Written Answers Nos. 286-305
286. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will sanction the Citizens Information Service's pay claim, which has been recommended by the State’s own disputes resolution bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38480/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware, the Citizens Information Service (CIS) comprises of eight regional companies that are funded by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body funded by my Department. The Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS) is also funded by CIB. As I have stated on many occasions, I absolutely acknowledge and value the important information, advice and advocacy services that the staff of the CIS provide right across the country. I believe that CIS workers should be paid fairly for the important work they do and I am supportive of a pay increase.
Since the Labour Court issued its recommendation in relation to CIS and CIPS pay, my Department has been actively engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Delivery Plan and Reform in relation to a pay agreement and expenditure requirements.
In addition, talks commenced on 12th September last between representatives from SIPTU, CIS, CIB and my Department in relation to a pay agreement. It was agreed that talks would reconvene later this month.
I am fully supportive of the ongoing engagement process as the best way to reach consensus on a pay agreement for CIS and CIPS workers, and I strongly encourage all parties involved to continue to engage constructively in this process with a view to avoiding planned strike action.
287. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reversing the exclusion of a third-level course (details supplied) from the back-to-education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38507/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to Education Allowance provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who pursue full-time courses of education at further or higher level. The focus of the scheme is to assist people improve their qualifications and as a result improve their access to sustainable employment. The Government has provided €35.7 million for the scheme in 2024.
Under the Back to Education Allowance, jobseekers can be supported to take undergraduate courses up to honours degree level. At the postgraduate level, Back to Education Allowance may be approved in limited circumstances to undertake studies leading to a Higher Diploma in any discipline and the Professional Masters in Education. The post graduate course referred to by the Deputy is not included under the scheme.
I have no plans to change the position at this time.
I trust this clarifies the position.
288. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to issues with the voucher scheme run by the Sign Language Interpreting Service and Citizens Information Board specifically related to the limited availability of vouchers per person; and if she will consider increasing funding to the scheme in order to expand the amount of vouchers available. [38538/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware, Section 9 of the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act, 2017 assigns responsibility to the Minister for Social Protection to provide funds to facilitate users of ISL to access "social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical) and other activities".
This Scheme does not replace the requirements of public bodies under the ISL Act to provide access to ISL for those who need it.
I assigned the implementation of this important responsibility to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body under the aegis of my Department, which in turn assigned delivery to its relevant funded company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS).
Following a four-month pilot of an "ISL Voucher Scheme" in 2021 by SLIS, supported by my Department and CIB, I was delighted to see the commencement of the Scheme on a permanent basis from 2nd October 2023.
From 1st January to the end of August 2024, SLIS administered 425 vouchers to 339 applicants for ISL interpretation for a variety of activities, such as private medical appointments, private legal meetings, educational and training courses, and events with family, friends and the community.
As stipulated under the Act, SLIS developed Guidelines for the Scheme.
As part of this, a Fair Usage Policy was developed to ensure as many eligible people across Ireland as possible can access and benefit from this service. The Fair Usage Policy was also developed given that, like most government funded schemes, the ISL Voucher Scheme has an annual allocated budget.
As part of this policy, users are eligible for a maximum of five vouchers per year. This limit and overall demand are kept under review by SLIS and CIB.From the 1st of January to the end of August 2024, most applicants (219 or 65% of all applicants) claimed 1-2 vouchers under the Scheme, while demand for the limit of 5 vouchers was significantly less, with 9 applicants or 3% of all applicants claiming this amount.It is also important to point out that for short-term training courses or activities, I am informed by CIB that there is flexibility shown and one voucher may be used for the entirety of the training, therefore avoiding a scenario where someone may have to apply for several vouchers for one activity.
289. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application by a school (details supplied) for the hot school meals programme was not successful; if the application will be re-examined to include the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38549/24]
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, including the school referred to by the Deputy, 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. I can confirm that the school referred to has expressed an interest in joining the scheme.
As announced in Budget 2025, the Hot School Meals Scheme will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025. This announcement now means that in total, 3,200 schools and 550,000 children are now eligible for the Hot School Meals Scheme in 2025. The expansion of the Hot School Meals Scheme will increase the School Meals budget by just over €72m to an overall budget of €288m.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
290. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the new jobseeker's allowance scheme will be available to persons recently made redundant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38563/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2025, I announced that the new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme will be available from 31st March 2025.
I have already passed the legislation as part of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 which sets out the legislative framework for the new scheme. As this is a fundamental reform in social policy, this lead-in time is necessary to provide for the ICT changes that are required for the new scheme to come into operation.
In the intervening period, anyone finding themselves unemployed can apply for the existing Jobseeker's Benefit scheme.
291. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if the parents of an adult offspring living completely independently at the time of their death should be responsible for the funeral costs of their deceased adult offspring; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38579/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 from other personal and household resources.
All of the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into consideration by an officer of the community welfare service when deciding the level of support required. The decision process involves consideration of the nature of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.
The current assessment process used in determining Additional Needs Payment claims is a fair and equitable approach as it ensures that support is provided to people with the greatest financial need.
An application can also be made under the scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses by the person who takes responsibility for those funeral arrangements and where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the applicant and/or the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.
In 2023, 2,881 payments were made towards funeral and burials costs at a cost of just over €9 million. As of the end of June 2024, 1,515 payments were made towards funeral and burials costs at a cost of just over €5 million.
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.
292. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of expanding the hot school meals programme to include 100 more primary and post-primary schools. [38627/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of providing hot school meals to 100 primary and post-primary schools, who are already in receipt of the cold school meals programme. [38628/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra294. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools that are presently in receipt of the cold school meals programme; and the amount of funding allocated to this. [38629/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra295. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools that are presently in receipt of the hot school meals programme; and the amount of funding allocated to this. [38630/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 292, 293, 294 and 295 together.
The Hot School Meals Programme has grown from a small pilot project to a nationwide programme now approved in 2,200 primary schools nationwide. Post Primary schools are not currently eligible for hot school meals, but some DEIS Post Primary schools can avail of the dinner rate of €2.50. The dinner provides a hot meal, but is different from the hot school meal, in that they tend to be provided by schools with onsite cooking facilities whereas food for hot school meals is prepared offsite and either delivered hot or reheated in the school.
The estimated cost of expanding the hot school meals programme to include 100 more primary schools is €11.9m.
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.
As announced in Budget 2025, the Hot School Meals Scheme will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025. This announcement now means that in total, 3,200 schools and 550,000 children are now eligible for the Hot School Meals Scheme in 2025. The expansion of the Hot School Meals Scheme will increase the School Meals budget by just over €72m to an overall budget of €288m.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
296. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that arising from an adjudication hearing of 23 February 2024, her Department was directed to engage with a union (details supplied) to determine the quantum of allowance to be paid to social welfare inspectors of executive officer grade, arising from a claim lodged in 2017; if she will provide an update on the proceedings and a projected timeframe for reaching a conclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38636/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has acknowledged the outcome of the adjudication hearing of 23 February 2024 and has informed Fórsa that it is committed to honouring the decision of the adjudicator dated 29 February. The Department has informed Fórsa that engagement will commence once the sectoral bargaining units referred to below have been finalised.
The process of collective bargaining has not yet been formally agreed. DPENDR has advised that the final bargaining units are due to be returned to them later this month following which they will be engaging with ICTU in relation to the process going forward. This will include how and when claims/proposals should be progressed.
297. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will have their pension entitlements reviewed to allow them to qualify for a maximum pension rather than the reduced pension that they are currently in receipt of; and the rationale of the decision that has led to this anomaly. [38740/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 6 December 2011.
In general, public servants who joined prior to 6 April 1995 paid modified contributions which are not reckonable for the standard state pension (contributory). However, such employees generally have an occupational pension, the level of which is related to a number of factors, including years of service.
To be eligible for the standard state pension (contributory) an individual must have at least 520 full-rate contributions. To qualify for a mixed insurance pension 520 employment contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate contributions with the remainder made up of modified contributions.
According to the records of my department, the person concerned has a yearly average of 13 full-rate contributions from 1962 to 2011. This gave entitlement to €138.70 per week. The person concerned was also considered for a mixed Insurance pension based on their full rate and modified contributions. The calculation of their full rate and modified contributions, gave entitlement to €120.70 per week.
As the pension calculation based on the full rate contributions was financially more beneficial to the person concerned, they were awarded €138.70 per week.
I have arranged for a statement of the person’s social insurance record to issue to them. If they consider that they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to Social Welfare Services office, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384 and their pension entitlement can be reviewed.
My Department introduced a number of reforms to the state pension (contributory) including a provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years (1040 weeks).
If the person concerned has been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years, they can apply for long-term carers contributions (LTCC). If the criteria are met, the equivalent of paid contributions may be attributed to cover gaps in their contribution record. The periods of caregiving do not need to be consecutive.
The quickest way to apply for LTCCs is online at MyWelfare.ie if the person has a verified MyGovID account. Further information is available on the Government website at gov.ie/pensions.
It is also open to the person concerned to apply for the State Pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment of €266.00 per week.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
298. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will allow an applicant in receipt of disability allowance to transfer directly to an invalidity pension if they have the correct contributions and have applied for, and been approved for, disability instead of invalidity pension. [38742/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability 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. A person applying for DA may be disallowed on one or more of these conditions.
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
A person is regarded as being permanently incapable of work if, for the period of 1 year immediately before the date of application the person had been continuously incapable of work and a deciding officer (DO) is satisfied that the person is likely to continue to be incapable of work for at least another year or a DO is satisfied that the likelihood is that the person will be incapable of work for life.
To qualify for IP, a claimant must, inter-alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E, H or S contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.
Eligibility for IP can be determined on receipt of a completed application form.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
299. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine a case for widower’s pension for a person (details supplied); and her views on the consequences of the Supreme Court’s ruling on it. [38743/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the law as currently enacted, entitlement to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory pension (and any related payments) is only available to a surviving partner who was party to a marriage or civil partnership. On 22nd January, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the entitlement of an unmarried cohabitant to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory pension. The Supreme Court judgment overruled a previous High Court decision and found in favour of the claimant and his children.In simple terms, the Court found that section 124 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 is inconsistent with the Constitution insofar as it excluded the claimant from the category of persons entitled to benefit from it. The Court reached that conclusion on the basis of the equality guarantee contained in Article 40.1 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court judgment notes that in order to resolve the issue raised by the judgment, a legislative amendment is required. On 18th June, I obtained Government approval for the priority drafting of the legislative changes required to respond to the Supreme Court decision. The General Scheme of a Bill was referred to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for priority drafting, and to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny. The Committee issued its report on the 26th July.My officials are now working closely with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to develop and finalise this legislation and I intend to introduce it to the Oireachtas as soon as possible once that's done.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
300. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the consultation that has taken place to date between Department officials and the Office of the Attorney General following the Supreme Court judgement made on 22 January 2024 relating to the entitlement of an unmarried cohabitant to a widow’s, widower’s and surviving civil partner’s contributory pension; the stage plans are at to respond to this detailed judgment by way of drafting the necessary legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38746/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the law as currently enacted, entitlement to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory pension is only available to a surviving partner who was party to a marriage or civil partnership.
As the Deputy is aware, on 22nd January, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the entitlement of an unmarried cohabitant to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory pension. The Supreme Court judgment overruled a previous High Court decision and found in favour of the claimant and his children.In simple terms, the Court found that section 124 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) is inconsistent with the Constitution insofar as it excluded the claimant from the category of persons entitled to benefit from it. The Court reached that conclusion on the basis of the equality guarantee contained in Article 40.1 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court judgment notes that in order to resolve the issue raised by the judgment, a legislative amendment is required. On foot of the decision of the Supreme Court, my officials, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, considered the measures necessary to respond to the judgment, as it raised a number of complex issues. In June, I obtained Government approval for the priority drafting of the legislative changes required to respond to the Supreme Court decision. The General Scheme of a Bill was referred to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for priority drafting and to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny. The Committee issued its report on the 26th July.My officials are continuing to work closely with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to develop and finalise this legislation and I intend to introduce it to the Oireachtas as soon as possible once that is done.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
301. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications currently awaiting a decision for widow’s, widower’s and surviving civil partner’s contributory pension that are awaiting a decision on entitlement owing to the Supreme Court judgement made on 22 January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38747/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the law as currently enacted, entitlement to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory pension is only available to a surviving partner who was party to a marriage or civil partnership.
As the Deputy is aware, on 22nd January, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the entitlement of an unmarried cohabitant to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory pension. The Supreme Court judgment overruled a previous High Court decision and found in favour of the claimant and his children.In simple terms, the Court found that section 124 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) is inconsistent with the Constitution insofar as it excluded the claimant from the category of persons entitled to benefit from it. The Court reached that conclusion on the basis of the equality guarantee contained in Article 40.1 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court judgment notes that in order to resolve the issue raised by the judgment, a legislative amendment is required. On foot of the decision of the Supreme Court, my officials, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, considered the measures necessary to respond to the judgment, as it raised a number of complex issues. In June, I obtained Government approval for the priority drafting of the legislative changes required to respond to the Supreme Court decision. The General Scheme of a Bill was referred to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for priority drafting and to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny. The Committee issued its report on the 26th July.My officials are continuing to work closely with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to develop and finalise this legislation and I intend to introduce it to the Oireachtas as soon as possible once that is done.
To date, my Department has received a total of 249 applications for widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's contributory pension and/or the widowed (Parent) or surviving civil partner grant which are being held, awaiting the new legislation. Applicants have been advised in writing that it is not possible to decide on their pension entitlement until the new legislation has been enacted. My Department will contact the applicants once the legislation is in place.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
302. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise regarding the expansion of the fuel allowance to people on employment support schemes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38752/24]
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.
I recently announced that for the upcoming Fuel Allowance season, the period a person spends on a Community Employment Scheme, Rural Social Scheme or Tús can be counted when assessing if a person satisfies the qualifying period criterion for Fuel Allowance purposes.
Therefore, claimants who move to these Employment Support Schemes who were previously in receipt of short-term Jobseeker’s Allowance or Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance can accrue entitlement to Fuel Allowance while on the scheme.
This measure will benefit those that leave a qualifying social welfare payment to engage in an Employment Support Scheme.
Furthermore, those who move onto a qualifying social welfare payment for Fuel Allowance such as Jobseekers Allowance or Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance, following completion of these Employment Support Schemes, will also be able to use the period spent on the Employment Support Scheme to satisfy the payment period requirement.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
303. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a State pension (non-contributory) application by a person (details supplied). [38756/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
A state pension non-contributory application form was received from the person concerned on 25 April 2024, and the person’s case was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for their assistance in establishing her entitlement to payment.
Following receipt of the Inspector's report, maximum rate (€266.00) State pension non-contributory and fuel allowance has now been awarded, with effect from 12 July 2024. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 27 September 2024. Payment of the pension, along with arrears will issue on Friday, 4 October 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
304. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department records the number of long-term family carers who are excluded from the State pension (contributory) scheme due to time spent caring (from 1 to 1,039 weeks) while in receipt of the carer’s benefit and/or carer’s allowance, and their credited contributions not being recognised as qualifying contributions; and the estimated cost of redressing this penalty. [38782/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) (SPC) is based on a number of criteria:
• Being aged 66 or over.
• Having entered the Social Insurance system 10 years before you intend to drawdown your SPC.
• Having a minimum of 520 paid social insurance contributions (i.e., 10 years reckonable PRSI contributions).
This Government acknowledges the important role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, carers are not excluded from access to the SPC. Once a person has met the minimum requirement of 520 paid contributions, the State Pension system gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes extended periods outside of paid employment, often to raise families or in a full-time caring role including:
• PRSI credits (which include Credits for Carers Benefit and Carers Allowance).
• Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.
Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependants faced barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory).Based on a Programme for Government commitment, the Pensions Commission was asked to consider how people who have provided long-term care for incapacitated dependants can be accommodated within the State Pension system. The Commission engaged in a public consultation process and had the benefit of presentations from Family Carer’s Ireland and the National Women’s Council in forming its recommendations on the proposals and the period of care. The Commission recommended that long-term carers should be given access to SPC and defined long-term caring as caring for more than 20 years. Setting the criteria of more than 20 years is in recognition of the existing access to SPC for carers who may have up to 20 years of caring periods. I was very pleased to implement this important recommendation and, since January 2024, long-term carer's contributions can be awarded to a person who has cared for an incapacitated person for a period of 20 years or more. These contributions will be treated the same as paid contributions for State Pension (Contributory) entitlement only and can be used to fill any gaps in a person's contribution record, including satisfying the minimum 520 contributions required for eligibility.Where a person has less than 20 years caring, they may be entitled to avail of up to 20 years HomeCaring periods or the Homemakers scheme or rely on PRSI credits subject to existing qualification conditions of having 520 paid contributions. All caring periods that are registered with the Department will be recorded on a person's contribution record.
Where a person reaches State Pension age and does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory) or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for one of the following:
1. The State Pension (Non-Contributory) which is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 95% of the State Pension (Contributory); or
2. An increase for a qualified adult (based on their own means), amounting up to 90% of a full rate State Pension (Contributory) where their spouse has a contributory pension; or
3. Where their spouse/civil partner is deceased, a widow’s/widower’s/civil partner’s contributory pension, which they may claim either based on their spouse’s or their own social insurance record. The qualifying conditions for this require fewer contributions paid (260) than the State Pension (Contributory) and the current maximum personal rate for those aged 66 or over is €277.30, i.e., the same as the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory), with allowances (notably the Living Alone Allowance) payable where applicable.
In circumstances where carers have access to the SPC under the measures set out above, it is not possible to provide an estimated cost in the terms set out by the Deputy.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
305. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the progress to achieve the objectives of the report of the Special Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality which pertain to her Department; her views on pension inequality for women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38783/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraProgress has been made in a number of areas relevant to my Department since publication of the Special Committee's report.
This year, my Department’s expenditure on Carer’s Allowance is estimated to be over €1.1 billion, supporting 97,406 people on this payment. I was the first Minister for Social Protection in 14 years to make improvements to the Carer's Allowance means test to enable more people to qualify for the payment. Since June 2022, this amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €117.50 for a single carer and €235 for a carer who is part of couple. These are the highest income disregards in the social welfare system. In Budget 2021, in my first budget in the Department, I increased the Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) to €1,850, its highest ever level. In June this year, the Grant was paid to over 127,000 carers.
Since August 2024, Parent’s Leave and Benefit have been extended by 2 weeks to 9 weeks per parent. In last year's Budget the rate of Maternity Benefit, Paternity Benefit and Parents' benefit was increased by €12 to €274 per week from January 2024.
Child maintenance payments are now excluded from the means assessment for all social welfare payments. In addition, the requirement for applicants for One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker's Transitional Payment to make "efforts to seek maintenance" from their child's other parent has been removed.
There are three primary pension payments available to men and women aged 66 or above paid by my Department. When combined, the average pension payment made to men and women is relatively similar. Since the introduction of the Total Contributions Approach in 2018, the provision of HomeCaring periods for those who take time out of the workforce to care for children and other dependent relatives has resulted in women increasing their rate of payment under the State Pension (Contributory).
Since January this year, long-term carer's contributions are available to those who care for 20 years or more for incapacitated carees. These carers are predominately women. The contributions provide the equivalent of a paid contribution for pension purposes to those who have provided full-time care to an incapacitated person for 20 or more years. This measure is helping more women qualify for the State Pension (Contributory) and increases the rate of payment for some who already qualify.
I acknowledge that there is still a significant gender gap in occupational and private pensions. This is primarily as a result of lower labour market participation throughout the years because of traditional caring responsibilities of women. It is anticipated that the introduction of the auto-enrolment scheme by my Department will lead to increased pension coverage especially for women.
