Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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328. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that an application for the back-to-work enterprise allowance by a person (details supplied) was unsuccessful; the options that are available to the person who is looking to come off social welfare and to become self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38143/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and who wish to pursue self-employment as a route to entering the labour market. The scheme plays a vital role in supporting the development of new enterprises for the long-term unemployed and is payable for a 24 month period from the commencement of the new business.

I understand that the person concerned has not in fact made an application for BTWEA, but did discuss their eligibility for it with an employment services officer from my Department. Unfortunately, he does not meet the qualifying criteria for BTWEA in relation to the number of days in receipt of a qualifying payment and the number of days worked in the last year.

However, a self-employed person may be entitled to a jobseeker's payment provided they satisfy the normal qualifying conditions for that payment. The person concerned was advised of this option and informed that they could commence self-employment while retaining a jobseeker's payment subject to their income from self-employment being means tested. If the person wishes to pursue this option, they should contact their local Intreo Office.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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329. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to increase core social welfare rates by €20 per week in Budget 2023 in order to provide assistance with the rising cost of living in line with calls from a number of organisations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38158/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that I will be considering a range of options for Budget 2023 over the coming months, taking account of available resources.

Over the long term, Ireland’s social welfare system has performed strongly in protecting our most vulnerable citizens. In 2021, social transfers reduced the at-risk-of-poverty rate from 38.6% to 11.6%. This represents a 70% reduction on the at-risk-of-poverty rate. Ireland is consistently one of the best performing EU countries in reducing poverty through social transfers.

It is through this evidence-based approach that, over the past 10 years, budget measures have both exceeded inflation in that period and have also been targeted to support those most at risk of poverty. This is evident in the recent results of the Survey on Income and Living Conditions which showed welcome reductions in the number of people at risk of poverty or deprivation.

Having said that, the Government is acutely aware of recent price increases and their impact on households who are dependent on social welfare. For this reason, this Government did not await a further budget cycle to address these challenges but acted early. Overall, the tax and spending measures we have introduced to ease the burden and provide support to those most in need have amounted to €2.4 billion.

Last week I, along with my government colleagues, announced further measures to mitigate the rising cost of living for families. I provided an additional €100 increase in the rate of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for each qualifying child. This brings the rate for children aged 4–11 years to €260, and €385 for children aged 12 and over. This will benefit over 262,000 children.

I am also inviting an additional 310 recently designated DEIS schools to participate in the School Meals programme which will benefit almost 60,000 additional children. In addition, my colleague Minister Foley announced that students availing of the school transport scheme will not be charged fees for the next academic year. These measures will cost an additional €67 million and will help struggling families with back-to-school costs.

The Government continues to monitor the situation carefully in preparation for the Budget. I will be meeting a range of NGOs at the Department's pre-budget forum later this month and will listen carefully to the views expressed by all organisations including, I hope, Social Justice Ireland and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

This Government has provided timely, targeted support and I will continue to prioritise evidence-based measures aimed at supporting the most vulnerable in our society.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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330. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide details of the promised review of the current long-term disability payment scheme; the timeline for the public consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38159/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 – 2025 included a commitment to develop and consult on a ‘strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long term disability payments to simplify the system and take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay report.

The Cost of Disability research report was published by my Department in December 2021, which will feed into the preparation of reform proposals. Work on these proposals is advancing within my department and will include wider consultation process in due course.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In the sad circumstances outlined in the question, legislative provision has been made for this scenario. Social welfare supports can be availed of by the appointment of an agent on behalf of the person.

Section 244(1)(b) of Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 provides for the appointment of a nominated Agent, subject to medical certification of the payment recipient as being so incapacitated as to be unable to manage their financial affairs.

This Agent can represent the person, as necessary, in all social welfare matters and, subject to certain conditions, can receive and deal with any sums payable to the person.

Article 202(2) of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 142 of 2007) stipulates the circumstances in which a person may be ‘unable to manage their financial affairs’, including their inability to understand possible entitlement to social welfare schemes at all, their inability to complete a claim form, deal with correspondence, handle their own claim enquiries or collect weekly scheme payments.