Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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98. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the options open to school staff who have to sign on for job seekers benefit during the school holidays, in the context that the payments often arrive after the holiday, making it impossible for them to pay bills, buy food, and so on, with particular reference to the reason the payment is so reduced and delayed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25849/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Educational Sector Workers (ESWs) who wish to avail of income support while temporarily laid-off during the school breaks can apply for a jobseeker’s payment but must satisfy all the qualifying conditions to receive this payment, including being available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work.

A person should apply for Jobseeker’s Benefit as soon as they become unemployed. Initially, when a person makes an application for Jobseeker’s Benefit, 3 waiting days apply and payment is made from the 4th day of the claim where there is no accrued holiday entitlement from their employer. If, however, a person makes a repeat claim for Jobseeker’s Benefit within 26 weeks of their previous claim, the repeat claim links to the earlier claim and no waiting days apply.

A jobseeker’s payment is paid for days of unemployment where a person is not in receipt of holiday pay from their employer for those days and where they also satisfy the conditions of the scheme.

Educational sector workers, who are employed on a temporary basis and who have previously been in contact with the Department, are issued with a repeat jobseeker’s application form and holiday form in advance of the school holiday periods. This advance process facilitates an efficient service to these customers and allows for speedy processing of their claim when the period of unemployment actually arises.

My Department ensures that all claims are decided in a timely manner but delays may occur if all documentation, including if there is a delay with having the Holiday Entitlement Form (Form UP2c/d) completed by an employer.

It should be noted that there is no specific scheme available for Educational Sector Works when they are temporarily laid-off during all the school breaks. The appropriate scheme is jobseeker’s subject to the person meeting all the qualifying conditions. I would advise that those Educational Sector Workers who feel that they satisfy all the qualifying conditions for a payment to apply when they are temporary laid-off from their employment at school breaks. However, if a person experiences financial difficulties while awaiting a social welfare payment they may contact their local Community Welfare Service for support.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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99. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment can be made available to a person (details supplied), both of whose parents passed away in the past year leaving them with exceptionally high bereavement costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25854/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. An ANP application can be made for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for an ANP on 30/08/2023 to assist with funeral costs in respect of her late mother. A letter subsequently issued to the person in which she was asked to provide further documentation in support of her claim. As this information was not received, the person’s application could not be progressed. The person concerned submitted a further ANP application to assist with funeral costs in respect of her late mother on 08/03/2024 as well as a new application in respect of her father’s death. A request for further information issued to the person on the same day. As the requested documentation was not received, the applications could not be progressed and they were closed.

Following your representation, two repeat application packs have been issued to the person concerned for her deceased parents . These forms should be completed and returned to my Department with all relevant supporting information. When all the necessary documentation has been received, the claims can be progressed, and the applicant will be advised of the outcome in writing.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25857/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a range of income supports for people who are parenting alone including the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment.

Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) is a means-tested payment. A person may qualify for this payment if they do not live with a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and their youngest child is between 7 and 14 years old.

The person concerned was awarded a JST payment on 05/08/2021 and, as of 30/05/2024, was in receipt of a weekly rate of €253, made up of a personal rate of €232 and an increase for one child of €46 less means due to child maintenance of €25.

Following a recent change in legislation, with effect from 06/06/2024, the child maintenance portion of any maintenance a person receives is no longer assessable as means. For this reason, the person’s claim has been reviewed and their rate of JST payable, from 06/06/2024, was increased to €278. The decision was made in accordance with Section 8 of the Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024.

The person concerned was informed of this decision in a letter dated 30/05/2024 and the first payment of €278 was paid on 06/06/2024.

Please note that this Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment is in the sole name of the person concerned and it is paid weekly into the bank account nominated by the person concerned.

Information on all schemes and payments administered by my Department can be found at www.gov.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if household benefit is payable (details supplied). [25858/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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There is no record of a recent Household Benefits Package application form having been received from the person concerned.

The person concerned can apply online at MyWelfare.ie for the Household Benefits Package if they have a verified MyGovID account, or they can complete the application form which has issued to them.

On receipt of their application, the person's entitlement to the Household Benefits Package will be examined and they will be notified of the outcome without delay.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25859/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance 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, a means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

As previously advised to the Deputy, the financial position of the person concerned had been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to complete a fresh assessment of means. This SWI examines the means of the person concerned, including details of the maintenance order submitted to the Department by you and the applicant separately.

It is expected that the SWI will return their findings shortly and a decision on the appropriate rate of payment will issue directly to the person concerned, without delay.

The person concerned can apply to the Community Welfare Officer based in their local Intreo office for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) if they are in need of additional financial assistance.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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103. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25860/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over who have a legal right of residence and habitually reside in the State, and who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.

The eligibility of the person concerned for a state pension non-contributory is currently under review, following the receipt of information from the Deputy on 29 May 2024.

On 5 June 2024, the Deciding Officer assigned to the case issued a communication to the person concerned requesting further documentation in this matter. On receipt of the required information, a determination on the person's eligibility for pension will be made and the person will be notified of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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104. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25861/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and 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 statement of state pension non-contributory payments has been issued to each of the persons concerned, in respect of the year ending 31 December 2023.

Social welfare payment statements are also available on-line and may be requested at www.mywelfare.ie

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.