |
- |
287 |
|
2026 |
293 |
- |
- |
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and AHBs in each local authority area. This data is available to the end of 2023 and is published on the statistics' page of my Department’s website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. This includes details of which local authority or AHB delivered or is delivering the development. The most recent publication was for Quarter 4 2023. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority, funding stream etc. at this link: https://data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2023
298. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a copy of a report (details supplied). [20847/24]
View answerMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department. My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes as soon as possible with a view to also publishing the final report.
299. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a privately run service (details supplied) is obligated to recognise the State travel pass for older people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20803/24]
View answerThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2024 is €104 million.
The free travel scheme was introduced to promote social inclusion and prevent the isolation of elderly and disabled people by taking advantage of free space on public transport services. The scheme permits free travel on the services provided by the operators who accept the free travel pass.
While it is open to private transport operators to apply to participate in the free travel scheme, there is no obligation on them to do so. It is up to each private transport operator to decide if they wish to participate in the Free Travel Scheme and also what routes they will accept the free travel pass on.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
300. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE medical officers working in her Department in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [20157/24]
View answerThere are currently 35 Medical Assessors working in my Department. The numbers in situ at the end of December 2022, 2023 and at end of March 2024 are outlined below in tabular form and include both the Chief Medical Officer and the Deputy Chief Medical Assessor.
|
Year |
People |
Posts |
|
2022 |
32.00 |
30.10 |
|
2023 |
35.00 |
32.60 |
|
2024 |
35.00 |
32.60 |
301. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 20 February 2024, to provide an update on the long-term carers’ contribution scheme; the number of applications received to date; the number approved; the number rejected; the number pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20174/24]
View answerLong-Term Carers Contributions make it easier for a carer to qualify for the State Pension Contributory. Any period in which a carer is registered as providing full time care to an incapacitated person can be included in their social insurance (PRSI) record. Once a carer has reached a minimum of 1040 weeks (20 years) of Long-Term Carers Contributions, these contributions will be included in the calculation for their State Pension Contributory.
The quickest way to apply for any Pension Carers Supports is online at www.MyWelfare.ie. The customer must have a verified MyGov account to use MyWelfare.ie. If a customer is unable to complete the online application process, they can contact the Department directly via telephone or email and an application form will be issued to them.
Please see the table below which has the number of applications received to date; the number approved; the number rejected; and the number pending.
|
Long Term Carers applications from 01/09/23 to 02/05/24 |
|
|
Number of applications received |
3828 |
|
Number of successful applications received |
3087 |
|
Number of Pending applications |
449 |
|
Number of unsuccessful applications |
19 |
|
Number of withdrawn applications |
273 |
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy
302. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has plans to address the current legislative anomaly where people who were forced to retire from work on health grounds have been refused free travel as they are not getting a disability payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20175/24]
View answerThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2024 is €104 million.
It is important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carers Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit.
As part of Budget 2024, I was particularly pleased to extend access to Free Travel to people who are medically certified as unfit to drive, including those with epilepsy. From 29th of July 2024, the measure will extend access to the Free Travel scheme to:
• People who have never been medically fit to drive due to a disability; and
• Drivers who have a license and have been deemed medically unfit to drive for a period of one year or longer.
There will be no requirement to satisfy a means test or that the person be in receipt of a Social Protection payment to qualify for the medical free travel pass.Any decision to further expand the Free Travel scheme measures announced in Budget 2024 would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
303. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) against the decision to reduce his wife's payment, with particular reference to their high outgoings on medical costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20179/24]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5 March 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 17 April 2024 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 1 May 2024. The Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
304. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person will be permitted to have credits applied to their welfare application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20228/24]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Credited contributions (credits) are social insurance contributions designed to protect the social insurance entitlement record of insured workers who are not in a position to make PRSI contributions. In order to qualify for credits, a person must first have entered insurable employment and paid at least one PRSI contribution at Class A, B, C, D, E, H or P.
Normally, if at any stage in their working life, a person has no PRSI contributions (paid or credited) for two full tax years, they cannot be awarded credits again until they return to work and pay PRSI contributions for at least 26 weeks. Therefore, for a carer to qualify for credits, there must not have been a break of over two years between their last paid or credited contribution and the commencement of their entitlement to CA.
The person concerned does not qualify for CA credits as they do not have any paid or credited contributions for the two years prior to applying for CA.
Invalidity Pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. A person must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions class (A, E, H or S) since entering social insurance. According to Department records, the person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions.
Disability Allowance is a means tested payment for people who are aged over 16 and under 66 who have a specified disability which has continued or may reasonably be expected to continue for a period of at least a year and, as a result of the condition, the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person’s age, experience and qualifications. It is open for the person concerned to apply for this payment.
Long-Term Carers Contribution Periods make it easier for a carer to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory) when they reach pension age. Any period in which a person is registered as providing care to an incapacitated person can be included in their pay-related social insurance record. These periods can be used for State Pension (Contributory) once the carer has reached a minimum of 1040 weeks (20 years). The quickest way to apply for Long-Term Carers Contributions is online at MyWelfare.ie.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
305. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) has been approved. [20261/24]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 14 November 2023.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of the application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 13 December 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of their claim.
Following this review, the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified on 11 January 2024 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal. No appeal has been registered with the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
