Written Answers Nos. 306-325
306. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employees within her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20322/24]
View answerThere are no employees within the Department and bodies under its aegis currently suspended pending a disciplinary investigation.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
307. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a training support grant by a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20345/24]
View answerThe Training Support Grant (TSG) is designed to fund quick access to short term training that can support individual jobseekers seeking employment (including self-employment) to access work opportunities. The grant can be provided when a Employment Personal Advisor or Job Coach have identified an immediate skills gap or related intervention, such as to obtain or renew certification and permits, that is preventing a jobseeker commencing a job offer. A person must apply for a TSG in advance of a course commencing.
The person concerned expressed an interest in a Special Needs Assistant course but unfortunately the course had started before the person applied for TSG funding. An Employment Personal Advisor from my Department spoke with the customer on 1st May 2024 to discuss options and I understand that the person will now try to source an alterative training provider.
A Training Support Grant application was issued to the customer to be completed and this will be assessed when it is received by the Department.I trust this clarifies the matter.
308. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20363/24]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection has neither paid into nor received funds from any EU programmes or funds outside of the Multiannual Financial Framework from the year 2014 to date.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
309. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the position if people can apply to have credits towards their pension while they were in receipt of carer's allowance for many years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20386/24]
View answerThis Government acknowledges the vital role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system provides measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate. In addition, PRSI credits are awarded to those in receipt of Carer's Benefit, Carer's Allowance and Domiciliary Care Allowance. These credits and other measures may be used to increase the rate of State Pension (Contributory) payment subject to certain conditions.
Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory). They may, for example, have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years of paid contributions.
Last year, legislation was enacted to implement a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system as part of the Government's response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations. A key measure introduced from January 2024 is enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of a paid contribution to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record for State Pension (Contributory) purposes. People who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance are considered eligible for long term carer’s contributions, subject to meeting the threshold of 20 years.
Last year, my Department launched an online system for people to register for long term caring contributions prior to reaching pensionable age to facilitate the processing of these periods to their contribution record.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
310. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been brought to the anomaly that public sector workers can work to 70 years of age but illness benefit cannot be claimed by those working beyond the age of 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20433/24]
View answerIllness benefit is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for illness benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. People must have made the required number of contributions under PRSI Class A, E, H or P to qualify.
Previously, illness benefit was only available to persons under 66. Under legislation that came into effect at the start of 2024 if a person born on or after 1 January 1958 has attained pensionable age of 66 years but has neither attained the age of 70 years nor been awarded a state pension (contributory) they may be entitled to illness benefit, subject to meeting the other conditions of the scheme.
Once a person reaches 66 years of age, they may be entitled to a state pension (contributory), depending on their contribution history. A person can draw their state pension (contributory) and continue to work. If they do not have sufficient PRSI contributions for a state pension (contributory) they may be entitled to the state pension (non-contributory), subject to a means test.
With regard to additional supports, my Department also provides an additional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This includes exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently on a social welfare payment or in employment. The payment amount will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Payments are made at the discretion of the Community Welfare Officers administering the scheme, considering all the circumstances of the case.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
311. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person from County Leitrim (details supplied) was not awarded jobseeker’s benefit despite working for a long number of years before her redundancy; the reason her Department has failed to communicate with the person, despite their best efforts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20485/24]
View answerTo qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit, a Jobseeker must pay Class A, H or P PRSI contributions. A person must have :
1) At least 104 weeks PRSI paid since they commenced work.
AND
2) 39 weeks paid PRSI in the relevant tax year (2022).
OR
3) 26 weeks paid PRSI in the relevant tax year (2022) and 26 weeks paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.
* If you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year (2022) you must have paid 13 contributions in the following years
• The 2 tax years before the relevant tax year.
• The last complete tax year.
• The current tax year.
The person concerned made a Jobseekers application on 22nd February 2024. The governing contribution year for social welfare purposes for this application is 2022. The person concerned has 17 paid contributions in 2022. Unfortunately the person concerned does not satisfy the conditions above to qualify for Jobseekers Benefit, hence the claim was registered for Jobseekers Allowance (means tested payment).
On the 29th of Feb the Deciding Officer (DO) phoned the person concerned to explain that she did not qualify for JB and that the most appropriate payment would be Jobseekers Allowance ( Farm Assist).
In this regard the person concerned has been requested to supply the relevant documents and forms pertaining to a farm assist application. Once all of the above information has been received the Farm Assist application can be decided.
The person's application to 'sign' for credits for 2022 is currently under consideration. A deciding officer will also issue a formal decision in relation to the Jobseekers Benefit claim on which the appeal of the person concerned can be considered.
My Department will make further contact with the person concerned to ensure she is fully aware of how her application is being dealt with.
If the person concerned is having financial difficulties they may apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (means tested payment) at their local Intreo Centre.
312. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for the State pension (non-contributory) will be approved for a person (details supplied); if they are entitled to the State pension (contributory); and if they will be paid supplementary allowance as they have no income. [20492/24]
View answerState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means-test, at initial application stage and throughout the lifetime of the pension claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investment(s) they hold, and notify any changes that occur that may affect their pension entitlement. In all cases, sufficient supporting documentation must be furnished by the applicant in order to enable a Deciding Officer to correctly assess if they satisfy the eligibility conditions and their possible weekly pension payment entitlement.
The person concerned reapplied for state pension non-contributory in August 2023. The case was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector who endeavoured to obtain the required information from the person. On 21 February 2024, following receipt of the Inspector’s report, a Deciding Officer disallowed the application and their decision, and right of review (or appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office), was conveyed in writing to the person concerned at that time.
Following a further communication from the person concerned, a review of their state pension non-contributory entitlement was initiated. A Deciding Officer has now completed the review and awarded the person the maximum rate payment with effect from 18 August 2023. A letter issued to the person concerned on 1 May 2024, informing them of the decision.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance. The Deciding Officer has notified the Community Welfare Officer of the award of state pension non-contributory. Once the supplementary welfare allowance payment has ceased and the Deciding Officer has calculated the due pension arrears, the pension payment will commence and the arrears payment will be issued to the person concerned without delay.
The person has also submitted an application for state pension contributory which is currently under consideration. A decision will issue to the person concerned in due course.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
313. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection about an application for a carer’s allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20543/24]
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 7 May 2018. The Deciding Officer decided that the person concerned satisfied the means test and was providing full time care and attention to the care recipient. CA was awarded and paid for the period 17 May 2018 to 3 April 2024.
I can confirm that an application for CA was received from the person concerned on 26 February 2024 for a different care recipient. This application was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 29 February 2024 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA were satisfied.
On foot of the SWI report, the DO decided that although the person concerned is providing a certain amount of care, the level involved did not amount to full-time care for this care recipient. Therefore, this application from the person concerned for CA was disallowed.
The person concerned was notified on 17 April 2024 of this decision, the reasons for it and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
314. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of times persons living in County Galway in receipt of carer’s allowance had their allowance stopped, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [20546/24]
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.
Please find attached a table containing the number of times persons living in County Galway in receipt of CA had their allowance stopped, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024.
|
Carer's Allowance (CA) |
|
|
2013 |
322 |
|
2014 |
292 |
|
2015 |
343 |
|
2016 |
300 |
|
2017 |
366 |
|
2018 |
316 |
|
2019 |
371 |
|
2020 |
343 |
|
2021 |
355 |
|
2022 |
403 |
|
2023 |
421 |
|
2024 (up to 30/04/2024) |
170 |
A payment for CA may stop if a customer no longer meets the eligibility criteria for the scheme. This may follow a notification from the customer or be the result of a review of eligibility initiated by my Department.
The following are examples of some of the reasons that would result in a CA payment being stopped:
• The person requiring care has been admitted to a Nursing Home / Hospital
• The carer is no longer providing full time care
• The carer has returned to work in excess of 18.5 hours per week
• The carer failed to supply the required information to establish continued entitlement to CA
• The carer or the care recipient is deceased
• The means of the carer are in excess of the statutory limit
• The carer is no longer resident in the state
• The care recipient no longer meets the medical criteria
I hope this information is of assistance.
315. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Galway, who, having been refused the disability allowance, were successful in their appeals of her Department’s decision to refuse, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [20547/24]
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 below table shows a breakdown of the number of disability allowance appeals from persons living in County Galway at the time of their appeal. The table provides the total number of DA appeals finalised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the number of those appeals that resulted in a successful outcome in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024.
|
DA Appeals for Persons in County Galway 2014 – 2024 (up to 30 April 2024) |
|||||
|
Year |
Total number of DA Appeals Finalised |
Allowed |
Partially Allowed |
Revised Decision by the Department |
Total Successful Appeals |
|
2014 |
272 |
174 |
4 |
1 |
179 |
|
2015 |
266 |
149 |
5 |
5 |
159 |
|
2016 |
184 |
111 |
7 |
3 |
121 |
|
2017 |
178 |
134 |
1 |
1 |
136 |
|
2018 |
181 |
127 |
6 |
2 |
135 |
|
2019 |
323 |
202 |
4 |
2 |
208 |
|
2020 |
309 |
184 |
6 |
5 |
195 |
|
2021 |
228 |
132 |
6 |
2 |
140 |
|
2022 |
223 |
106 |
8 |
3 |
117 |
|
2023 |
226 |
120 |
1 |
3 |
122 |
|
2024 (up to 30/04/24) |
92 |
31 |
0 |
3 |
34 |
The below shows the percentage of successful appeals of persons living in Co. Galway relative to the total numb 10 years to date in 2024 The below shows the percentage of successful appeals of persons living in C
|
Year |
Claims Awarded |
Successful Appeals |
Percentage |
|
2014 |
687 |
179 |
26% |
|
2015 |
856 |
159 |
19% |
|
2016 |
801 |
121 |
15% |
|
2017 |
884 |
136 |
15% |
|
2018 |
839 |
135 |
16% |
|
2019 |
927 |
208 |
22% |
|
2020 |
832 |
195 |
23% |
|
2021 |
668 |
140 |
21% |
|
2022 |
674 |
117 |
17% |
|
2023 |
847 |
122 |
14% |
|
2024 (up to 30/04/24) |
318 |
34 |
11% |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
316. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the total expenditure on rent supplement in 2022 and 2023, and the allocation for 2024. [20550/24]
View answerThe total expenditure on rent supplement in 2022 and 2023, and the allocation for 2024 is set out in the table below:
Rent Supplement Expenditure 2022 - 2024
|
Year |
€000 |
|
2022 Outturn |
75,149 |
|
2023 Provisional Outturn |
62,861 |
|
2024 Revised Estimate |
51,961 |
317. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is discretion on the part of the deciding officer for a late application for paternity benefit (details supplied). [20559/24]
View answerPaternity Benefit is payable for 2 weeks to employed and self-employed fathers who are on Paternity Leave from their employment and who satisfy certain PRSI conditions on their own insurance record. The leave can be taken within 26 weeks after the birth of the child.
The main provisions relating to Paternity Benefit are the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016, Section 241(2)(e) and Section 241(3) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 and Section 186 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007.
All claims that are received after the time allowed under section 241(2) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, are considered Late Claims.
Provision is made under legislation to allow payment of a late claim where there was “good cause” for the delay in submitting a claim.
Section 186 of The Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 also allows for payment of certain claims made after the due date for the following reasons:
• In any case where the delay in making a claim is due to information given by an officer of the Minister to the person or a person appointed to act on his or her behalf.
• In any case where the delay in making a claim was due to a person being so incapacitated that she/he was unable to make a claim or appoint a person to act on her/his behalf.
The person's claim was received on 16 November 2023 in respect of his child born on 17 February 2023. He was given the opportunity to explain the reasons for his late application and he responded that it was a ‘complete oversight’ on his part.
The deciding officer found that the reason given for the late application did not meet the threshold of ‘good cause’, nor does it fall under Section 186.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
318. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in County Kerry (details supplied) can requalify for carer’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20561/24]
View answerCarer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
CARB is payable to a carer for up to a maximum of 104 weeks in respect of a care recipient. Once the carer claims the full 104 week entitlement in respect of that care recipient, that claim is exhausted and it is not possible for the carer to claim a further CARB payment in respect of that care recipient.
An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on 16 January 2019 in respect of the care recipient. The claim was awarded for 104 weeks for the periods 17 January 2019 to 13 January 2021 following initial award and extension requests.
The person concerned was advised on their extension re-award letter that their maximum entitlement of 104 weeks for the named care recipient was exhausted. This letter also advised that if there still was a requirement for full time care, it is open to the carer to apply for Carer’s Allowance (CA).
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 form for CA has issued to the person concerned. The average processing time for CA currently stands at 5 weeks.
The Carer's Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers who get Carer's Allowance. However, if a person is not in receipt of Carer's Allowance, the Grant can also be paid to certain other carers providing full time care. An application form for the Carer's Support Grant (CSG1) is available at Intreo Centres / Branch Offices or can be downloaded from gov.ie (gov - Carer's Support Grant (www.gov.ie).
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
319. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate why a person (details supplied), who now qualifies for a higher rate non-contributory pension, did not qualify for a similarly high rate when she first applied, and if this can be rectified. [20610/24]
View answerThe spouse of the person concerned is in receipt of the state pension (contributory). He is also in receipt of an increase for a qualified adult (IQA) in respect of the person concerned.
The application for IQA was received on 1 December 2023 and awarded from this date. A request for a review, in relation to backdating of the IQA was received. Following a review, the IQA entitlement has been backdated by 6 months from the date of receipt of the original IQA application, to 1 June 2023.
The spouse of the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision and arrears due will issue on 10 May 2024.
Current social welfare legislation on late claims stipulates that claims received may only be backdated for a maximum of six months. Backdating of a late claim beyond six months will be considered in circumstances where the failure to claim arose as the result of either incorrect information having been supplied by my Department, or the claimant’s serious incapacity by illness or infirmity. If the person concerned wishes to be considered for further backdating, the relevant documentary evidence should be provided to my Department.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
320. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the status of an application for the school meals programme (details supplied); the reason this school did not receive approval in the latest expansion of this initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20614/24]
View answerThe objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. Following the expansion of the Programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering 443,000 children are now eligible for funding.
I am committed to continuing to expand the School Meals Programme and building further on the significant extension of the Programme that has taken place in recent years. As part of this significant expansion plan, all remaining primary schools were contacted last year and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals.
Expressions of interests were received from over 900 primary schools in respect of 150,000 children and late last year these schools were invited to participate in the Hot School Meals Programme from 8th April 2024.
My officials advise me that the school referred to by the Deputy did express an interest in response to the initial call, however, we have not received any application to date.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
321. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the recent extension of child benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education or those with a disability also includes those who are home-schooled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20624/24]
View answerThe extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education was one of my key priorities as part of Budget 2024. The measure is expected to benefit approximately 60,000 18-year-olds each year at an estimated cost of €43.2 million in 2024. The extension of the scheme takes effect from this month.
The qualifying conditions for receipt of payment of Child Benefit for home schooled children has not changed. Payment of Child Benefit will continue for 18-year-olds who are being home schooled when evidence of schooling is provided.
With many children now starting primary school at age 5, together with the increase in pupils doing transition year, there has been an increase in the number of 18-year-olds still in secondary education. I believe the extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education is a long-term change for the better and will support families across Ireland into the future.
I trust this clarifies the position for the deputy.
322. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection how the nutrition standards for school meals are being monitored, implemented and enforced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20627/24]
View answer323. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection what safeguards have been put in place to ensure that the hot school meals programme is being rolled out in accordance with the nutrition standards for school meals; what resources are in place to ensure the standards are being met; if further resources are needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20628/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.
The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. Following the expansion of the programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering 443,000 children are now eligible for funding.
Funding under the School Meals Programme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and after-school clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided. These meals must meet the Nutritional Standards for the School Meals Programme.
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals were developed by a working group led by the Health and Wellbeing Programme in the Department of Health, in consultation with Safefood and the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.
My Department provides the funding directly to the schools who are responsible for choosing their own School Meals supplier on the open market in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with Public Procurement rules, and the primary relationship is between school and supplier regarding Nutritional Standards for School Meals. The tendering documentation for the Hot School Meals Programme as stipulated by the Schools Procurement Unit clearly defines the responsibilities and obligations in terms of Nutritional Standards of the successful tenderer.
Responsibility for sourcing the meals is a matter for the Board of Management of each school, but to secure funding they must first submit a sample menu with their application and agree to apply the standards set out by signing a Service Level Agreement which clearly sets out the school’s responsibilities and obligations in terms of Nutritional Standards.
My Department does have an oversight role and conducts inspections and also conducted an evaluation of the scheme, which did not highlight any significant issues with regard to food quality. In addition to monitoring adherence to the standards including through site visits, my Department also liaises directly with suppliers to ensure that they are aware of the standards required.
All Hot School Meals suppliers are legally obliged to ensure the food they produce is safe to eat and are fully responsible in complying with health and safety legislation at all stages as stated by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). The FSAI is the central competent authority with responsibility for enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. The Health Service Executive National Environmental Health Service (HSE/NEHS) carries out inspections under service contract with the FSAI.
Hot School Meals suppliers are required to register as food business operators (FBOs) and are subject to inspections to verify compliance with food safety legislation. In the case of caterers, they are required to register with the Health Service Executive (HSE), and inspection is predominantly carried out by the HSE/NEHS. and to comply with all relevant food safety legislation.
My Department also provides guidance to schools in respect of menus and meal options on an ongoing basis and participates on a regular basis as a member of the Department of Health’s Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG), which provides strategic oversight, coordination, and direction for cross-Departmental and cross-sectoral actions in this area.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for a carer’s support grant in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20695/24]
View answerThe Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) is an annual payment made to full-time carers who satisfy certain conditions.
The person claiming the CSG must:
• Be aged 16 or over and ordinarily resident in this State.
• Care for the person on a full-time basis.
• Care for the person for a continuous period of at least six months – this period must include the first Thursday in June (1st June 2023).
• Live with the person being looked after, or this person can be contacted quickly by a direct system of communication (i.e., a telephone or alarm).
• Not be employed / self-employed for more than 18.5 hours per week.
• Not be in receipt of, or entitled to receive Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit or be signing for credited contributions.
Additionally, the person being cared for must:
• Be so incapacitated as to need full-time care and attention.
• Not normally live in a hospital, convalescent home, or another similar institution.
• Not receive full-time care and attention within their own home from another person other than the person claiming the Grant.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for CSG from the person concerned on 28 March, 2024.
An information request issued to the person concerned on 8 April 2024. Once a response is received, the application will be decided and the person concerned will be notified directly in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
325. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if assistance can be offered to a person (details supplied) so the review of his jobseeker's benefit claim can be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20739/24]
View answerThe person concerned applied for Jobseekers Benefit from 13th March 2024 and the claim was initially disallowed on 2nd April 2024. Following receipt of further information pertaining to the application a review of the decision to disallow the application was carried out.
A new decision has issued to the person concerned advising that their application has been processed and their claim for Part Time/Casual Jobseekers has been awarded from the 13th March 2024.
The person concerned is being advised to attend their Local Intreo Office to obtain Employer Declaration (casual) dockets so that an up to date pattern of employment can be determined. Once up to date employment patterns are received, the person’s payment and arrears can be calculated and issued to their nominated Bank Account.
The person’s appeal, lodged with the Social Welfare Appeal Office, has also been finalised and the appeal has been allowed.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
