Written Answers Nos. 371-390
371. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the diet supplement was discontinued; if she will detail the supports that currently exist to help people who have been prescribed a particular diet which frequently costs more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22388/24]
View answerDiet supplement, administered under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, is payable to qualifying persons, in receipt of the supplement prior to February 2014, who have been prescribed a special diet because of a specified medical condition. There are currently 1,021 people in receipt of diet supplement.
A review of the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute was commissioned by the Department during 2013. The research showed that the average costs across all the retail outlets of the diets supplemented under the scheme could be met from within one-third of the minimum personal rate of social welfare payment, i.e. the Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate, which was then paid at €186 per week (and is currently paid at €230 per week). The diet supplement scheme was discontinued for new applicants from 1 February 2014 based on this evidence.
Recipients continue to receive the diet supplement at their existing rate of payment for as long as they continue to have an entitlement to the scheme or until their circumstances change. This ensured that nobody was immediately worse off by the closure of the scheme.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance 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 scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance 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 Additional Needs Payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. Decisions on Additional Needs Payments and 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.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to financial support should contact their local Community Welfare Service for assistance. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818 607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
372. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the challenges faced by many community pre-schools (details supplied) due to the fact that the school meals programme funding does not cover the costs associated with providing food and drink for children; the steps she is taking to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22393/24]
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.
Funding under the School Meals Programme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided.
Entry to the School Meals Programme had been confined to DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) schools in addition to schools identified by the Department of Education as having levels of concentrated disadvantage meaning that their students would benefit from access to the programme.
Prior to the introduction of DEIS in 2005, all schools and organisations that were part of one of a number of Department of Education's initiatives for disadvantaged schools were eligible to participate in the programme. These schools and organisations have continued to remain in the scheme since the introduction of DEIS in 2005, but their level of funding has been capped at the same rate year on year to allow for the concentration of the scheme on DEIS schools. The pre-school referred to by the Deputy is one of these organisations. My Department allocated €4,250 to this pre-school for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Early Years Services Regulations (Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016) state that Early Learning and Care Services must ensure that all children in attendance receive a nutritious diet that takes account of individual needs and preferences. Under these regulations, Early Learning and Care Services are required to develop a Policy on Healthy Eating. The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate inspects the policy using these regulations and requirements.
I understand that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has undertaken a pilot on the delivery of hot meals and additional nutrition in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) settings, and that the learning from this pilot will be incorporated into future possible actions of the proposed Equal Start funding model that will be announced shortly.
Any further steps regarding the meal programme for pre-schools is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
373. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for carer’s allowance submitted on 16 October (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22394/24]
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.
I can confirm that CA is in payment to the person concerned since 3 March 2016.
Correspondence was received from the person concerned on the 11 July 2023 advising of a change in their circumstances. Following receipt of this correspondence, a review of means commenced on 29 September 2023 and an information request issued to the person concerned.
Following receipt of information, the matter was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to assess means and to confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA were satisfied.
Once the SWI reported, the Deciding Officer determined that the person concerned was entitled to an increase in their weekly rate of CA (full rate and an increase for 2 x qualified children) effective from 6 July 2023. On 7 May 2024 the person concerned was informed of this decision, the CA rate breakdown and also of their right of review and/or appeal.
Arrears of €6,493.00 in respect of the period from 6 July 2023 to 6 May 2024 issued to the person on 16 May 2024 along with their weekly CA payment.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
374. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer’s allowance will be approved as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22398/24]
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.
I confirm that an application for CA from the person concerned was received on 23 February 2024. Further information in respect of the application was requested from the person concerned on 28 February 2024.
Following receipt of information, the matter was then referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 10 April 2024 to confirm that full-time care is being provided, assess all means and to confirm that all the conditions for the receipt of CA are satisfied.
The SWI has advised that they will meet with the person this week. Once the SWI has completed their report, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
375. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection when the circular providing guidance to social welfare offices on the new rules regarding disregarding maintenance payments for existing JSA/transitional JSA claimants will be issued. [22402/24]
View answerA Circular for One-Parent Family and Jobseeker's Transitional Payments is currently being prepared which will provide guidance on the new rules regarding disregarding maintenance payments paid to a person in respect of a child.
Once the legislation has been finalised guidance for staff will issue.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
376. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she would consider establishing a review of the possibility of including more fresh fruit and vegetables in the school meals programme; and to develop measures to minimise waste from uneaten food or containers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22405/24]
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.
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. Late last year, these schools were invited to participate in the Hot School Meals Programme from 8th April 2024. The remaining primary schools who have not yet joined the scheme have been contacted to express an interest to receive Hot School Meals from September 2024.
Under tender documentation as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, the school meal supplier is responsible for operating policies which progressively addresses environmental considerations such as waste and packaging. The method and logistics of supplying the meals is decided by the school. Under tender documentation as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, the school is committed to the principles of environmental management in its activities and it encourages the implementation of sustainability principles in its procurement practices and that the supplier should make all reasonable efforts to minimise adverse environmental impact in the methods of services delivery and in materials used.
In addition under tender documentation as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, the successful service provider is to provide fresh, seasonal nutritious produce (organic where possible), fruits, vegetables, grains, other foods, that may be new to students. The menu is to include a range of locally sourced items along with a greater use of sustainable food, for example, in season produce, high animal welfare standards on meat, free range eggs, marine conservation certified fish, fair trade produce, produce from certified organic source.
My Department provides funding directly to schools to enable them to source and provide meals that meet the Healthy Ireland Nutritional Standards for School Meals which were developed by a working group led by the Health and Wellbeing Programme, in consultation with Safefood and the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive. The Nutritional Standards specify what fruit and vegetables should be provided with each meal type in addition to providing guidance on serving sizes.
Responsibility for sourcing the meals is a matter for the Board of Management of each school, but to secure funding they must first 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. Funding is not provided to schools who do not commit to this undertaking and can be withdrawn if they do not adhere to the standards set out. My Department does monitor adherence to the standards including through site visits.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
377. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a decision on their domiciliary care allowance application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22414/24]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance is payable in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. Eligibility for DCA is based on the child's ongoing additional care needs.
In line with other Social Protection schemes, Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is subject to review to ensure that the qualifying conditions for the scheme continue to be met.
A Deciding Officer wrote to the person concerned on 3 August 2023 advising that their continued entitlement to DCA in respect of their child was under review. This communication also advised the claimant of the right to submit any further relevant information / documentary evidence if applicable, in support of that review.
Further to the above communication, a Deciding Officer decided as per decision dated 5 December 2023, that the person concerned was no longer entitled to DCA with effect from 30 November 2023, as their child no longer satisfied the medical criteria for DCA, based on all available information, including the further medical evidence provided by the claimant as part of that review. The person concerned was notified of that review decision in writing on 5 December 2023, the reason for the decision and of the right of review and / or appeal.
The person concerned appealed the above decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
Prior to the appeal and subsequent to the receipt of further information and documentation (medical evidence) received from the person concerned on 26 March 2024, a Deciding Officer conducted a further review of the DCA claim. Following this review, a Deciding Officer decided not to revise the above decision, as per further decision dated 17 April 2024.
The file was submitted to the SWAO on 13 May 2024, for determination by an Appeals Officer. The SWAO will notify the person concerned directly of the appeal outcome in due course.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
378. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for a contributory state pension and if their contribution record can be provided. [22431/24]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 28 June 2023. To date, there is no record of receipt of an application for state pension (contributory).
In order for entitlement to be determined, an application must be submitted to my department. I have arranged for an application form to issue along with a copy of their insurance record.
On receipt of the completed application, their entitlement will be examined and they will notified of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
379. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing each weekly social welfare payment to meet the minimum essential standard of living for 2024 as detailed by an organisation (details supplied) in tabular form. [22436/24]
View answer380. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing each weekly social welfare payment to meet the minimum essential standard of living for 2025 as detailed by an organisation (details supplied) in tabular form. [22437/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together.
The Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) is an assessment of the minimum income needed to live and partake in the social and economic norms of everyday life for various household types.
One of the benefits of the work of the Vincentian MESL Research Centre is that it provides an analysis of the different levels of income needed for a wide range of household types, including the different costs that arise for households in rural and urban locations.
For instance, the 2023 MESL Annual Update, published last year, shows the differences in the cost of meeting households needs in urban and rural areas. Differentiating social welfare payment rates based on location is problematic and it is therefore not possible to accurately cost the increased cost of raising social welfare rates to the different MESL rates due to differences in location, household composition and service usage.
The work of the MESL also highlights issues that may be better solved with greater access to services, rather than increases in income. In this regard, having access to secondary benefits such as medical cards and supports in the areas of housing and childcare can result in significant reductions in the minimum income standards needed by households, which presents another difficulty in using the MESL as a benchmark for the level of social welfare payments alone.
For these reasons, while not used as a benchmark in and of itself, the work of the Vincentian MESL Research Centre at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is and will continue to be a valuable input into the policy-making process.
The MESL Report for 2024 and 2025 have yet to be published. The 2024 MESL Report is due to be published on June 18th 2024.
381. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the appeal for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22439/24]
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 8 April 2024. 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 summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
382. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine a matter (details supplied). [22492/24]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
My Department is committed to making services and information accessible to all, irrespective of age, ability, or disability. The primary information sources include local Intreo Centres, Social Welfare Offices, and Citizens Information Centres, where staff are available to assist.
Where someone is experiencing financial difficulties, they should contact their Local Intreo Centre, as they may be eligible for a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, including an Exceptional Needs Payment for essential expenses.
My Department’s communications adhere to guidelines from the Customer Communications Toolkit for the Public Service and the Plain English Style Guide for the Public Service. We collaborate with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) to ensure our materials are accessible. Furthermore Gov.ie strives to meet AA Standards of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 to enhance accessibility. We continuously update our content based on user feedback and reduce the use of PDFs due to their challenges with assistive technology. My Department also has Access Officers dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities. Contact information for our Access Officers is available on gov.ie.
Regarding the means test for Disability Allowance, this includes income and assets from various sources, with specific disregards and assessments. The Department periodically reviews claims in payment to ensure that there is a continued entitlement. Without specific customer details, a comprehensive response cannot be provided to address this person’s means enquiry.
If the Deputy wishes to provide the details of his constituent's case, I will ask my officials to examine the specific payment entitlement.
383. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people (details supplied) whose PPS number was active, by county that is, in receipt of benefits or paying taxes between 1 February and 1 April 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22496/24]
View answerThe number of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine in receipt of welfare supports at end January 2024, end February 2024 or end March 2024 stood at 76,633 persons. This figure includes children and adults of all ages. The data by county requested by the Deputy is shown in the following table.
Information on taxes paid is relevant to the Revenue Commissioners and is not available to the Department of Social Protection.
Note that the Central Statistics Office publishes detailed statistics on Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine in their ‘Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland’ release and on their Information Hub ‘Ireland's Relationship with Ukrainian People and their Economy’.
Awaiting additional information from Department.
384. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the payments made to an applicant seeking international protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22512/24]
View answerMy department administers the Daily Expenses Allowance which is paid to international protection applicants who reside in, or are waiting for, accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services. The current weekly rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. An increased rate of €113.80 per week for an adult applies where a person is unaccommodated and is on a waiting list for IPAS accommodation.
The Habitual Residence Condition is a social welfare condition that a person must satisfy to receive a social assistance payment. Generally, international protection applicants who have not yet been granted protection will not qualify for social welfare payments that are subject to the Habitual Residence Condition.
Applicants for international protection have full access to the labour market where they have been awaiting a first instance decision on their application for international protection for six months or more.
Where an international protection applicant has been granted access to the labour market, they have access to Working Family Payment and some may qualify for benefit schemes linked to PRSI contributions if they are working for a sufficient period of time.
In addition, all applicants for international protection are eligible to apply for an additional needs payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help with essential expenses that they cannot meet from their own resources. Additional Needs Payments are subject to an assessment of the person’s means and the necessity of the expenditure. Entitlement only arises where a person can demonstrate that the expenditure is essential and that they have no means of funding the expenditure themselves.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
385. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that are being taken to assist self-employed persons in obtaining sick leave based on their contribution record in the event of their cancer diagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22513/24]
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. The person must have made the required number of contributions under Class A, E, H or P to qualify. In general, self-employed people make PRSI contributions at Class S which does not provide entitlement for illness benefit. In cases where an illness may continue for a prolonged period, disability allowance and invalidity pension are long-term illness related payments which might be more suitable.
Illness benefit is funded by the Social Insurance Fund through PRSI contributions. The Fund is central to our social protection system and the Government needs to ensure that it can provide adequate and sustainable social insurance pensions and benefits for a growing and ageing population.Self-employed people pay contributions to the Fund at a lower rate of 4%. This is 11 percentage points lower than the combined employer and employee contribution of 15.05% made in respect of employed contributors. However, self-employed contributors do have access to over 90% of benefits available to employed contributors. including;
• Adoptive Benefit;
• Guardian's Payment (Contributory);
• Invalidity Pension;
• Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed);
• Maternity Benefit;
• Parent's Benefit;
• Partial Capacity Benefit (where in receipt of Invalidity Pension);
• Paternity Benefit;
• State Pension (Contributory);
• Benefit Payment for 65 year olds;
• Treatment Benefit; and
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension.
The only benefits that Class S PRSI does not provide access to are carer's benefit, health and safety benefit, illness benefit, and occupational injuries benefits.
In circumstances where people are ill but do not qualify for illness benefit, my Department provides means tested supports under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. An additional needs payment may also be available to people who have expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income.
Any changes to the illness benefit scheme would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context, including the contribution rates for self-employed contributors.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
386. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she remains committed to meet the formal benchmark target of 34% of average earnings for State pension contributory payments as per the Government's ‘Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023'; if she has a timeframe to meet this target; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22518/24]
View answerA Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018 - 2023 committed to:
(i) set a formal benchmark of 34% of average earnings for State pension contributory payments, and
(ii) Institute a process whereby future changes in pension rates of payment are explicitly linked to changes in the consumer price index and average wages.
The approach proposed by the Department, known as the smoothed earnings approach, was subsequently endorsed by the Pensions Commission.Government subsequently decided that the Department of Social Protection would, in submitting budget options, set out a rate of pension payment calculated using the smoothed earnings benchmark approach as an input for consideration as part of overall Budget discussions, on an annual basis.
I can confirm that this calculation was prepared and submitted to Government as part of preparations for Budget 2024. In assessing Budget options, and taking account of this calculation, Government was mindful that the cost of living pressures are most acute over the winter period. For that reason, rather than taking a simplistic approach to applying an indexed rate of increase to weekly rates of payment, the Government decided to 'front-load' supports through the provision of once-off payments, including extra payments for pensioners receiving Fuel Allowance, those in receipt of carer’s payments and those living alone.
These payments were provided in addition, not only to the €12 increase in the weekly payment rate, but to the double week payments delivered in December last and this January. This combination of once-off payments in conjunction with the €12 weekly rate increase, not only exceeds the value of a benchmarked increase but ensures that a significant proportion of this value is delivered when people need it most over the winter period. For example, the value of the double payments for a single pensioner is €542.60 – equivalent to over €10 per week from these two payments alone. Pensioners living alone, and in receipt of Fuel Allowance will have received bonus payments of €500 – equivalent to a value of about a further €10 per week. In addition, the ESRI post-Budget analysis shows that the approach taken by the Government is progressive in nature and that households, including pensioner households, are better off compared to a purely indexed linked approach.
The smoothed earnings calculation will be assessed in the coming months and submitted for consideration of Government as part of the preparations in advance of Budget 2025.
Any changes to the State Pensions, both Contributory and non-Contributory would need to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
387. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection to advise what percentage of average earnings the State pension (contributory) rate is currently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22519/24]
View answerThe Roadmap for Social Inclusion contains a commitment to develop a benchmarking approach for use in adjusting the value of State pension payments. The approach proposed by the Department, known as the 'smoothed earnings' approach, was subsequently endorsed by the Pensions Commission. Government subsequently decided that the Department of Social Protection would, in submitting budget options, set out a rate of pension payment calculated using the smoothed earnings benchmark approach as an input for consideration as part of overall Budget discussions, on an annual basis.
The smoothed earnings benchmark references both price and earnings elements in its calculation. The relevant CSO earnings statistic, published quarterly, is the Average weekly earnings, excluding irregular and overtime earnings. The smoothed earnings calculation averages this statistic over the most recently available 4 quarters of CSO data.
The current State Pension rate of €277.30 per week.
Average weekly earnings, excluding irregular and overtime earnings, is produced by the CSO, and is available on the CSO website (EHQ03, Average Earnings, Hours Worked, Employment and Labour Costs).
The CSO has released final values for this statistic in respect of Q1, Q2 and Q3 of 2023 and a preliminary value for Q4 2023.
Averaged over these four quarters, average weekly earnings are €834.70. The State Pension rate of €277.30 per week currently represents 33.2% of average weekly earnings.
Any changes to the State Pensions, both Contributory and non-Contributory would need to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context. The smoothed earnings calculation will be assessed in the coming months and submitted for consideration of Government as part of the preparations in advance of Budget 2025.
388. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of the funding allocation made available under the free travel scheme to all private transport operators. [22570/24]
View answerThe Free Travel scheme is available to people over 66 years and to people in receipt of certain social welfare payments who are under 66 years. From 29th July 2024, Free Travel is also available to persons who are medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months. Free Travel recipients must be permanently resident in the State. The scheme permits travel for free on most public transport services, Luas, Local Link and 82 private operators. Free travel is also available on cross border journeys, and within Northern Ireland, for those over age 66.
At the end of April 2024, there were 1,099,732 qualified primary recipients; and the total number of beneficiaries increases to over 1.8 million when spouse and companion passes are included.
My Department is not in a position to provide an individual breakdown per private transport operator, as this is commercially sensitive.
Below is a table of total payments made to all private transport operators in my Department’s Free Travel scheme for the last 5 years.
|
2019 |
€14,772,363.79 |
|
2020 |
€15,958,086.63 |
|
2021 |
€15,663,090.80 |
|
2022 |
€15,510,349.26 |
|
2023 |
€16,471,089.24 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
389. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a travel allowance for international protection applicants to attend medical appointments remote from their accommodation centre has been cut; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22572/24]
View answerThe supplementary welfare allowance 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.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. This can include assistance with transport costs incurred for attending hospital appointments where there are no other supports available.
The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need.
This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Other State supports that may already be available to the person are also considered.
If an International Protection Applicant has exhausted all other options and can provide evidence from the Health Service Executive and International Protection Accommodation Services (if appropriate) that they are unable to provide assistance with transportation and that there is no financial assistance available from another source, they can be considered for assistance under the Additional Needs Payment scheme.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
390. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated yearly cost of increasing the rate of jobseeker's allowance for all young people aged under 25 in line with the maximum person rate for those aged over 25; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22573/24]
View answerThe estimated full year cost of increasing the rate of payment by an additional €90.30, from €141.70 to €232 per week, is €73 million. This includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults and those on an age-reduced rate of Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
This costing is based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2024, and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
Any increase in the rate of payment for Jobseeker's Allowance for those aged under 25, and consequential linked increases, would need to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
