Written Answers Nos. 248-270
248. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the agreement reached to increase community employment supervisors’ pay in 2023; if she will confirm that the Government committed to re-enter talks with the union representatives of community employment workers in 2024; if she will provide an update on any ongoing talks process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45542/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity 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.
249. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if assistance is available to a person (details supplied) further to an unsuccessful maternity benefit claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45524/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaternity Benefit is a payment made for up to 26 weeks to employed and self-employed women who are on maternity leave from work and who satisfy certain conditions including social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions on their own insurance record.
Maternity Benefit is paid by the Department of Social Protection to women who have a certain number of paid P.R.S.I. contributions on their social insurance record and who are in insurable employment up to the first day of their maternity leave. There are also provisions for claimants to access Maternity Benefit in instances where insurable employment ends within 16 weeks of the end of the week in which the baby is due.
There are several pathways in which a claimant can satisfy the P.R.S.I. contribution requirements. The three most recent complete calendar years are considered where the claimant is self-employed. The different pathways are detailed below. Each self-employed claimant must satisfy one of the following:
52 paid Class S contributions in the Relevant Tax Year (RTY): the relevant tax year is 2 years prior to the current year; for claims starting in 2024 this would be 2022.
52 paid Class S contributions paid in the year following the RTY (for claims starting in 2024 the RTY would be 2022 and the year following the RTY would be 2023)
52 paid Class S contributions paid in the year prior to the RTY (for claims starting in 2024 the RTY would be 2022 and the year prior to the RTY would be 2021)
To be liable to pay PRSI a self-employed worker must earn over a certain amount (€5,000.00) in one of those years.
Our records show the claimant’s earnings in the qualifying years were below the threshold where she would have been liable to pay PRSI, therefore, she has insufficient PRSI contributions in the tax years relevant to her claim.
If an individual does not qualify for Maternity Benefit, they may qualify for different payments available depending on their circumstances. If they are working more than 38 hours per fortnight and they have a family, they may qualify for Working Family Payment (WFP) (formerly known as Family Income Supplement).
The person concerned may also wish to contact the Community Welfare Service in her local Intreo office to apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance and for advice on other schemes she may be eligible for.
I trust this clarifies the position for the deputy.
250. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a disability pension has been stopped for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45529/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability whose income falls below certain limits and who are aged between 16 and are under 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to medical assessment, means test and habitual residency conditions.
The Department periodically reviews claims in payment to ensure that there is continued entitlement. In this case the means of the person concerned were reviewed.
Income from a compensation claim was not considered when determining the means of the person concerned for this DA assessment.
However, Approved Minimum Retirement Funds (AMRFs) and Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) pension funds are similar to funds in a bank account in terms of accessibility. Therefore, the current value of the AMRF/ARF is treated as capital for means assessment purposes.
The annual balancing statement shows the amount of the pension fund accessible to the customer. This is the current value of the AMRF/ARF, adjusted for any early encashment. This is the amount to be assessed in accordance with Rule 1(1) of Part 5 Schedule 3 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended).
The evidence relied upon by the deciding officer included a statement from Standard Life with policy Value and a Transfer Value. Upon review it was determined that rather than using the current policy value of the ARF, the overall transfer value of the ARF belonging to the person concerned (which is the lower of the two) was used.
Following a means review, it was determined that although the means of the person concerned have reduced, they are still over the statutory limit for DA. The person concerned was notified on 4th November 2024 of this decision, the reason for it and his right of review and/or appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
251. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons waiting on an oral hearing for social welfare appeals; the steps being taken to reduce same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45590/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that their schedule for oral hearings is currently up to date. Oral hearings are held online, by telephone or in-person. I am advised that there are currently 12 appeals the subject of the oral hearing process. Seven further appeals are currently scheduled for oral hearings in the coming weeks and all parties have been notified and have accepted the times and dates. Five appeals are currently in the process of scheduling hearings. To date in 2024, 380 oral hearings have been conducted by the appeals office.
Under current regulations, if an Appeals Officer is of the opinion that the case is of such a nature that it can be properly determined without a hearing, the appeal may be determined summarily. It is not possible to state how many appeal cases may require an oral hearing at any one time. However, for those appeals where it is identified that an oral hearing is required, a hearing can generally be arranged within approximately two weeks.
Oral hearing arrangements will continue to be kept under regular review by the Chief Appeals Officer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
252. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 23 October 2024, the number of these illness benefit claims which lasted for one year; the number of these claims which ceased as a result of having up to 259 weeks of social insurance contributions; the number of these illness benefit claims which lasted for the maximum two years; of the 213 disability allowance claims in payment, the number that transferred over from illness benefit after one year, and the number of these claimants that are in receipt of this payment for at least six months, and those of one year or more in payment; of the 213 disability allowance claims in payment, the number that transferred over from illness benefit after two years, and the number of these claimants that are in receipt of this payment for at least six months, and those of one year or more in payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45671/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra253. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 23 October 2024, the number of these illness benefit claims which lasted for one year; the number of these claims which ceased as a result of having up to 259 weeks of social insurance contributions; the number of these illness benefit claims which lasted for the maximum two years; of the 213 disability allowance claims in payment, the number that transferred over from illness benefit after one year, and the number of these claimants that are in receipt of this payment for at least six months, and those of one year or more in payment; of the 213 disability allowance claims in payment, the number that transferred over from illness benefit after two years, and the number of these claimants that are in receipt of this payment for at least six months, and those of one year or more in payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45680/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 253 together.
I am informed by officials in my Department that this analysis will take more time to compile. My officials will therefore send the requested information directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
254. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will amend the current legislation and or scheme guidelines to make provision to allow a disregard for the contribution made in respect of nursing home fees under the fair deal scheme, where a member of a couple requires long-term residential care, from the income of a couple for the purposes of establishing an entitlement to State pension (non-contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45681/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters in relation to the Nursing Home Support Scheme (the Fair Deal scheme), including the assessment of a couple’s means under that Scheme, are a matter for the Minister for Health.
My Department provides income supports through a mixture of contributory payments, which are based on a person's social insurance record, and means-tested social assistance payments.
The State 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.
By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure commitments or income tax circumstances so there is no provision under the rules to allow a disregard for any contribution made in respect of expenses including nursing home fees under the Fair Deal scheme.
Any decision to allow a disregard for nursing home fees under the Fair Deal scheme for the means test for State pension (non-contributory) would have budgetary implications and would have to be considered from an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
255. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who has appealed a decision to reject their application for disability allowance and since appealing has yet to hear a response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45698/24]
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 with the Appeals Office on 26 September 2024. The relevant departmental papers were also requested from the Disability Allowance section of the Department on 26 September 2024. I am advised that the Disability Allowance section have completed a further review and have revised the original decision and notified the Appeals Office that they have now awarded the claim. The appeal was subsequently withdrawn by the Appeals Office on 05 November 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
256. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to allow for changes to the means test for the contributory pension qualified adult allowance payment for persons whose spouses are in receipt of allowance but who are in long-term care under the fair deal scheme, so the majority of this income is going towards to the cost of care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45709/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters in relation to the Nursing Home Support Scheme (the Fair Deal scheme), including the assessment of a couple’s means under that Scheme, are a matter for the Minister for Health.
My Department provides income supports through a mixture of contributory payments, which are based on a person's social insurance record, and means-tested social assistance payments.
A State pension (contributory) recipient can claim an increase on their pension in respect of a qualified adult where the eligibility conditions for this means-tested payment are satisfied.
An Increase for qualified adult (IQA) is payable at the maximum rate of payment where the means of the qualified adult are not more than €100 per week. Reduced rates are payable where means are over €100 and not more than €310 per week. No increase is payable where means are in excess of €310 per week.
A review of the rate payable can be undertaken where a reduced rate IQA is in payment, and the individual’s circumstances have changed. Although no additional allowances are paid to the qualified adult when their spouse or civil partner has moved to residential care, the payment of eligible allowances, such as fuel allowance will continue in payment.
By its nature, the means test takes account of the income of a person or couple in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure commitments or income tax circumstances.
Any decision in relation to the impact of nursing home fees under the Fair Deal scheme on means tests for the schemes operated by my Department would have budgetary implications and would have to be considered from an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
257. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications made under the additional needs payment to date in 2024; and the number made for the same time period in 2019. [45739/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources.
The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
There were 110,639 Additional Needs Payments applications registered in 2024 (to end of Q3). The reporting of the scheme was revised in 2022 to extract more complete information, including the number of claims registered. Statistics on the number of Additional Needs Payments applications received are not available for 2019, however there were 68,204 such payments awarded, up to the end of Q3 2019.
Any person who considers 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.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
258. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the average wait time for an urgent needs payment in Longford and Westmeath. [45795/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra259. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the average wait time for a supplementary welfare allowance in Longford and Westmeath. [45796/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra261. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community welfare officers employed in Longford and Westmeath in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [45798/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 259 and 261 together.
There is a range of supports provided by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme. These supports can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).
The basic SWA provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. Under the SWA scheme, my Department may also make an ANP to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. An ANP is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and Urgent Needs Payments (UNPs), and certain Supplements available to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. The SWA scheme is demand led and payments are administered by Designated Persons (DPs) in the CWS.
The current average time to award a basic SWA, including in both Longford and Westmeath is one week. Work on hand for ANPs, including in Longford and Westmeath is within the scheme's normal processing levels and fully completed applications, where the required documentation is supplied, are processed generally within ten days.
When considering an application from people in financial difficulty for any payment under the SWA scheme, the DP must consider all of the relevant circumstances when examining a case in determining the most appropriate scheme type and level of assistance required. The DP may ask for a number of supporting documents to ensure the customer receives a level of payment appropriate to their needs. Where an application cannot be finalised promptly, the delay is normally due to the need for additional information or documentation and the time it takes for the information to be provided. Upon receipt of this information, the application is then processed quickly. The CWS is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
There are currently 14 staff in total engaged in the delivery of CWS in Counties Longford and Westmeath. The number of CWOs in 2023 and 2022 are also displayed in the table below.
|
Year |
No. CWOs in Longford |
No. CWOs in Co. Westmeath |
|
Year |
No. CWOs in Longford |
No. CWOs in Co. Westmeath |
|
2022 |
4 |
7 |
|
2023 |
4 |
10 |
|
2024 |
4 |
10 |
Given the fluctuation in demand for the Community Welfare Service, particularly during the pandemic when resources were allocated to areas where they were most needed, staffing numbers within locations changed frequently. Therefore, it is not possible to provide accurate information relating to number of CWOs for prior years.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
260. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for an urgent needs payment in Longford and Westmeath, by reason, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 to date respectively, in tabular form. [45797/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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. This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. Urgent Needs Payments make up only a small percentage of the payments made under the Additional Needs Payment scheme, and the figures provided refer to those payments only.
The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Table 1 shows the number of Urgent Needs Payments applications in Counties Longford and Westmeath for 2022 to 2024 (to end of Q3). Urgent Needs Payments are not classified by a reason. The reporting of the scheme was revised in 2022 to extract more complete information. Statistics on the number of Additional Needs Payments applications received are not available for 2021; however there were 5 Urgent Needs Payments awarded in County Longford and 9 in County Westmeath that year.
Any person who considers 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.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
Table 1 - The number of Urgent Needs Payments applications in Counties Longford and Westmeath from 2022 to 2024 (to end of Q3 2024)
|
|
|
|
Number of Urgent Needs Payment Applications |
|
County |
2022 |
2023 |
2024(to end of Q3) |
|
Longford |
6 |
0 |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
63 |
33 |
22 |
262. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for an urgent needs payments in Kerry, by reason, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, respectively, in tabular form. [45844/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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. This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. Urgent Needs Payments make up only a small percentage of the payments made under the Additional Needs Payment scheme, and the figures provided refer to those payments only.
The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Table 1 shows the number of Urgent Needs Payments applications in County Kerry for 2022 to 2024 (to end of Q3). Urgent Needs Payments are not classified by a reason. The reporting of the scheme was revised in 2022 to extract more complete information. Statistics on the number of Additional Needs Payment applications received are not available for 2021; however there were 14 Urgent Needs Payments awarded in County Kerry that year.
Any person who considers 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.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
Table 1 - The number of Urgent Needs Payments applications in County Kerry from 2022 to 2024 (to end of Q3 2024)
|
|
|
|
Number of Urgent Needs Payment Applications |
|
County |
2022 |
2023 |
2024(to end of Q3) |
|
Kerry |
44 |
30 |
4 |
263. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of introducing a mechanism whereby parents can transfer four weeks parental leave and benefit per parent to grandparents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45954/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe range of leaves available to parents: Maternity, Paternity, and Parent’s Leaves are the responsibility of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Any decision regarding the transfer of that leave to grandparent would be a matter for that Minister. The Department of Social Protection has responsibility for the associated benefit payments.
Maternity, Paternity, and Parent’s Benefit are payments made to parents who are on the corresponding leave from work or who are self-employed and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. Budget 2025 increased the rate of each benefit to €289 per week.
Maternity Benefit is payable for 26 weeks with two weeks minimum to be taken before the due date of birth of the child and the remainder from the date of birth. Mothers can also avail of an additional 16 unpaid weeks commencing immediately after the end of their Maternity Leave.
Paternity Benefit is payable for two weeks within the first 26 weeks following the birth of the child.
Parent’s Benefit is payable to each parent for nine weeks and it can be taken in nine consecutive weeks or separately before the child’s second birthday.
This brings the paid leaves available to parents to 46 weeks. If the mother avails of the additional 16 weeks of unpaid Maternity Leave, the leaves available cover 62 weeks.
These leaves aim to support parents at a crucial time for the development of their relationship with their child.
Additionally, each of these leaves must comply with the European Work Life Balance Directive which provides for a minimum of 14 weeks maternity benefit, 10 days of paternity leave, and two months of non-transferable parent’s leave for each parent. The Directive aims to promote gender equality in the care of children and in the workplace and transferring four weeks of leave to grandparents would impact this commitment. It would also impact Ireland’s compliance to the Work Life Balance Directive.
Simply transferring leave and benefit entitlement to grandparents would not incur obvious additional costs in relation to the payment benefits.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
264. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of proving for a €1,000 child benefit lump sum payment in respect of all newborn babies. [45955/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am delighted, as part of Budget 2025, to have introduced a new baby grant of €280. This new payment will assist parents with the costs associated with new babies. It will provide additional financial support to a family to ensure adequate resources and that the material needs of a newborn are met. It is estimated that in 2025, the grant will be paid in respect of some 54,000 children, at a cost of approximately €15 million.
In order to issue this new payment some changes to my Department’s systems are required. As a result, the first new baby payment will issue in the new year in respect of those babies born in December.
Child Benefit has been awarded in respect of over 270,000 newborn babies over the last 5 years, an average of 54,000 per annum. Based on this average, the net cost of increasing the Child Benefit lump sum payment to €1,000 in respect of all newborn babies would be approximately €39 million per annum.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
265. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance to preschool children. [45956/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
The allowance is paid in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 on or before 30 September and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 on or before 30 September, if returning to full time second level education. To qualify for the allowance the applicant must be in receipt of an increase for a qualified child in respect of the child for whom the allowance is being claimed, the applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and the assessable income for the household must be within a set income limit.
The rates of payment for the 2024 scheme are €160 for children aged between 4 and 11 years and €285 for children aged 12 and over.
As at the end of October 2024, Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments totaling €56.95m have issued to 149,300 families in respect of 264,000 children.
It is estimated that 34,000 children may be eligible for the payment if eligibility was extended to preschool children. The estimated cost of extending the payment to preschool children is €5.4m.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
266. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing all weekly long-term unemployment payments by €5. [45957/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated full year cost of increasing weekly long-term unemployment payments (Jobseeker's Allowance) by €5 per week is €36.4m.
This costing is based on 2024 rates and the estimated number of recipients.
It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2025. It should also be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
267. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing disability allowance by €5. [45958/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.
The primary disability related social assistance scheme is Disability Allowance, which is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged between 16 and 66. In addition to the means test, in order to be eligible, the disability must be expected to last for at least one year. The allowance is also subject to a medical assessment and a habitual residency requirement.
The current maximum personal rate of Disability Allowance is €232 per week. If this figure was increased by €5 per week, based on recipient figures from the end of September 2024, (166,453) the additional cost would be almost €43.3 million per annum.
I am committed to improving outcomes for people with a disability. As a result, I announced an extensive range of cost of living measures to support people with disabilities in Budget 2025 including a €12 increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments, including Disability Allowance, from January 2025. There will be proportionate increases for people on a reduced rate.
Other improvements for people with disabilities include:
• October 2024 cost of living bonus for people in receipt of a long term weekly social welfare payment.
• €400 cost of living lump sum payment for people in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension, paid in November 2024.
• €300 cost of living lump sum payment to all households getting Fuel Allowance, paid in November 2024.
• €200 cost of living lump sum payment to people who are getting a Living Alone Increase, paid in November 2024.
• €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting a Child Support Payment (previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child), paid for each qualified child in November 2024.
• Christmas bonus to all persons in receipt of a long-term disability payment to be paid in December 2024.
• Weekly rates of Child Support Payment (previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child) will increase by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 and over, and by €4 to €50 for under 12s in January 2025
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
268. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the blind pension by €5. [45959/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.
The primary social assistance scheme for people who are blind or visually impaired is the Blind Pension, which is a means-tested payment payable to those aged between 18 and 66. Blind Pension is the only income support payment designed to cater for a specific disability.
I am committed to improving outcomes for people with a disability. As a result, I announced an extensive range of cost of living measures and improvements to schemes to support people with disabilities in Budget 2025. These included a €12 increase in the maximum personal rate of Blind Pension, from January 2025, a cost of living lump sum of €400 and double payments in October and December.
The current maximum personal rate of Blind Pension is €232 per week. If this figure was increased by €5 per week as suggested by the Deputy, based on recipient figures from the end of September 2024 (926), the additional cost would be €240,760 per annum.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
269. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing invalidity pension by €5. [45960/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.
Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and who are covered by PRSI contributions. To qualify, the person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months; or must be permanently incapable of work.
The current maximum personal rate of Invalidity Pension is €237.50 per week. If this figure was increased by €5 per week, based on recipient figures from the end of September 2024 (56,201), the additional cost would be €14.6 million per annum.
I am committed to improving outcomes for people with a disability and as a result, I announced an extensive range of cost of living measures to support people with disabilities in Budget 2025 including a €12 increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments, including Invalidity Pension, from January 2025. There will be proportionate increases for people on a reduced rate.
Other improvements for people with disabilities include:
• October 2024 cost of living bonus for people in receipt of a long term weekly social welfare payment.
• €400 cost of living lump sum payment for people in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension, paid in November 2024.
• €300 cost of living lump sum payment to all households getting Fuel Allowance, paid in November 2024.
• €200 cost of living lump sum payment to people who are getting a Living Alone Increase, paid in November 2024.
• €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting a Child Support Payment (previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child), paid for each qualified child in November 2024.
• Christmas bonus to all persons in receipt of a long-term disability payment to be paid in December 2024.
• Weekly rates of Child Support Payment (previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child) will increase by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 and over, and by €4 to €50 for under 12s in January 2025
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
270. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of introducing a €500 annual cost of disability support payment for all recipients of disability allowance, blind pension and invalidity pension. [45961/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to improving outcomes for people with a disability. As a result, I announced an extensive range of cost of living measures to support people with disabilities in Budget 2025. These included:
• October 2024 cost of living bonus for people in receipt of a long term weekly social welfare payment.
• €400 cost of living lump sum payment for people in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension, paid in November 2024.
• €300 cost of living lump sum payment to all households getting Fuel Allowance, paid in November 2024.
• €200 cost of living lump sum payment to people who are getting a Living Alone Increase, paid in November 2024.
• €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting a Child Support Payment (previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child), paid for each qualified child in November 2024.
• Christmas bonus to all persons in receipt of a long-term disability payment to be paid in December 2024.
• €12 increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments from January 2025. There will be proportionate increases for people on a reduced rate.
• Weekly rates of Child Support Payment (previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child) will increase by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 and over, and by €4 to €50 for under 12s in January 2025
• €20 increase a month in Domiciliary Care Allowance from January 2025.
Introducing a €500 annual cost of disability support payment for recipients of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension, based on recipient figures as at the end of September 2024 (223,580 recipients), would cost almost €111.8 million annually.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
