Niamh Smyth
Ceist:681. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review a case (details supplied); to review the four questions/points outlined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44809/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Reviews
Ceisteanna (681)
Freagraí scríofa
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 476 paid contributions which falls short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard state pension (contributory). The person concerned also has 83 credited full-rate contributions in addition to 1,040 paid and 888 credited modified-rate contributions. As the person concerned paid modified contributions, their entitlement to a mixed insurance pension was examined. A mixed insurance pension was awarded from 5 November 2023 at the weekly rate of €62.40 per week, or 22.08% of the maximum rate.
In relation to caring periods, the Home Caring Periods cannot be used to satisfy the 520 reckonable paid contribution requirements. If the person concerned was caring for at least 1040 weeks (20 years) they may qualify for Long Term Carers contributions which can be used to satisfy the 520 requirements. The person concerned can apply online via their MyWelfare account under the Pension Caring Supports option.
In relation to the contributions paid in the HSE, my Department has requested an up-to-date copy of the modified contribution record. On receipt of this, their entitlement will be reviewed. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
Where a person qualifies for less than the maximum rate of state pension (contributory), it is open to them to apply for one of the following:
• The means-tested 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
• An increase for a qualified adult (based on their own means), amounting up to 90% of a full rate state Pension (contributory) pension where their spouse has a contributory pension.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
School Meals Programme
Ceisteanna (682)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:682. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that Irish-sourced foods are used in the delivery of the school meals programme; if any attempt was made to ensure that Irish-grown produce would be used to the greatest extent possible prior to the roll-out of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44825/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are some 2,200 Primary Schools currently eligible for hot school meals for the 2024-2025 school year. As announced in Budget 2025, Hot School Meals will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025 meaning that there will be 3,200 eligible schools in respect of 550,000 children.
All schools who wish to avail of funding are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules and the primary relationship is between school and supplier.
All school meals suppliers are legally obliged to ensure the food they produce is safe to eat and are fully responsible in complying with health and safety legislation at all stages as stated by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
It should also be noted that under EU laws, and as reflected in public procurement rules, it cannot be specified that food must originate from a particular country. That would be in breach of EU single market rules.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Money Advice and Budgeting Service
Ceisteanna (683)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:683. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding provided to MABS in 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [44845/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As you will be aware, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is funded by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), a statutory body under the aegis of my Department.
MABS provides free advice and support to people on debt and money management issues.
MABS also provides support to people in mortgage arrears and is the gateway to Abhaile - the National Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service.
MABS comprises of eight regional companies, MABS Support and National Traveller MABS.
Each company has the flexibility to allocate resources appropriately in response to customer needs. In addition, customers in a region have access to all MABS services of the region and can contact any MABS Money Advisor in that region about their case by phone, email, online chat or video.
The funding provided by CIB to these ten MABS companies for 2023 and 2024 is outlined in the table below. These figures include annual funding for operation of the MABS Dedicated Mortgage Arrears Service, which forms part of the Abhaile service.
Funding for 2025 cannot be confirmed as this stage by CIB, as the overall REV Estimates have not yet been published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
|
Year |
Funding Provided by CIB to 10 MABS Companies |
|
2023 |
€20,279,515 |
|
2024 |
€20,841,704 |
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (684)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:684. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of contracts (details supplied) a company had with her Department in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the nature of services this company provided to her Department; and the amount her Department paid this company for such services in each of the years in question. [44846/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My department has five contracts in place with Vodafone Ireland for the periods requested. These contracts are for a range of networking equipment for my departments networks and to provide support and maintenance for my department's contact centre. I have outlined the information requested in tabular form below.
|
Year |
No. Contracts |
Nature of services provided |
Expenditure |
|
2022 |
5 |
Contact Centre maintenance and support. Fixed Voice phone services Provision of mobile voice and data and associated services The provision of network equipment and associated services Provision of data centre network products, solutions, and associated services |
€2,459,791.68 |
|
2023 |
5 |
Contact Centre maintenance and support. Fixed Voice phone services Provision of mobile voice and data and associated services The provision of network equipment and associated services Provision of data centre network products, solutions, and associated services |
€2,251,218.19 |
|
2024 |
5 |
Contact Centre maintenance and support. Fixed Voice phone services Provision of mobile voice and data and associated services Provision of data centre network products, solutions and associated services The provision of network equipment and associated services |
€1,271,814.78 |
Departmental Equipment
Ceisteanna (685)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:685. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of mobile phones issued to staff in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the total costs expended by her Department on handsets and phones bills over the same timeframe. [44868/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My department has been actively reducing the number of mobile phones in used by staff. I have outlined the number of mobile phones issued, for the requested years, in tabular form below. This is a record of the number of phones in use as staff can have the same phone for many years. My department has a contract in place that ensures predictability of billing. For this reason, the costs are withheld for commercial reasons.
|
Year |
Number of mobile phones |
|
2022 |
2607 |
|
2023 |
2546 |
|
2024 |
2097 |
Social Welfare Appeals
Ceisteanna (686)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:686. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a disability allowance appeal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44889/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 22nd May 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.
Those papers were received in the appeals office and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 31st October 2024, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (687)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:687. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the grounds on which an optician can charge an additional fee in cases in which a person has been approved for a free eye test and glasses through their PRSI contributions under the treatment benefit scheme; if eye test services, prescriptions, lenses and so on, that may be more specialist in nature, are not included under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44919/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. However, my Department administers the treatment benefit scheme which provides certain dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. These treatments are also available to their dependent spouse or partner, if applicable.
In recent years, the overall number of claims and expenditure on optical services under the treatment benefit scheme has increased year on year. In 2023, there were some 1.1 million optical treatments carried out under the scheme at a cost of €45 million.
The scheme entitles an eligible person to a free standard eyesight test once every second calendar year, to include one free pair of reading or distance spectacles, if applicable. The basic frames for the spectacles are free of charge; however, the person can opt to pay a top up to the opticians for more expensive frames.
There are other non-standard optical services provided under the scheme, once every second calendar year. These include, free of charge, exams which require dilation or ophthalmic medical exams. Other spectacles that require non-standard lenses, such as bifocal or varifocal lenses, are also provided free of charge under the scheme.
My Department keeps its schemes and supports under review to make sure they continue to meet their objectives. Any changes to the current treatment benefit scheme would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context, taking into consideration the sustainability challenges facing the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Ceisteanna (688)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:688. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal following a successful appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44946/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Disability 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.
Arising from successful appeal, an option letter was sent to the person concerned on 30 October 2024, asking her to confirm if she wished to proceed with her DA claim or stay on her current social welfare payment which is payable at a higher rate.
On receipt of this information a decision will be made on their DA and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Ceisteanna (689)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Ceist:689. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection to engage on the issue of community employment supervisor pay to uphold the commitment given to re-enter talks given to the relevant unions and to ensure that vital work carried out by dedicated staff in communities can continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44959/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Community Employment (CE) schemes deliver important locally based community services, while providing a valuable training and development opportunity to the long-term unemployed and to those furthest removed from the labour market.
The Deputy will be aware that CE scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding. 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.
In 2023, Pay increases were awarded to CE supervisors, an increase of 3% from 1 April 2023 and 2% from 1 November 2023, the funding for which was provided by my Department as the programme funder.
Officials from my Department, as the programme funder, continue to engage in ongoing discussions with the employer and unions representatives on a range of issues including remuneration.
In particular, in respect of this issue, I have written to Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform seeking approval for my officials to progress the remuneration discussions.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (690)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:690. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale for applying different rules as regards contributory pension credit eligibility for family carers who have provided unpaid care for fewer than twenty years, compared with other persons who access State payments, such as jobseekers or long-term carers. [44976/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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. 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. 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 such as jobseekers (up to a maximum of 10 years' credits).
• 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.
Therefore there is no difference in the application of rules with regards to Homecaring credits and other credits such as jobseekers, once a person meets the 520 minimum paid contributions these credits can be used. Also HomeCaring Periods and other credits, including those issued for other reasons including jobseekers can be combined to a maximum of 20 years worth of contributions.
As the Deputy is aware, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents faced barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory). They may, for example, have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 520 paid contributions. To alleviate these barriers I was pleased to introduce long-term carers contributions (LTCCs) from January 2024. LTCCs differ from PRSI credits or Homecaring periods in the manner in which they are applied.
Since January 2024, LTCCs can be awarded to a person who has cared for an incapacitated person for a period of 20 years (1040 weeks) or more and these contributions can be used towards the calculation of their State Pension (Contributory) entitlement. This is done by attributing the equivalent of a paid contribution to long-term carers of incapacitated dependents to cover gaps in their contribution record. These long-term carers contributions will be treated the same as paid contributions for State Pension (Contributory) entitlement only and can, where there are gaps in paid contributions, be used to satisfy the minimum 520 qualifying contributions condition.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Inspections
Ceisteanna (691)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:691. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual cost of deploying inspectors to assess compliance with State benefits for family carers, in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [44977/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are two Carers' schemes administered by my Department - Carer's Benefit which is linked to the customer's PRSI contribution record and Carer's Allowance which is a means-tested income support scheme.
Decisions on customers' applications for these Carers' schemes are made by Deciding Officers based in the Department's Longford office. On occasions, an application for a Carer's payment is referred by a Deciding Officer to a Social Welfare Inspector for further investigation of the customer's circumstances.
Social Welfare Inspectors work across all of the Department's schemes therefore it is not possible to identify the specific cost of deploying Social Welfare Inspectors to investigate compliance with any individual scheme such as Carer's Allowance or Benefit.
Social Welfare Appeals
Ceisteanna (692)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:692. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a review of the decision not to award a transition payment to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44984/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned made an application for Jobseekers Benefit (JB) for 65-Year-Olds on 12/08/2024.
In order to qualify for this payment a person must have ceased employment and self-employment.
According to the PRSI contribution information available to the Department the person concerned continues to pay Class S PRSI as a self-employed person. The person therefore cannot be considered to be unemployed for the purposes of claiming Jobseekers Benefit (JB) for 65-Year-Olds.
A decision to disallow JB in this case issued to the person concerned on 15/08/2024.
The person concerned did not appeal this decision.
If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulty they may apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is a means tested payment on household income.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Schemes
Ceisteanna (693)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:693. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection when the fuel allowance was last increased. [45028/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Following Budget 2022, in October 2021 the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance was increased by €5 to €33 per week. This is the last time the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance was increased.
The Government has also provided lump-sum payments to Fuel Allowance recipients as part of cost-of-living measures announced in recent Budgets. When providing for lump-sum payments I was conscious that the bulk of energy costs will be incurred in the months after the Budget so I wanted to address this by providing a large one-off payment rather than through a smaller increase in the weekly rate of payment.
In Budget 2025, I again provided for an additional lump sum payment of €300 to be paid to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment in November 2024. This payment is the equivalent to a €10 a week increase to Fuel Allowance over a 28-week fuel season.
When taken in conjunction with the 2 electricity credits totalling €250 which will be applied to electricity bills, Fuel Allowance households will receive an additional €550 towards their energy costs.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Ceisteanna (694)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:694. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of the 2023 budget for the free travel scheme that was actually spent. [45029/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Free Travel scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those aged under 66 on certain qualifying payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State. From 29th of July 2024, the scheme was extended to people who are medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months.
The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and a range of transport services offered by private bus and ferry transport operators countrywide.
In 2023, the original estimate for Free Travel was €95m and the outturn was €92.577m. Therefore, the percentage which was actually spent was 97.4%.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Ceisteanna (695)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:695. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the processing times for disability allowance applications in each of the first nine months of 2024. [45054/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
The average number of weeks to award a Disability Allowance claim is currently 7 weeks. My Department understands the many pressures faced by people and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently.
The table below shows the processing times for disability allowance applications in each of the first nine months of 2024 as requested:
|
2024 Month |
Processing Time (weeks) |
|
January |
12 |
|
February |
13 |
|
March |
12 |
|
April |
11 |
|
May |
8 |
|
June |
7 |
|
July |
6 |
|
August |
6 |
|
September |
7 |
In respect of 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.
To ensure the Department can make timely and fair decisions, applicants should ensure that they complete the application form fully and attach all the supporting documentation required as per the checklist on the application form. It is particularly important that an applicant provides, at the outset, all the details they have in relation to their medical conditions to best support their claim.
In order to register a claim and establish an early entitlement or claim date, many people submit an application without first securing all of the necessary supporting documentation. Claims with missing supporting information typically take longer to process.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (696)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:696. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if a claim to a reduced pension by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45082/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned will reach pension age on 15 January 2025. An application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 16 August 2024.
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.
The records of my Department show the person concerned has a total of 123 full-rate paid contributions and 2,222 modified rate contributions. As this falls short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard State pension (contributory) and the 260 full-rate contributions for a mixed insurance pension, the person concerned was notified on 2 October 2024 that they did not qualify for a pension.
Class A contributions paid by the person concerned during the 1990s are not considered reckonable for pension purposes as they were paid as part of subsidiary employment. Earned income would be liable for PRSI regardless of future pension entitlement. Typically, subsidiary employment would be liable for Class J PRSI, which is not reckonable for pension and as such would be paid at a lower rate than Class A PRSI.
Since 1 January 2024, state pension (contributory) has become more flexible. A person can claim their pension at any age between 66 and 70. This allows a person to continue to pay PRSI after age 66 to improve their contribution record. If the person concerned takes up insurable employment and pays full-rate contributions, it will be open for them to re-apply for state pension (contributory) at a later stage. I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (697)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:697. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if miners' compensation will be paid to an individual who has not receive a payment to date (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45100/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Miner’s compensation is not a payment made by the Department of Social Protection.
The person concerned is in receipt of a State Pension Contributory at a rate of €271.90 per week and a Disablement Benefit payment of €78.90 per week. He is also in receipt of Fuel Allowance of €33 per week during the Fuel season and qualifies for the Household Benefits package and Free Travel scheme. The person concerned is in receipt of an increase for a qualified adult at a rate of €184.70 per week. This payment for a qualified adult will increase to €248.60 from 15 November 2024.
The person concerned will benefit from the cost of living measures announced in Budget 2025 and the new weekly rates applicable from January 2025.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (698)
Michael Creed
Ceist:698. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person in County Cork (details supplied) has been refused the carer's allowance; if the appropriate income disregard has been applied in this case; if the income was reduced by the €9.47 by which it currently allegedly exceeds the statutory limit if the person would be then entitled to a full carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45248/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
An application for Carer's Allowance was received from the person concerned on 02 September 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 23 October 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.
When a person has means assessed above the disregard of €900.00 for a couple (€450.00 for a single person) it will start to affect the rate of carer's payment awarded. This is done on a sliding scale so the higher above the €900 the less the payment to the carer up to point where they are no longer qualifying for any carer’s payment at all (this is not done on a euro for euro basis). As the carer’s payment the customer is entitled to reduces, it comes off the main component first (€248). Once this is exhausted, it moves to the child support payment (€27). In the case of the person concerned, the weekly means is €288.25 and this exceeds the statutory means limit of €280.09 and therefore does not qualify for the payment of Carer's allowance.
However, should the person concerned circumstances change or they have a reduction of income in the future then it is open to them to re-apply for Carer's Allowance.
The means test for Carer’s Allowance has been significantly eased over the years and is now one of the most generous means tests in the Social Welfare system. As part of Budget 2025, the weekly income disregard will increase from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1250 for carers with a spouse / partner. These changes to the income disregard will take effect from July 2025.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (699, 700)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:699. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the case of a person (details supplied) where they are being requested to repay monies owed from rent supplement overpayments in 2012 which they have no recollection of receiving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45293/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraViolet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:700. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the case of a person (details supplied) where they are being requested to repay monies owed from one parent family payment overpayments of €3,203.57 to which they have no knowledge of owing these monies. [45294/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 699 and 700 together.
Persons who have been overpaid social welfare have a liability to refund the overpayment as they have been in receipt of a payment to which they were not entitled. Overpayments of social welfare entitlements can occur where a person provides false or misleading information in their application or through error on the part of either the claimant or the Department.
The person concerned had overpayments recorded on One Parent Family Payment (OFP) and Rent Supplement (RS). The overpayments amounted to €10,569.90, (OFP €9125.90 and RS €1,344). The current balance outstanding is €4,574.57, (OFP €3,203.57 and RS €1,344).
Repayments of almost €6,000 were made through deductions from various Social Welfare payments between 2010 – 2014, and through a standing order, set up by the person concerned, between 2014 – 2018. No repayments have been made since April 2018.
An annual statement of debt has issued to the person concerned since 2018 and the most recent correspondence (October 2024) relates to the outstanding debt balance and a request to contact the Department to arrange an acceptable repayment plan.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 700 answered with Question No. 699.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (701)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:701. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if a visa request (details supplied) will be expedited as a matter of urgency given the extenuating circumstances. [45153/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am happy to inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the Visa was granted on 30 October 2024.
Entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individuals to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain entry. The Immigration Officer may grant leave to enter to a maximum period of three months. They may, depending on the documentation presented refuse entry to the state or grant a lesser period than three months.
I can advise the Deputy, my Department has now introduced a Digital Contact Centre (DCC) for our customers. The DCC allows individuals to log in and review the status of their immigration applications.
In its first phase, the DCC can be used to check the status of and raise queries in relation to Citizenship Applications, Visa Applications, Domestic Residence Permission Applications, EU Treaty Rights Applications and Travel Documents Applications.
My Department’s new platform can be accessed at the following link: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.