Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:281. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person can receive fuel allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39730/24]
View answerSocial Welfare Benefits
Questions (281)
Written answers
The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April to assist households with their energy costs.
The threshold for the fuel allowance means test for those aged over 70 increased from January 2024 to €512 for a single person and €1,024 for a couple without the need to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment.
An application for fuel allowance from the person concerned was received by my Department on 22 August 2024. It was decided on 17 September 2024 that the person concerned was not entitled to a fuel allowance as their weekly means of €1,113.75 exceeds the income threshold to qualify for fuel allowance.
If the person’s circumstances change, it is open to them to reapply for fuel allowance.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (282)
Bernard Durkan
Question:282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39733/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (283)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:283. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a pensioner was refused an old age adaptation support to their home (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39737/24]
View answerWritten answers
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. However, Additional Needs Payments are not generally intended to cover circumstances where responsibility rests with another Government Department or Agency.
Responsibility in relation to supports for housing adaptions, for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation needs of an older person, including any shortfalls in funding, is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the relevant Local Authority.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for an ANP to assist with the costs of insulating her home. This claim was disallowed on the basis that the person concerned has sufficient resources to provide for the shortfall in cost of the work. A letter advising the person concerned of this decision issued to her on 12/08/2024.
The information provided with the persons application indicates that the work has not yet commenced, and that the person previously completed similar work on her home. Under the Better Energy Homes Scheme the SEAI will evaluate whether the home meets the criteria for additional insulation measures. Therefore, an exceptional need has not been established.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (284)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:284. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether a response (details supplied) is acceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39738/24]
View answerWritten answers
Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them and be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment.
The person made an application for Working Family Payment on 2 April 2024. WFP section requested further information on 18 April 2024 and did not receive a reply. Therefore, the claim was disallowed on 14 May 2024 as the person concerned had not provided details of all household income.
A request for a review of WFP was received on 7 August 2024. This review was completed on 17 August 2024 and it was decided not to revise the original decision as the person concerned did not supply the requested information regarding all household income. The decision letter included details on the appeals process and contact information for the Social Welfare Appeals Office should the person wish to submit an appeal.
The responses to the queries relating to the person concerned reflect the decision making process where two parents reside in the same household and an application for WFP has been received. However, on foot of these further queries raised by the Deputy, an official of the department will contact the person this week to explain the decision-making process and any further options available to her.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Employment Rights
Questions (285)
Paul Kehoe
Question:285. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to pay for bank and public holidays accrued while receiving illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39747/24]
View answerWritten answers
Illness Benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance contribution conditions.
Illness Benefit is paid from Monday through to Saturday. There is no entitlement to receive payment on Sundays. Illness Benefit is paid for bank holidays with the exception of any public holiday that falls on a Sunday.
With regards to entitlement to pay from their employer for bank and public holidays, I cannot speak to the entitlements or otherwise from their employer, as this is governed by the Working Time Act of 1997, and is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment.
If the person concerned is experiencing difficulties in meeting her basic financial commitments, it is also open to her to contact the Community Welfare Service at her local Intreo Centre to see if she might qualify for assistance under the terms of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (286)
Paul Murphy
Question:286. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason foster carers are exempt from the back-to-school allowance, given that these children are in the care of the State; if she will agree that the State help fund their return to school; if she will ensure that foster carers are entitled to this payment and pension contributions for their years of fostering; if foster carers will be entitled to the cost-of-living measures and double payments in Budget 2025; and if not, the reason. [39771/24]
View answerWritten answers
Matters related to foster caring, including any criteria relating to work and specific financial supports, are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and Tusla.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a Child Support Payment (formerly Increase for a Qualified Child) is being paid.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is not payable in respect of foster children as the financial support provided to foster parents by Tusla, the foster care allowance, includes provision for the cost of clothing and footwear for the foster child.
The State Pension (Contributory) is funded from the Social Insurance Fund through the contributions paid by workers. The rate of payment reflects the number of social insurance contributions paid over a working life. However, it is recognised that people may have periods out of the workforce for reasons such as caring responsibilities, including foster caring. Accordingly, once a person has met the minimum requirement of 520 paid contributions, the State Pension (Contributory) provides measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and Homecaring periods to recognise these periods of care outside of paid employment in the calculation of the rate of payment.
Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of PRSI credits and Homemaking Disregards and Homecaring periods where they meet the criteria, in the same way as biological or adoptive parents. There is no difference in treatment. Fosters carers can register for caring periods for each child under the age of 12 if the foster carer is in receipt of Child Benefit. If the foster carer is not in receipt of Child Benefit, they can still qualify provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla. In the case of a child who is over the age of 12, periods can be registered where the child requires continuous supervision and regular assistance throughout the day with the activities of daily living, including nursing care. There is a maximum of 20 years’ caring periods available.
In addition, long term carer’s contributions are available that attribute the equivalent of a paid contribution to long-term carers of incapacitated people to cover gaps in their contribution record for State Pension (Contributory) purposes. Foster carers who have cared for an incapacitated person may qualify for these contributions.
These measures combined strike a balance between assisting foster carers to access the State pension system in the same way as biological or adoptive parents, while ensuring that the system remains sustainable.
Officials from my Department have actively engaged with the Department for Children and Tulsa on this matter, have met with representative foster carers and have hosted an information seminar for nearly 300 foster carers to explain the State pension system and their entitlements.
The cost of living measures which I announced to assist households as part of Budget 2025 are linked to income support payments administered by my department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (287)
Pearse Doherty
Question:287. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal now qualifies for fuel allowance given the recent changes to qualification criteria for CE participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39781/24]
View answerWritten answers
Fuel Allowance is a payment to help eligible people with the cost of heating their home from 23 September 2024 until 4 April 2025. The Fuel Allowance is payable to people who satisfy the conditions of the scheme and who either live alone or only with certain qualified people living at their address.
Individuals under the age of 70 must be in receipt of a qualifying payment to apply for Fuel Allowance.
Qualifying Payments are:
• Jobseeker's Allowance (greater than 312 days)
• Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) greater than 364 days/12 months
• Farm Assist
• One Parent Family Payment
• Jobseeker’s Allowance Transition
• Blind Pension
• Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance
• Disability Allowance
• Invalidity Pension
• State Pension (Contributory or Non-Contributory)
• Guardian's Payment (Contributory or Non-Contributory)
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension (Contributory or Non Contributory)
• Incapacity Supplement under the Disablement Pension Scheme
• Death Benefit Pension (previously known as Type 15) under Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
• Revenue Job Assist
• Social Security Payment from a country covered by EU Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement (of which there is an Irish equivalent payment).
The Fuel Allowance Guidelines were amended from the 15th of August 2024 to provide that the period a person spends on an Employment Support Scheme (CE, Tús and RSS) may now be counted when assessing if that person satisfies the qualifying period criterion for Fuel Allowance purposes. In order to have the period on the Employment Support Scheme counted, the individual must have been in receipt of one of the aforementioned qualifying payments prior to commencing on said scheme.
In this case, the individual was in receipt of Illness Benefit which is not a qualifying payment and therefore she does not qualify for Fuel Allowance.
As part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments (ANP) to individuals who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers. Additional Needs Payment applications can be submitted online through the MyWelfare platform, (mywelfare.ie).
Alternatively, a paper application can be sent to Dungloe Community Welfare Service, Dungloe Intreo Centre Public Service Centre, Gweedore Road, Dungloe, Co Donegal, F94 WV84 where it will be assessed promptly. For convenience, an ANP application form was sent to the home address of the person concerned on 03/10/2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Birth Certificates
Questions (288)
Jackie Cahill
Question:288. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39798/24]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE operate the registration service under the aegis of my Department.
The local HSE office in Clonmel is the office responsible for investigating any amendments to the local register of births for the case in question.
The staff of the Clonmel Office have advised that there are no records of a Statutory Declaration to amend the date of birth of the person concerned being received.
An application for review and supporting documentation confirming the correct date of birth should be submitted to the Clonmel office to progress the matter.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (289)
John Lahart
Question:289. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of new PPS numbers that have been created by her Department to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39808/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can inform the Deputy that for the period from 1st January to 6th October 2024 inclusive, a total of 177,262 Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) have been allocated by my Department. Of these, 43,258 were in respect of new born children whose birth has been registered with the General Register Office.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (290)
Ivana Bacik
Question:290. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to revise the income limits for eligibility for the working family payment. [39810/24]
View answerWritten answers
Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, a person must have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them and be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment.Budget 2025 included an increase, from January 2025, in the income thresholds for all family sizes by €60. This will see an increase in payment across all awarded claims while also increasing the income qualification thresholds for claimants. A €400 cost of living lump sum payment to all WFP recipients was also announced in Budget 2025 which will be paid in November 2024.The easiest and fastest way for customers to make an application for Working Family Payment is online via mywelfare.ieI trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (291)
Ivana Bacik
Question:291. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the need for greater pay parity and adequate pay for Tús, rural social scheme and community employment scheme employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39811/24]
View answerWritten answers
I understand from the question raised that the deputy is referring to pay parity for Tús and RSS supervisors with CE supervisors.
My Department provides a range of supports and programmes catering for the unemployed, those most distant from the labour market and low-income farmers/ fisherpersons. These supports include programmes such as Tús, Community Employment (CE) and the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). Overall, it is recognised by Government that these specific schemes are positive initiatives that enable participants to make a significant contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for prospective future employment.
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Tús, RSS and CE supervisors play in supporting the delivery of key services to local communities across the country and in providing valuable opportunities to participants. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is very conscious of the vital role of supervisors within these work programmes. In addition, CE provides valuable training and development opportunities to the long-term unemployed and to those furthest removed from the labour market.
The Deputy will be aware that supervisors of these work schemes are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding and neither the Department, nor the State, is the employer of this group of workers. The terms and conditions of employment for these employees, including remuneration, are primarily a matter for individual employers and employees as part of the employment relationship.
However, as you are aware there is a difference in the supervisor roles, specifically CE supervisors having a key role in drawing up and supervising individual participant learning and development plans. As such, it would be expected that there would be a different pay scale for the CE supervisors who carry out this additional work.
In 2023, pay increases were awarded to supervisors on all three schemes namely Tús, RSS and CE: an increase of 3% from 1st April 2023 and 2% from 1st November 2023, the funding for which was provided by my Department as the programme funder.
My Department, as funder of these schemes, is considering the complexities involved in addressing the issue of pay parity referred to in the question. It is also important to note that any changes to the fees paid or the funding model will require the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. My Department officials are continuing to engage with officials in Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to this issue. Officials in my Department also continue to work with the Implementation Bodies and staff representatives.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (292)
Niall Collins
Question:292. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she can address the issue raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39818/24]
View answerWritten answers
Primary weekly social welfare payments are intended to enable recipients to meet their basic day-to-day income needs. In addition to these primary payments, my Department also provides a range of other payments on a weekly, monthly, or less frequent basis. These payments are considered secondary in nature and cannot be made available to those who are not in receipt of a primary payment. These secondary payments may also attach requirements such as the age of the recipient or the nature of the payment that the person is in receipt of.
The Living Alone Increase (LAI) is one of those secondary payments. It is not a scheme or a stand-alone payment, but it is a supplement to a primary social protection payment of €22 per week made to people aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone. A person eligible for the LAI will receive the full €22 supplement even if they are not in receipt of the maximum rate of their primary payment.
For those aged 66 or over, payments eligible for the LAI include State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-contributory), Widow’s, Widower’s, or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and Deserted Wife's Benefit.
LAI is also paid to people aged under 66 who live alone and are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
In the case of the Widow’s, Widower’s, or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, the pension is payable to surviving spouses and civil partners who meet the qualifying criteria irrespective of age. However, the rates of payment differ between those aged 66 and over and those under 66. In addition, entitlement to the LAI is only available to those in receipt of a pension who are aged 66 and over.
Changes to the qualifying criteria for the LAI are a policy and budgetary matter, and no changes were provided for in Budget 2025.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (293)
Michael Ring
Question:293. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person who receives the State pension (contributory) is not entitled to the treatment benefit and dental benefit (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39824/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical, aural and hair replacement products and services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependent spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
To qualify for treatment benefit, the person concerned must satisfy the condition of having a total of 260 paid contributions at class A/E/H/P/S since starting work and 39 paid or credited contributions in the relevant tax years, which in this case is any year between 2014 and 2021.
The person concerned does not qualify for treatment benefit as the contributions recorded for the relevant tax years are at class M which is not reckonable for treatment benefit.
If the person concerned is the holder of a medical card, they may be entitled to treatment under the HSE scheme. They should contact their local HSE office for assistance.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (294)
Martin Browne
Question:294. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals to carer’s allowance refusals received in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022. 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of appeals that were successful in each year; and the number of appeals in which the original decision was upheld in each year. [39895/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
All decisions taken by Deciding Officers / Designated Persons of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in relation to Carers' Allowance are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. Applications for Carers' Allowance may be disallowed because the applicant does not satisfy one or more of the required qualifying conditions for receipt of the payment. For example, an applicant may not satisfy the qualifying condition in relation to means, or they are deemed not to be providing full time care and attention to the care recipient or the care recipient is deemed not sufficiently incapacitated to require full time care and attention.
Should an application for Carers' Allowance be refused, it is open to the person to request a review of the decision by the Department. The person may also give notice of appeal to the Chief Appeals Officer, provide grounds for the appeal and submit any new evidence or information to be considered by an Appeals Officer.
There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. Where the decision is not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds. In addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights when they engage with the appellant at an oral hearing.
Applicants for Carers' Allowance are encouraged to provide as much information as possible with their application so that their claim can be decided at the earliest possible stage and time.
The table below shows a breakdown of appeals to Carers' Allowance refusals received in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024:
|
Carers' Allowance Appeal Outcomes 2020-2024 |
||||
|
Year |
Received |
Allowed |
Partially Allowed |
Disallowed |
|
2020 |
3,630 |
1,079 |
115 |
1,981 |
|
2021 |
3,361 |
886 |
95 |
1,743 |
|
2022 |
3,521 |
804 |
67 |
1,953 |
|
2023 |
3,048 |
680 |
52 |
1,506 |
|
2024 to date |
2,789 |
447 |
50 |
1,360 |
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (295)
Martin Browne
Question:295. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals to disability allowance refusals received in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022. 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of appeals that were successful in each year; and the number of appeals in which the original decision was upheld in each year. [39896/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Disability allowance (DA) is a means tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. Before a decision can be made on entitlement to DA, evidence must be provided in respect of the person’s medical condition, the extent to which it restricts them from taking up employment, their means and their habitual residency.
Should an application for DA be refused, it is open to the person to request a review of the decision by the Department. The person may also give notice of appeal to the Chief Appeals Officer, provide grounds for the appeal and submit any new evidence or information to be considered by an Appeals Officer.
Applicants for DA are encouraged to provide as much information as possible with their application so that their claim can be decided at the earliest possible stage and time.
The table below shows a breakdown of appeals to DA refusals received by the Social welfare Appeals Office in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024:
|
DA Appeals Received & Finalised 2022 to 2024 (up to 30 Sep 2024) |
||||||
|
Year |
Received |
Finalised |
Allowed |
Partially Allowed |
Revised Decision by Department |
Disallowed |
|
2020 |
6,661 |
7,410 |
3,930 |
127 |
657 |
2,642 |
|
2021 |
5,733 |
5,575 |
2,611 |
101 |
643 |
2,178 |
|
2022 |
5,637 |
5,435 |
2,348 |
74 |
722 |
2,222 |
|
2023 |
5,567 |
5,559 |
2,587 |
43 |
591 |
2,280 |
|
2024 |
6,661 |
3,779 |
1,254 |
33 |
804 |
1,574 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pensions
Questions (296)
Bernard Durkan
Question:296. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if eligibility for the State pension (contributory) can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); the reason why the four-year period does not apply to social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39904/24]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned reached pension age 66 on 9 May 2019.
According to the records of my Department a letter issued to the person concerned in December 2018 advising them that they may qualify for a State Pension (contributory) (SPC) and how to apply for this pension.
The person concerned applied for SPC on the 12 July 2022. A reduced rate SPC was awarded. This is based on a yearly average of 14 contributions and currently paid at the weekly rate of €110.80. In order to qualify for the maximum rate, a yearly average of 48 is required. The claim of the person concerned was also backdated six months to 10 January 2022, in line with Social Welfare Legislation.
A review of their entitlement was undertaken by my officials in August 2022, there was no change to the rate paid.
In September 2022, the person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The appeal was disallowed. The person concerned was notified of the outcome of their appeal in February 2023.
Since 1 January 2024, the SPC has become more flexible. A person can now draw down their SPC at any age between 66 and 70. This allows a person to continue to pay PRSI past age 66 which may improve their contribution record when they decide to draw down their SPC. This change is applicable to all persons who are employees or self-employed with the exception of those who reached 66 years of age by 1 January 2024, that is, they were born before 1 January 1958, and also those awarded their SPC. Such persons are not liable to pay PRSI on their income after the age of 66 in the same way as a person who turned 66 before 1 January 2024, Class J applies (nil contribution by employee and 0.50% contribution by employer). Class M (nil contribution) applies to self-employed persons who had paid Class S up to age 66. As the person concerned was born prior to 1 January 1958, they were not liable to pay PRSI following their 66th birthday.
It is open to the person concerned to apply for the means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), the maximum rate of which equates to 95% of the maximum rate of State Pension (contributory).
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (297)
Willie O'Dea
Question:297. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an application for carer's allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39908/24]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's Allowance 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.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse / civil partner / cohabitant, property (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for Carer's Allowance from the person concerned on 15 May 2024.
The claim was disallowed as the means of the person concerned exceeded the statutory means limit. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 17 June 2024. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
A review was initiated on foot of correspondence received from the person concerned on 20 June 2024. A request for further information issued to the person on 03 October 2024. Upon receipt of the information requested and following the necessary investigations in relation to all aspects of the review, the person concerned will be notified directly in writing of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (298)
Thomas Gould
Question:298. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is expected that a decision will issue on a disability allowance appeal (details supplied). [39919/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 on the 28th June 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. Upon receipt of the request for these papers, the scheme specific area in the department will carry out a review of the initial application with the new information that was provided in the appeal application.
On the 28th August 2024, the Disability Allowance Section carried out a review and revised their initial decision of 12th June 2024 and as a result the appeal was withdrawn. The named person was informed of this decision by letter from the Disability Allowance section dated 2nd October 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (299)
Thomas Gould
Question:299. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is expected that a decision will issue on a domiciliary care allowance appeal (details supplied). [39920/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 19th June 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. Upon receipt of the request for these papers, the scheme specific area in the department will carry out a review of the initial application with the new information that was provided in the appeal application.
On the 23rd September 2024, the Domiciliary Care Allowance Section carried out a review and revised their initial decision of 19th March 2024 and as a result the appeal was withdrawn. The named person was informed of this decision by letter from the Domiciliary Care Allowance section dated 23rd September 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (300)
Brendan Griffin
Question:300. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) against the decision refusing them jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39926/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 on the 27th August 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. Upon receipt of the request for these papers, the scheme specific area in the department will carry out a review of the initial application with the new information that was provided in the appeal application.
On the 2nd October 2024, the Jobseeker's Allowance section carried out a review and revised their initial decision of 19th August 2024 and as a result the appeal was withdrawn. The named person was informed of this decision by letter from the Jobseeker's Allowance section dated 2nd October 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Legislative Process
Questions (301)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:301. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to progress the Industrial Relations (Provisions in respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021; if not, if she proposes to take similar legislative steps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39945/24]
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The Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021 is a Private Members’ Bill and it is a matter for the sponsoring deputies to progress the Bill.
The Bill is primarily focused on amending industrial relations-related legislation. As such, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which has overall policy responsibility for such matters, is the lead Department for addressing these issues.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (302)
Colm Burke
Question:302. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who submitted an appeal on 15 November 2023 with regard to benefit payment for 65-year-olds has not yet received a decision on the matter; when a decision is likely to be reached in this case; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39961/24]
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The 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.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
The desire to process appeals quickly has to be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and of high quality and made in accordance with the legislative provisions and the general principles of fair procedures and natural justice.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (303)
Colm Burke
Question:303. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension appeal (details supplied); when a decision will be likely to be reached in this case given that the appeal was submitted some time ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39965/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the disability allowance appeal of the person concerned on 26th February 2024.
Under social welfare legislation a decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive. However, it may be reviewed by an Appeals Officer under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 in the light of new evidence or new facts.
On 22nd June 2024, further medical information was received pertaining to the appellant and as a result a Section 317 Review of the appeal officer's decision was opened on 12th July 2024. Once a decision is made on this Section 317 review, the appellant will be notified in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (304)
Niamh Smyth
Question:304. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will look at abolishing the carer’s allowance threshold (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39977/24]
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The Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.
Eligibility for Carer’s Allowance involves satisfying a means test. Means tests are an essential component of our social welfare system - they help to direct scarce resources to where they are needed most.
Abolition of the means test for Carer's Allowance would give rise to additional costs of at least €600m per year. Taking account of the number of carers in Census 2022, this could increase to between €880m and €2bn a year. At this level, the removal of the means test would have a significant impact on the funding available for other schemes and services. It is also worth noting that abolition of the means test would be of no benefit to those carers who rely solely on the payment and have no additional income. Since my appointment as Minister, I have made a number of significant improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance:
• Budget 2022 saw the first changes to the means test in 14 years when the income disregards were increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner. The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was also increased from €20,000 to €50,000. It is important to note that this equates to €100,000 in the case of a couple.
• As part of Budget 2024, the weekly income disregards were further increased from €350 to €450 for a single person, and from €750 to €900 for carers with a spouse/partner.
Last Tuesday, as part of Budget 2025, I further increased the income disregards to €625 for a single person and to €1,250 for carers with a spouse/partner.Since June 2022, this amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €292.50 for a single carer and €585.00 for a carer who is part of couple. These are the highest weekly disregards in the Social Welfare system.These recent changes to the means test will enable more carers on a reduced rate to move to a higher payment. Additionally, many carers who previously did not qualify for a payment due to their means will be brought into the Carer's Allowance system for the first time.
It is also important to acknowledge that there are a range of other supports for carers provided by my department which are not based on a means assessment.
The Carer’s Support Grant is a payment for all carers, even those not in receipt of Carer’s Allowance. It can be claimed by carers regardless of their means or social insurance contributions. The grant can be used by carers in a manner which they see fit. It is paid in respect of each care recipient. In Budget 2025, I increased this grant by €150, bringing it to €2,000, its highest ever rate. Over 132,000 carers received the grant in June, at a cost of €275 million.
Carer's Benefit is based on social insurance contributions. It is a very effective payment made to insured people who may be required to leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a person in need of full-time care. It is payable for a period of up to two years for each care recipient and is estimated to cost almost €58 million in 2024. In Budget 2025, I have extended eligibility for this payment to the self-employed for the first time.
Domiciliary Care Allowance is payable to a parent or guardian in respect of a child who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. As part of Budget 2025, I’ve increased this payment by a further €20 bringing it to €360 per month. This monthly payment has increased cumulatively by €50.50 under this Government. Expenditure in 2024 is estimated to be almost €274 million.
Any further changes or improvements to the carer payments provided by my department, including the Carer’s Allowance payment, would need to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.