Written Answers Nos. 272-287
273. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending fuel allowance to all recipients of social welfare payments in Budget 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37621/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for Fuel Allowance in the manner outlined by the Deputy would change the targeted nature of the Fuel Allowance payment and given rise to significant budgetary requirements for the scheme.
Any changes to the Fuel Allowance payment will have to be context of the overall Budget.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
274. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will include carer’s allowance as a qualifying payment under the fuel allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37626/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government values the role of carers very much and it is for this reason that they receive significant income supports from the Department. In addition to Carer’s Allowance, carers receive additional support in the form of free travel and household benefits (for those who live with the person for whom they care) and the annual Carer's Support Grant (€1,850) in respect of each person for whom they care.
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
While Carer's Allowance is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, a person in receipt of Carer's Allowance may avail of the fuel allowance payment in certain circumstances. Fuel Allowance is a household-based payment, and a carer will very often live with and care for a person in receipt of a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance. Income from full rate Carer's Allowance is disregarded from the fuel means test, if the carer is providing full time care and attention to the Fuel Allowance applicant, his/her qualified spouse/civil partner or cohabitant or qualified child(ren).
If a person is getting certain qualifying social welfare payments and also providing full time care and attention to another person, s/he can keep his/her main social protection payment in addition to receiving the half-rate Carer's Allowance. S/he can also receive an extra half-rate Carer’s Allowance if s/he cares for more than one person. Income from half rate Carer's Allowance is also disregarded from the fuel means test.
While schemes such as Fuel Allowance are reviewed on an ongoing basis and suggested changes to the qualifying criteria are always considered, any further changes to the criteria for accessing the Fuel Allowance scheme can only be considered while taking account of the overall policy and budgetary situation.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
275. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has had discussions with the Social Welfare Appeals Office on improving the overall average waiting times for an appeal to be dealt with by way of summary decision and by way of oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37627/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 and management of the Appeals Office is the responsibility of the Chief Appeals Officer.
In 2023 approximately 1% of the decisions made by the Department of Social Protection were appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. In 2023, the Office received 24,100 appeals. In 2024 up until 31/08/2024 the Office received 29,115 appeals, of which 25,367 were valid appeals which were registered. By comparison, over the same period in 2023 up until 31/08/2023, 16,323 appeals were registered. This is a substantial increase year on year.
An Appeals Modernisation Project is currently underway. The key features of the project are:
(1) Introduction of a new IT system for more efficient end to end processing of appeals. The first release of this system went live in November 2023 and work on adding functionality to the system is continuing.
(2) Provision of an online service for appellants to make their appeals on the MyWelfare platform. This service was implemented in July 2024 and work on enhancing online appeals functionality is continuing.
(3) Business process improvements have been introduced within the Office to improve customer service and processing times in tandem with the implementation of new systems. Several initiatives to streamline decision processes are also being undertaken.
The modernisation project has contributed to a reduction in the time taken to register and acknowledge appeals lodged with the Appeals Office and this is assisting with the management of processing times.
The new system has streamline the engagement between the Appeals Office and my Department to ensure that the appeals process operates as efficiently as possible. Where the Deciding Officer's decision is not revised in favour of the appellant, the appeal file papers are provided as quickly as possible to the Appeals Office for consideration by an Appeals Officer.
In 2023 the average time taken to process an appeal was 16.0 weeks. The average processing time for an appeal dealt with summarily was 17.6 weeks. The average processing time for an appeal that included an oral hearing was 29.2 weeks.
The average time it has taken to complete appeals submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals office for the past five years are set out below:
|
SWAO Average Processing Times (in weeks) 2019-2023 |
|
|
2019 |
24.7 |
|
2020 |
16.5 |
|
2021 |
12.9 |
|
2022 |
14.9 |
|
2023 |
16.0 |
The desire to process appeals quickly must be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent, well reasoned and of high quality and made in accordance with the legislative provisions and the general principles of fair procedures and natural justice that underpin a quasi-judicial process.
The Chief Appeals Officer closely monitors the level of appeal processing times within the resources allocated to that Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
276. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated amount of PRSI lost to the State by employers insisting that workers who were previously employees are now classified as self-employed; the impact same can have on the payment of future pension contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37647/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra277. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of inspections on an annual basis that are taken to ensure that employers of workers who are identified as self-employed are compliant and their workers are genuinely self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37648/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together.
The Department of Social Protection is responsible for ensuring the correct class of PRSI is being returned for individuals to protect their PRSI contribution record and future welfare entitlements. The Department must also ensure the correct amount and value of funds is remitted to the Social Insurance Fund. The Deputy should be aware that both employee and self-employed contributors can qualify for the State Pension if they meet the relevant qualifying criteria.
My Department tackles false self-employment on two fronts: a robust inspection regime and the provision of clear guidance and information for employers and workers.
The Department undertakes employer inspections and PRSI compliance checks. Where it is identified that the correct class of PRSI has not been returned the workers record is corrected and employers are required to remit the correct value of contributions back-dated as appropriate.
During 2023, just over 4,500 employer inspections and 16,200 employee PRSI reviews were carried out by Departmental staff across various sectoral employments. Up to end of July 2024, provisional figures show that just over 2,300 employer inspections and 8,300 employee PRSI reviews have been completed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
278. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to extend fuel allowance in Budget 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37683/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
The Government will continue to monitor the cost-of-living situation closely and how it can support people on low incomes and those on social welfare payments who are at risk of fuel poverty. However, any further changes to the criteria for accessing the fuel allowance scheme can only be considered while taking account of the overall policy and budgetary situation.
Finally, my Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
279. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a working family payment application by a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37759/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP), formerly Family Income Supplement, 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.
An application for WFP for the person concerned was received on 4th July 2024. An application for One Parent Family Payment (OFP) was made at the same time as the WFP application. The Deciding Officer had to wait for a decision to be made on OFP as it must be included as household income in the WFP income assessment.
A decision has now been made on the OFP for the person concerned and the Deciding Officer has awarded WFP. First payment will issue on 26th September 2024 and any arrears due will issue shortly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
280. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on domiciliary care allowance review in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37763/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 24th May 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 9th August 2024, further medical information was received pertaining to the appellant and as a result a Section 317 Review of the decision was opened on 2nd September 2024. The person concerned will be notified in writing when the review is completed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
281. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the projects and programmes with her Department which have been allocated funding under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Programme; the funds drawn down to date in each instance; the profiled drawdown in each of the forthcoming years of the programme; the steps she is taking to ensure that projects and programmes are completed within the specified timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37794/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a voluntary work experience and training program for unemployed jobseekers receiving a qualifying social welfare payment. Launched in July 2021, it is part of Pathways to Work 2021-2025 and funding for the training element of WPEP was included in the Government’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) in its application to the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility. The original funding allocation of €96m was based on 10,000 participants on WPEP, of which €27m was allocated to cover the training requirement of the programme via the National Training Fund.
As of September 2024, there were 1,192 approved participants, with 53% female and 47% male. The largest age cohort is the Under 25-29 group, making up 41% of WPEP participants. 42% of participants have progressed to employment or education.
Despite the positive outcomes from the programme, the demand for WPEP was not as high as anticipated due to the strong labour market performance and WPEP was removed from the NRRP in 2023, following a review.
282. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a list of schools from County Longford who applied for the school meals programme for 2024-2025 and whose applications were unsuccessful. [37809/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Hot School Meals Programme has grown from a small pilot project to a nationwide programme now approved in 2,200 primary schools nationwide.
In April 2024, my Department contacted the remaining 1,000 primary schools who have not yet joined the Hot School Meals scheme, asking them if they wished to submit an expression of interest in commencing the provision of Hot School Meals.
My Department is currently collating the responses received under this year's Expression of Interest process with the aim of including more schools, subject to available funding in Budget 2025.
The application process for 2024-2025 is currently underway. The Longford schools who have applied so far for funding under the programme for 2024-2025 are included in the attached Tabular Statement. None of these applications so far have been deemed to be unsuccessful.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
Table 1 - Longford Schools who applied for 2024-2025
|
Roll No |
Organisation Name |
Claimant County |
|
13313S |
St. John's National School |
LONGFORD |
|
19171I |
SN Naomh Mhuire |
LONGFORD |
|
63750B |
St. Mel's College |
LONGFORD |
|
05115S |
SN An Leana Mor |
LONGFORD |
|
12736S |
Naomh Guasachta NS |
LONGFORD |
|
13320P |
Fermoyle Mixed NS |
LONGFORD |
|
14650S |
Cloontagh Mixed NS |
LONGFORD |
|
15122V |
St Bernards Mixed NS |
LONGFORD |
|
15154L |
Naomh Dominic N S |
LONGFORD |
|
17561L |
Samhthann NS |
LONGFORD |
|
18178R |
St Josephs Convent |
LONGFORD |
|
18259R |
Lanesborough Primary School |
LONGFORD |
|
19279F |
SN Naomh Treasa |
LONGFORD |
|
19296F |
SN Naomh Colmcille |
LONGFORD |
|
19753H |
St Emer's National School |
LONGFORD |
|
19975C |
St Patricks |
LONGFORD |
|
19987J |
Scoil Mhuire N S |
LONGFORD |
|
20101R |
THE SACRED HEART PRIMARY NS |
LONGFORD |
|
20124G |
St Marys N.S. |
LONGFORD |
|
20128O |
St Matthews Mixed N.S |
LONGFORD |
|
71690F |
Ballymahon Vocational School |
LONGFORD |
|
71710I |
Ardscoil Phadraig |
LONGFORD |
|
71730O |
Templemichael College |
LONGFORD |
|
91436D |
Moyne Community School |
LONGFORD |
|
EO -000000098 |
Longford Youthreach |
LONGFORD |
|
EO -000000313 |
St Mary's Childcare Campus CLG |
LONGFORD |
283. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37821/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial welfare legislation provides that the Personal Representative of a deceased person who, at any time, received a means-tested payment, is obliged to give notice to my Department of their intention to distribute the deceased's estate, to provide a schedule of the assets of the estate and is requested not to distribute the estate until they receive formal clearance from my Department. If, on examination of the schedule of assets, it is found that not all of the deceased’s means had been disclosed, or if the values of previously assessed means have changed, my Department will seek to recover any monies overpaid from the estate.
The Deputy's previous representations refer. A Deciding Officer issued correspondence to the Legal and Personal Representative providing natural justice on 3 May 2024. In response to this letter, the Legal Representative has submitted further evidence and information in relation to the deceased’s personal and medical circumstances.
The Deciding Officer will examine the case without further delay, taking this additional information into account, and contact the Personal Representative directly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
284. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost in 2025 of extending parental leave and benefit by three weeks for mothers and five weeks for fathers. [37834/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraParental Leave allows both parents to take 26 weeks unpaid leave for each eligible child up to their twelfth birthday, or their sixteenth birthday if the child has a disability or long-term illness. My colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth holds responsibility for Parental Leave.
There is a separate scheme called Parent's Leave which is also the responsibility of Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; there is an associated benefit payment for which I have responsibility. Parent’s Benefit is a payment for employed people, who are on Parent’s Leave from work, and self-employed people who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.
Parent's Leave and Benefit are available to all eligible parents of children born or adopted from 1 November 2019 and must be availed of within the first two years of the child’s life or adoption. Parent’s Benefit is paid at €274 per week - the same rate as Maternity, Paternity and Adoptive Benefits.
In Budget 2024 I provided for the number of weeks of Parent's Leave and Benefit available to each eligible parent to be increased from seven weeks to nine weeks. This increase took effect from August 2024.
Nine weeks Parent’s Leave and Benefit is not transferable between parents which is in line with the provision of the EU Work Life Balance Directive. This recognises the importance of equality between men and women with regard to labour market opportunities and the equal importance of men and fathers in bringing up their children.
The estimated full-year cost of increasing Parent's Benefit by a further three weeks for mothers and for a further five weeks for fathers is approximately €54 million.
This is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2024. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients. There would be further additional costs to the Exchequer as these estimates do not include the costs for staff substitution which might arise in the Civil and Public Sector which would be a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Any decision regarding an extension of Parent's Leave would be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Decisions around the extension of the associated benefit would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
285. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a jobseeker's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied). [37865/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 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.
286. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37869/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 26 August 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received from the Department and the matter was referred to an Appeals Officer on 19th September 2024, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
287. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine the current issues with the provision of PPS numbers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37880/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is a unique reference number that helps a person access social welfare benefits and public services in Ireland. To get a PPS Number, a person is asked to provide evidence of their identity, why they need a PPS Number and their address.
A person living in Ireland who is 18 or over and needs a PPSN can apply at MyWelfare.ie. The person completes an online application in full and is then given an in-person appointment. Upon successful completion of the appointment, a PPS Number will issue to the person immediately.
Some examples of why a person may apply for a PPS Number are:
• To take up work
• to apply for a social welfare payment
• to apply for or exchange a driver’s licence
• to access other public services
• to register for a course in a school or college
A person applying for a PPS Number to take up work in Ireland is asked to provide a signed offer of employment from their employer confirming when the job is due to start or when it started. A person does not need a PPS Number to look for work or for an employer to make an offer of employment.
A person must also show evidence of their address to get a PPS Number. The document must show their name and address and not be older than 3 months. If the person is staying with friends or relatives, an original household bill plus a note from the bill holder confirming that the person lives at the bill address is acceptable. This note can be written on the bill itself.
The person concerned applied to my Department for a PPS Number. However this application could not be processed as the documents provided relating to employment require further clarification.
My officials are contacting the person in relation to the clarifications required and will arrange a PPS Number appointment. Upon the successful completion of the appointment, a PPS Number will issue to the person immediately.
Any enquiries pertaining to the matter of tax credits can be clarified by my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
