Written Answers Nos. 1039-1062
1039. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of increasing the electricity or gas allowance of €35 per month by €5, €10 and €15, respectively; the number of persons that are currently in receipt of each allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20238/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Household Benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under the age of 66, who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. My Department will spend approximately €273 million this year on HHB.
In 2022 the estimated cost of the gas and electricity element of the package is €203 million. The gas and electricity element is paid at a rate of €35 per month, 12 months of the year. At the end of March there were 428,818 households in receipt of the electricity element of the HHB and 51,625 in receipt of the gas element.
It is estimated that the average number of recipient households for 2022 will be in excess of 483,000. Based on this, the estimated additional annual costs of the measures proposed are set out in the table below.
|
Proposed Monthly Increase |
Estimated Annual Additional Cost (based on 483,000 recipient households) |
|
€5 |
€29 million |
|
€10 |
€58 million |
|
€15 |
€87 million |
Any decision to enhance or increase the electricity and gas aspect of the package would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations.
The Government is acutely aware of the increase in consumer prices in recent months, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices. To help mitigate the effects of these rising costs, the Government has announced significant additional expenditure which will make a positive impact on the incomes of all households in our country.
As part of the measures included in the National Energy Security Framework, a further additional lump sum payment of €100 will be paid to all households in receipt of the fuel allowance in the last week of the fuel allowance season – a payment equivalent to over 3 weeks additional fuel allowance. This payment will be provided in mid-May.
This means that low-income households will see an increase of 55% in Fuel Allowance support provided during this Fuel Allowance season compared to last season. A recipient household which would have received €735 in fuel season 2020/2021 would see an increase of €404 to €1,139 in fuel allowance payments in fuel season 2021/2022. When taken in conjunction with the electricity costs emergency benefit payment, due to be paid in April, this household would have received over €600 in additional targeted Government supports over the course of this fuel season. €600 is the equivalent of over 18 weeks additional fuel allowance.
My Department also provides discretionary exceptional needs payments, where appropriate, to people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills. These payments are not ring-fenced or budget limited as they would be if they were drawn from an earmarked fund, but rather are demand led.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1040. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of exceptional needs payments under the supplementary welfare allowance paid in each month from October 2021 to March 2022; the total and individual value of each; the number of heating supplements that were paid in that time; the number of heating supplements that were awarded in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, respectively; the guidance on the awarding of heating supplements provided to community welfare officers; if updated guidance has issued to social welfare officials in 2022 for this payment; if not, if she plans to provide updated guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20239/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department can make a single Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. An urgent needs payment (UNP) may be made to persons who may not normally qualify for supplementary welfare allowance but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or where an alternative is not available at that time. Government has provided €45.75 million for the exceptional and urgent needs schemes in 2022.
The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
While it is not possible to show the payment value for each individual ENP and UNP paid for the months in question, tables 1 and 2 show the breakdown by category of the number and total expenditure of ENPs and UNPs paid in each of the months for October 2021 to end of March 2022.
A Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances that have exceptional heating costs over and above the normal due to ill health, infirmity or a medical condition that has been certified by a Registered General Practitioner and are unable to meet those costs out of household income.
Heating supplements are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme. All the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into account in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Guidance is provided to assist staff and does not limit the discretionary powers available to officers administering the scheme to assist an individual or household in any particular hardship situation which may arise.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the guidance issued to the Community Welfare Service officers on the Heating Supplement scheme is kept under review to ensure that it continues to support those most in need of assistance. If the Deputy has concerns in respect of a particular case he should bring the details to the attention of the Department.
Approximately 1,100 people benefited from this supplement in 2020 and approximately 1,000 in 2021. There are currently 961 claimants in receipt of a heating supplement. Table 3 shows the total number of heating supplement recipients at the end of each month for October 2021 to March 2022.
More generally, my Department also provides discretionary Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) where appropriate to people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills. In 2021, over 2,300 exceptional needs payments totaling almost €750,000 were made to assist with household bills and heating costs. To the end of March 2022, some 780 exceptional needs payments totaling almost €167,000 were made to assist with household bills and heating costs.
Anyone who struggles with heating costs is entitled to make an application for a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance schemes. I would encourage them to contact the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre. There is a national Income Support Helpline in place - 0818-800024 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 - The number by category of ENPs and UNPs paid in October/ November/December 2021, and January/February/March 2022.
|
Category |
October 2021 |
November 2021 |
December 2021 |
January 2022 |
February 2022 |
March 2022 |
|
Bills |
124 |
147 |
106 |
125 |
148 |
197 |
|
Child Related |
161 |
193 |
129 |
128 |
170 |
172 |
|
Clothing |
865 |
975 |
809 |
531 |
630 |
1,280 |
|
Funeral |
202 |
222 |
137 |
193 |
252 |
238 |
|
General |
1,213 |
1,298 |
1,351 |
938 |
1,086 |
1,510 |
|
Housing |
2,009 |
2,117 |
1,844 |
1,557 |
1,834 |
1,781 |
|
Illness |
102 |
115 |
75 |
94 |
104 |
103 |
|
Urgent needs payment |
24 |
36 |
38 |
26 |
25 |
45 |
|
Total |
4,700 |
5,103 |
4,489 |
3,592 |
4,249 |
5,326 |
Table 2 - The total expenditure by category of ENPs and UNPs paid in October/ November/December 2021, and January/February/March 2022.
Note: These figures are taken from the Department's ENP/UNP database and represent a snapshot of ENPs/UNPs as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid. The figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.
|
Category |
October 2021 |
November 2021 |
December 2021 |
January 2022 |
February 2022 |
March 2022 |
|
Bills |
€77,283 |
€112,727 |
€64,757 |
€79,198 |
€79,721 |
€99,643 |
|
Child Related |
€26,622 |
€31,373 |
€21,230 |
€18,670 |
€26,220 |
€26,369 |
|
Clothing |
€104,760 |
€117,494 |
€103,877 |
€62,247 |
€74,844 |
€164,728 |
|
Funeral |
€432,183 |
€444,204 |
€312,845 |
€421,974 |
€576,924 |
€571,588 |
|
General |
€272,448 |
€290,335 |
€327,786 |
€202,818 |
€224,198 |
€338,760 |
|
Housing |
€2,319,620 |
€2,600,017 |
€2,387,573 |
€2,019,290 |
€2,317,537 |
€2,386,875 |
|
Illness |
€13,560 |
€19,440 |
€13,883 |
€14,431 |
€16,325 |
€16,759 |
|
Urgent Needs Payment |
€11,053 |
€21,913 |
€36,016 |
€9,066 |
€26,693 |
€38,115 |
|
Total |
€3,257,529 |
€3,637,503 |
€3,267,967 |
€2,827,694 |
€3,342,462 |
€3,642,837 |
Table 3 - Total number of heating supplement recipients at the end of each month for October 2021 to March 2022
|
Month (end of) |
Total Number of Recipients |
|
October 2021 |
982 |
|
November 2021 |
976 |
|
December 2021 |
977 |
|
January 2022 |
969 |
|
February 2022 |
959 |
|
March 2022 |
961 |
Note: These figures are taken from the Department's Heating Supplement database and represent a snapshot of Heating Supplements as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid. The figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.
1041. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that carers in receipt of carer’s benefit or carer’s allowance are not also entitled to any illness or sickness benefit like other workers, if they are off work from their part-time work due to illness or sickness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20248/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a wide range of illness, disability and caring related payments. Expenditure on Carer's Allowance amounted to over €930 million in 2021, and expenditure was over €47 million on Carer’s Benefit. The projected expenditure on Carer’s Allowance in 2022 is approximately €990 million, and €48 million on Carer’s Benefit.
Illness Benefit is the main payment provided to those who are covered by social insurance and cannot work due to illness of any kind. Enhanced Illness Benefit was introduced on a temporary basis in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and is paid to those who have been diagnosed or are self-isolating with Covid-19.
If a person’s Carer’s Allowance is less than the rate of Illness Benefit or enhanced Illness Benefit, they can apply for a top up payment from the Illness Benefit section, subject to meeting the eligibility and medical criteria for the payment. Illness Benefit is not payable with Carer’s Benefit.
There is a general principle of one person, one payment, which applies across the Irish social welfare system. Given the contingency-based nature of this system, it can happen that a person may experience more than one contingency at the same time, but generally, as these payments are to help them meet their income needs, they can receive only one of those payments. This principle is common to social security systems across the world.
I do not intend to amend the rules that govern the payment of these schemes at this time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1042. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are available to parents of children who are off school due to Covid-19 for time off work in this scenario. [20249/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhere a parent needs to take time off work because their child is off school due to Covid-19 they can ask their employer for paid leave. Employers may be flexible in assisting employees with care arrangements. This could include offering paid compassionate leave, allowing a person to work from home or altering their shift pattern where possible. These arrangements are discretionary arrangements agreed between employers and workers and, as such, are outside the realm of Social Welfare legislation.
Where a person cannot arrange for paid leave from their employer, they can apply for leave under a statutory scheme such as force majeure leave. Force majeure leave is leave with pay for urgent family reasons owing to the injury or illness of an immediate relative.
Parental Leave allows parents take unpaid leave from work to spend time looking after their children. A person can take up to 26 weeks’ parental leave for each eligible child before their 12th birthday. Normally a person is required to give their employer 6 weeks’ notice if they want to take or Parental leave, but employers can be asked to waive this notice period.
Parents can also avail of their entitlement to Parent's Leave. Parent’s leave entitles each parent to 5 weeks’ leave during the first 2 years of a child’s life, or in the case of adoption, within 2 years of the placement of the child with the family. Parent’s Benefit of €250 per week is paid to eligible parents who satisfy certain PRSI conditions while on Parent’s Leave. As with Parental Leave, employers can be asked to waive the six-weeks' notice period required for Parent's Leave.
Arrangements for statutory leave such as Force Majeure, Parental Leave and Parent's Leave are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
An Exceptional Needs Payment, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, is a single payment to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional costs, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1043. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a domiciliary care allowance appeal decision will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20287/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1044. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the special measures her Department is taking to reduce energy usage in the scenario in which members of the public are being asked to do the same. [20300/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and its agencies are part of the Public Sector Energy Reporting Programme run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and use the online national energy monitoring and reporting (M&R) system to report annual energy performance data.
According to the most recent SEAI Annual Report 2021 on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance, as at end-2020, an energy saving of 42% was recorded by my Department against the set 2009 baseline figures, which surpasses the 2020 Public Sector Energy target of 33%.
To help achieve these results my Department participates in the Optimising Power at Work energy-saving scheme organised by the Office of Public Works.
We have upgraded and replaced old premises, plant and equipment which use energy inefficiently. Our current focus is on upgrading to LED lighting and replacement of inefficient heating/cooling systems, and these projects have been completed in a number of locations.
Energy efficiency training is provided to key staff with responsibility for accommodation, who actively monitor and report local consumption each month to determine prevailing trends in energy use across the Department’s offices, and so that corrective action can be taken where required.
My Department has developed a set of energy efficient guidelines for staff, for the management of the energy usage of heating, lighting, air and ventilation systems (HVAC), together with a computer/peripheral equipment shutdown procedure. Department staff are regularly reminded to switch off office equipment and pay attention to their local energy consumption. They are also encouraged to submit online their comments or ideas on improving energy efficiency.
I am pleased to say that in June 2021 my Department was the first government Department awarded certification in ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management. ISO 50001 is an internationally-recognised standard in best-practice energy management. Successful completion of regular audits is required to retain this accreditation.
1045. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients and the level of funding in the past five years paid to recipients of the fuel allowance in tabular form; the number of families the fuel allowance has supported; her planned changes to take account of the increased cost of energy for families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20311/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs; it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33.00; or if preferred, by way of two lump sum payments; and is paid over the winter season. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.
The table below provides the information as requested by the Deputy.
Expenditure and Fuel Allowance recipients by year 2017-2021
|
Year |
€million |
Number of recipients at year end |
|
2017 |
229 |
370,631* |
|
2018 |
240.2 |
380,463 |
|
2019 |
234.81 |
369,255 |
|
2020 |
290.45 |
375,269 |
|
2021** |
316.5 (estimated) |
374,861 |
*2017 recipients excludes recipients on TÚS, Community Employment and Rural Social Schemes (average 12,000 p.a.)
**actual expenditure for 2021 is not yet available
The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs. As part of the overall welfare budget package of €600m in increases secured for 2022, I increased the Fuel Allowance payment by €5 per week, effective from Budget night. I also increased the weekly income threshold for Fuel Allowance by €20, and from September 2022 I am reducing the qualifying period for those in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance or Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance to access the fuel allowance payment to 12 months.
Further Government measures were announced to help mitigate the effects of rising energy costs. As part of these measures totaling over half a billion euro, an additional lump sum payment of €125 was paid to all households in receipt of the fuel allowance payment, at an estimated additional cost of €49m.
As part of the recently announced measures included in the National Energy Security Framework, a further additional lump sum payment of €100 will be paid to all households in receipt of fuel allowance in the last week of the (2021/22) fuel allowance season – a payment equivalent to over 3 weeks additional fuel allowance. It is planned to make this €100 payment in mid-May.
This means that low-income households will see an increase of 55% in fuel allowance support provided during the 2021/2022 fuel allowance season compared to the previous season. A recipient household which would have received €735 in fuel season 2020/2021 would see an increase of €404 to €1,139 in fuel allowance payments in fuel season 2021/2022. When taken in conjunction with the electricity costs emergency benefit payment, due to be paid in April, this household would have received over €600 in additional targeted Government supports over the course of this fuel season - the equivalent of over 18 weeks additional fuel allowance.
My Department also provides discretionary exceptional needs payments, where appropriate, to people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills. These payments are not ring-fenced or budget limited as they would be if they were drawn from an earmarked fund, but rather are demand led. Applications are considered on a case by case basis.
The provision of any further additional supports would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1046. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for redundancy was made for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20333/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Redundancy Payments Act 1967, as amended, provides for the making of payments by employers to employees in respect of redundancy. It is the employer’s responsibility to pay statutory redundancy payments to all eligible employees. If an employer is unable to pay due to financial difficulties, an application for payment from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) may be submitted to my Department.
The application process for the Redundancy Payment Scheme changed on 5 July 2021. Employers or their representatives should submit applications using the Department’s online service – WelfarePartners.ie. To access the service, employers require a certificate which is generated using the Revenue Online Service – ROS.ie. The certificate is called a DSP sub-cert.
As of Tuesday 19 April 2022, no application has been received in respect of the person concerned.
1047. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a jobseeker’s allowance application will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20357/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker's Allowance (JA) is a means tested payment for people who are unable to obtain full time employment and satisfy the schemes qualifying conditions.
Social welfare legislation provides that where a person aged under 25 year of age claims Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) or Supplementary Welfare Allowance and is living with a parent or step-parent in the family home, an assessment is made of the yearly value of any benefit and privilege enjoyed by that person by virtue of residing there. The value of the benefit and privilege assessed is based on the level of the parents' assessable income.
In this instance, last week, the person concerned was deemed not entitled to a JA payment on the grounds that the calculation of the weekly means was more than the amount of JA that would be payable to her based on her family circumstances. However since then my Department has been infomed of a recent change in family circumstances and provided with new updated income details. This has resulted in a reduced rate SWA claim being awarded to her. The JA claim will also be reviewed and a revised decision will be made this week.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1048. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of State pension payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20369/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of the correct rate of State pension (contributory), commensurate with their social insurance record as held by my Department. They have 520 qualifying paid social insurance contributions, 78 reckonable credits and 518 homecaring credits from their date of entry into insurable employment, 21 May 1972 to December 2018. This gives an entitlement to 53.65% of the State pension contributory rate of payment.
An application for an Increase for qualified adult allowance (IQA) was received on 8 July 2021. The weekly means were assessed at €330.00 which exceeds the statutory limit of €310. The State pension (contributory) recipient was notified of this decision in writing on 12 July 2021 and was afforded the right of review and/or appeal.
If the circumstances change, it is open to them to re-apply for the Increase for qualified adult.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1049. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend eligibility for the fuel allowance to persons employed through the job initiative scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20371/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1050. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of extending eligibility for the fuel allowance to persons employed through the job initiative scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20372/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1049 and 1050 together.
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to the Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for fuel a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and satisfy all relevant qualifying conditions.
The Job Initiative Scheme provided full-time employment for people 35 years of age or over, who had been unemployed for 5 years or more. Since November 2004, there has been no recruitment to the Scheme. Since January 2004 participants on the Job Initiative Scheme could no longer retain their entitlement to Fuel Allowance while participating on the scheme. This decision was taken as the minimum rate of payment to participants on the scheme was significantly higher than the rate of qualifying Social Welfare payments.
The minimum rate of payment to a Job Initiative participant is still significantly higher than most Social Welfare primary payments, including payments such as Illness Benefit and Jobseeker's Benefit, which are also non qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance. Participants on the Job Initiative Scheme are also considered to be in full time employment and not in receipt of a Social Welfare support payment.
The estimated annual cost of extending eligibility for the fuel allowance to persons employed through the job initiative scheme would be in the region of €0.44 million. However, additional cost is not the only feature of the Deputy's proposal. Awarding the fuel allowance payment to the cohort of people referred to by the Deputy would fundamentally change the nature of the scheme. The scheme would no longer be a targeted measure, as it would be awarded irrespective of a person's or a household's means. The measure would also result in multiple payments of Fuel Allowance in households that have more than one of the cohort of people referred to by the Deputy residing in them.
Any decision to extend the qualifying criteria for Fuel Allowance in the manner outlined by the Deputy could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary and policy context and the availability of financial resources.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme a special heating supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances. Exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet from his / her own resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1051. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to ensure all persons employed through the job initiative scheme are in receipt of a living wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20373/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1052. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of ensuring all persons employed through the job initiative scheme are in receipt of a living wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20374/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1071. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to compensate participants on the job initiative scheme for losses in their income over recent years as has been done in relation to pay restoration in the Civil Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20687/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1051, 1052 and 1071 together.
Job Initiative (JI) is an employment support scheme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities. The Budget for 2022 is just over €11.8 million.
JI participants work on a fulltime basis of 39 hours per week. Recruitment onto the scheme ceased from November 2004. At the end of March 2022, there were 469 JI participants employed by managing agents.
Participants are employed and paid weekly by a JI managing agent. The Department funds wages for team leaders and participants along with a grant to contribute towards the running costs of the scheme in respect of administration, materials, overheads, training and development. The JI rate for participants has increased from €420 in 2016 to €461 in 2022. The current rate for JI participants is for 39 hours per week and equates to €11.82 per hour, which is above the current minimum wage of €10.50 per hour. In addition, JI participants can also receive other Social Welfare benefits such as the annual Christmas Bonus.
The Low Pay Commission makes recommendations to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, on a fair and sustainable minimum wage. In 2021, the Low Pay Commission was requested to examine the Programme for Government commitment to progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government and to make recommendations on the best approach.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment recently received the Low Pay Commission’s report and recommendations on the progression to a living wage and is currently reviewing the Commission’s recommendations. Therefore, at this stage it is not possible to provide an estimate of the cost of moving any specific group of workers, such as JI participants, to a living wage.
The Government is acutely aware of the increase in consumer prices in recent months, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices. To help mitigate the effects of these rising costs, the Government have recently introduced additional expenditure measures to a total of €505 million.
The Department acknowledges the valuable and dedicated service that JI team leaders and JI participants provide in delivering local based community services.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputies.
1053. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if funding (details supplied) that has been allocated has been drawn down and spent; if there has been a follow-up or appraisal of the funding given under the various programmes or headings; if any of the allocated funding has been recouped or unspent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20402/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department provided funding to Mayo County Council in respect of the urban school meals scheme and Community Employment. The urban school meals scheme is for primary schools only. It is operated and administered by the local authorities and is part-financed by this department.
The Department of Social Protection keeps all aspects of its employment and activation programmes under review to ensure that they have the best outcomes for participants. Community Employment(CE) sponsor organisations receive funding for the employment of both CE participants and CE supervisors. Funding is also provided towards training and material costs. The materials grant funded by the Department is a contribution towards the running costs of the scheme. The Department provided additional materials funding of €2 million in Budget 2019 and this additional provision was allocated to the projects that identified a requirement for additional materials funding.
Also, as part of Budget 2020, additional funding of €2 million was made available for CE training purposes. The funding model for CE is such that an advance payment of about 15% of total funding is provided in advance of the annual CE project year. All funding thereafter is on the basis of vouched expenditure and the advance payment is recovered gradually over the project. The funding model does not provide for CE sponsor organisations to hold on to unspent balances.
The following table outlines payments made to Mayo County Council since 2017. Please note the 2021 and 2022 figures are subject to audit.
|
Year |
Urban School Meals Scheme € |
Community Employment € |
|
2017 |
1,794 |
239,385 |
|
2018 |
830 |
185,598 |
|
2019 |
2,741 |
284,409 |
|
2020 |
1,413 |
204,885 |
|
2021 |
1,698 |
168,534 |
|
2022 |
None to date |
89,645 |
|
Total |
8,476 |
1,172,456 |
1054. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the social welfare office in Castlepollard, County Meath has been closed; the person who made the decision to close the office; when the decision was made; the way that the decision was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20451/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department currently has 58 Branch Offices at various locations throughout the country. Each contracted Branch Office is operated and managed under a contract for services, by a Branch Manager who is required to act as an agent for the Department in the area served by the office. Branch Office Managers operate on a contract for service and are independent contractors.
The contract for the delivery of Branch Office services in Castlepollard was due to expire on the 8th of February 2023. However, on March 21st, 2022, the Branch Manager informed the Department of his intention to retire due to extenuating circumstances. The continued provision of Social Welfare services to Castlepollard customers is a high priority issue and the Department will ensure that customers can continue to access supports online and in-person from the Departments offices in Blackhall, Mullingar.
This is an interim arrangement and all options for delivery of the Department’s services in the Castlepollard area are being examined. The Department wishes to assure its customers that an efficient and quality public service, which properly reflects customer needs, will continue to be provided for all our customers in the Castlepollard area.
The Department has a notice in the existing premises to advise customers of the closure and those affected can contact our Intreo Centre in Mullingar by phone (044 9350921) or by emailing mullingar@welfare.ie.
Staff from Mullingar Intreo will be also available in the County Council Offices, Mullingar Road, Castlepollard on Tuesday and Wednesday every week from 09.30 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00 to provide an outreach service for customers. This service has commenced from April 12th, 2022.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1055. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will meet with elected representatives from County Meath regarding the closure of the social welfare office in Castlepollard. [20452/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department currently has 58 Branch Offices at various locations throughout the country. Each contracted Branch Office is operated and managed under a contract for services, by a Branch Manager who is required to act as an agent for the Department in the area served by the office. Branch Office Managers operate on a contract for service and are independent contractors.
The contract for the delivery of Branch Office services in Castlepollard was due to expire on the 8th of February 2023. However, on March 21st, 2022, the Branch Manager informed the Department of his intention to retire due to extenuating circumstances. The continued provision of Social Welfare services to Castlepollard customers is a high priority issue and the Department will ensure that customers can continue to access supports online and in-person from the Departments offices in Blackhall, Mullingar.
This is an interim arrangement and all options for delivery of the Department’s services in the Castlepollard area are being examined. The Department wishes to assure its customers that an efficient and quality public service, which properly reflects customer needs, will continue to be provided for all our customers in the Castlepollard area.
The Department has a notice in the existing premises to advise customers of the closure and those affected can contact our Intreo Centre in Mullingar by phone (044 9350921) or by emailing mullingar@welfare.ie.
Staff from Mullingar Intreo will be also available in the County Council Offices, Mullingar Road, Castlepollard on Tuesday and Wednesday every week from 09.30 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00 to provide an outreach service for customers. This service has commenced from April 12th, 2022.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1056. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will meet with a group (details supplied) regarding the closure of the social welfare office in Castlepollard. [20453/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department currently has 58 Branch Offices at various locations throughout the country. Each contracted Branch Office is operated and managed under a contract for services, by a Branch Manager who is required to act as an agent for the Department in the area served by the office. Branch Office Managers operate on a contract for service and are independent contractors.
The contract for the delivery of Branch Office services in Castlepollard was due to expire on the 8th of February 2023. However, on March 21st, 2022, the Branch Manager informed the Department of his intention to retire due to extenuating circumstances. The continued provision of Social Welfare services to Castlepollard customers is a high priority issue and the Department will ensure that customers can continue to access supports online and in-person from the Departments offices in Blackhall, Mullingar.
This is an interim arrangement and all options for delivery of the Department’s services in the Castlepollard area are being examined. The Department wishes to assure its customers that an efficient and quality public service, which properly reflects customer needs, will continue to be provided for all our customers in the Castlepollard area.
The Department has a notice in the existing premises to advise customers of the closure and those affected can contact our Intreo Centre in Mullingar by phone (044 9350921) or by emailing mullingar@welfare.ie.
Staff from Mullingar Intreo will be also available in the County Council Offices, Mullingar Road, Castlepollard on Tuesday and Wednesday every week from 09.30 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00 to provide an outreach service for customers. This service has commenced from April 12th, 2022.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1057. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the supplementary welfare allowance budget for Limerick for 2022; the amount of that budget that was available as of 1 April 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20482/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection does not break down the budget allocation of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) by city, county or region. The scheme, which is demand-led, is operated on a national level by my Department.
The 2022 budget allocation for SWA is €123.7m.
Expenditure up to the end of March 2022 is estimated to be €27.3m.
1058. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of supplementary welfare allowance applications that were made in Limerick for 2022 to 1 April 2022; the number that were awarded a payment; the value of same; the number that were refused; the number under appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20483/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1059. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person on low income who is not in receipt of any social protection support income and payments can make an application for the supplementary welfare allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20484/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1058 and 1059 together.
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs).
The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
Rent supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Under the SWA scheme, a supplement can be awarded to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. In addition, officers can make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. Decisions on ENPs and SWA supplements are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
Statistics are maintained on the number of applications awarded under the SWA scheme. Statistics are not maintained on the number of applications received or refused, including over the period January/February/March 2022. My Department is currently compiling more extensive statistics in relation the number of applications made to the SWA schemes in 2022.
As expenditure on the Basic SWA and supplement schemes is reported on an annualised basis, the amounts paid out for the months in question are not available.
Determinations made by Designated Persons in relation to claims for Basic SWA and all the supplements can be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Statistics on appeals for the Basic SWA and supplement schemes are not available on a county basis. Determinations made on ENP/UNP claims can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer. There were no review requests received for UNPs in Co. Limerick for January to March 2022.
Table 1 shows the number of Basic SWA and supplement recipients in Co. Limerick at end of January, February, and March 2022.
Table 2 shows the number and total expenditure for ENPs and UNPs paid in Co. Limerick for
January, February, and March 2022.
Table 3 shows the number of review requests received and the outcomes for ENPs in Co. Limerick for January, February, and March 2022.
I would encourage any person, including persons on low incomes, who consider that they may have an entitlement to a payment under the SWA scheme to contact the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre. There is a national Income Support Helpline in place - 0818-800024 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 - The number of Basic SWA and supplement recipients in Co. Limerick at end of January, February, and March 2022.
|
Month (end of) |
Basic SWA |
Rent Supplement |
Other Supplements |
|
January |
363 |
267 |
480 |
|
February |
366 |
262 |
471 |
|
March |
680 |
247 |
465 |
Table 2 - The number and total expenditure for ENPs and UNPs paid in Co. Limerick for January, February, and March 2022.
|
Month |
No. of ENPs |
ENP expenditure |
No. of UNPs |
UNP expenditure |
|
January |
192 |
€150,823 |
0 |
0 |
|
February |
210 |
€212,972 |
5 |
€8,830 |
|
March |
219 |
€141,899 |
1 |
€1,000 |
|
Total |
621 |
€505,694 |
6 |
€9,830 |
Note: These figures are taken from the Department’s ENP/UNP database and represent a snapshot of the ENPs/UNPs as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid. Please note the figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.
Table 3 - The number of review requests received and the outcomes for ENPs in Co. Limerick for January, February, and March 2022.
|
ENP Reviews |
January |
February |
March |
|
ENP Review Requests Received |
6 |
0 |
3 |
|
ENP Reviews In-Progress |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
ENP Reviews Completed |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
ENP Allowed Following Review |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
ENP Disallowed Following Review |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1060. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has conducted an analysis of the potential impact of long-Covid on those in receipt of jobseekers’ payments and other social protection payments as well as persons who are currently employed but who may need to take significant amounts of sick leave; if she will make such an analysis available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20553/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is generally not contingent on the nature of the illness or disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work. Against that background, analysis was not undertaken to investigate the impact of long-Covid on different cohorts of recipients of Department of Social Protection payments.
In March 2020, the Government provided for entitlement to Illness Benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or are a probable source of infection with Covid-19. At €350 per week, the rate of payment is higher than the normal maximum personal rate of illness benefit, for a limited period.
In a case where a person who contracted Covid-19 and was awarded enhanced Illness Benefit continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility. Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type and who are covered by Pay Related Social Insurance contributions. Illness Benefit is payable for up to two years, depending on satisfying the eligibility conditions.
If a person continues to be incapable of work after two years, they can apply for Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance.
Invalidity Pension is a social insurance payment for those who are permanently incapable of work. This payment is not means tested.
Disability Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment for those who cannot work due to an illness or disability and who are not covered by social insurance.
If a person on Jobseeker's Allowance develops a long-term illness or disability, they can apply to transfer to Disability Allowance.
It is possible for a person on Jobseeker's Benefit who contracts Covid-19 to extend their time on a social insurance payment by transferring from Jobseeker’s Benefit to enhanced Illness Benefit. Enhanced Illness Benefit payment is payable if a person has been in employment or self-employment in the four- week period prior to being medically certified as either required to self-isolate as a possible source of infection or diagnosed with Covid-19 itself. If they continue to be ill, they can apply to transfer to standard Illness Benefit until their entitlement expires. They can then transfer back to their jobseeker payment if they are still eligible. If an individual on Jobseeker’s Benefit has not worked in the four weeks prior to contracting Covid-19, they can apply to transfer directly to standard Illness Benefit.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1061. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has conducted an analysis of the cost of extending the child benefit payment to all second level students over the age of 18 years; if there are plans to extend the payment in this way as a response to the cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20567/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 18th birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability. Child Benefit is currently paid to over 631,000 families in respect of almost 1.2 million children with an estimated expenditure of more than €2.1 billion in 2022.
There are currently no plans to extend Child Benefit in respect of full-time students in second level education who are over 18 years of age. Such an extension would have significant cost implications, estimated at €33 million, and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
Families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
- Increase for a Qualified Child (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments;
- the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
- the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with older children participating in full-time education. As part of Budget 2022, I increased the rates for a qualified child aged under 12 by €2 to €40 per week, and for a qualified child aged 12 or older by €3 to €48 per week, from January. I increased the level of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance by €10 to €160 for each child aged 4 to 11 years and to €285 for each child aged 12 and over. I also equalised the income limits for one and two parent households, thereby making it easier for lone parents to qualify for that payment.
The Government recognised the challenges of rising prices last October in Budget 2022 when we brought in a package of tax and social welfare measures worth over €1 billion. In February, the Government agreed a further package of €505 million, including the €200 energy credit and a lump sum payment of €125 for those in receipt of the fuel allowance. Last month the Government brought in a further tax measure, to immediately reduce the cost of fuels for families and businesses.
Budget 2022 also provided for a €10 weekly increase in the income limits for Working Family Payment, and I am pleased that this has now come into effect from April, 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1062. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20576/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 7 April 2022. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a decision on the appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
