Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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148. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the main policy initiatives undertaken by her Department since 27 June 2020; and her main priorities for 2021. [2092/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My specific priorities in 2021 include the finalisation and implementation of a new Pathways to Work Strategy which will increase the supports available to those who are unemployed, particularly those who are long-term unemployed, the further delivery of the pension commitments as outlined in the Programme for Government and the Roadmap for Pensions Reform; and the ongoing implementation of commitments in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion.  I also want to ensure that our social welfare system works for people with disabilities and carers by ensuring that access to employment services are tailored to their needs.

Regarding achievements since I became Minister, the estimate for the Department of Social Protection in 2021 is €25.1 billion. This is more than €4 billion larger than the Department's Budget Day allocation for 2020. Much of that additional spending will be required to meet the ongoing costs of the pandemic unemployment payment and other pandemic-related supports.

In 2020, my Department issued some 12 million payments to more than 800,000 people under the pandemic unemployment payment - the equivalent of processing seven years’ worth of jobseeker applications in eight months.  The enormous efforts involved by the staff of the Department, undertaken alongside the continuation of other critical work, ensured that vital income support was made available at a time of crisis to those employees and self-employed who were affected by the pandemic. 

However, I am pleased, even in these difficult times, to have also been able to secure almost €300 million for a series of targeted measures . For example, the Carer's Support Grant has increased by €150 to €1850 - its highest ever rate.  An increase of €5 in the Living Alone Allowance was also included in the Budget. This will benefit over 221,700 pensioners and people with disabilities.  

The Social Welfare Act 2020 also provided for maintaining the state pension age at 66 years of age as committed in the Programme for Government.  Also, In line with the Programme for Government, I have established an independent Pensions Commission to examine the range of issues associated with the State Pension system.