Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694258713417.pdf (Ireland)
An Comhchoiste um Choimirce Shóisialach, Forbairt Pobail agus Tuaithe agus na hOileáin Tuarascáil: Aighneacht Réamh-Bhuiséid chuig an Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí Iúil 2021 Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands Report: Pre-Budget Submission to the Department of Social Protection 33/JCSPCRI/005 July 2021 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Membership The following Deputies and Senators are members of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands of the 33rd Dáil Éireann and the 26th Seanad Éireann.
Sen. Paddy Burke Fine Gael Jackie Cahill T.D.

Fianna Fáil Joe Carey T.D.

Fine Gael Joan Collins T.D.

Independents 4 Change Paul Donnelly T.D.

Sinn Féin Charles Flanagan T.D.

Fine Gael Sen. Róisín Garvey Green Party Sen. Paul Gavan Sinn Féin Claire Kerrane T.D.

Sinn Féin Sen. Eugene Murphy Fianna Fáil Denis Naughten T.D.

Independent Cathaoirleach Marc Ó Cathasaigh T.D.

Green Party Éamon Ó Cuív T.D.


Fianna Fáil Sen. Mark Wall Labour Page 2 of 137 Page 2 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Cathaoirleach’s Foreword The Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands today publishes its Pre-Budget submission to the Minster for Social Protection to assist their deliberations during the negotiations for Budget 2022.
The Committee publishes its report alongside a similar report submitted to the Minister for Rural and Community Development.

The Committee is of the opinion that Oireachtas Committee’s should have the ability to inform and partake in the pre-budget process and publishes this report to that effect.
A functioning and robust Social Protection system is an important function of any modern society and the State must ensure that it supports all those who make a vital contribution to Irish society by performing work in the home, supporting local communities and acting as family carers.

The contributions made by all must be recognised and rewarded.
Similarly, those who are preparing to return to the workforce must be encouraged and should be assisted to find appropriate work for their own needs and circumstances.

During its investigation of the issue the Committee placed a call for public submissions and received 13 such submissions from interested organisations and individuals.

I would like to thank all those who submitted their views to the Committee.
Similarly, the Committee held three public engagements on the topic and I would like to thank all who attended to inform the Committee’s deliberations.

I would also like to thank Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív T.D.

who acted as our rapporteur on this report for his hard work and dedication to the topic, and the staff in the Committee Secretariat for their assistance.
The Joint Committee has made 76 recommendations throughout the body of the report and is committed to ensuring these recommendations are implemented to create positive change for the most vulnerable in society during Budget 2022.

The Committee is of the view that these recommendations would have a significant positive impact while not creating substantial additional expenditure for the Department of Social Protection.
The Joint Committee will continue to engage with both the Minister, and the Department of Social Protection, throughout our Work Programme, and it is my intention that we will seek regular updates from the Department on the implementation of the recommendations set out in this report.

Page 3 of 137 Page 3 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Denis Naughten T.D.
Cathaoirleach 22 July 2021 Page 4 of 137 Page 4 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Table of Contents Membership ................................................................................................................................... 2 Cathaoirleach’s Foreword.......................................................................................3 Recommendations ..................................................................................................6 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 16 Department of Social Protection ........................................................................... 17 General Social Welfare Rates ........................................................................................................ 18 Tackling Poverty ........................................................................................................................... 19 Equality Measures ........................................................................................................................ 25 Family Carers, Disability and Fostering Supports ............................................................................ 26 Incentives to Work ........................................................................................................................ 29 Children
29 Children ....................................................................................................................................... 33 Supporting People to provide Vital Services to Society while Improving their Wellbeing ..................... 34 Supplementary Welfare Allowance................................................................................................. 36 Mortgage Interest Supplement ....................................................................................................... 37 Incontinence Payment................................................................................................................... 37 Social Energy Tariff....................................................................................................................... 38 Housing Assistance Payment ........................................................................................................ 39 Disabled People in Nursing Homes ................................................................................................ 39 Off-Line Government Services ....................................................................................................... 40 Departmental Performance............................................................................................................ 40 Appendix 1: Terms of Reference .......................................................................... 43 Appendix 2: Meeting Dates and Witnesses
 ........................................................... 53 Appendix 3: Submissions Received by the Committee ........................................ 54 Page 5 of 137 Page 5 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Recommendations 1.
The Committee recommends that as there was no increase in the basic social welfare rates in the last few years the committee believes that at a minimum there should be a rise in all payments equivalent to the cost of living increases since the last increase; 2.

The Committee recommends, in the longer term, that all basic social welfare payments should be reviewed on an annual basis and benchmarked against the Minimum Essential Standard of Living; 3.
The Committee recommends that the period for paying fuel allowance is increased by four weeks to a total of 32 weeks; 4.

The Committee recommends that eligibility for the Fuel Allowance would be extended to all recipients whose income was less than €120 over the relevant social welfare rates rather than €100 as has been the case for many years; 5.
The Committee recommends that Fuel Allowance eligibility is extended to those in receipt of Working Family Payment and those on jobseeker’s payments for less than a year; 6.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection develops a half payment of the Fuel Allowance rate for those with an income between €100 and €200 over the relevant social welfare rates; 7.
The Committee recommends that the Fuel Allowance means test limit is increased to €120 (half-rate) and €240 (full rate) above the full social welfare rate respectively; 8.
The Committee recommends that, in relation to the Non-Contributory State Pension, self-employed income, including disregards, should be treated the same way as employed income; Page 6 of 137 Page 6 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 9.
The Committee recommends that the Minister for Social Protection engages with the Minister of Environment, Climate and Communications on the expansion and delivery of the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme and raising the minimum BER rating of rental properties; 10.

The Committee recommends that funding is ringfenced for the purpose of tackling food poverty; 11.

The Committee recommends that the funding for the School Meals Scheme is increased in Budget 2022; 12.
The Committee recommends that consideration be given to establishing a cross party Oireachtas Committee on tackling poverty to complement the current Action Plan for Social Inclusion ensuring that all Departments play their part in tackling poverty; 13.

The Committee recommends that the income disregard of €165 for those in receipt of One Parent Family Payment should be increased to €200 in Budget 2022; 14.
The Committee recommends that a statutory Child Maintenance Service is established to ensure that child maintenance is collected and paid towards the care of the child or children; 15.

The Committee recommends that Child Maintenance should not be included as household income in means tests for social welfare supports; 16.

The Committee recommends that 100% of mortgage and rent costs should be deductible from Child Maintenance assessments; 17.
The Committee recommends that the Living Alone Increase is increased from €19 to €25 in Budget 2022; Page 7 of 137 Page 7 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ 18.

The Committee recommends that the examination of the establishment of Universal Basic Income should commence in 2022 and reported on within one year, as provided for in the Programme for Government; 19.
The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection begins to investigate the development of an individualised social welfare system to ensure that all citizens are protected equally and reports back on the same in due course; 20.

The Committee recommends that, as a first step, the means assessments of IQA for contributory pensioners should be reformed as follows.
The disregard of income for the purpose of means assessment should be increased to €200 and the payment then should taper off between €200 and €500 per week; 21.

That Committee recommends that means on capital should be reformed as follows.

Exempt the first €50,000 of savings, assess the next €20,000 at €1 per week per €1000 and assess the balance at €2 per week per €1,000.
The present situation particularly hits those who put savings and lump sums in joint accounts as couples are often advised to do; 22.

The Committee recommends that IQA rates of payment should be increased proportionally by a greater amount over four years to make them equivalent to the primary payment so that people in receipt of the IQA get double the single rate; 23.
The Committee recommends that the changes made in 2012 to the eligibility for State pensions for those with reduced contribution rates should be reversed over four years; 24.

The Committee recommends that the income disregard for those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance is increased in Budget 2022 to €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple; 25.
The Committee recommends that an urgent review of the means test for family carers is carried out as part of the Budget 2022 discussions to ensure that the current means test is fit for purpose and reflects the cost of living in 2022.

This Page 8 of 137 Page 8 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION should totally disregard mortgage or rent costs.
The means assessment on capital should be amended to exempt the first €50,000 of savings, to assess €1/week per €1,000 means on the next €20,000 and the balance at €2/week per €1,000; 26.

The Committee recommends that discretion is applied to the 18.5 hour per week employment exemption for those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance in situations where additional working hours do not affect the level of care being provided in the home; 27.
The Committee recommends that consideration is given to providing PRSI credits to those providing long-term foster care to ensure they are entitled to a State pension after a lifetime of providing foster care and assisting the State; 28.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection investigates whether it would be beneficial to provide the Carer’s Support Grant in two instalments rather than one on an optional basis; 29.
The Committee recommends that the Carers Support Grant is increased to €2,000 in Budget 2022; 30.

The Committee recommends that a tiered increased payment relating to the cost of disability should be paid where recipients are deemed to have a moderate, severe or profound disability; 31.

The Committee recommends that in the case of a mild disability the standard rate of payment should match that of Jobseekers Allowance; 32.
The Committee recommends that the means test for Disability Allowance should be changed as follows the earnings disregard should be increased to €150 with 50% of the balance assessable; 33.

The Committee recommends that private pensions are assessed at 50% of their income rather than the current 100%; Page 9 of 137 Page 9 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ 34.
The Committee recommends that the same rules applicable to employed income should apply to self-employed income.

Self-employed income is currently assessed at 100% of income; 35.

The Committee recommends that the capital disregard for those in receipt of Disability Allowance is increased in Budget 2022 as follows: - • Disregards the first €100,000 of savings; • Assess the next €20,000 as €1/€1,000 per week; and • Assess the balance at €2/€1,000 per week; 36.
The Committee recommends that to encourage employers to employ those with disabilities the wage subsidy scheme payments should be increased from €5 per hour to €6.50 per hour, or 70% of the minimum wage as it was previously; 37.

The Committee recommends that the 38 working hours per fortnight threshold to qualify for Working Family Payment is reduced to ensure it supports the largest number of people back into employment; 38.
The Committee recommends that the threshold for eligibility for the Working Family Payment should also be increased in line with general wage increases in the economy; 39.

The Committee recommends that periods on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment should be considered as reckonable income for the purposes of redundancy payments; 40.
The Committee recommends that the means test for those in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance is reformed as part of a wider move towards individualising the social protection system; 41.

The Committee recommends an increase in the rate payable for young Jobseekers aged 18-24 years in Budget 2022, with the aim of full restoration by 2026; Page 10 of 137 Page 10 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 42.
The Committee recommends that all self-employed income is assessed at 50% of assessable income rather than 100% as it is at present; 43.

The Committee recommends that, in relation to a partner’s income the present system should be reformed as follows: disregard the first €100 for those who work three or more days with a proportionate reduction for those who work one or two days and assess the balance at 50%; 44.

The Committee recommends that savings and investments be assessed as follows.
Disregard the first €50,000 of savings, assess the next €20,000 at €1/€1,000 per week and the remainder at €2/€1,000 per week; 45.

The Committee recommends that for those on Farm/Fish Assist the following changes should apply: - Savings should be assessed as per the proposals for Jobseekers Allowance.

Farm income should be assessed at 50% of income with the disregard for environmental scheme payments both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 should be increased to €5,000; 46.
The Committee recommends that a complete review of tax credits and the social welfare system takes places to ensure that working is always financially better for individual citizens and families; 47.

The Committee recommends all those who return to full time education or training after they have started paying PRSI should be able to obtain credited contributions; 48.

The Committee recommends that Child Benefit is extended to parents of children up to 19 years of age; 49.
The Committee recommends that Child Benefit is increased and benchmarked against the cost of living and at risk of poverty threshold; 50.

The Committee recommends that the Increase for a Qualified Child Allowance, available with certain social welfare payments, is increased in Budget 2022; Page 11 of 137 Page 11 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ 51.
The Committee recommends that the Increase for a Qualified Child should be payable for children up until the age of 22 for those on Jobseekers Benefit and Illness Benefit; 52.

The Committee recommends that Domiciliary Care Allowance is increased in Budget 2022 to €350 per month; 53.
The Committee recommends that the application process for those aged 16 transitioning from Domiciliary Care Allowance to Disability Allowance in their own right should have the existing medical evidence provided to the Department of Social Protection reviewed before additional medical evidence is sought; 54.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection reintroduces an increased rate of Child Benefit for larger families; 55.
The Committee recommends that Local Employment Services and Jobs Clubs be maintained in their current model; 56.

The Committee recommends that individuals on the Rural Social Scheme do not receive a time limit on the amount of time they can stay on the scheme.

This is because the Rural Social Scheme is not a job activation programme and ensures necessary work in the community is fulfilled; 57.
The Committee recommends that the Rural Social Scheme is reformed to ensure that all participants receive the full rate irrespective of their previous means; 58.

The Committee recommends that the number of places on the Rural Social Scheme is increased by 1,000; 59.

The Committee recommends that all participants on the Rural Social Scheme should be automatically entitled to the full personal rate, IQA and child dependent allowance irrespective of the means assessed under the means test.
This is the way the scheme operated between 2003 and 2012, when the rules changed, leaving little incentive, particularly for those with a dependent adult or children to Page 12 of 137 Page 12 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION participate on the scheme as they only benefit from 19.5 hours work by little over €1 per hour; 60.
The Committee recommends that time limits for those aged 55 years and over on Community Employment schemes be relaxed to allow people to remain on schemes where there is nobody to replace them; 61.

The Committee recommends that participants on a Community Employment Scheme should be allowed to transfer to a Tús work placement if they do not receive employment from their Community Employment participation; 62.
The Committee recommends that the Tús initiative is reformed to ensure that those who complete a work placement under the programme do not have to wait three years to participate again; 63.

The Committee recommends that participants on a Tús scheme can remain on the scheme for more than one year where there is no other potential participant available to replace them; 64.

The Committee recommends that all recipients of Supplementary Welfare Allowance are advised to apply for a primary payment.
If they have not been moved to a primary social welfare payment within a year, they should be assessed to determine what they should apply for; 65.

The Committee recommends that Mortgage Interest Supplement is reintroduced as part of Budget 2022; 66.
The Committee recommends that that the Minister for Social Protection engages with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to ensure that the fund provided for Incontinence Payment reaches those in need of it and offer to administer the scheme if appropriate; Page 13 of 137 Page 13 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ 67.
The Committee recommends that those in receipt of Fuel Allowance and the Household Benefits package should be exempt from the environmental taxes and levies on their electricity and/or gas bill; 68.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection works with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that Housing Assistance Payment limits are reflective of market rents; 69.
The Committee recommends that those in receipt of Housing Assistance Payment can avail of Supplementary Welfare Allowance to pay any additional amount over the appropriate differential rent for that property; 70.

The Committee recommends that a specific fund is ring-fenced as part of the Exceptional Needs Payment to ensure that those under the age of 65 who reside in nursing homes are facilitated to spend more time out of their residential setting.
The Department of Social Protection should liaise with all relevant Government Departments to act upon the Ombudsman’s report; 71.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection administers as many of its offline services as possible through the Post Office network; 72.
The Committee recommends that the Minister for Social Protection engages with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to ensure the expansion of State services provided through An Post and the maintenance of the network; 73.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection revises its performance indicators in consultation with the Committee; 74.
The Committee recommends that all validly submitted applications to the Department of Social Protection are processed within four weeks and that the Department ensures it is properly resourced to achieve this target; Page 14 of 137 Page 14 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 75.

The Committee recommends that all social welfare appeals are processed within a 12 week timeframe; and 76.
The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection should increase the number of targeted reviews it carries out as this reduces the need for recovery of monies later on.
Page 15 of 137 Page 15 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Introduction The Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands (the Committee) publishes its pre-budget submission with the aim of informing and effecting the Budget 2022 process in a way that is beneficial for the State and its citizens.
In quarter one 2021, the Committee put out a public call for submissions from interested individuals and organisations to inform its pre-budget scrutiny.

The Committee received 13 submissions from interested parties and subsequently held three public engagements on the topic.

The Committee has published the following report based on its own knowledge, the information received and it’s engagements with stakeholders.
This report focusses on Budget 2022 for the Department of Social Protection and makes 76 recommendations for the same.

One of the key themes that came up throughout the submissions received and the engagements held regarding funding for the Department was the need to focus on anti- poverty policies that are adequately funded to lift people and families out of poverty.

The Committee also heard from a number of witnesses about and benefits of index-linking social welfare payments to the cost of living.
Page 16 of 137 Page 16 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Department of Social Protection In 2021 the Department of Social Protection (DSP) had an allocated budget of €29 billion.

This was a decrease on the Further Revised Estimate of €31 billion provided for in 2020.

However, the 2020 budget included a number of emergency measures to combat the COVID-19 crisis.
Specifically the Committee focussed on the following topics: - 1.

General Social Welfare Rates; 2.

Tackling Poverty; 3.

Equality Measures; 4.

Family Carers, Disability and Fostering Supports; 5.

Incentives to Work; 6.

Children; 7.

Supporting people to provide Vital Services to Society while Improving their Wellbeing; 8.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance; 9.

Mortgage Interest Supplement; 10.

Incontinence Payment; 11.

Social Energy Tariff; 12.

Housing Assistance Payment; 13.


Disabled People in Nursing Homes; 14.

Off-Line Government Services; and 15.

Departmental Performance.

The Committee is of the opinion that as well as general increases in social welfare rates, particularly as there were none in Budget 2021, there is a need to focus specifically on poverty and equality this year.

The Committee recognises that the least well off are often on non-contributory payments and subject to very stringent means tests.
As a first step to reforming the means test system a series of reforms in this regard are recommended.

Page 17 of 137 Page 17 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ These changes would also move the State towards the goal of individualisation of the social welfare system as recommended by the Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality1.
The Committee has also recommended special changes to assist those with disabilities and family carers, in view of the challenges faced by those with disabilities and the significant contribution made by carers.

The Committee is of the view that the recommendations issued would make a significant difference to many social welfare recipients in a targeted way, while being affordable for the State.
General Social Welfare Rates The Committee acknowledges the importance of the current social protection system and commends the DSP for the services it provides.

However, the Committee is also of the opinion that the social protection system should ensure that households are protected from poverty.

As such, the Committee has concerns regarding the basic rates of social welfare payments.
The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) previously informed the Committee that a person who lives in consistent poverty has an income that is below 60% of the national average and experiences material deprivation.

Social Justice Ireland (SJI) informed the Committee that in 2007 minimum social welfare rates were benchmarked as 30% against Gross Average Iindustrial Earnings (GAIE).

This is the equivalent of 27.5% today.


SJI stated that in 2021, 27.5% of GAIE amounts to €222, highlighting a shortfall of €19 between the previous benchmarked amount and current minimum social welfare rates.

In 2019 the at risk of poverty threshold for an individual was €14,387 per annum or €276 per week.
The Committee is of the opinion that basic social welfare rates should, ideally, be linked to these figures or the Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) and remains concerned that the majority of social welfare payments are currently less than the poverty threshold.
While the Committee acknowledges that payment rates cannot increase by such amounts during an individual budget cycle, it proposes that anti-poverty proposals should work towards eliminating the difference between social welfare payments and the poverty threshold.

The difference between both should remain a core concern for the Government and work should begin to ensure that social welfare payments are benchmarked against the poverty threshold.
1 Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality Page 18 of 137 Page 18 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION The Committee is of the opinion that core social welfare rates should be increased to ensure that they protect people from poverty, which should be the basic aim of any social protection system.
The Committee has costed that for each €1 increase across all basic rate social welfare payments would cost approximately €78 million.

The Committee is also of the opinion that the best model to follow in order to ensure that our social protection system protects those rely on it from poverty while also ensuring a basic standard of living is to link social welfare rates to the MESL as developed by the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice.
This ensures that the needs of different household types are met and this would also be a step in the right direction when it comes to individualisation.

This will also take the annual uncertainty out of setting social welfare rates at Budget time and give people certainty and security when it comes to their income.

Ultimately, the Committee concludes that all basic social welfare rates should be linked to the cost of living, the poverty threshold or the Minimum Essential Standard of Living.
RECOMMENDATIONS 1.

The Committee recommends that as there was no increase in the basic social welfare rates in the last few years the committee believes that at a minimum there should be a rise in all payments equivalent to the cost of living increases since the last increase; and 2.

The Committee recommends, in the longer term, that all basic social welfare payments should be reviewed on an annual basis and benchmarked against the Minimum Essential Standard of Living.
Tackling Poverty The Committee was informed by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) that 600,000 individuals in Ireland live below the poverty line.

This number includes 200,000 children.

The Committee is of the opinion that an all of Government approach is needed to combat the issue of poverty in Ireland and that a series of interdepartmental policies are needed to address the individual types of poverty that people experience, including fuel poverty and food poverty.
Page 19 of 137 Page 19 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ SVP informed the Committee that, in 2020, it received 160,000 requests for help.

This is an average of 440 requests per day.

The Committee was also informed that the average daily requests increased to 500 per day between January and March 2021.
SVP explained that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected those who were already struggling financially and that 85% of those experiencing financial difficulty before the pandemic reported experiencing additional financial strains.

This compares to 23% of the rest of the population.

In 2020, SVP published research that shows that measures to tackle poverty in Ireland cost approximately €4.5 billion annually.
Reducing poverty remains a key target of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion2 and the Committee remains of the opinion that more must be done to tackle both the ‘Consistent Poverty Rate’ and the ‘At-Risk of Poverty Rate’ which, in 2019, stood at 5.5% and 12.8% respectively.

One of the most regular issues that was discussed throughout the pre-budget process was the prevalence of fuel poverty amongst those living below the poverty line.
SVP informed the Committee that, in 2019, 15% of those affected by poverty could not afford to keep their homes sufficiently warm.

SVP also informed the Committee that it had received a high number of contacts regarding utility bills.

The Committee heard calls from SVP that the Fuel Allowance should be extended to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment and to those who have been on jobseeker’s payments for less than a year.
The Committee also received recommendations that the period to avail of the Fuel Allowance should be increased by four weeks to a total of 32 weeks.

The Committee supports these recommendations.

Furthermore, the Committee is of the opinion that the Fuel Allowance should be extended to include more households and that the DSP should develop a half payment rate of the Fuel Allowance for those with an income between €100 and €200 over the relevant social welfare rates.
The Committee is also of the view that anomalies whereby those in receipt of the half rate Carers Allowance and the State Non-Contributory Pension are eligible for the Fuel Allowance but those in receipt of the State Contributory Pension and half rate payment are not.

The Committee is also concerned that the means test limit is currently too low and excludes many people who are above the limit by a slight amount.
The Committee is 2 Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 Page 20 of 137 Page 20 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION of the opinion that this one size fits all approach is not working for many of those experiencing fuel poverty.

The Committee believes that the best way in the longer term to address consistent fuel poverty is through far greater investment in energy efficiency upgrades of homes.
The Committee is of the opinion that such investments make homes more comfortable and also improve the health of residents, thereby improving overall quality of life.

The committee is strongly of the view that an exponential ramp up in the delivery of the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme which delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, is the very minimal required in Budget 2022.
While the Committee acknowledges that the DSP do not administer this scheme, it is important to note that of the 7,800 households on the current work programme, 71% are in receipt of the Fuel Allowance, 12% are in receipt of Carers Allowance and 10% are in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance.

The Committee is also concerned at growing levels of food poverty and the impact this has on families, especially children.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul highlighted the increase in food poverty and informed the Committee that 37% of calls it received in 2020 were related to food poverty.

The Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) informed the Committee that the Local Development Companies (LDCs) it represents worked with FoodCloud during the COVID-19 pandemic to tackle food poverty by establishing food banks in 22 counties and distributing food nationwide.
FoodCloud works to ensure that no good food is wasted and the Committee is of the opinion that initiatives such as this one must be expanded upon because no food should be going to waste when so many people experience food poverty.

The Committee also wishes to acknowledge the benefits of the School Meals Scheme funded by the DSP.
The Committee is of the opinion that the School Meals Scheme can have significant benefits for children experiencing food poverty and that the scheme should be rolled out nationwide.

RECOMMENDATIONS 3.

The Committee recommends that the period for paying Fuel Allowance is increased by four weeks to a total of 32 weeks; 4.
The Committee recommends that eligibility for the Fuel Allowance would be extended to all recipients whose income was less than €120 over the relevant social welfare rates rather than €100 as has been the case for many years; Page 21 of 137 Page 21 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ 5.
The Committee recommends that Fuel Allowance eligibility is extended to those in receipt of Working Family Payment and those on Jobseeker’s payments for less than a year; 6.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection develops a half payment of the Fuel Allowance rate for those with an income between €100 and €200 over the relevant social welfare rates; 7.
The Committee recommends that the Fuel Allowance means test limit is increased to €120 (half-rate) and €240 (full rate) above the full social welfare rate respectively; 8.

The Committee recommends that, in relation to the Non-Contributory State Pension, self-employed income including disregards should be treated the same way as employed income; 9.
The Committee recommends that the Minister for Social Protection engages with the Minister of Environment, Climate and Communications on the expansion and delivery of the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme and raising the minimum BER rating of rental properties; 10.

The Committee recommends that funding is ringfenced for the purpose of tackling food poverty; 11.

The Committee recommends that the funding for the School Meals Scheme is increased in Budget 2022; and 12.
The Committee recommends that consideration be given to establishing a cross party Oireachtas Committee on tackling poverty to complement the current Action Plan for Social Inclusion, ensuring that all Departments play their part in tackling poverty.

The Committee also discussed the challenges faced by lone parent families which, according to SVP, are the group most at risk of poverty in Ireland.
One Parent Family Payment is a means-tested social welfare payment available to men and women under the age of 66 who are raising children without the support of a partner.

As lone-parent families are consistently identified as the most at risk of poverty the Committee is of the opinion that supports should be increased for this specific group.
The Committee is aware that those in receipt of One Parent Family Payment are allowed to work and that once their income from work does not exceed €165 per week, they are still entitled to the full rate of One Parent Family Payment.
Earnings over €165 a week are then incorporated Page 22 of 137 Page 22 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION into the individuals means test and they may qualify for a reduced One Parent Family Payment thereafter.
The Committee is of the opinion that the income exception available to those in receipt of One Parent Family Payment should be increased to counteract the risk of poverty experience by this group.

This Committee also believes that child maintenance can play a role in reducing poverty among lone parent families.

Research3 has shown that in the U.K, there was a 30% reduction in the poverty gap as a result of child maintenance payments (where there was compliance with orders).
This research concluded that child maintenance has a relatively large impact in reducing child poverty for those who receive it.

The establishment of a statutory Child Maintenance Service was recommended by a 2017 United Nations Report ‘Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women’4 and the Committee is of the view that this recommendation should be implemented.
Currently, child maintenance is assessed as household income when a person applies for a range of social welfare payments, including Working Family Payment, One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance and Jobseeker’s Allowance.

The Committee is of the opinion that child maintenance payments should be viewed as income for the benefit of the child or children and not as household income.

RECOMMENDATIONS 13.
RECOMMENDATIONS 13.

The Committee recommends that the income disregard of €165 for those in receipt of One Parent Family Payment should be increased to €200 in Budget 2022; 14.

The Committee recommends that a statutory Child Maintenance Service is established to ensure that child maintenance is collected and paid towards the care of the child or children; 15.

The Committee recommends that Child Maintenance should not be included as household income in means tests for social welfare supports; and 16.
The Committee recommends that 100% of mortgage and rent costs should be deductible from Child Maintenance assessments.
3 Child Maintenance and Child Poverty: A Comparative Analysis 4 Ireland and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women Page 23 of 137 Page 23 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ SVP also informed the Committee that single adults living alone, especially those with health conditions or living with a disability, have contacted them with worries about paying their bills.
The issue of Disability Allowance and Benefit is discussed in more detail in a later section.

However, the Committee is of the opinion that the Living Alone Increase, an additional social welfare increase for those living alone, should be reviewed and increased.
The Living Alone Increase is available for those over the age of 66 in receipt of one of the following payments: - • State Pension (Contributory); • State Pension (Non-Contributory); • Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension; • Widow's/Widower's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme; • Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme; and • Deserted Wife's Benefit.
The Living Alone Increase is available for those under the age of 66 in receipt of one of the following payments: - • Disability Allowance; • • Invalidity Payment; Incapacity Supplement; and • Blind Pension.

As of January 2021 the Living Alone Increase is €19.

RECOMMENDATION 17.

The Committee recommends that the Living Alone Increase is increased from €19 to €25 in Budget 2022.

Ultimately, the Committee has focussed on groups and individuals that are most at risk of poverty.
However, it is clear from the Committee’s deliberations that core social welfare rates are much lower than the at risk of poverty threshold.

The Committee is of the opinion that the examination of the establishment of Universal Basic Income, provided for in the Programme for Government, should commence as soon as possible.
Furthermore, the Page 24 of 137 Page 24 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Committee is of the opinion that only when all citizens are provided with the means to live comfortably in Ireland will the risk of poverty be eliminated.

RECOMMENDATION 18.
RECOMMENDATION 18.

The Committee recommends that the examination of the establishment of Universal Basic Income should commence in 2022 and reported on within one year, as provided for in the Programme for Government.
Equality Measures The Committee notes that that the Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality recommends that: - “there should be a fully individualised social protection system to reflect the diversity of today’s lives and to promote an equal division of paid work and care” As the Committee understands it, if you qualify for a social welfare payment you receive a personal rate of payment.

It is then also possible to qualify for an extra amount for an adult dependent.
This usually refers to a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant.

This is known as an Increase for a Qualified Adults or IQA.

If you are in receipt of an IQA then your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant may not earn more than €310 per week.

Similarly, they must not be in receipt of a social welfare payment in their own right.

However, the Committee acknowledges that some payments are excluded from this provision.
The Committee is concerned that this system disproportionately affects those who perform work in the home as they are not entitled to an individual social welfare support but also do not have an income of their own.

If work in the home is to be respected then the Committee is of the opinion that the State must provide financial supports to achieve this and that moves to an individualised social welfare system must start to take place.

RECOMMENDATIONS 19.
RECOMMENDATIONS 19.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection begins to investigate the development of an individualised social welfare system to ensure that all citizens are protected equally and reports back on the same in due course; Page 25 of 137 Page 25 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ 20.
The Committee recommends that, as a first step, the means assessments of IQA for contributory pensioners should be reformed as follows.

The disregard of income for the purpose of means assessment should be increased to €200 and the payment then should taper off between €200 and €500 per week; 21.

That Committee recommends that means on capital should be reformed as follows.
Exempt the first €50,000 of savings, assess the next €20,000 at €1 per week per €1000 and assess the balance at €2 per week per €1,000.

The present situation particularly hits those who put savings and lump sums in joint accounts as couples are often advised to do; 22.
The Committee recommends that IQA rates of payment should be increased proportionally by a greater amount over four years to make them equivalent to the primary payment so that people in receipt of the IQA get double the single rate; and 23.

The Committee recommends that the changes made in 2012 to the eligibility for State pensions for those with reduced contribution rates should be reversed over four years.
Family Carers, Disability and Fostering Supports Family Carer’s Ireland (FCI), the national charity that supports family carers, informed the Committee that there are over 500,000 family carers in Ireland who save the State approximately €20 billion per annum by providing direct care at home.

FCI also informed the Committee that approximately 69,000 family carers are under the age of 18.

Carer’s Allowance for people under the age of 66 caring for one person has a maximum weekly rate of €219.
However, FCI informed the Committee that of the 89,000 family carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, approximately half do not receive the maximum weekly rate.

If you are not in receipt of the maximum amount it indicates that you are in receipt of some other means or income.

However, the Committee remains concerned that the income disregard for Carer’s Allowance is too low and does not fully acknowledge the additional costs experienced by family carers.
If you are a single family carer €332.50 is not included in your means test (also known as your income disregard).

For a couple the income disregard is €665 of your combined gross weekly income.
The Committee wishes to emphasise that Carer's Allowance was not designed solely as an income support but to recognise the importance of supporting as many older people, and people with a Page 26 of 137 Page 26 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION disability, as possible to remain in their own homes.

This benefit is now even more pronounced as a result of COVID-19.
Once again, the Committee emphasises how a one size fits all approach does not suit all of those in receipt of the same supports.

Those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance can avail of an 18.5 hour per week employment exemption.

However, the Committee is of the opinion that this unfairly limits the amount of work outside the home a family carer can obtain.
The Committee is of the opinion that discretion should be applied, particularly in circumstances in which it has no impact on the level of care provided, for example where the person in receipt of care attends day care, a training centre or school.

The Committee also wishes to acknowledge the importance of those providing foster care in Ireland.

At present the Foster Care Allowance is €325 per week for children under 12 and €352 per week for children over the age of 12.
Foster Care Allowance is not included as income for tax and social protection purposes.

However, those providing foster care do not receive PRSI credits meaning that many of those providing foster care do not qualify for a State pension or part State pension following a lifetime of fostering and assisting the state.

RECOMMENDATIONS 24.
RECOMMENDATIONS 24.

The Committee recommends that the income disregard for those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance is increased in Budget 2022 to €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple; 25.

The Committee recommends that an urgent review of the means test for family carers is carried out as part of the Budget 2022 discussions to ensure that the current means test is fit for purpose and reflects the cost of living in 2022.

This should totally disregard mortgage or rent costs.
The means assessment on capital should be amended to exempt the first €50,000 of savings, to assess €1/week per €1,000 means on the next €20,000 and the balance at €2/week per €1,000; 26.
The Committee recommends that discretion is applied to the 18.5 hour per week employment exemption for those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance in situations where additional working hours do not affect the level of care being provided in the home; and Page 27 of 137 Page 27 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ 27.
The Committee recommends that consideration is given to providing PRSI credits to those providing long-term foster care to ensure they are entitled to a State pension after a lifetime of providing foster care and assisting the State.

Once a year those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance are paid the Carer’s Support Grant.

This is a one-off annual payment made in June and in 2021 it was €1,850.

This was an increase from June 2020 when it was €1,700.
The Committee had a discussion with FCI about whether the Carer’s Support Grant could be paid in two instalments rather than one.

This would potentially open the grant up to more people.

However, FCI also informed the Committee that when they asked their members for their views the answer was that family carers do not want it to be paid in two instalments.

However, the Committee is of the opinion that it is a suggestion worth investigating.
FCI also informed the Committee that the Carer’s Support Grant is still €150 less than the rate paid in 2009 and that the means test has not been updated since 2008.

The Committee is of the opinion that this highlights how family carers have not yet fully recovered from measures introduced during austerity.

RECOMMENDATIONS 28.
RECOMMENDATIONS 28.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection investigates whether it would be beneficial to provide the Carer’s Support Grant in two instalments rather than one on an optional basis; and 29.

The Committee recommends that the Carers Support Grant is increased to €2,000 in Budget 2022.

SVP also informed the Committee that those living with a disability are also identified as at risk of poverty.

The maximum personal rate of disability allowance in 2021 was €203.
Those in receipt of Disability Allowance can also earn up to €140 per week that is disregarded from the means test.

50% of earnings between €140 and €350 is also disregarded.

However, the Committee remains concerned that an individual who lives alone in receipt of disability allowance receives just €204 per week if they do not have other means of income.
The Committee is also of the opinion that having a set rate for every individual in receipt of Disability Allowance fails to capture the individual circumstances of each person.

Page 28 of 137 Page 28 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS 30.
The Committee recommends that a tiered increased payment relating to the cost of disability should be paid where recipients are deemed to have a moderate, severe or profound disability; 31.

The Committee recommends that in the case of a mild disability the standard rate of payment should match that of Jobseekers Allowance; 32.
The Committee recommends that the means test for Disability Allowance should be changed as follows the earnings disregard should be increased to €150 with 50% of the balance assessable; 33.

The Committee recommends that private pensions are assessed at 50% of their income rather than the current 100%; and 34.

The Committee recommends that the same rules applicable to employed income should apply to self-employed income.

Self-employed income is currently assessed at 100% of income.
The Committee is also concerned that the means test for Disability Allowance takes account of inheritance received by those in receipt of the payment.

For example, the sale of a parent’s home.

While the first €50,000 is disregarded (known as the capital disregard) the Committee remains concerned that inheritance from family could negatively affect those in receipt of Disability Allowance.

RECOMMENDATIONS 35.
RECOMMENDATIONS 35.

The Committee recommends that the capital disregard for those in receipt of Disability Allowance is increased in Budget 2022 as follows: - •• Disregards the first €100,000 of savings; •• Assess the next €20,000 as €1/€1,000 per week; and •• Assess the balance at €2/€1,000 per week; and 36.
The Committee recommends that to encourage employers to employ those with disabilities the wage subsidy scheme payments should be increased from €5 per hour to €6.50 per hour, or 70% of the minimum wage as it was previously.

Incentives to Work The Committee holds the opinion that the majority of those in receipt of social welfare payments, including incentives to work, wish to return to the work force.
However, the Page 29 of 137 Page 29 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Committee is also of the opinion that some of the rules governing eligibility for certain payments actually hinder those who wish to return to the workforce rather than assist them in achieving that goal.

The report discusses some of these specific scenarios below.
The Committee has concerns around the Working Family Payment (WFP) criteria.

WFP is a weekly payment available to employees on low pay who also have dependent children.

Dependent children are classified as those under the age of 18 or those between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time education.

Working Family Payment is a minimum of €20 per week and is based on family income and family size.

However, WFP also stipulates that you must work a minimum of 38 hour per fortnight.
While this threshold can be reached by combining the working hours of a couple, the Committee remains concerned that this prevents individuals from taking up jobs that cannot guarantee them 38 hours per fortnight.

It also negatively impacts those who cannot commit to working 38 hours per fortnight for other reasons such as childcare needs.
While WFP is supported by the Committee, it opines that reforms are necessary to ensure that it supports the largest number of people possible to return to the workforce.

The Committee also notes that those who are self-employed are not entitled to Working Family Payment.

RECOMMENDATIONS 37.

The Committee recommends that the 38 working hours per fortnight threshold to qualify for Working Family Payment is reduced to ensure it supports the largest number of people back into employment; and 38.
The Committee recommends that the threshold for eligibility for the Working Family Payment should also be increased in line with general wage increases in the economy.

The Committee is also concerned that to qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance applicants must satisfy a means test.

The means test focuses on household income, including the income of an individual’s spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner.
As the Committee previously discussed, it supports the move towards an individualised social welfare system as recommended by the Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality.

As such, the Committee is of the opinion that the means test should focus on the individual and not the household.
Page 30 of 137 Page 30 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION The Committee is also aware of an anomaly whereby time spent on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is not reckonable for redundancy purposes, yet a person can continue to receive WFP while on PUP.

RECOMMENDATION 39.
RECOMMENDATION 39.

The Committee recommends that periods on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment should be considered as reckonable income for the purposes of redundancy payments.

The Committee is also concerned about the impact of reduced rates of payment for young jobseekers aged 18 to 24 years who receive €112.70 per week.

Currently, this is the amount received by the vast majority of young jobseekers.
The Committee notes that when the rate for young jobseekers was reduced it was with the intention that the full rate would be available for those who participated in schemes such as apprenticeships and back to education courses.

These scenarios never materialised and the majority of young jobseekers have been penalised as a result.

The Committee welcomes the commitment in the Programme for Government5 to remove the reduced age-related rates and seek steps to be taken in Budget 2022 in this regard.
RECOMMENDATION 40.

The Committee recommends that the means test for those in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance is reformed as part of a wider move towards individualising the social protection system; 41.

The Committee recommends an increase in the rate payable for young Jobseekers aged 18-24 years in Budget 2022, with the aim of full restoration by 2026; 42.

The Committee recommends that all self-employed income is assessed at 50% of assessable income rather than 100% as it is at present; 43.
The Committee recommends that, in relation to a partner’s income the present system should be reformed as follows: disregard the first €100 for those who work three or more days with a proportionate reduction for those who work one or two days and assess the balance at 50%; 5 Programme for Government: Our Shared Future Page 31 of 137 Page 31 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ 44.
The Committee recommends that savings and investments be assessed as follows: - Disregard the first €50,000 of savings, assess the next €20,000 at €1/€1,000 per week and the remainder at €2/€1,000 per week; and 45.

The Committee recommends that for those on Farm/Fish Assist the following changes should apply: - Savings should be assessed as per the proposals for Jobseekers Allowance.
Farm income should be assessed at 50% of income with the disregard for environmental scheme payments both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 should be increased to €5,000.

The Committee is of the opinion that the current interaction between income limits, tax credits and social welfare needs to be reformed to ensure that returning to work is the most financially beneficial option for individuals and families.
The Committee is aware of employers that claim they find it difficult to get employees to work a full week as they are financially better off claiming welfare for two days per week.

As the Committee understands it, due to the significant loss of benefits that may be experienced by working more than three days a week, individuals are deterred from returning to work or accepting additional hours for fear they will be penalised by the welfare system.
The Committee is of the opinion that this is the wrong approach and that the system should actively support people to return in the workforce in any capacity.

RECOMMENDATION 46.

The Committee recommends that a complete review of tax credits and the social welfare system takes places to ensure that working is always financially better for individual citizens and families.
The Committee is also of the view that returning to the workforce often requires individuals to retrain or return to education in order to upskill.

These individuals should be supported to ensure they have the necessary skills to return to the work force.

Similar to home caring credits, those who return to full time education or training after they have already started paying PRSI should be awarded credits.
The Committee is of the opinion that this should apply to all full time education or training that would assist a person gaining employment and not just authorised courses.

Page 32 of 137 Page 32 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION RECOMMENDATION 47.
The Committee recommends all those who return to full time education or training after they have started paying PRSI should be able to obtain credited contributions.

Children SVP informed the Committee about the risks facing children who live in poverty or at risk of poverty.

The Committee acknowledges that a number of supports are made available to those with children.
All parents in the State are entitled to Child Benefit for children under the age of 16 and children up to the age of 18 in full-time education.

Child Benefit currently has a basic rate of €140 per month.

There are also increases available for those in receipt of a social welfare payment who are eligible for an Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC).

Individuals may be entitled to a IQC if they have a dependent child who is in full- time education up until the age of 22.
However, the Committee notes that not all social welfare payments have an IQC provision.

The full IQC rate for children under 12 is €38 per child and €45 for children over the age of 12.

RECOMMENDATIONS 48.

The Committee recommends that Child Benefit is extended to parents of children up to 19 years of age; 49.

The Committee recommends that Child Benefit is increased and benchmarked against the cost of living and at risk of poverty threshold; 50.
The Committee recommends that the Increase for a Qualified Child Allowance, available with certain social welfare payments, is increased in Budget 2022; and 51.

The Committee recommends that the Increase for a Qualified Child should be payable for children up until the age of 22 for those on Jobseekers Benefit and Illness Benefit.

The Committee also supports an increase in Domiciliary Care Allowance.
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment of €309.50 available to parents of children under the age of 16 who require ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age, due to a severe disability.

Once a child turns 16, they are eligible to apply for Disability Allowance in their own right.
The Committee is of the opinion that Domiciliary Care Allowance should be increased due to the additional needs experienced by the children and families in receipt of this Page 33 of 137 Page 33 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ payment.
The Committee believes that the application process for those children aged 16 transferring to Disability Allowance need to be streamlined with a focus only on the continuing medical need of the child.

RECOMMENDATIONS 52.

The Committee recommends that Domiciliary Care Allowance is increased in Budget 2022 to €350 per month; and 53.
The Committee recommends that the application process for those aged 16 transitioning from Domiciliary Care Allowance to Disability Allowance in their own right should have the existing medical evidence provided to the Department of Social Protection reviewed before additional medical evidence is sought.
The ESRI report The Dynamics of Child Poverty in Ireland6 points to the size of families as a potential indicator of increased risk of what they term Economic Vulnerability (EV), stating that ‘larger families (four or more children)…have a much higher likelihood of experiencing persistent poverty.’ It further argues that ‘it is timely to access the impact of the removal of additional child benefit payments for larger families’.
It is the view of this Committee that the Department should undertake to assess this impact with a view to providing specific supports for larger families if merited.

RECOMMENDATION 54.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection reintroduces an increased rate of Child Benefit for larger families.
Supporting People to provide Vital Services to Society while Improving their Wellbeing The Committee held an engagement with the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) regarding the Local Employment Services (LES) provided by the Local Development Companies (LDCs) that they represent.

The ILDN currently has 49 member organisations and many of these organisations are contracted by the DSP to provide LES in 23 locations around the country.

LES are case managed employment services for jobseekers.
The 6 The Dynamics of Child Poverty in Ireland Page 34 of 137 Page 34 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Committee had a detailed discussion regarding the LES currently provided and is of the opinion that they should be retained in their current model.

The Committee wishes to discuss the following schemes: - • The Rural Social Scheme; • The Community Employment programme; and • Tús.
The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) was established with the aim of providing a supplementary income to low-paid farmers and fishermen/women by providing services that are beneficial to rural communities.

It is important to note that the RSS is not a job activation scheme.

To qualify for the RSS you must be over the age of 25 and in receipt of Farm or Fish Assist or if you are actively farming/fishing and in receipt of a social welfare payment.

Participants in the RSS work 19.5 hours per week.


The minimum weekly payment on the RSS is €225.50.

As of 2017 the maximum amount of time a person can spend on the scheme is six years.

The Community Employment (CE) programme is designed to assist individuals who are long-term unemployed to re-enter the workforce through part-time and temporary jobs based in their local communities.
To be eligible for the CE programme individuals must generally be aged between 21 and 55 and in receipt of a qualifying payment for the previous 12 months.

Participants can remain on the CE programme for three consecutive years and may become re-eligible following a subsequent 12 month period of unemployment.

Those age 62 and above are supported to remain on a CE programme until they reach the age of pension eligibility.

10% of places are reserved for this purpose.


Tús is a community based work placement scheme where participants are provided with short-term working opportunities.

The work is community based and provided by community and voluntary organisations in both rural and urban areas.

To be eligible for Tús you must be unemployed for a period of 12 months.

Participants work 19.5 hour per week and the minimum weekly rate is €225.50.

Placements last for a period of 12 months.

RECOMMENDATIONS 55.
RECOMMENDATIONS 55.

The Committee recommends that Local Employment Services and Jobs Clubs be maintained in their current model; Page 35 of 137 Page 35 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ 56.

The Committee recommends that individuals on the Rural Social Scheme do not receive a time limit on the amount of time they can stay on the scheme.
This is because the Rural Social Scheme is not a job activation programme and ensures necessary work in the community is fulfilled; 57.

The Committee recommends that the Rural Social Scheme is reformed to ensure that all participants receive the full rate irrespective of their previous means; 58.

The Committee recommends that the number of places on the Rural Social Scheme is increased by 1,000; 59.
The Committee recommends that all participants on the Rural Social Scheme should be automatically entitled to the full personal rate, IQA and child dependent allowance irrespective of the means assessed under the means test.

This is the way the scheme operated between 2003 and 2012, when the rules changed, leaving little incentive, particularly for those with a dependent adult or children to participate on the scheme as they only benefit from 19.5 hours work by little over €1 per hour; 60.
The Committee recommends that time limits for those aged 55 years and over on Community Employment schemes be relaxed to allow people to remain on schemes where there is nobody to replace them; 61.

The Committee recommends that participants on a Community Employment Scheme should be allowed to transfer to a Tús work placement if they do not receive employment from their Community Employment participation; 62.
The Committee recommends that the Tús initiative is reformed to ensure that those who complete a work placement under the programme do not have to wait three years to participate again; and 63.

The Committee recommends that participants on a Tús scheme can remain on the scheme for more than one year where there is no other potential participant available to replace them.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance A number of examples from different parts of the country have been brought to the attention of the Committee where persons have been left in receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) on a long term basis and when reviewed, find that they are denied access to a long term payment, due to the duration of time they have been in receipt of SWA.
For example, an individual in receipt of SWA believed that they were on Page 36 of 137 Page 36 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION an Illness payment.

However after 2 years, their SWA was reviewed and withdrawn.

They were ineligible at that point to apply for Illness Benefit and potentially Invalidity Pension.
In such instances, due to the failure by the Department to ensure that such anomalies do not arise, persons should be assessed based on their eligibility at the time of receiving SWA in the first instance.

RECOMMENDATION 64.

The Committee recommends that all recipients of Supplementary Welfare Allowance are advised to apply for a primary payment.

If they have not been moved to a primary social welfare payment within a year, they should be assessed to determine what they should apply for.
Mortgage Interest Supplement The Committee is of the opinion that Mortgage Interest Supplement should be introduced as a short term supplement for those who find themselves temporarily unemployed.

The Committee believes that rather than just loading more debt onto such families until they get new employment, DSP should allow the payment of Mortgage Interest Supplement.

RECOMMENDATION 65.

The Committee recommends that Mortgage Interest Supplement is reintroduced as part of Budget 2022.
Incontinence Payment The Committee was informed that people who care for someone who is incontinent will, on average, have heavier bins and, as some household waste collectors are charging by weight rather than per lift, this causes financial hardship for families.

While the Government took the decision to introduce pay by use rather than pay by weight in 2017, thus allowing households more choice as to how they pay for their bins, this situation is still causing financial hardship.
The Government has set aside €7 million for an annual allowance of €75 credit on the waste collection bin for households where incontinence care is provided.
This fund was intended to be paid through the Environment Fund and while the DSP is agreeable to assist with the administration of this payment, it has not been possible to identify Page 37 of 137 Page 37 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ households where incontinence care was provided under GDPR.
As an alternative mechanism, the Committee is of the view the initial €75 should be paid via the local Community Welfare Officer and public health nurses and pharmacies issuing incontinence pads should make families who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the disposal of incontinence ware aware of this payment.
The Committee is of the opinion that everything all actions possible must be taken to ensure that this fund is utilised to assist those experiencing financial hardship due to this reason.

The Committee opines that the continuance of this payment could be on the basis of returning an annual declaration to either the DSP, or the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, similar to the Carers Support Grant renewal form.

RECOMMENDATION 66.
RECOMMENDATION 66.

The Committee recommends that that the Minister for Social Protection engages with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to ensure that the fund provided for Incontinence Payment reaches those in need of it and offer to administer the scheme if appropriate.

Social Energy Tariff The Committee was informed by SVP about the prospect of a Social Energy Tariff.
This would remove the cost of environmental taxes and levies from those who experience energy poverty and those on the lowest incomes.

The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy offers a way for those who do not have room in their budgets for their energy costs to keep increasing incrementally as the State transitions to green energy.

The principle of such a scheme is that ‘those on the lowest incomes do not pay the most’ and this must be embedded as part of the just transition.

RECOMMENDATION 67.
RECOMMENDATION 67.

The Committee recommends that those in receipt of Fuel Allowance and the Household Benefits package should be exempt from the environmental taxes and levies on their electricity and/or gas bill.
Page 38 of 137 Page 38 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Housing Assistance Payment Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a social housing support that is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

This largely replaced Rent Supplement which was previously administered by the Department of Social Protection.
SVP informed the Committee that they regularly receive contact from households under significant financial pressure to pay a top-up on the rent paid for their HAP tenancy.

They referenced one example where a lone parent was in minimum wage employment and was paying a direct top-up of €100 per week to her landlord.

The Committee is of the opinion that this puts families at risk of becoming homeless and causes them to cut back on basics, such as food and utilities.
While the Committee accepts that there is the need for more social housing to be built or acquired by the local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Committee is strongly of the view that HAP limits should be reflective of market rents.

RECOMMENDATIONS 68.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection works with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that Housing Assistance Payment limits are reflective of market rents; and 69.
The Committee recommends that those in receipt of Housing Assistance Payment can avail of Supplementary Welfare Allowance to pay any additional amount over the appropriate differential rent for that property.
Disabled People in Nursing Homes On foot of the report by Ombudsman Peter Tyndall ‘Wasted Lives: Time for a better future for younger people in nursing homes’7 the Committee recommends that as a matter of urgency and as a first step to address the needs of people under 65 in nursing homes, that those residents would be facilitated in having time outside the residential setting, where appropriate, with an exceptional needs payment.

RECOMMENDATION 70.
RECOMMENDATION 70.

The Committee recommends that a specific fund is ring-fenced as part of the exceptional needs payment to ensure that those under the age of 65 who reside 7 Wasted Lives: Time for a better future for younger people in nursing homes Page 39 of 137 Page 39 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ in nursing homes are facilitated to spend more time out of their residential setting.
The Department of Social Protection should liaise with all relevant Government Departments to act upon the Ombudsman’s report.

Off-Line Government Services The Department of Social Protection continues to use the services of the Post Office network to provide social welfare payments at a local level to recipients.

The Committee is of the opinion that the Post Office network should be designated as a central hub for all offline government services for example: motor tax and tourist information.
The Committee is of the view that if all offline government services were facilitated through the Post Office network, it would make services more accessible and reduce costs for the State.

A Government decision was already made to implement this measure and the State could save significant amounts of money by operating services via An Post.

RECOMMENDATIONS 71.
RECOMMENDATIONS 71.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection administers as many offline service as possible through the Post Office network; and 72.

The Committee recommends that the Minister for Social Protection engages with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to ensure the expansion of State services provided through An Post and the maintenance of the network.
Departmental Performance The Committee is of the view that DSP needs to revise its performance indicators.

Instead of setting a target of payments issued each week, the target should be for zero payments not to issue to those already approved for payment.

Furthermore delays in processing times for schemes lead to additional financial hardship for applicants.
Measures should be taken, like those taken recently by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to raise awareness of common mistakes in completing applications.

The DSP should set a target to reduce the applications returned, requests for additional information, or applications granted on review.
The Committee is of the view that the DSP should also develop a plan to ensure that no validly submitted application Page 40 of 137 Page 40 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION takes more than 4 weeks to process and that sections of the Department should be resourced, and applications remodelled, to achieve that target.
On control measures, instead of measuring targeted savings and percentage making repayments the target should be on the number of reviews performed which would negate the need for recovery in the first instance.

A target measurement for appeals and pathways to work should be reintroduced.

We must have a mechanism that measures those gaining sustainable employment and employment that negates the need for a DSP top up such as the Working Family Payment.

RECOMMENDATIONS 73.
RECOMMENDATIONS 73.

The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection revises its performance indicators in consultation with the Committee; 74.

The Committee recommends that all validly submitted applications to the Department of Social Protection are processed within four weeks and that the Department ensures it is properly resourced to achieve this target; 75.

The Committee recommends that all social welfare appeals are processed within a 12 week timeframe; and 76.
The Committee recommends that the Department of Social Protection should increase the number of targeted reviews it carries out as this reduces the need for recovery of monies later on.
Page 41 of 137 Page 41 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Page 42 of 137 Page 42 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Appendix 1: Terms of Reference Scope and context of activities of Select Committees (DSO 94 and SSO 70) DSO 94 (1) The Dáil may appoint a Select Committee to consider and, if so permitted, to take evidence upon any Bill, Estimate or matter, and to report its opinion for the information and assistance of the Dáil.
Such motion shall specifically state the orders of reference of the Committee, define the powers devolved upon it, fix the number of members to serve on it, state the quorum, and may appoint a date upon which the Committee shall report back to the Dáil.
(2) It shall be an instruction to each Select Committee that— (a) (b) (c) it may only consider such matters, engage in such activities, exercise such powers and discharge such functions as are specifically authorised under its orders of reference and under Standing Orders; such matters, activities, powers and functions shall be relevant to, and shall arise only in the context of, the preparation of a report to the Dáil; it shall not consider any matter which is being considered, or of which notice has been given of a proposal to consider, by the Joint Committee on Public Petitions in the exercise of its functions under Standing Order 125(1) ¹; and (d) it shall refrain from inquiring into in public session or publishing confidential information regarding any matter if so requested, for stated reasons given in writing, by— (i) a member of the Government or a Minister of State, or (ii) the principal office-holder of a State body within the responsibility of a Government Department or (iii) the principal office-holder of a non-State body which is partly funded by the State, Provided that the Committee may appeal any such request made to the Ceann Comhairle, whose decision shall be final.
(3) It shall be an instruction to all Select Committees to which Bills are referred that they shall ensure that not more than two Select Committees shall meet to consider a Bill on any given day, unless the Dáil, after due notice to the Business Committee by a Chairman of one of the Select Committees concerned, waives this instruction.

¹ Retained pending review of the Joint Committee on Public Petitions.
Page 43 of 137 Page 43 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ SSO 70 (1) The Seanad may appoint a Select Committee to consider any Bill or matter and to report its opinion for the information and assistance of the Seanad and, in the case of a Bill, whether or not it has amended the Bill.
Such motion shall specifically state the orders of reference of the Committee, define the powers devolved upon it, fix the number of members to serve on it, state the quorum thereof, and may appoint a date upon which the Committee shall report back to the Seanad.
(2) It shall be an instruction to each Select Committee that— (a) it may only consider such matters, engage in such activities, exercise such powers and discharge such functions as are specifically authorised under its orders of reference and under Standing Orders; (b) such matters, activities, powers and functions shall be relevant to, and shall arise only in the context of, the preparation of a report to the Seanad; (c) it shall not consider any matter which is being considered, or of which notice has been given of a proposal to consider, by the Joint Committee on Public Petitions in the exercise of its functions under Standing Order 108 (1) ¹; and (d) it shall refrain from inquiring into in public session or publishing confidential information regarding any matter if so requested, for stated reasons given in writing, by — (i) a member of the Government or a Minister of State, or (ii) the principal office-holder of a State body within the responsibility of a Government Department, or (iii) the principal office-holder of a non-State body which is partly funded by the State, Provided that the Committee may appeal any such request made to the Cathaoirleach, whose decision shall be final.
¹ Retained pending review of the Joint Committee on Public Petitions Page 44 of 137 Page 44 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Functions of Departmental Select Committees (DSO 95 and SSO 71) DSO 95 (1) The Dáil may appoint a Departmental Select Committee to consider and, unless otherwise provided for in these Standing Orders or by order, to report to the Dáil on any matter relating to— (a) legislation, policy, governance, expenditure and administration of― (i) (ii) a Government Department, and State bodies within the responsibility of such Department, and (b) the performance of a non-State body in relation to an agreement for the provision of services that it has entered into with any such Government Department or State body.
(2) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall also consider such other matters which― (a) (b) stand referred to the Committee by virtue of these Standing Orders or statute law, or shall be referred to the Committee by order of the Dáil.
(3) The principal purpose of Committee consideration of matters of policy, governance, expenditure and administration under paragraph (1) shall be― (a) (b) for the accountability of the relevant Minister or Minister of State, and to assess the performance of the relevant Government Department or of a State body within the responsibility of the relevant Department, in delivering public services while achieving intended outcomes, including value for money.
(4) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall not consider any matter relating to accounts audited by, or reports of, the Comptroller and Auditor General unless the Committee of Public Accounts― (a) (b) consents to such consideration, or has reported on such accounts or reports.
(5) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order may be joined with a Select Committee appointed by Seanad Éireann to be and act as a Joint Committee for the purposes of paragraph (1) and such other purposes as may be specified in these Standing Orders or by order of the Dáil: provided that the Joint Committee shall not consider― (a) (b) (c) the Committee Stage of a Bill, Estimates for Public Services, or a proposal contained in a motion for the approval of an international agreement involving a charge upon public funds referred to the Committee by order of the Dáil.
Page 45 of 137 Page 45 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ (6) (7) Any report that the Joint Committee proposes to make shall, on adoption by the Joint Committee, be made to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Chairman of the Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall also be Chairman of the Joint Committee.
(8) Where a Select Committee proposes to consider― (b) (a) EU draft legislative acts standing referred to the Select Committee under Standing Order 133, including the compliance of such acts with the principle of subsidiarity, other proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues, including programmes and guidelines prepared by the European Commission as a basis of possible legislative action, (c) non-legislative documents published by any EU institution in relation to EU policy matters, or (d) matters listed for consideration on the agenda for meetings of the relevant Council (of Ministers) of the European Union and the outcome of such meetings, the following may be notified accordingly and shall have the right to attend and take part in such consideration without having a right to move motions or amendments or the right to vote: (i) members of the European Parliament elected from constituencies in Ireland, (ii) members of the Irish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and at the invitation of the Committee, other members of the European Parliament.
(iii) (9) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order may, in respect of any Ombudsman charged with oversight of public services within the policy remit of the relevant Department consider— (a) (b) such motions relating to the appointment of an Ombudsman as may be referred to the Committee, and such Ombudsman reports laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas as the Committee may select: Provided that the provisions of Standing Order 130 apply where the Select Committee has not considered the Ombudsman report, or a portion or portions thereof, within two months (excluding Christmas, Easter or summer recess periods) of the report being laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas.² ² Retained pending review of the Joint Committee on Public Petitions.
SSO 71 (1) The Seanad may appoint a Departmental Select Committee to consider and, unless otherwise provided for in these Standing Orders or by order, to report to the Seanad on any matter relating to— (a) legislation, policy, governance, expenditure and administration of- (i) a Government Department, and (ii) State bodies within the responsibility of such Department, and Page 46 of 137 Page 46 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION (b) the performance of a non-State body in relation to an agreement for the provision of services that it has entered into with any such Government Department or State body.
(2) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall also consider such other matters which – (a) (b) stand referred to the Committee by virtue of these Standing Orders or statute law, or shall be referred to the Committee by order of the Seanad.
(3) The principal purpose of Committee consideration of matters of policy, governance expenditure and administration under paragraph (1) shall be— (a) (b) for the accountability of the relevant Minister or Minister of State, and to assess the performance of the relevant Government Department or a State body within the responsibility of the relevant Department, in delivering public services while achieving intended outcomes, including value for money.
(4) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall not consider any matter relating to accounts audited by, or reports of, the Comptroller and Auditor General unless the Committee of Public Accounts– (a) (b) consents to such consideration, or has reported on such accounts or reports.
(5) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order may be joined with a Select Committee appointed by Dáil Éireann to be and act as a Joint Committee for the purposes of paragraph (1) and such other purposes as may be specified in these Standing Orders or by order of the Seanad: provided that the Joint Committee shall not consider- (a) the Committee Stage of a Bill, (b) Estimates for Public Services, or (c) a proposal contained in a motion for the approval of an international agreement involving a charge upon public funds referred to the Committee by order of the Dáil.
(6) Any report that the Joint Committee proposes to make shall, on adoption by the Joint Committee, be made to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(7) The Chairman of a Joint Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall be a member of Dáil Éireann.
(8) Where a Select Committee proposes to consider– Page 47 of 137 Page 47 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ (b) (a) EU draft legislative acts standing referred to the Select Committee under Standing Order 116, including the compliance of such acts with the principle of subsidiarity, other proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues, including programmes and guidelines prepared by the European Commission as a basis of possible legislative action, non-legislative documents published by any EU institution in relation to EU policy matters, or (c) (d) matters listed for consideration on the agenda for meetings of the relevant EC Council (of Ministers) of the European Union and the outcome of such meetings, the following may be notified accordingly and shall have the right to attend and take part in such consideration without having a right to move motions or amendments or the right to vote: (i) members of the European Parliament elected from constituencies in Ireland, (ii) members of the Irish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and (iii) at the invitation of the Committee, other members of the European Parliament.
(9) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order may, in respect of any Ombudsman charged with oversight of public services within the policy remit of the relevant Department consider— (a) (b) such motions relating to the appointment of an Ombudsman as may be referred to the Committee, and such Ombudsman reports laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas as the Committee may select: Provided that the provisions of Standing Order 113 apply where the Select Committee has not considered the Ombudsman report, or a portion or portions thereof, within two months (excluding Christmas, Easter or summer recess periods) of the report being laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas.² ² Retained pending review of the Joint Committee on Public Petitions.
Powers of Select Committees (DSO 96 and SSO 72) DSO 96 Unless the Dáil shall otherwise order, a Committee appointed pursuant to these Standing Orders shall have the following powers: (1) power to invite and receive oral and written evidence and to print and publish from time to time― (a) minutes of such evidence as was heard in public, and (b) such evidence in writing as the Committee thinks fit; Page 48 of 137 Page 48 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION (2) power to appoint sub-Committees and to refer to such sub-Committees any matter comprehended by its orders of reference and to delegate any of its powers to such sub- Committees, including power to report directly to the Dáil; (3) power to draft recommendations for legislative change and for new legislation; (4) in relation to any statutory instrument, including those laid or laid in draft before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, power to― (a) require any Government Department or other instrument-making authority concerned to― (i) (ii) submit a memorandum to the Select Committee explaining the statutory instrument, or attend a meeting of the Select Committee to explain any such statutory instrument: Provided that the authority concerned may decline to attend for reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil, and (b) recommend, where it considers that such action is warranted, that the instrument should
 be annulled or amended; (5) power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss― (a) (b) policy, or proposed primary or secondary legislation (prior to such legislation being published), for which he or she is officially responsible: Provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil: and provided further
 that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such policy or proposed legislation; (6) (7) (8) power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee and provide, in private session if so requested by the attendee, oral briefings in advance of meetings of the relevant EC Council (of Ministers) of the European Union to enable the Select Committee to make known its views: Provided that the Committee may also require such attendance following such meetings; power to require that the Chairperson designate of a body or agency under the aegis of a Department shall, prior to his or her appointment, attend before the Select Committee to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role; power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State who is officially responsible for the implementation of an Act shall attend before a Select Committee in relation to the consideration of a report under Standing Order 197; Page 49 of 137 Page 49 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ (9) subject to any constraints otherwise prescribed by law, power to require that principal officeholders of a― (a) (b) State body within the responsibility of a Government Department or non-State body, which is partly funded by the State, shall attend meetings of the Select Committee, as appropriate, to discuss issues for which they are officially responsible: Provided that such an office-holder may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil; and (10) power to― (a) (b) engage the services of persons with specialist or technical knowledge, to assist it or any of its sub-Committees in considering particular matters; and undertake travel; Provided that the powers
 under this paragraph are subject to such recommendations as may be made by the Working Group of Committee Chairmen under Standing Order 120(4)(a).
SSO 72 Unless the Seanad shall otherwise order, a Committee appointed pursuant to these Standing Orders shall have the following powers: (1) power to invite and receive oral and written evidence and to print and publish from time to time – (a) minutes of such evidence as was heard in public, and (b) such evidence in writing as the Committee thinks fit; (2) power to appoint sub-Committees and to refer to such sub-Committees any matter comprehended by its orders of reference and to delegate any of its powers to such sub- Committees, including power to report directly to the Seanad; (3) power to draft recommendations for legislative change and for new legislation; (4) in relation to any statutory instrument, including those laid or laid in draft before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, power to – Page 50 of 137 Page 50 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION (a) require any Government Department or other instrument making authority concerned to – (i) (ii) submit a memorandum to the Select Committee explaining the statutory instrument, or attend a meeting of the Select Committee to explain any such statutory instrument: provided that the authority concerned may decline to attend for reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad, and (b) recommend, where it considers that such action is warranted, that the instrument should be annulled or amended; (5) power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss– (a) (b) policy, or proposed primary or secondary legislation (prior to such legislation being published), for which he or she is officially responsible: provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad: and provided further that a member of the Government or
 Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such policy or proposed legislation; (6) (7) (8) power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee and provide, in private session if so requested by the attendee, oral briefings in advance of meetings of the relevant EC Council (of Ministers) of the European Union to enable the Select Committee to make known its views: Provided that the Committee may also require such attendance following such meetings; power to require that the Chairperson designate of a body or agency under the aegis of a Department shall, prior to his or her appointment, attend before the Select Committee to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role; power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State who is off icially responsible for the implementation of an Act shall attend before a Select Committee in relation to the consideration of a report under Standing Order 168; (9) subject to any constraints otherwise prescribed by law, power to require that principal offi ce- holders of a – (a) (b) State body within the responsibility of a Government Department, or non-State body, which is partly funded by the State, Page 51 of 137 Page 51 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ shall attend meetings of the Select Committee, as appropriate, to discuss issues for which they are officially responsible: Provided that such an office-holder may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad; and (10) power to- (a) (b) engage the services of persons with specialist or technical knowledge, to assist it or any of its sub-Committees in considering particular matters; and undertake travel; Provided that the powers under this paragraph are subject
 to such recommendations as may be made by the Working Group of Committee Chairmen under Standing Order 107(4)(a).
Page 52 of 137 Page 52 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Appendix 2: Meeting Dates and Witnesses The Joint Committee held three public engagements with a range of stakeholders during the course of it’s pre-budget considerations.

These engagements are detailed below.
5 May 2021 Family Carers Ireland Ms Catherine Cox: Head of Communications and Policy Ms Clare Duffy: Policy and Public Affairs Manager The Society of St Vincent de Paul Ms Trisha Keilthy: Head of Social Justice and Policy Ms Issy Petrie: Research and Policy Officer 12 May 2021 The Wheel Ms Deirdre Garvey: Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ivan Cooper: Director of Policy Community Gardens Ireland Ms Maeve Foreman: Co-Chairperson Mr. Donal McCormack: Co-Chairperson 19 May 2021 Irish Local Development Network Ms Adeline O’Brien: Chairperson Mr. Joseph Saunders: Chief Executive Officer Page 53 of 137 Page 53 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Appendix 3: Submissions Received by the Committee Caitríona McClean Submission to Joint Committee relating to Wellbeing Introduction: The Taoiseach today (22nd March 2021) announced on RTE that consideration is being given to enhancing Wellbeing as a priority of Government in context of the prolonged lockdown 2020 and 2021.
What follows is a brief outline of a proposal aimed at acknowleding the efforts of the general public, and at the same time stimulating local economies and facilitating community re- engagement.

Brief outline of proposal: The proposal involves encouraging households to visit local shops and restaurants, including bookshops and cafes, as well as florists and garden centres when the lockdown allows.
Households are asked to choose a gift in any of the categories mentioned, and the Government will match their spending up to €100 per household.

Administration: The vouchers would be delivered by An Post.

A voucher with unique post code would be sent to all households.

The printing and adminsitration to be undertaken by Social Protection or Dept of An Taoiseach.

The retailer would accept the voucher,and redeem the value (assuming a face value of €100 per voucher) as a VAT return credit.
The scheme would remain open and vouchers valid for minimum of 3 months from issue.

Benefits: There would be a positive psychological impact contributing to Wellbeing.

The impact on the local economy would be positive.

For each euro the government spends the household matches it.

Cost: The nominal cost of the initiative is approximately €120m on a once off basis.
However the real cost is much less as the scheme simultaneously stimulates spending which may not have happened otherwise, and the cost to Government is in terms only of some VAT returns foregone which are partly the outcome of stimulated spending.

ENDS Page 54 of 137 Page 54 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Community Gardens Ireland 1.
Executive Summary Community Gardens Ireland is a network of community gardens and allotments on the island of Ireland.

In existence since 2011 it aims to support and promote community gardens in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Internationally, the evidence-based benefits of community gardens are many, from the proven physical, mental health and well-being benefits to educational, environmental and cultural gains.
There is also evidence that they hugely increase social capital by encouraging active citizenship and social connection, help reduce health inequalities, and contribute to reducing anti-social behavior, thus making communities safer.

The Local Government Act 2001 and the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act, 2010 addresses the provision of allotments by local authorities and the planning around them.
Additionally, the 2020 Programme for Government committed to working with local authorities and local communities to develop community gardens, allotments and urban orchards.

Despite the proven benefits, existing legislation and commitment in the form of the current Programme for Government, there is no country-wide policy in place to increase the number of allotments and community gardens.

The existing legislation also provides little protection for communities or duties on local authorities.
In urban areas the amount of land available for allotments and community gardens will become increasingly scarce.

Community Gardens Ireland’s own recent survey of its members highlighted that the majority of community gardens surveyed had temporary licences which can have large implications for funding purposes, some were on temporary sites zoned for housing and many struggled to obtain funding for garden infrastructure.
Currently, no funding method is available for communities to avail of capital funding for land in local areas.

This submission therefore calls on the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community & Rural Development & the Islands to a) assign a figure of approximately €500,000 per annum to be allocated for local authorities to purchase land specifically for community growing purposes.
This would ensure more permanent locations be set up for community gardens and allotments and facilitate a long term vision for allotments and community gardens in urban areas, rather than relying on limited local authority owned land.
b) It also calls for the creation of a specific funding scheme similar Page 55 of 137 Page 55 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ to the Clár programme for community gardens and allotments in urban areas.
Both of these initiatives would provide long-term outdoor support to communities in areas hit hard by the current pandemic, consistent with the 2020 Programme for Government and the COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021 plan for The Path Ahead.

2.

Community Gardens Ireland Community Gardens Ireland (http://cgireland.org/) is a network of community gardens and allotments on the island of Ireland.

In existence since 2011, it aims to support and promote community gardens in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Through its website, social media presence and annual gatherings it provides a way for community gardeners to share resources and exchange ideas.

Community Gardens Ireland is operated entirely on a voluntary basis by a committee representative of gardens and allotments throughout Ireland.

Internationally, the evidence-based benefits of community gardens are many, from the proven physical, mental health and well-being benefits, to educational, environmental and cultural gains.
They add to the Green Canopy of cities and urban areas, and there is also evidence that they hugely increase social capital by encouraging active citizenship and social connection, and contribute to reducing anti-social behavior, thus making communities safer.

Increasing the availability of green space, trees and access to nature also helps reduces health inequalities.
In February and March 2021, Community Gardens Ireland organised a survey of member organisations to find out how secure their projects were, who owned their sites, what kind of licences they had and where their funding came from.

Some key findings from this survey are summarised in No.

5 below, and relevant tables included in Appendix 1.

3.
3.

Legislation Allotments and Community Gardens have a long history in Ireland with legislation passed within the first few years of the Irish Free State in the Acquisition of Land (Allotments) Act, 1926.

This act outlined the responsibilities of local authorities to seek land for the provision of allotments when representations have been made to them.

Changes were made in 1934 to this act, to include provision for those who could not afford allotment.

These laws were repealed in 1994.


More recent legislation which covers the provision of allotments includes the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act, 2010 for local development plans, and the Local Government Act, 2001.

Page 56 of 137 Page 56 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Local Government Act, 2001, Section 67 Planning and Development Act, 2010, Section 77 4.
Government Support for Allotments, Community Gardens, Urban Orchards and Community Food Initiatives The 2020 Programme for Government called out support for the following: In addition, the most recent COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021 plan for The Path Ahead calls out support for community food projects as follows: Page 57 of 137 Page 57 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ 5.
Community Gardens Ireland Survey Findings In February and March 2021, Community Gardens Ireland conducted a survey of allotment and community gardens groups throughout Ireland.

The results from the survey were presented at the AGM of Community Gardens Ireland on 13th March 2021, some key tables of results are included in Appendix 1, and the full results are available at http://cgireland.org/community-gardens-ireland-survey/ .
A. Licence and funding Of note in the survey results were the issues surrounding the type of licence currently set up for community gardens or allotments.

About 80% of gardens who responded highlighted that their licence is not permanent – this has large implications for funding purposes.
For example, LEADER funding requires organisations to have at least a five year lease, with a similar lease required for funding requirements for the recently launched Farming Biodiversity €1.25 million initiative under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Rural Development Programme.

The majority of community gardens and allotments would therefore not be eligible for these schemes.
An excellent funding scheme is in place for community gardens and allotments in Ireland through the Clár funding scheme, section 3a.

However, this is solely for small scale rural schemes, and therefore excludes all urban areas.

In the survey, in addition to insecurity of tenure, the member organisations of Community Gardens Ireland also called out issues in relation to a lack of funding for various projects including public liability insurance and garden.

B.
B.

Zoning risks In addition, the member organisations of Community Gardens Ireland highlighted that some sites are currently assigned as residential or mixed use.

This poses a risk to the use of these locations as construction on local authority owned land is ramped up.

Community Gardens Ireland supports the use of residential land for the purpose of building homes as part of the Programme for Government, but equally seeks for replacement land to be set aside well in advance.
In urban areas, one impact from Page 58 of 137 Page 58 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION increase construction activities will be that the amount of land available for allotments and community gardens will become increasingly scarce.

Currently, no funding method is available for communities to avail of capital funding for land in local areas.
Feedback from elected officials is that local authorities would often be reluctant to purchase land for this purpose, despite the huge community benefits from community gardens or allotments.

The cost of land in urban areas is also considerably higher than rural areas, which would also imply that local authorities are less likely to purchase land for this purpose given the additional cost.
It is safe to assume there will be future impact to local communities from the future removal of community gardens and allotments for housing purposes.

Therefore, there is a role for central government to step in and provide community facilities where the local government is not able or willing to provide capital funding for this purpose.

Also, it was noted that in 2020 there were more planning permissions submitted for apartments compared to houses for the first time area (See Appendix 2).
Currently there are no planning requirements for apartments to include a space for a community garden in the design.

Apartments have a key role to play in the housing of residents in urban areas, but equally there is a role for outdoor amenities such as parks, community gardens, allotments and urban orchards for residents in built up areas to avail of.

6.
6.

Funding Proposal for Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community & Rural Development & the Islands To prevent this becoming an issue, Community Gardens Ireland propose the following: A.

Community Gardens Ireland propose that the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community & Rural Development & the Islands assign a figure of approximately €500,000 per annum to be allocated for local authorities to purchase land specifically for community growing purposes.

B.
B.

Community Gardens Ireland propose that the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community & Rural Development & the Islands create a specific funding scheme similar to the Clár programme for community gardens and allotments in urban areas.

7.

Funding Rationale The rationale for this is that it would ensure additional permanent locations be set up for community gardens and allotments.
It would also allow a long term vision to be set up for allotments and community gardens in urban areas, Page 59 of 137 Page 59 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ rather than relying on limited local authority owned land.

In addition, this would provide a long-term outdoor support to communities in areas hit hard by the pandemic.
This would be consistent with the 2020 Programme for Government and the COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021 plan for The Path Ahead.

There is no current Irish-wide policy in place to increase the number of allotments and community gardens.

In the absence of such a policy, this would be a first step to a plan to increase the number of allotments and community gardens on a permanent basis.
Appendix 1: Community Gardens Ireland 2021 Survey Findings Page 60 of 137 Page 60 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Page 61 of 137 Page 61 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Appendix 2: Article from RTÉ in 2020 stating the record number of planning permissions for apartments Appendix 3: CLÁR 2021 Scheme Outline Local Authority Measures: 3(a) Link to 2021 Clár scheme (for rural areas only): https://assets.gov.ie/126842/1b8caf99- c30d-493d-b425-5a1fe2a0aec7.pdf Page 62 of 137 Page 62 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Appendix 4: Backup information regarding the benefits of allotments & community gardens We believe that the provision of space for the community to grow their own fruit and vegetables can help with climate change, biodiversity, pollinators, food poverty, food sustainability and help reduce obesity in families.
A.

Community benefits from having allotments Community gardens also clearly help contribute towards some of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, for example: ▪ Goal 3 Good health & well-being ▪ Goal 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities ▪ Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production Mental and Physical Health & Well being The physical and mental health benefits of community and allotment gardening are well proven.
Research has shown that as little as two and a half hours of gardening a week can reduce the risk for colon cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and premature death (Center for Disease Control (CDC), 2019) https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2019/19_0117.htm One review of ten papers published since 2003, which was cited by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), reported the positive effects of gardening as a mental health intervention, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety with participants describing a range of benefits across emotional, social, vocational, physical and spiritual domains (Clatworthy J, Hinds J, Camic PM.
Gardening as a mental health intervention: a review.

Mental Health Review Journal 2013; 18(4): 214-225).

https://www.scie- socialcareonline.org.uk/gardening-as-a-mental-health-intervention-a- review/r/a1CG0000001ztthMAA Page 63 of 137 Page 63 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ The UK’s National Association of Allotment Gardeners have details on the benefits of allotments.
https://www.nsalg.org.uk/allotment-info/benefits-of-allotment-gardening/ They also include a case–control study of the health and well-being benefits of allotment gardening, with the following conclusions: https://www.nsalg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/health-and- well-being- allotments.pdf B.

Climate Change The provision of space for allotments and community gardens can help with climate change and biodiversity improvements.
As a benchmark, The Highland Council in Scotland have an allotment policy which was reviewed in Winter 2019 by their Climate Change team.

Allotments are provided by The Highland Council, and their allotments policy has an equal aim to improve the local environments through increased biodiversity.

The Highland Council acknowledge that new allotments sites will provide an increased diversity of habitats.

Aim 1: to increase the provision of allotments across the Highland Council area.
Performance towards this aim will be measured by the number of new allotment sites established and the maintenance of existing sites.

Our target is to establish at least 4 new sites and have identified suitable land for a further 4 sites by April 2014.

Aim 2: to improve local environments through increased biodiversity.

New allotment sites will provide an increased diversity of habitats.
This policy Page 64 of 137 Page 64 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION encourages planting of new hedgerows to further enhance biodiversity.

Baseline measurements of hedgerow length will be performed on new allotment sites and reviewed annually.

Also, the Highland Council have highlighted the reduction of carbon emissions through the provision of allotments.
By allowing members of the community and families to grow their own, our food travels less, and ultimately less journeys are undertaken by consumers.
From The Highland Council: https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1210/environment/321/climate_ change/10 Tree Canopy The current tree canopy cover across County Dublin is 10%, placing it in the lower half of European city values, although there are large variations between local authorities, e.g DLR has 18.9% but the North East Inner City of Dublin has a canopy cover of only 1% compared to 10.2 % in the city as a whole.
A tree canopy cover of 15% would make Dublin comparable to other European cities (Dublin Tree Canopy Study Final Report 2017.

Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316441902_Dublin_Tree_Canopy_St udy_Final_ Report) (Table 2, from page 5 below) Nationally, Ireland also has the the lowest forest cover of all European countries, according to Teagasc.

Land cover here is 11% while over 40% of all land in the 33 member states is wooded.
(Hickey, D. (2016), Page 65 of 137 Page 65 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid- 20389700.html C. Food Poverty The original legislation providing allotments in Irish law in 1926 were brought in to help with food poverty of the Irish people.
An amendment made to the 1926 law in 1934 specifically called out that allowances be made for those who were unemployed and could not afford them.

In today’s Ireland, food poverty remains – recent estimates are that 10% of Irish people live in food poverty and are not getting enough nutritious food in their diet.

In addition, obesity in children and adults is at its highest levels.
Research performed by Grow It Yourself has highlighted the positive benefits of allotments in helping to combat food poverty.

Grow It Yourself estimate that a family can product 135kg of nutritious fruit and vegetables per year in one plot.

The provision of allotments throughout towns and villages will provide local communities with the space to grow their own, which ultimately sets children up for success later in life.
Food poverty is a complex issue which requires many aspects to help remove it from society, but the provision of land for allotments and community gardens will directly help with this.

From Grow It Yourself website: https://giy.ie/archive/grow-your-way- out-of-food- poverty.html D. Food Sustainability & Seed Sovereignty Food sustainability should be treated as a carrot, not a stick!

There is nothing more sustainable than having the ability to grow local and eat local.
Ireland’s current supply chain for our supermarkets allows cheap fruit and vegetables to Page 66 of 137 Page 66 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION be imported from thousands of kilometres away.

It is common knowledge that nutrients in food start to break down after they are harvested, so the optimum solution for nutritional value is to grow, pick and eat when required.
Seasonal fruit and vegetables also taste better than compared to strawberries grown out of season for Christmas, for example.

Allotments and community gardens are not generally maintained by just one person – families often get involved.
In Healthy Ireland’s “A Healthy Weight for Ireland: Obesity Policy and Action Plan”, a healthy diet is specifically called out as crucial for both adults and children: Source: Healthy Ireland https://assets.gov.ie/7559/2d91a3564d7e487f86a8d3fa86d e67da.pdf By introducing children to the method of growing fruit and vegetables early, they have better diets and have “food empathy”, according to Grow It Yourself founder Michael Kelly: https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/gardening-tips-with-children- 3217359-Feb2017/.
This is evidenced by Agri Aware’s successful Incredible Edibles initiative now in its 13th year (https://www.incredibleedibles.ie/) and GIY’s more recent Grow at School project (https://giy.ie/programmes/grow-at- school/) Seed Sovereignty Ireland does not produce enough open pollinated and organic seed to meet its current needs, which are set to increase drastically, with a 200 percent increase in demand for all seed in the last year, and a 600 percent increase in demand for Page 67 of 137 Page 67 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ open pollinated untreated seed.
A vibrant and responsive local seed industry will enable us to breed seeds that are better suited to the Irish climate and microclimates, and add substantial value to the operations of smallholdings, community farms, community gardens and community allotments.

In the short term, a distributed network of seed production hubs is possible by using the already established community garden network, building on the strengths of self- organisation and cooperation that we display.
Irish Seed Savers Association and Social Farms and Gardens NI are providing free training in this process to upskill our gardens and allotments.

This is a massive step towards seed sovereignty and the building of a resilient economy, which will be increasingly necessary as the climate crisis unfolds.

E. Communities & Local Economy Allotments and community gardens are a haven for all members of the community to shelter from daily pressures and problems.
Allotments allow all members of the community to learn about the amount of work that goes into producing food to go into the food chain.

Allotments provide a space for people to get physically active in fresh air, particularly those who do not have access to back gardens (approx.

10% of Irish population).

Allotments and community gardens help to promote healthy eating by encouraging locally grown organic uncontaminated fresh fruit and vegetables.
Allotments also have a positive impact on the carbon footprints of local communities by improving the sustainability of food production – grow local, eat local, buy local!

While communities benefit directly from the produce, the provision of allotments can also help with the local economy.
Apart from an increase in the amount of seeds, plants, tools and other equipment to be purchased in local shops and local garden centres, there are other examples of allotments and community gardens helping the local economy.

In 2016, the EU-funded research on “Urban Agriculture Europe” was published which includes reference to how community gardens and allotments can help the local economy.
One example included was where local residents in Rotterdam from diverse ethnic and social origins grew herbs in a community garden.

These residents then sold these herbs to local restaurants and cafés, which shows the overall impact of diversity and inclusion when it comes to allotments, along with the potential for local innovation and economic improvements.
F. Urban Agriculture Europe, 2016 Page 68 of 137 Page 68 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Quote by Simon Coveney TD (Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2016) from page 16 of Urban Agriculture Europe.
Page 69 of 137 Page 69 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Family Carers Ireland Submission to the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands on Budget 2022 Estimates.

Family Carers Ireland March 2021 Unit 1, Hibernia Building, St John's Road West, Heuston South Quarter, Dublin 8.

D08 PX3Y.
D08 PX3Y.

E: info@familycarers.ie / T: 01 670 5976 / W: familycarers.ie Page 70 of 137 Page 70 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Introduction Family Carers Ireland welcomes the opportunity to submit our views to the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands on the 2022 Budget Estimates.
The submission begins by providing an overview of the policy context within which informal care is situated, the increasing dependence on family carers to meet the demand for long-term care and to support the reorientation of the healthcare system away from its traditional acute-centric model, towards primary and community-based care.

In Part Two, the submission sets out the inadequacy of carer welfare rates and makes the case for the reframing of income supports for family carers.
Part Three provides a summary of our proposals to the Pensions Commission on the institution of a new dedicated pension scheme for ‘lifetime carers’ and the principles underpinning it.

Finally, Part 4 set out the proposals, relevant to the Committee’s remit, that Family Carers Ireland would like to see delivered in Budget 2022.
Family Carers Ireland do not have access to the data required to accurately cost all of these proposals, and as such we recommend their consideration by the Parliamentary Budget Office Family Carers Ireland is the national charity dedicated to improving supports and recognition for family carers who provide regular, unpaid care to a friend or family member with a long-term illness, health problem or disability, including problems related to old age.
Part One – Policy Context Government policy has long supported initiatives to maintain the care of people in their own homes.
A trajectory of policies dating as far back as 1968 with the Care of the Aged Report; The Years Ahead- A Policy for the Elderly in 1988; the Irish Health Strategy Shaping a Healthier Future in 1994; the White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity; Quality and Fairness, A Health System for You and Primary Care- A New Direction in 2001, all emphasised the need to care for people at home, with a primary focus on the promotion of dignity and independence, as well as programmes to support family carers including informal networks, basic training and greater availability of respite.
More recently, Future Health (2012), the Seanad Report on the Rights of Older People (2012) and Sláintecare (2018) all recommend fundamental reforms in the delivery of healthcare to bring care closer to home.

These longstanding and laudable ambitions, while welcome, are entirely predicated on the availability and willingness of family and friends to take on a caring role, and to accept the many practical, financial and psychological implications that accompany it1.
Today, 1 in 8 people in Ireland provide care.

Family Carers Ireland estimates that this number will need to increase to 1 in 5 people by 2030 if we are to avoid unsustainable increases in paid-for community care and to meet the growing demand for care due to population ageing, an increase in the number of people living with a disability or chronic condition and to deliver the raft of policies that rightly prioritise care in the home.
If we are to achieve this, then Government must recognise family carers as vital contributors to our health and social care system and as such reward, not penalise them for the care they provide.
This means replacing any remaining archaic policies that penalise family caregiving, not least of which are elements of the existing pension regime that allows a lifetime carer to reach retirement age with no entitlement to a State Pension or only a reduced entitlement and the classification of Carers Allowance as a ‘social assistance’ payment which by definition imposes strict eligibility criteria which prevents genuine, fulltime family carers from qualifying.

Who Cares?
Who Cares?

According to the CSOs Irish Health Survey 2019, almost 13% of Irish people (approximately 500,000) aged over 15 years provide care2 and in doing so save the State some €20bn in avoided health and 1 Family Carers Ireland, College of Psychiatrists of Ireland & University College Dublin (2019) Paying the Price: The Hidden Impacts of Caring, Dublin: Family Carers Ireland.
https://familycarers.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Paying-the-Price- Page 71 of 137 Page 71 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ The- Hidden-Impacts-of-Caring.pdf 2 CSO Irish Health Survey 2019.

Calculation of 500,000 family carers is based on the IHS finding that 13% of respondents (N=7,621) provide regular unpaid care.

social care costs each year3.


While data on caring is captured through the Census of Population, there is a broad acceptance that the poor wording of the question, which refers to ‘unpaid... personal help,’ alongside the tendency of carers not to self-identify as a carer until well into their caring role, has led to a significant under-enumeration of carers through the Census.

For example, Census 2016 identified 195,263 carers, only 4 per cent of the population.
By comparison, almost 13 per cent of respondents to the CSO’s Irish Health Survey 2019 (N=7,621) stated they provide regular, unpaid care.

This figure is in line with estimations in the UK and other European countries.

The majority of carers in Ireland are women (61%) and are aged less than 65 years (63%) with the likelihood of caring increasing with age, rising from five per cent of people aged 25-34 years to a peak of 20 per cent among those in mid- life, aged between 45-54 years.
Not only is the majority of community care across Europe provided by family carers, but the majority of family-caregiving is also carried out by women4.

A 2019 IHREC study found evidence of the highly gendered nature of caring and unpaid work in Ireland, with the gap in care provision between men and women, at 15 hours per week, placing Ireland very far down the league table within the EU28 5.
Explanations have suggested that women are more likely to assume caregiving roles due to the gender pay gap; cultural beliefs and the traditional value of the woman as the natural caregiver.
In Ireland, the role of women as the primary providers of care was so deeply ingrained in our culture it was enshrined in Article 41.2 of the Irish Constitution and perpetuated through policies such as the marriage bar, which remained in place until 1973 and fundamentally disadvantaged Irish women in terms of their financial independence and pension entitlement.

Carers in receipt of Social Welfare: - 116,838 family carers received the annual Carers Support Grant in 2020.
The grant is paid to fulltime family carers (>35 hrs p.w) caring for someone medically assessed as in need of care.

88,906 carers receive Carers Allowance (captured in the 116,838 figure above).

3,698 carers receive Carers Benefit (captured in the 116,838 figure above).
- - Budget Estimates for Department of Social Protection Part Two – Need for a fundamental review of the adequacy of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit Cost to be estimated by the PBO The inadequacy of carer welfare rates is among the most frequent cause of carer’s frustration.

The expectation that carers provide fulltime care – at least 35 hours each week to those medically assessed as in need of fulltime care - for just €16 more than basic social welfare rates is untenable.
In fact, of the 89,000 carers receiving Carers Allowance, half receive a reduced rate due to other means, and are therefore likely to receive even less than the basic rate.

Family Carers Ireland are calling for an overhaul of the Department’s approach to family carers and a re-framing of carer income supports within the context of the States growing dependence on family carers, their ‘assumption’ into mainstream services and their unfavourable and disproportionate treatment when compared to other groups.
For example, an Irish citizen fostering a child receives a minimum of €352 per week (not means tested or taxable), with weekly payments of more than double this available to those fostering children with complex care needs.

Foster parents are also afforded priority access to relevant State services and supports.
A family carer looking after their own child with profound needs only receives a maximum Page 72 of 137 Page 72 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 3 Using the estimated carer population in 2020 of 499,904 and applying the 38.7 average weekly hours of care from Census 2016, means that Ireland carers provide some 19,346,285 million hours of care each week.
Applying an hourly replacement cost of €20, means that if Government had to replace the care provided by family carers it would cost them at least €20,120,136,192 each year.

4 Eurocarers, 2021.

5 Russell, H., Grotti, R., McGinnity, F. & Privalko, I.

(2019).

Caring and Unpaid Work in Ireland.

Dublin: ESRI.

rate of €219 per week - if they qualify at all (only 51% of all carers receive the maximum rate)6 and access to services for their child(ren) is subordinate to children in foster care.
By way of another comparison, a person on a Community Employment scheme receives a minimum payment of €225 per week, enjoys statutory employment rights including the right to annual leave and public holidays and must work just 19.5 hours per week as part of their activation programme.
For a person in receipt of Carer’s Allowance their weekly payment is paid at a maximum rate of €219 per week, they have no employment rights, their payment will be stopped if they are sick and cannot provide replacement care and must work a minimum 35 hours per week - many carers in fact provide round the clock care.
Grounds for a review of welfare adequacy for family carers: - carers are the only recipients of social welfare required to work full-time for their payment receive - - just €16 more than the basic social welfare rate for doing so; in undertaking this work, they save the State billions of euro that would otherwise have to be met by the exchequer – this means that they cannot be subject to normal requirements in regard to activation measures; the State is consistently adding to the cost (withdrawal of certain health services and supports) and burden of care (e.g.
reporting requirements under the Assisted Decision-making (Capacity) Act 2015); - providing this care brings with it significant personal costs, including financial, health and wellbeing costs as well as longer term consequences to their pension entitlement; and - carers bear additional costs associated with their caregiving role that are not compensated for by the State, as is the case with other welfare recipients who receive travel allowances and material and training grants, for example.
Part Three – Lifetime Carer’s Pension: Cost to be estimated by the PBO The following points provide a summary of Family Carers Ireland’s submission to the Pensions Commission with regard to the institution of a dedicated ‘Lifetime Carer’s Pension’ for carers who have provided fulltime care for more than 20 years.
• Family Carers Ireland acknowledges that the introduction of a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) for those who have spent time outside the paid workplace to provide care has addressed a significant number of the legacy issues attached to the Yearly Average Contribution Approach.

The TCA does not however, address all issues.


For this reason, we recommend the introduction of a separate non-means-tested Lifetime Carer Pension scheme to ensure no carer is denied a pension or receives a reduced rate pension due to significant periods spent caregiving.

• This scheme should be robust, with a legal definition of ‘lifetime carer’ that can stand up to legal scrutiny and is resistant to potential abuse being set out in statutory regulations (Ministerial Order).
Individuals should be able to appeal decisions under these regulations to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

• For the purpose of Family Carers Irelands submission, a lifetime carer is defined as a family carer who has provided fulltime care (at least 35 hours per week) to someone in need of care for 20 years or more.
The duration of their caring role places them beyond the protections afforded by Page 73 of 137 Page 73 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ the Homemakers Scheme and the Home Caring Period Scheme.

• The contribution of all family carers, including those who provide shorter periods of care is immense and must also be recognised.
Family Carers Ireland recommend the broad introduction of the TCA including the Home Caring Period Scheme, as proposed by the National Pensions Framework, to improve pension provision for family carers who have cared for less than 20 years.

6 DEASP ‘Review of Carer’s Allowance 2019’.


• The creation of a statutory ‘Family Carer Register’ would, in time, greatly facilitate the identification of lifetime family carers for the purposes of any lifetime carer pension scheme as well as assisting in the planning and delivery of services.
• Periodic circulation of PRSI contribution statements to all people of working age that includes an explanation of their entitlement to a State Pension (Contributory) based on their existing contribution record would allow people to recognise any future pension shortfall and begin to take corrective steps while they are still of working age.

• Engagement in employment remains the most effective and sustainable way through which to secure a pension entitlement.
It is therefore important that a comprehensive policy on pension entitlements for family carers should address issues such as flexible work arrangements, including transposition of the EU Directive on Work Life Balance for Parents and Carers, more generous tax credits and reliefs and better access to respite and replacement care while the carer is at work.
Principles to underpin a Lifetime Carer Pension The sustainability challenges presented by population ageing and demographic change aren’t unique to pension policy.

The increasing care gap between the availability of informal care and the demand for care, is causing Governments across Europe to reconsider how familial care is prioritised, supported and sustained.
Integral to this, is ensuring family carers are incentivised to care; have the support they need, if and when they need it, and have financial security both during their active caregiving years and into old age, if they have cared for extended periods.

The following principles underpin the values that should be upheld by a dedicated Lifetime Carer Pension.
Equity and Fairness: Family carers should be recognised not penalised for their caring years and have their contribution valued in the same way as paid contributions.

Certainty: Family carers must have certainty regarding their pension entitlement.

Transparency: The State Pension system should be easily understood and transparent.
Family carers should have access to a periodic statement of their PRSI and credit record at intervals throughout their working years with an explanation of what this means for their eventual pension entitlement.

Recognition: Family carers should be recognised for their immense contribution.

Those who have spent the majority of their working lives caring for someone in need of fulltime care should have access to a guaranteed Lifetime Carer Pension, regardless of their income.
- - - - - Gender Equality: Any method of facilitating or compensating for time spent caring should not disproportionately lock women into long-term patterns of care.

Parallel policies promoting men’s full engagement with care obligations should be promoted and embedded within pension policy.
Page 74 of 137 Page 74 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Example: Theresa is 67 years old and has cared for his sister Anne who has Down Syndrome for 31 years.

Anne came to live with Theresa, her husband and five children on their family farm following their mother’s death in 1990.

For some of this time Theresa also cared for her mother-in-law who had dementia and died in 2001.
Theresa’s husband John continues to run the farm.

John qualifies for a State Pension (Contributory) however due to their assets Theresa does not qualify for a State Pension in her own right or an IQA.

During the 31 years she has cared for Anne Theresa didn’t qualify for Carers Allowance due to the means test.
Yearly Average Approach Total Contributions Approach Dedicated Carer Pension Does not have min 520 contributions Does not have min 520 contributions €0 €0 Cared in excess of 20 years therefore should qualify for Carer Pension equivalent to full rate SPC €248.30 Part 4 – Other Recommendations for Budget 2022: - Increase Carer’s Allowance income disregard to ensure those on an average industrial wage qualify: Cost approximately €55m7.
Despite the many plaudits recognising their immense contribution, genuine full-time family carers of people with complex needs continue to be denied Carer’s Allowance due to the means test.

These are by no means wealthy families.

Only households with a gross total income of less than €37,500 per year will qualify for a full Carers Allowance.

Those with a gross household income of between €37,500 and €62,000 qualify for a much-reduced rate.
Any household with a gross income above €62,000 including savings and assets are not eligible, regardless of how considerable their cost of caring responsibilities are.

These are families who typically have higher than average household costs due to caring and where very often one member has had to give up work to provide care.
While the income disregard for Carers Allowance increasing steadily during the period 2000 to 2008, it has remained stagnant for the last 13 years, meaning Government has failed to achieve the commitment set out in Towards 2016 to expand the income disregard for Carer’s Allowance so that those on average industrial incomes can qualify (p.55).

Average earnings in Quarter 4, 2020 were €8268 while the income disregard for Carer’s Allowance remains at €332.50/€665 (couple).
The failure to ensure that the income disregard kept pace with average earnings is compounded by the fact that the current rate of Carer’s Allowance of €219 is €1.50 less than it was in 2009, despite a 6.9 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) during this period.
Carer’s Allowance Income Disregard 2000 – 2021 Budget 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2006 2007 2008 2008/2021 Income Disregard Single €95 €158 €191 €210 €250 €270 €270 €290 €320 €332.50 Couple €190 €317 €382 €420 €500 €540 €540 €580 €640 €665 Increase + 350% No change 0% - Recognise the costs of caring in the deductions allowable for Carer’s Allowance and assess income on net rather than gross value: Cost to be calculated by PBO Because the assessment of means for Carer’s Allowance is applied to gross rather than net income Page 75 of 137 Page 75 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ and does not consider mortgage repayments, dependent children, college fees, Fair Deal contributions, medical costs, etc., the assessment does not reflect the reality faced by many caring families.
These families may appear relatively financially comfortable based on their gross income, but are struggling to make ends meet when living expenses and the cost of care are deducted.

The deductions currently allowed are limited to a €332.50/€665 weekly income disregard, PRSI, union dues, superannuation and travel expenses9.

Family Carers Ireland argues that the means test should 7 DEASP ‘Review of Carer’s Allowance 2019’ p.33.

8 CSO March 2021.
8 CSO March 2021.

9 Travel is applied at a standard rate of €15 but can be increased where appropriate.

be applied to net rather than gross income in line with the assessment applied to Carer’s Benefit10 and should include deductions similar to those allowed in the financial assessment for a Medical Card including mortgage repayments, childcare costs, nursing home costs, education expenses, and an allowance ranging from €38 to €78 for each dependent child.
- Increase the €20,000 disregard to €50,000 in the Capital Formula: Cost to be calculated by PBO Because the State makes no provision for the future care needs of children and adults with significant care needs, families have to do so.

It is not uncommon for carers, particularly the parents of a child with a disability, to go without in order to save money towards their child’s future care needs.
In doing so, these carers are being penalised by virtue of the capital formula applied to savings and assets in the means assessment for Carer’s Allowance.

Family Carers Ireland is calling for the capital formula – which has not changed since 2005 - applied to Carer’s Allowance to be increased from €20,000 to €50,000 in line with the Disability Allowance where the first €50,000 of capital is disregarded.
Capital Formula Carer’s Allowance (Current) Carer’s Allowance (Proposed – same as DA) Capital First €20,000 Next €10,000 Next €10,000 Weekly means Capital Weekly means Nil €1 per €1,000 €2 per €1,000 First €50,000 Next €10,000 Next €10,000 Nil €1 per €1,000 €2 per €1,000 Balance (over €40K) €4 per €1,000 Balance (over €70K) €4 per €1,000 - Increase the Carer’s Support Grant from €1,850 to €2,000: Cost approximately €19.5m.
The annual Carer’s Support Grant is an important payment that recognises the unique contribution of family carers.

While the Grant can be used as the carer chooses, for many it goes towards the cost associated with caring or towards paying household bills.

For some 23,15711 full-time carers of people who are medically assessed as in need of full-time care, the Grant is the only financial recognition of the care they provide.
Family Carers Ireland is calling for the Grant to be increased to €2,000 in Budget 2022.

- Extend eligibility for Carer’s Benefit to include people who are self-employed: Cost approximately €7.5m12.
In line with Government’s stated aim to create a supportive environment for entrepreneurship and extend eligibility for social welfare supports to people who are self-employed, Family Carers Ireland is calling for eligibility to Carer’s Benefit to be extended to people who are self-employed or paying a Class S stamp.
These people are equally likely to find themselves with caring responsibilities and Page 76 of 137 Page 76 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION therefore need the assurance of having a financial support available to them should they need to take time away from work to provide care.
10 With Carer’s Benefit the €332.50 a carer is allowed to earn is based on net income after income tax, USC, PRSI, superannuation, pension levy, union dues, subscriptions to Friendly Societies and health insurance premiums are deducted.

11 114,000 carers received the Grant in June 2020.

A total of 90,771 carers receive the Grant automatically because they receive either Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit.

This means that 23,157 carers who receive the Grant as a stand-alone payment.
Please note additional Carer Support Grants will be paid in respect of 2020 up until Dec 2021 therefore the figure of 113,928 will increase.

12 According to the CSO 2,009,200 people were in listed as employees in 2020.

At the end of 2020 some 3,698 carers received Carers Benefit, equal to approximately 0.2% of all people in employment.

By proxy 331,600 people were listed as self- employed.
If the same proportion of these applied for Carers Benefit that would equal approximately 663 additional carers applying for Carers Benefit which would cost and additional €7.5m.

- Access to DCA for children who are long term patients in hospital: Cost less than €1m.

Some of Ireland’s sickest children are denied access to the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) because they do not satisfy the requirement that they ‘live at home’.
As a consequence, their parents, many of whom are forced to give up their employment to stay with them in hospital, are denied Carer’s Allowance.

Family Carers Ireland understands that steps have been taken to resolve this anomaly but urge that efforts be expedited to ensure these families are not forced to suffer further financial hardship.
Budget Estimates for the Department of Rural and Community Development - Funding Scheme for the Community and Voluntary Pillar: Cost approximately €500K.13 In Ireland, the contribution of the community and voluntary sector to the formulation of social policy is explicitly recognised, with the sector constituting one of the four pillars of Social Partnership.
The Department of Rural and Community Development has signalled its intention to carry out a review of the Funding Scheme to Support the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership in 2021.

Family Carers Ireland, the only member of the Community and Voluntary Pillar representing Irelands 500,000 family carers, has received funding under this scheme since 2007, which has enabled us to contribute to policy making and give a voice to family carers within the social partnership structures.
Family Carers Ireland acknowledge that the Department are obligated to undertake periodic reviews of funding schemes, and such reviews are integral to continuous improvement.
However, we urge that rather than regard the review as an opportunity to abandon this funding, it is treated as an opportunity to improve it, by facilitating effective social dialogue and helping build strong and independent social partners who are conducive to purposeful discussion, constructive co-operation and effective policy formulation.
Budget Estimates lead by another Department but of relevance to the Committee - National Carers Strategy (inc. PfG): Cost to be confirmed by PBO Ireland’s first National Carers’ Strategy, published in 2012, signalled Government’s commitment to respecting carers as key care partners and to responding to their needs across a number of policy areas.
The Programme for Government, published in 2020, reaffirms this commitment by undertaking to refresh the Strategy with the Department of Health confirming to Family Carers Ireland that the refreshed strategy will be prioritised for publication in 2021.
Given the period of significant health reform that we are now in the midst of, including the implementation of Sláintecare and the creation of a statutory homecare scheme (both of which are predicated on the provision of care in the home) it is critical that a refreshed National Carers Strategy and action plan for the period 2021 – 2026 is Page 77 of 137 Page 77 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ developed alongside ringfenced funding for its delivery.
In terms of the Department of Social Protection’s contribution, the Strategy offers the opportunity to take a 5 year approach to reframing income supports for family carers, including the classification of carer schemes and increasing the rate of payment.

- EU Directive on Work Life Balance for Parents and Carers: Cost to be confirmed by PBO Engagement in employment remains the most effective and sustainable way through which to provide financial security.
While participation in paid employment is not always possible for those with intensive caring responsibilities, for carers who want to remain in employment or want to re- enter the workforce after a period of caregiving, it is imperative that reconciliation policies exist to support them to combine work and care.
The EU Directive on Work Life Balance for Parents and Carers, due to be transposed into Irish law by August 2022, contains a number of important provisions for working carers, including the right to request flexible working and the right to at least 5 days Carer’s Leave per year.
While the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have ultimate responsibility for the legislation, they are encouraged to interpret its provisions as generously as 13 Family Carers Ireland understands that the average grant amount for each of the 17 Pillar members is €30k p.a.

possible, including providing for the payment Carer’s Leave days through the social welfare system.
If this is to materialise, then provision will need to be made in the social welfare estimates process for Budget 2022.

- ‘Carers Guarantee’: Cost €5.6mp.a.

(Point not of direct relevance but included to make the Committee aware of the Guarantee).

Family Carers Ireland welcomes the Programme for Government commitment to deliver a Carer’s Guarantee and is calling for €5.6m in funding to be made available in Budget 2022 to begin its implementation.
The ‘Carers Guarantee’ proposal sets out how, for an additional €5.6m in annual funding, Family Carers Ireland will guarantee the delivery of a core basket of services to carers across the country regardless of where they live.
These services will include: access to emergency respite; intensive one-to-one support for carers in crisis; a suite of training programmes ranging from basic care skills workshops to QQI accredited ‘Caring with Confidence’ training; targeted support groups and networks and access to information and advocacy clinics in local community centres, primary care centres and hospitals.
While led by the Department of Health, the Carers Guarantee reaches across Government Departments and has the potential to end the postcode lottery that has long characterised the delivery of carer supports and enable greater sustainability of care.

Family Carer’s Ireland notes that €2m in carer funding was announced in Budget 2021 however there is appears to be confusion as to whether this allocation is towards the Carer’s Guarantee or the National Carer’s Strategy.
The Ministers speech refers to the funding as going ‘towards more equitable access to supports’ (i.e.

the Carer’s Guarantee) however the €2m was given directly to the HSE and is acknowledged in their 2021 Service Plan as for the National Carers Strategy.
Page 78 of 137 Page 78 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Appendix 1: Page 79 of 137 Page 79 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Irish Local Development Network REFLECTIONS ON BUDGET 2022 SUBMISSION ON BEHALF OF THE IRISH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT NETWORK.
The Irish Local Development Network: The Irish Local Development Network CLG (ILDN) is the representative body for Ireland’s Local Development Companies (LDCs).

These 49 not-for-profit groups are building inclusive, vibrant communities and better life chances for people in every part of Ireland.
They assist communities and disadvantaged persons/groups with personal development and well-being, social inclusion, employment training and placement, enterprise and social enterprise, community development, environment and climate action.

With 2,100 employees on the ground, supporting 15,000 community groups and 170,000 individuals through €300+ million of programmes each year, the ILDN membership is the largest Community Development/Anti-Poverty Network in the state.
Programmes include LEADER, Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP), Local Employment Service, Jobs Clubs, Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Tús, Rural Social Scheme, social enterprise, Rural Recreation, Walks Scheme, health, mental health and social prescribing, environmental management and climate action.
Page 80 of 137 Page 80 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION The Consultation Process: As part of its pre-budget scrutiny process, the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community & Rural Development & the Islands, is inviting written submissions from Members of the Public, Stakeholders and interested parties.
The Joint Committee has agreed to undertake a detailed examination and review of the 2021 Estimates, once published, for both the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Community & Rural Development & the Islands and to hold hearings on same.

In particular, the Joint Committee will examine the overall fiscal position, public expenditure policy, exchequer receipts policy, and matters which have a significant impact on the budgetary position or fiscal policy of both Departments.
ILDN Budget Proposals: • • • • • • ILDN proposes a nationwide Local Employment Service delivered through Local Development Companies ILDN calls for increased investment in the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme and the development of a Digital Inclusion Fund ILDN urges the Government to maximise the level of EU & Exchequer co-funding eligible for the purposes of LEADER • ILDN seeks the continuation and expansion of the Ability Programme ILDN underlines the importance of deeper investment in Social Enterprise.
ILDN recommend reforms of Tús, Community Employment & Rural Social Schemes in order to maximise eligibility and participation.

ILDN suggests the introduction of a Core Costs Model to ensure the future sustainability of the Local Development Sector.

1.
1.

Employment Services in the Community Page 81 of 137 Page 81 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ The Department of Social Protection contracts ILDN members for the provision of Local Employment Services (LES) in 23 locations.

Providers deliver a case managed employment service for all, including those with disabilities, who avail of the services.
Jobseekers work with a LES Mediator to develop a personal progression plan in order to access the full range of employment supports available.

Providers also deliver a recruitment and job matching service for employers.

In these circumstances, there is a need to bring certainty, capacity and equity to the employment services required by jobseekers.
Currently, jobseekers in 14 counties do not have access to an LES-type service whilst existing LES services face a fundamental disruption to their operations through a potential tender and reconfiguration.
Whilst a tender process has also been proposed for some of the the 14 counties with no current service, this will result in two tender processes, with reconfigured service areas, realignment of operational areas, possible redundancies and disruption of service continuity at the worst possible time for jobseekers.
The current machinery is apt to provide the required employment services: In areas with existing operations, the LES are providing an effective service and can be easily and rapidly upscaled in response to local needs.

The 2019 independent Indecon Report records full-time employment placement in these services at 28.8% of hard-to- place long-term unemployed, as well as significant levels of part-time work placements.
In addition, 89% of employer respondents indicated that their engagement with the Local Employment Services had helped them to find suitable candidates for available jobs.

In the remaining 14 counties, the country’s Local Development Companies are currently closely engaged with jobseekers through the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP), Jobs Clubs, BTWEA and Tús, and they have been preparing to deliver LES type services in 2021 for many months now.
Whilst they have not operated the LES programme, they do offer comprehensive rural Page 82 of 137 Page 82 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION employment services and have been preparing to add LES.

They benefit from best practice sharing and networking to existing LES operators through the ILDN network.
Given the uncertainty in the labour market, the high numbers requiring activation over the next two years and the capacity available to the state through Local Development Companies, now is not the time to embark on a realignment of existing LES operational areas and the introduction of a dual strand procurement process that will fundamentally disrupt activation services when they are needed most.

Instead, we need to release and mobilise the existing capacity.
What ILDN proposes is: • All Local Development Companies that do not have an existing LES would pilot an LES-type service, reflective of the Covid-19 context and changing Socio Economic profile.

In this period, existing LDCs with LES contracts will continue to deliver • the current LES service but provide enhanced services.

This proposal offers an agile response to the inevitable high demand for employment services – • There is integration with existing rural employment and inclusion services.
• There is no requirement to develop infrastructure ab initio.

• There is no disruption to existing services from realignment of operational areas or loss of skilled staff.

2.

Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) Those who are already disadvantaged are likely to be more so in onsets of crises in health, economy, education and employment.

This will be exacerbated by poorer access to information technology, digital/ online services.
Whilst CSO have not yet mapped the incidence of Covid and Covid-related deaths onto the HP Deprivation Index, we know that Covid is not a leveler - there is a strong international correlation between the incidence of Covid-related deaths and Page 83 of 137 Page 83 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ areas of deprivation.
Currently, the Social Inclusion budgets stand at 50% of what it was in 2008 - (€43m currently, €84.7m in 2008) and Ireland ranks high internationally for social exclusion.

Eurofound (2019) scores social exclusion here 28.9 out of 100, well behind Denmark (17.5), Germany (20.8), Latvia (22.2) and Estonia (25.2).
As we move into the recovery phase, digitization and the remote delivery of services will be become more normal across society, this causing further disadvantage to groups with poor access to and experience of digital channels.

To protect vulnerable groups, typically SICAP target groups, ILDN proposes a Digital Inclusion Fund (DIF) to be administered by Local Development Companies in conjunction with SICAP.
This will have three principal elements – ▪ It will provide a Digital Enabler in each LDC whose will work internally but mostly externally with target groups (e.g., Local Community Groups, Social Enterprises) to provide Going Back to Work and Ongoing Supports to adapt and innovate in the new environment.
As Local Community Groups and Social Enterprise use LDCs for ongoing advice on Health & Safety and other Compliance issues, the DIF will resource Health & Safety/Compliance Officers in LDCs who will also be deployed to ensure the Social Inclusion Target Groups (TGs) are supported to participate fully in civic society for the benefit of their own members.

▪ The digital challenge also requires support for TGs in the provision of hardware and software if they are not to be further distanced.
▪ New Programmes and Training for specific TGs such as Travellers, Roma, Migrants, NEETs etc.
Page 84 of 137 Page 84 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION The Digital Inclusion Fund is in line with the European Commission’s Recommendation (Council Opinion on the 2020 Stability Programme for Ireland, 20.05.20 COM 2020 507 Final, page 8) that Ireland “address the risk of digital divide”) so that digitization “does not increase educational and social inequalities.” (page 6).
Whilst specific funding is required, the DIF will benefit from existing integrated services and facilities with LDCs.

An adequate DIF provision for 1.5 staff, programming and grants to beneficiaries will cost circa €7.84 million at an average of €160,000 per LDC.

Further investment in SICAP is also important in the context of the implementation of the Government’s White Paper on ending Direct Provision.

3.
3.

LEADER LEADER is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU which operates a locally led, bottom-up, approach to meeting the needs of local communities and businesses.

The programme supports private enterprises and community groups in rural areas.

The next EU LEADER programme will not commence until 2023.

To bridge the gap to the start of the next programme, in December 2020 a Transitional LEADER Programme which will come into effect from 1st.
April 2021, with a Budget of €70 million to the end of 2022.

The LEADER Programme offers the ideal vehicle for the delivery of development funding to Rural Areas in the most effective manner.
It is important that Government allocates the maximum percentage possible of Page 85 of 137 Page 85 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ CAP Pillar II Funding and exchequer co-funding for the purposes of LEADER.

4.
4.

Community Employment Scheme (CE) ILDN propose the following reforms to the Community Employment Scheme: • Participants who leave the CE Scheme, or who do not take up another year within their current placement when their contract ends should be eligible for CE again after a 3-month period.

• Reinstate the CE scheme training budget to €500 per participant per annum in order to maximise training opportunities for participants beyond the current options.
• Develop a broader range of criteria for what is deemed acceptable in terms training options.

This will allow for enhanced participation and improve post scheme career opportunities while also catering for participants with literacy & numeracy issues as well as other learning- based difficulties.

5.

Tús ILDN propose the following reforms to the Tús scheme: • Reduce the period from which a Tús participant who has completed a placement can access another Tús placement from 3-years to 1-year.
This approach allows the maximum number of jobseekers possible access to the scheme and its benefits from a productivity, educational and societal perspective.

• Extend employment contracts for participants identified as needing increased support to ensure their eventual progression.
It is evident that the 12-month Tús contract for those coming from long-term unemployment is simply not sufficient to allow many participants to break the cycle of unemployment and fully re-integrate with the open labour Page 86 of 137 Page 86 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION market.

• Update the eligibility criteria to increase access to the Tús programme to more jobseekers.
The current eligibility excludes those who may have engaged in pro-active job seeking activities in the previous year.

Furthermore, there are a cohort who while jobless may not be on the live register and may welcome an opportunity to pursue a scheme such as Tús.
Examples of how eligibility could be extended include: o Reducing the qualifying period for Tús to 6 months o Allowing all periods of training, work experience and short- term employment to count towards Tús eligibility o Extending eligibility to those not in receipt of a DSP payment but have training or those who are coming off a payment and are considering pursuing employment again o Extend employment contracts for Tús participants aged 62 or over.
Job opportunities for the over 60’s are limited for a range of reasons.

In order to provide fulfilling opportunities for those over 62 who wish to remain on Tús scheme for an extended period consideration should be given to allow this age cohort to remain on Tús until: • Statutory Retirement • They attain full-time employment.

6.

Rural Social Scheme The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is aimed at low-income farmers and fishermen/women.

To qualify for the RSS you must be getting a social welfare payment.
In return, people participating in the RSS provide services that benefit rural communities.

The number of participants on the RSS faces decline in the coming years.

ILDN urges the Government to review the programme ahead of Budget 2022 Page 87 of 137 Page 87 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ and bring forward reforms to protect participation in this important scheme.

7.
7.

Ability Programme The Ability Programme provides funding to 27 local, regional, and national projects that focus on bringing young people with disabilities between the ages of 15 and 29 closer to the labour market.

The programme targets young people who are not currently work ready using a range of person-centred supports.

This type of work assists young people to identify and follow progression routes based on both their potential and their needs.
As a result, the programme promotes positive pathways into education, training, and employment for participants.

Ability has an overall budget of up to €16m from 2018 to 2021, is co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF).

The objectives of Ability are to: • assist young people with disabilities to develop the confidence and independence required to participate in education, training, and employment.
• support young people with disabilities who are not in education, employment, or training to access such supports, thus increasing inclusion for PWD’s in mainstream society at all levels.

• build the capacity of mainstream employment services, education, and training providers to support the progression of young people with disabilities 8. build the capacity of employers to recruit and retain young people with disabilities within their workforce • .
The current Ability Programme is due to end on the 1st of July 2021.

The 1,900+ young people who registered and engaged across the 27 projects all around the country require ongoing support to continue their journey through education and training towards employment if they are to realise their full potential.
For this Page 88 of 137 Page 88 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION support to continue a solution needs approval to ensure these young people avoid early school leaving and unemployment.

ILDN notes recent commitments by Government to continue the Programme beyond July 2021.

9.
9.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Social enterprise are businesses whose core objective is to achieve a social, societal or environmental impact.

Like other businesses, they trade in goods or services on an ongoing basis.

However, any surpluses they generate are re- invested into achieving a social impact.

Ireland is highly reliant on social enterprise and has the potential to create many more services and jobs in the sector.
Forfás has estimated that Ireland’s social enterprise sector supports over 25,000 jobs but has the potential to create at least a further 65,000.

Local Development Companies have a long and proud tradition of initiating and supporting social enterprises around the country that bring a multi layered set of benefits to disadvantaged communities in rural and urban Ireland.

Currently, approximately 40 LDCs employ a dedicated staff member to work with and support social enterprises in every part of Ireland.
In addition, LEADER and SICAP programme staff work with social enterprises.

Supports include: • Local Development Companies exclusively operate the SICAP and LEADER Programmes which have social enterprise as component activities under EU Partnership Agreements.

• Developing and directly managing social enterprises.

• Strong experience in upskilling others to develop and manage social enterprises.

• Provision of Governance supports to companies including the Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme 2021.
• Using on-the-ground knowledge to ensure that services are relevant to Page 89 of 137 Page 89 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ local needs and making connections with local communities.

• Pre-Enterprise Training Supports ‘Start your Social Enterprise’ programme which is complemented by mentoring and advice.
including • Grant Assistance for Social Enterprise Start-up/Expansion: Grant assistance to social enterprises is allocated through a variety of programmes e.g.

LEADER and SICAP.

• Provision of Placements: The opportunity to employ individuals through activation and other schemes bridges an important resource gap for the social enterprises at the start-up and scaling stages.

Schemes such as Community Employment Schemes, Tús, RSS and Job Initiative are the most frequently used programmes.
• Meaningful training and employment opportunities for marginalised individuals who are in many instances excluded from mainstream employment opportunities (individuals with disabilities, ex-prisoners, ex- offenders, early school leavers etc).

Investment in Social Enterprises provides the State with the opportunity to meet a range of objectives in terms of job creation and the provision of services.
Page 90 of 137 Page 90 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 10.

A Sustainable Local Development Sector ILDN is seeking the introduction of a core cost funding model as a more sustainable and equitable approach to supporting the inclusion focused and anti- poverty work of Local Development Companies country-wide.
This model is based on a full costs recovery system in line with Objective 4 of the Government’s Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities strategy.

LDCs are responsible for implementing a range of programmes and initiatives, funded by the state and EU sources, to address poverty, disadvantage, exclusion and discrimination experienced by key target groups and marginalised communities.
Based on over 25 years of successful delivery, a strong and robust trusted partner working relationship has been developed with many Government Departments and state agencies.

LDCs are currently funded on a programme by programme budget scenario.

Within this programme by programme funding milieu there is a degree of fragmentation and disjointed provision that act as impediments to maximising of the programmes remit and the resulting investment return opportunities.
As such the current funding approach does not contribute to a sustainable operational framework.

The introduction of a fit for purpose core costs funding model to must be dynamic and premised on a full costs recovery system.
The core costs funding model proposed will provide the necessary scope for LDCs to better achieve outcomes related to Government inclusion focused policy objectives and will help simplify matters in the recording, reporting and verification of integral management and administration functions involved in multiple programmes delivery.
Properly resourced LDCs will continue to provide the state with transparent and credible systems for programmes delivery country-wide that meet best practice governance standards, high level quality performance and achievement and regulatory compliance.
Page 91 of 137 Page 91 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association Rural Social Scheme and Farm Assist Submission Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Social Protection, Rural & Community Development and the Islands March 2021 The Square, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo.
www.inhfa.ie email:info@inhfa.ie Tel: 0719302715 / 0879330793 Page 92 of 137 Page 92 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) as a farming representative body representing farmers in some of the most challenged areas of the country.
As such we recognise the importance of both the “Farm Assist” and the “Rural Social Scheme” (RSS) and their value to farmers and fishermen who are in a position to avail of either of them.

In light of the fact that the Joint Committee intend to submit a pre-budget submission and have invited submissions from stakeholders, we would like to make the following recommendations in relation to the Farm Assist and the RSS: Farm Assist 1.

2 3.
2 3.

Currently 70% of income is assessed in the means test and we would recommend reducing this to 50%.

Currently the Agri/Environmental Scheme disregard is €2,540 with 50% of the balance also being disregarded.

We would recommend increasing the initial disregard to €5,000 with 50% of the balance being disregarded.
The logic behind this request is that society faces threats to bio-diversity and from climate change and it is imperative that as many farmers as possible especially in ecologically sensitive areas are encouraged to take part in the part EU funded schemes.

The logic of changing this is that they allow direct costs to be offset against the income and we need to mention biodiversity, climate change and EU funding.
Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association fundamentally disagree with Capital Assets (such as savings, investments and property being considered as income on an imputed basis.

INHFA believe they should be assessed on income generated.
However, we appreciate that a phased reform of the system is the best way to go and suggest the following as a realistic option in this year’s budget: Currently the value of capital is assessed as follows: Disregard the first €20,000 €20,000 to €30,000 is assessed at €1 for every €1,000 The next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per €1,000 Anything more than €40,000 is assessed at €4 per €1,000 The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association propose the Following: Disregard the first €30,000 €30,000 to €40,000 is assessed at €1 for every €1,000 Anything more than €40,000 is assessed at €2 per €1000 4.
Farmer who were on Farm Assist pre 2006 who paid PRSI should get paid contributions “S” rate for any periods on Farm Assist.

Farmer who didn’t pay PRSI pre 2006 and were on Farm Assist should get credited PRSI contributions for any periods on Farm Assist.
Page 93 of 137 Page 93 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Rural Social Scheme (RSS) The RSS is a community service provision scheme where farmers provide vital services in their local community in return for a payment.

It is not an activation or a training scheme.

The RSS is vital scheme for the farming population and for the communities that benefit from their skills.
The fact that its flexible hours allows farmers to combine their farm duties with their off -farm tasks is very effective use of a valuable resource for both the community and the agriculture industry.

It allows a farmer to contribute to their community and pay “A” rate PRSI contributions in areas where there is little chance of employment.
We have seen during Covid the important work being done by Schemes such as the Rural Social Scheme work such as Meals on wheels, doing pharmacy runs for the elderly etc.

The INHFA proposes the following; 1.

2.

3.

A farmer or fisherman who is eligible, subject to periodic means test, for the RSS should automatically be entitled to full personal rate, IQA and child dependent allowance irrespective of the means assessed under the means test.
This is the way the scheme operated very successfully from 2003 up until 2012 when the rules were changed leaving very little incentive, particularly for those with a dependent adult or dependent children to go on the scheme as they only benefit from 19.5 hours work by a little over €1/hour.

The 6-year cap on a farmer’s duration on the scheme should be abolished (introduced in 2012).
This would provide security into the future to participants on the scheme and continuity of a valuable resource to the Local Development Companies and Communities who depend on RSS staff.

Given the RSS has low numbers of participants and that the number of recipients of Farm Assist is also small, all those applicants who are eligible to go on the scheme should be accommodated on the scheme as far as possible by an increase in the number of participants on the scheme to 5,000 as a first step.
Page 94 of 137 Page 94 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION The Wheel Submission to Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development, and the Islands Introduction
The Wheel’s Recommendations
Page 95 of 137 Page 95 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ
5.
Implement the recommendations of the Report of the Independent Review Group on the Role of Voluntary Providers in Publicly Funded Services (IRG Report).

6.

Build on the collaborative working learnings during the COVID pandemic to develop better and more effective relationships between the sector and state agencies.

7.

Continue government monitoring and oversight of insurance costs.

1.
1.

Focus on adequate and sustainable funding The role of charities and community endeavour during the pandemic has proven its essential role as a component of Irish society and economy.

Many services, however, remain impacted by funding uncertainty and reductions to service budgets initiated by statutory funders in 2008/2009.
We recommend: ⚫ Multi-annual (three- to five-year) funding arrangements to facilitate and better enable long-term planning, assist effective staff recruitment and retention, and thereby deliver better and more sustainable services.

⚫ Funding of services and supports on a full-cost-recovery basis, to fund core costs, provide adequate employee remuneration, train and develop staff, and make provision for pension contributions where appropriate.
⚫ Make provision for sustainable terms and conditions to support staff retention and progression in HSE-funded Sect.

39 and Tusla-funded Sect.

56 organisations.

⚫ Extend and provide greater funding to the Charities VAT Compensation scheme now concluding its initial three-year phase.

2.

Streamline regulatory and funding-related compliance requirements with cost of compliance supports.
The state rightly invested heavily in recent years in regulation and compliance processes for the sector, including the Charities Regulator.

There has been no equivalent investment in charities to support their capacity to comply.

Indeed, many funding programmes specificall y exclude use of allocated monies for necessary compliance work.
Charities, community and voluntary organisations, and social enterprises are forced to divert fundraised income from vital services to pay for regulatory and compliance requirements.

Duplication of reporting information across state bodies and agencies exacerbates the situation.

We recommend: ⚫ Provision for necessary and legally required cost of compliance and good governance in all funding agreements.
⚫ A comprehensive review of all existing compliance and regulatory requirements, to streamline procedures and reduce duplication, to benefit both Page 96 of 137 Page 96 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION ⚫ the sector, government departments and official agencies.
Improved information sharing and communication systems between state bodies, through the introduction of a charity-passport system or equivalent, to reduce duplication of information requests and increase efficiency.

3.
Dedicate resources to deliver the three new strategies for the community and voluntary sector, social enterprise and volunteering
to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland
 National Volunteering Strategy Policy for Ireland, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A five-year strategy The National Social Enterprise ⚫ ⚫
4.
Increase investment in skills development for the sector.
⚫ Investment Appraisal of Upskilling Employees in the Nonprofit Sector (2020)
That this and training be ‘culturally attuned’, sector
5.
Implement the recommendations of the Report of the Independent Review Page 97 of 137 Page 97 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Group on the Role of Voluntary Providers in Publicly Funded Services (IRG Report).
6.
Build on the collaborative working learnings during COVID to develop better, more effective relationships between the sector and state agencies
process, establish a dedicated budget of €2m to incentivise and cover
7.
Continued government monitoring and oversight of insurance costs Page 98 of 137 Page 98 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION
Conclusion
Conclusion
About The Wheel The Wheel is Ireland’s national association of community and voluntary organisations,
Page 99 of 137 Page 99 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ •
Page 100 of 137 Page 100 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Roscommon Rapid Response Proposal: • To provide grant aid to community organisations and businesses to set up Community Emergency Response Systems that are capable of providing quality medical interventions within 3-5 minutes of Cardiac Arrest incidents in their communities.
These Community Emergency Response systems should also encompass State/Government owned and promoted facilities e.g.

Greenways, Forest Parks, Walking Trails, Parks.

Cycleways, Tourist Attractions etc.

where community members exercise and congregate.

(Government has a Moral responsibility if not a legal responsibility to provide such an emergency service for users of facilities promoted and provided by the State).
• To support Defibrillator Owners (Depts/Local Authorities/Schools/Sports Clubs/Businesses/Community Groups) by providing certified external cabinets or grant aid towards purchase and insurance to allow 24/7 public access.

• Provide community groups/committees with certified external cabinets or grant aid to purchase them to replace existing non-compliant external AED cabinets.

Proposal Objectives: 1.


To increase the survival rate of people experiencing an out of hospital cardiac arrest from the current 5% of 5,000 or 250 people to 12.5% of 5,000 or 625 people over a 3 year period.

Medical research has shown that if cardiac arrest victims receive the appropriate quality community emergency medical treatment within 3- 5 minutes the survival rate could be increased by up to 7.5% which equates to an additional 475 lives saved per annum nationally.
The National Ambulance target response time for cardiac arrest is 19 minutes 59 second 2 To increase the number of 24/7 accessibility Defibrillators within communities by providing certified IP 66 external AED cabinets and insurance to owners of AEDs that are currently located indoors.

3.
To ensure that all Defibrillators are in working order and individual members of Page 101 of 137 Page 101 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Defibrillator Community Groups/Committees are not held personally liable if one of their Defibrillator does not work (April 2021 Court awarded 300,000 Euro when AED did not work and person died) ● having been stored in an external cabinet that does not comply with AED manufacturers physical conditions criteria (temperature between 0 - 37 degrees).
AED Cabinets used outside - internal or own box with insulation foam/board ● because batteries or pads are not replaced when due or if not checked at least monthly by owners to ensure the AED is in good working order.
How a Community Emergency Response System for Cardiac Arrest Victims will enable Community Members to provide the necessary medical assistance within 3/5 minutes by The Community Response System has a number of distinct elements: ● EmCall App ● Defibrillators in certified external cabinets ● Internet communication and Data Storage ● Trained CPR Responders Preparation: Register existing Defibrillators - Location, Accessibility, CPR Responders etc.
(Existing Website & EmCall App) Provide Grant Aid for New Defibrillators/External Cabinets to Communities who fulfill the required specified conditions - location, monitoring, annual services payment etc Promote downloading of EmCall App free to Community Members Community Emergency Response System: Contact National Ambulance Service immediately Provide incident location coordinates Notify nearest 8 trained C.P.R.

Responders Provide C.P.R.


(EmCall App gives guidance) Identify and collect nearest accessible Defibrillator or Trained CPR Responder with Defibrillator arrives at incident scene Defibrillator administers Shock EmCall App EmCall App EmCall App EmCall App EmCall App Defibrillator Page 102 of 137 Page 102 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION IF Heart Attack e.g.
STEMI Transfers ECG to National Ambulance Service/ Health Professional in real time Continue CPR Receive feedback on quality of CPR - Speed & Depth of Compressions Defibrillator Ensures quality of CPR even if delivered by a non trained person.

All data stored and can be reviewed medical professionals Continue communication with NAS Call Taker Await Ambulance arrival.
Defibrillator Defibrillator Conditions of grant aid for Community Response Systems (Defibrillator, External Cabinet & EmCall App) ● Defibrillator & External Defibrillator Cabinet must comply with manufacturers specification ● Defibrillators must be accessible to community 24/7 ● Defibrillator must not be located closer than specified - Rural 5km Urban 2.5 Km.

Population Density, Sports/Walking/Schools facilities priority.
● Register Defibrillator on EmCall App ● Nominate a contact person ● Register 6 CPR trained Responders allocated to each Defibrillator ● Update and maintain own data on EmCall website ● Record & Maintain skills level of CPR Responders with ongoing training.
Defibrillator Specification (see attached Brochure) Certified Semi or Automatic AED Defibrillator will have SIM facility (we will provide SIM and Cloud Storage) and software to enable: ● Daily remote maintenance check with text/email notification ● Tracking with Notification when Defibrillator moved Transfer of ECG to Medical Professional in real time - cardiac and heart attack e.g.

(STEMI) to inform the appropriate emergency services response.
Real time monitoring and feedback on quality (depth & speed) of C.P.R.

being delivered A Switch - between Adult and Pediatric Pads.

External Defibrillator Cabinet Specification Fiberglass, insulated external cabinet for Defibrillators/AEDs, certified to IP 66 maintain temperature (between 0 - 37 degrees), condensation, moisture and dust free.

No electrical connection required.

Awaiting official certification - our own testing complies.
Page 103 of 137 Page 103 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ EmCall App, The EmCall App was developed with the support of Roscommon Leader Co. to address issues that arose as a result of our Defibrillator Survey.
Roscommon Rapid Response conducted a community survey prior to making a decision to develop the EmCall App which showed that: ● People were unaware where the nearest accessible Defibrillator is located ● Less than 50% urban located Defibrillators are accessible 24/7 (Boyle none) ● Shortage of Community Defibrillators.
Large areas of county without or few AEDs ● Majority of State/Local Authority/Schools/Sports Organisation’s Defibrillators not accessible 24/7 ● No system in place to notify the nearest local CPR trained Responders of an incident.
● Ad hoc management and maintenance of Defibrillators depending on group ● External cabinets do not comply with AED manufacturers specifications - external heated cabinets require electrical connection and are expensive - 600 Euro + ● No monitoring of quality of CPR being delivered.

● No transmission of ECG to NAS or Health Professional.
EmCall App: Can be downloaded FREE from App Store or Google Play how em call works draft 3 final.mp4 Roscommon Rapid Response has developed an EmCall App which allows user to ● Ring 999/112 and provide location coordinates to 112/999 Call Taker ● Notify the 8 nearest CPR trained Responders ● Locate nearest accessible Defibrillator To develop the software for the EmCall App we have to: Map where Defibrillators are located Registered 6 trained CPR Responders per Defibrillator Medical Research has confirmed that when a person suffers a cardiac arrest their outcome depends on the speed and quality of the CPR delivered and how quickly that a Defibrillator is used.
Community Group/Business to access grant aid for a Communty Response System must enter into an annual contract with Provider to: Monitor Defibrillator’s condition daily & send notification when required Defibrillator movement tracking Page 104 of 137 Page 104 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Insure Defibrillator (Can only be provided for new Defibrillators eligible for grant aid) Record dates & Replace Defibrillator Pads & Batteries on the specified dates Record dates & Replace CPR Sensor unit Battery as specified Maintain Software and upgrade as required Provide remote support/training to upload data to website Maintain Data on Website, Software Platform & App Upgrade software as required.
Community Group/Business - Conditions of Grant for External Cabinet.

EmCall App etc.
EmCall App etc.

External Defibrillator Cabinet must be certified as complying with specification outlined Defibrillator must be accessible to community 24/7 Register Defibrillator on EmCall App Register 6 CPR trained Responders allocated to each Defibrillator Maintain skills level of CPR Responders with ongoing training Undertake to monitor that AED is in working order monthly Undertake to replace Pads & Batteries as specified by manufacturer.
Suggested Program Implementation: National Program: Grant Aid Replace all external AED Cabinets that do not comply with manfacturers conditions.

Provide insurance cover through Irish Public Bodies for Defibrillator Groups/Committees who are registered with PPN to ensure individual community members can not be held liable.

County/Regional Provide external AED Cabinets/Grant Aid & Insurance to enourage existing owners of internally located AEDs to locate them outside to allow 24/7 access.
Provide grants for Commnity Emergency Response Systems.
Grant Aid/Cost: Defibrillator, External Cabinet & EmCall App: External Defibrillator Cabinet & EmCall App: Community Group Annual Contract: (Replacement PADs, Batteries AED and CPR unit Daily AED check and tracking SIM, transfer ECG - Data, Software upgrades, Online/Phone Support etc) 1,900 + VAT 275 + VAT 250 + VAT per AED Page 105 of 137 Page 105 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Charities Institute Ireland Budget 2022 Submission In May 2021, Benefacts produced a special report on Irish charities, informed by the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on Irish society.
The report identified a number of emergent trends: • Charities in sectors such as emergency relief, homelessness, mental health, local development and social services experienced an increased demand for their services.

• In some sectors (the arts, culture), charities without the capacity to move to digital ways of working have been unable to operate at all, or only to a very limited degree.
They report staff cutbacks and other cost saving measures but have limited reserves and cannot avoid all fixed costs.

• Most sub-sectors have reported some positive effects, including heightened public awareness of the value of their work, better engagement across geographic divides, cost and time savings for example in travel, adopting more diversified fundraising solutions especially digital ones.
• With full lockdowns only expected to be lifted at the end of Q2 in 2021, a tougher year ahead is being predicted.

Surveys of charities by their lead bodies and by Benefacts indicate that most of these charities anticipated losses in earnings between 15% and 65% and fewer charities entered 2020 with substantial financial reserves.

It is against this backdrop that Charities Institute Ireland (Cii) recommends the following measures be considered in the context of Budget 2022.

1.
1.

VAT Compensation Scheme - renew the scheme and increase the fund available to €20m to meet demand; 2.

Sustainable Funding - Accelerate multi funding arrangements; 3.

Reducing the Burden of Compliance - Expediate development of centralised database; 4.

Ensure Sustainable Funding for HSE Section 39 - Parity of employment conditions for Section 39 employees to support staff retention; 5.

Digitalisation grants - Support scheme for upskilling charity staff to enable digital transformation; 6.
Benefacts - Continued funding of Benefacts to support independent research for the sector VAT Compensation Scheme The VAT Compensation Scheme for charities was introduced in Budget 2018 to reduce the tax burden on charities and to partially compensate them for the VAT paid in delivering on their charitable purposes.

Under the scheme charities may claim a refund of a proportion of their VAT costs based on their level of non-public funding.
Cii would like to acknowledge and thank the Minister and the Department of Finance for their support in creating the Scheme.

A review of the Scheme is currently being finalised by the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners and will be published by the Tax Strategy Group in due course.

Cii was pleased to engage with both organisations and contribute to the review.
Page 106 of 137 Page 106 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION The scheme has now operated for two years with payments having issued in 2019 and 2020.

In those two years, claims received exceeded the capped amount available.

In 2018, 1,100 claims, valued at approximately €40m were made while 900 claims valued at €49m were submitted in 2019.
These payments were calculated and issued on a pro-rata basis, as a result charity received 13% and 10% of the original claim submitted.

These numbers confirm the that the demand for the scheme justifies the continuation of the scheme.

In April 2021 we conducted a survey for the review to ascertain the value of the VAT Compensation Scheme to the sector and to assess how the scheme worked operationally.
Almost 90% of respondents reported that the VAT Compensation Scheme claim process was straightforward and easy to follow and that for the charities that did need to engage with Revenue, that experience was overwhelmingly positive.

The survey also highlighted the value and importance of the scheme in empowering charities to deliver their mission.
Some examples of direct feedback from the survey and consultation with charities include: • • • “The VAT compensation scheme has enabled us to dedicate even more funds to our vital cancer services.

This was particularly true given the challenges and increases in demand for our services due to Covid-19.
The €68k we received from the VAT compensation scheme in 2020 is the equivalent of funding nearly 200 nights of palliative care for cancer patients through our Night Nursing programme.” “ISPCC – the refund from the Scheme is equivalent to running Childline for two days.” “Grant funding covers about 50% of our annual running costs and we depend on fundraising income to cover the remainder.
Any income, including the VAT compensation scheme, enables us to provide the range of housing and support services we offer.” The main finding from the survey was the huge value of any additional income in supporting charities to deliver their missions.

For this reason and based on the operational success of the Scheme, Cii recommends that the funding of the Scheme increase from €5m to €20m.
We believe that such an increase is aligned with the original paper produced by the Working Group on VAT; “The charities’ view is that the VAT burden significantly diminishes the capacity of charities….
to deliver services; that it promotes over-reliance by charities on state grants and the taxpayer; and is at odds with Government efforts to regulate the sector in that it penalises good governance in organisations that use professional financial, legal and training services.” In the event of the fund increasing, we believe that a claim ceiling of €1m should apply.
It is important to remember that the scheme was developed to support charities that have less dependence on the state as they rely primarily on fundraised income which lessens the dependence on the state for Page 107 of 137 Page 107 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ financial support.
There is a risk that smaller charities might be displaced by larger charities and may not submit claims due to the level of work involved in order to receive a small payment.

We believe that while the best means of ensuring a higher proportion of compensation is to increase the overall pot of money available, a maximum claim amount does need to be introduced to ensure no single claim disproportionately draws on the Scheme in favour of any one charity.
This would allow continued substantial payment to charities while protecting the total funding available for the maximum benefit of all charities.

Request – renew the scheme and increase the fund available to €20m to meet demand Sustainable Funding In order to plan adequately, charities need clarity on future government funding.
We are calling on Government to accelerate the implementation of the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Five-Year Strategy for the Sector - Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities The implementation of the DRCD strategy is ambitious given the scale of the challenge.

While the Department has established the Independent Review Group (IRG) to progress this strategy and Cii is very supportive of the initiative, there is a concern among Cii’s members that progress remains slow.
We are calling on the Government to introduce multi-annual funding arrangements to enable long term planning for both service provision and staff recruitment and retention.

Where government is funding the work of charities through a grant or service-agreement, funding should be allocated on a multi-annual basis so that charities can plan their work efficiently.
Strategic planning is almost impossible when funding is renewed annually and all too often funding is confirmed when budgets and plans have been put place which results in additional administrative burden on valuable resources.

Request – Accelerate multi funding arrangements Reducing the Burden of Compliance Many charities are subject to regulation or oversight by a number of state agencies - The Charities Regulator, the Revenue Commissioners and State funders such as the HSE.
Although charities recognise the importance and benefits of increased compliance, and feel better protected by its introduction, the overhead this requires is significant for many charities and growing year on year.

There is currently no additional funding provided to match the work required to meet the significant number of standards.

Many charities have faced over a decade of cuts to their core statutory funding and during this time the number of standards and codes to comply with grew.
These charities are fully committed to best practice, however, the overhead of complying with, and evidencing, compliance with all of these standards and codes is causing huge strain on resources particularly given the increased demand for support and services.
Page 108 of 137 Page 108 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION While no comprehensive research has been produced on the impact of COVID-19 on people working in the sector – a recent survey conducted in the UK, indicated that nine in 10 charity workers have felt stress, overwhelm or burnout over the past year.
The survey shows that while the pandemic was the primary cause of this stress, others leading factors included funding concerns and job insecurity, Cii welcomed the commitment to exploring “the establishment of a centralised database for information about those in receipt of State funding for the delivery of community services” in DRCD’s latest strategy statement.
This initiative builds on the recommendations from Indecon’s report in late 2019 into the potential for a ‘Charity Passport’ for charities in Ireland, Cii would like to see the implementation a number of recommendations from the study.

This system, when developed, could provide a streamlined compliance and regulation system which would allow charities to enter their data once which could then be accessed by multiple departments, funders and the public as required.
This would reduce the administrative costs to government departments in repeat processing of information and reports.

Professionalism comes at a cost and the Government should fund charities adequately to enable them to secure the entire cost of delivering vital supports and services, such costs include administration, compliance and salary overheads.
Request – Expediate development of centralised database to reduce burden of compliance on charities Ensure sustainable funding for HSE Section 39 Section 39 organisations deliver vital services across health, family support, social care and disability services.

Unsustainable pay and conditions for the staff of such organisations is a major issue that threatens the ability of many organisations to retain staff and provide services.
It is resulting in the continued loss of experienced staff from these agencies and organisations with people leaving to pursue more secure, stable, therefore, more attractive career opportunities.

Due to the nature of much of the work the sector delivers, it is critically important to have a motivated and supported workforce to deliver much needed services.

Sustainable pay and terms and conditions for staff would greatly assist in retaining these fully qualified staff.
We need a commitment from government to address these issues by creating a more equitable and fair system for section 39 employees.

This is needed if the sector is to continue to support and as often is the case, replace the role of government in the provision of essential services to Irish society.
Request – Parity of employment conditions for Section 39 employees to support staff retention Digitalisation grants The Government has announced a range of initiatives for the private sector focused on increased digitalisation of services and related training.

However, no such schemes exist for the charity sector.
With so many organisations within the sector undertaking their work and providing their services online Page 109 of 137 Page 109 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ there is an increased need for digital innovation supports.
For many organisations they have had to invest in technology and upskilling of staff to allow them to continue their work which has placed a further additional burden on their organisation.

We are asking the Government to introduce a support scheme for charities to support the digitalisation of services and the necessary training for staff.

Such a scheme could be based on the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland.
Request – Support scheme for upskilling charity staff to enable digital transformation Benefacts Cii, together with our members, values the work of Benefacts in delivering independent research on the non-profit sector.

We particularly welcomed the recent report, referenced in our introduction, which was dedicated to the charity sector and the immediate impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the sector.
Professional, independent and insightful research is an essential tool in supporting a vibrant charity sector while ensuring that stakeholders, like Policymakers, regulators and donors have access to data to support their decision making.

We would encourage the Government to continue to fund this valuable resource.
Request – Continued funding of Benefacts to support independent research for the sector Page 110 of 137 Page 110 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Social Justice Ireland Priorities for Budget 2022 Submission to the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development Page 111 of 137 Page 111 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Introduction3 1.
Budget Priorities 3 1.

Social Welfare and Poverty Reduction 2.

Community 4 3.

Rural Development 6 3 2.


Conclusion 6 Page 112 of 137 Page 112 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Introduction Social Justice Ireland welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development on our priorities for Budget 2022 in relation to social protection, community and rural development.
We are available to elaborate further on any part of this submission if required.

Budget Priorities How we plan our finances, and what we choose to prioritise, post-Covid-19, will have profound implications for the future of our economy and society.
Covid-19 has exposed and exacerbated weaknesses that already existed in Irish society: a totally inadequate supply of social housing; a two- tier healthcare system; climate change; growing inequality; homelessness; environmental goals not being met, to name but a few.

But this past year has shown us that change is possible.
To this end it is vital that Government takes the opportunity in Budget 2022 to focus on those who are most vulnerable, those people and communities who were in a very difficult position pre-pandemic and who may find themselves left behind in any recovery without appropriate policies and resourcing.

1.
1.

Social Welfare and Poverty Reduction The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted a number of aspects of the welfare state and the importance of properly provided and funded public services in countries across the world.

Among the many lessons in this country, the crisis has highlighted the importance of the social safety net that is our social welfare system.
For many, the experience has also illustrated the substantial challenges of life on a low income; even when that income is considerably higher than the value of core social welfare payments that many unemployed people, pensioners and people with long-standing illness and disabilities struggle with persistently.

Poverty data from the CSO, released in October 2020, demonstrated how adequate social welfare payments are required to prevent and address poverty.
Without the social welfare system 41.4 per cent of the Irish population would have been living in poverty in 2019.

Such an underlying poverty rate suggests a deeply unequal distribution of direct income.

In 2019 social welfare payments reduced the poverty rate by almost 29 percentage points to 12.8 per cent.

Yet, even after the provision of social welfare payments, in 2019 there were almost 630,000 people in Ireland living below the poverty line.

Of these almost 190,000 were aged under 18.


Core Social Welfare rates should be benchmarked A lesson from past experiences of economic recovery and growth is that the weakest in our society get left behind unless welfare increases keep track with increases elsewhere in the economy.

Benchmarking minimum rates of social welfare payments to movements in average earnings is therefore an important policy priority.
Over a decade ago Budget 2007 benchmarked the minimum social welfare rate at 30 per cent of Gross Average Industrial Earnings (GAIE).

Today that figure is equivalent to 27.5 per cent of the average weekly earnings data being collected by the CSO.

Applying this benchmark using CSO data for 2020 and projections for wage growth in 2021 allows us to compare this benchmark with current welfare rates1.
Page 113 of 137 Page 113 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ 1 For further details see https://www.socialjustice.ie/sites/default/files/attach/publication/5752/2019-03-26- indexationandsocialwelfarerateswithcover.pdf?cs=true Page 114 of 137 Page 114 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION In 2021 the updated value of 27.5 per cent of average weekly earnings equals €222 implying a shortfall of €19 between current minimum social welfare rates (€203) and this threshold.
Given the importance of this benchmark to the living standards of many in Irish society, and its relevance to anti-poverty commitments, the current deficit highlights a need for Budget 2022 to further increase minimum social welfare rates and commit to converging on a benchmark equivalent to 27.5 per cent of average weekly earnings.

Government should commit to reaching this benchmark over two years.

As a start Budget 2022 should increase minimum social welfare rates by €10 per week.
Supporting a Universal Basic Income (UBI) Pilot Social Justice Ireland has a long history of advocating for a system of Universal Basic Income to be implemented in Ireland.

We therefore welcomed the inclusion in the Programme for Government of a commitment to examine Basic Income and run a pilot in Ireland during the lifetime of the current Government.

In May 2021 we hosted a seminar, and published a document, outlining a proposal for a UBI pilot to be applied to artists and arts workers.
The proposal builds on a recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Task Force Report and detailed a four year pilot paid at the current rate of jobseekers benefit.

The proposal also outlined a timeline for the development, introduction and evaluation of the pilot.

The document, and presentations from the launch event, are available on our website.
While there are limited cost implications associated with the pilot we have proposed, Budget 2022 should commit to introducing this universal basic income pilot and funding the evaluation process to accompany it.

Ultimately, there are important lesson to learn from this UBI pilot which can inform longer term developments in this area.

Young jobseekers Continue the process started in Budget 2020 and equalise Jobseekers rates for all those under 26 at the increased rate of €210 per week.
Cost of Disability To support people with disabilities to live fulfilling lives within their communities, Government should introduce a cost of disability payment of €20 per week in Budget 2022.

Universal State Pension Social Justice Ireland proposes a single-rate universal state social welfare pension from January 2022 at a rate of €258.30 per week.
The significant additional expenditure required could be funded through reform of Ireland’s system of pension-related tax reliefs, and through a moderate increase in Employer PRSI, as detailed in our report on the Universal Pension from March 2018.

This would involve standard-rating the tax break on all private pension contributions.
The objective of a pension system is to provide citizens and residents with an income that removes them from the risk of poverty in old age, yet the Irish pension system incomplete coverage and a generous system of tax reliefs that disproportionately benefit the better-off in society.

is characterised by 1.

Community The cuts to funding for the Community and Voluntary sector made during the last recession have yet to be restored.

Covid-19 has again highlighted the importance of communities.
This support must now be formally recognised with investment in programmes that support community engagement; deal with deficit demand; tackle social exclusion; and sustain communities.

The sector is set to lose an estimated €500m in fundraising, as donations plummet.

In addition, increased administrative and regulatory duties imposed upon this sector mean that resources that would otherwise be dedicated to frontline and core services are diverted to administration.
This must be streamlined with recognition given to the size and capacity of the range of organisations within the sector.

Budget 2022 Page 115 of 137 Page 115 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ should start addressing the current funding gap as the sector faces a likely rise in demand for services.
Community and Voluntary Sector Whilst Social Justice Ireland welcomes the Covid-19 related funding received by the Community and Voluntary sector, the funding challenges faced by the sector since 2008 have never been resolved and will be further exacerbated by the current crisis.

The Covid-19 pandemic saw extra demands laced upon the sector coupled with a loss of fundraising.
It is essential that Government resource this sector into the future and that it remains committed to the principle of providing multi-annual statutory funding.

Social Justice Ireland proposes an increase of €30m to the Community and Voluntary sector to ensure the continuation of the provision of key supports and services in our communities.

Public Participation Networks (PPNs) The PPNs are the primary mechanism for Local Authority engagement with communities.
While this is an important step in fostering a more democratic local government structure, there is some way to go to build real participation and partnership in local government decision-making.

Investment in community engagement is needed to support capacity building and the establishment of local dialogue forums to support participation in the development of the Local Economic and Community Plans, and the Local Authority budgets.
To this end, an additional allocation of €2 million should be made in Budget 2022 to support capacity building and meaningful participation at local level.

Social Enterprise and Deficit Demand There is a diverse range of organisations within the social enterprise arena, ranging from those responding to ‘deficit demand’, particularly in under-represented and disadvantaged areas, to social entrepreneurs whose business model is most closely aligned to the commercial sector.
Budget 2022 should allocate €1.5m towards resourcing the National Social Enterprise Strategy, aimed in particular at those social enterprises meeting deficit demand and providing vital community services.

Community Development Programmes The importance of community has been highlighted in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis.

This importance must now be formally recognised through an increase in funding to support community development, especially in rural areas and areas of high disadvantage.
Government must increase funding allocations to LEADER (the funding programme to support the social and economic development of areas) and SICAP (the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) to support the development of local communities with an additional allocation of €2m in Budget 2022 Page 116 of 137 Page 116 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 3.
Rural Development Investment in the regions is vital to a balanced and fair post-Covid recovery.

Rural Ireland faces many challenges, including an older population, higher rates of part-time employment, lower median incomes, distance from everyday services and higher poverty rates than the national average.

In addition new challenges have emerged, the impact of Brexit, digitisation and a potentially prolonged period of unemployment on areas that were already struggling.
Regional Development and Transition Social Justice Ireland proposes the establishment of a regional development and transition programme.

This programme would have the task of aligning ‘Our Rural Future’, Regional employment plans, Future Jobs Ireland, the Climate Action Plan and the Economic Recovery Plan with the principles of just transition and developing sustainable local economies and livelihoods for our communities.

€100m should be allocated to Regional Development and Transition in Budget 2022.
This funding should be used to invest in (i) Smart Villages to support remote working; (ii) education for the current and future generation of farmers to move to more sustainable agricultural methods; (iii) developing local cooperatives and regional ‘Farm to Fork’ strategies, and (iv) improving and expanding public services to promote and support rural living.
In addition, an additional €25m to Enterprise Ireland to develop and support indigenous enterprises and job creation across the regions, particularly those areas most impacted by Covid-19 and those who will be most impacted by Brexit.

We also propose an additional €25m for Fáilte Ireland to promote local and regional tourism initiatives.

Rural Transport Increased funding is required for rural public transport and the nationwide expansion of cycling infrastructure and greenways.
Social Justice Ireland calls on Government to invest an additional €50m to the Rural Transport Programme, increasing the range of public transport options and ensuring the rural public transport options and fleet are in line with our climate commitments, safe-guarding communities from isolation, and incentivising greater public transport usage.

In addition we propose an investment of €10m in our cycling and walking infrastructure.
Broadband Strategies and plans to promote rural and regional economies are heavily reliant on the provision of reliable, quality, high-speed broadband.

Social Justice Ireland proposes a €200m investment to rollout the network of 400 Remote Working Hubs, supporting infrastructure and shared services, upgrade existing remote working hubs and meeting our Digital Agenda for Europe targets.
Conclusion Social Justice Ireland believes that fundamental changes are required if Ireland is to ensure that our post-pandemic recovery is fair and works for all and leaves no person or community behind.
Investment in our social welfare system, in the community and voluntary sector and the regions is essential to achieve this goal Page 117 of 137 Page 117 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2022 To: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and The Islands Date: 30th April 2021 Society of St Vincent de Paul National Office 91/92 Sean McDermott St. Dublin 1 Page 118 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Contents Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3 Context for Budget 2022 ....................................................................................... 4 Poverty and deprivation prior to Covid-19 ....................................................................................... 5 The uneven impact of the pandemic............................................................................................... 6 The cost of poverty ....................................................................................................................... 8 Social Protection Priorities for Budget 2022 ......................................................... 9 Ensuring adequacy and alleviating poverty ..................................................................................... 9 Addressing problem debt arising from Covid-19
 ............................................................................ 12 Supporting lone parents and reducing child poverty ...................................................................... 13 Tackling energy poverty and ensuring a just transition ................................................................... 15 Embedding Poverty Proofing in the Budgetary Process .................................. 18 Page 119 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Introduction The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) welcome the opportunity to make a submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development, and the Islands as part of its pre-budget 2022 scrutiny.
SVP is the largest charity of social concern in Ireland and its primary aim is to provide direct assistance to low-income households.

Although home visitations have been curtailed because of Covid restrictions, support is still being provided remotely by SVP.

Every household in Ireland is affected by this crisis but in our experience the impacts have been most acute for those experiencing poverty and marginalisation.
In 2020, we received over 160,000 requests for help and in the first three months of this year we received more than 45,000 calls from individuals and families struggling to make ends meet on a reduced or inadequate income.

Some of the main reasons people have reached out for help this year include: o Lone parents who are socially isolated and struggling with food and energy poverty.
o Single adults living alone, with health conditions and in receipt of disability payment, worried about isolation and being able to pay the bills.

o People whose jobs or businesses have closed and they have no money left after they pay their rent or mortgage o Older people living alone who can’t afford to keep their homes warm.

o People who had to give up work to care for vulnerable family members.

o Mothers and lone parents in particular who had to leave their jobs due to lack of childcare.
o Low-income households during winter lockdown worried about paying high utility bills, and many families are unable to afford to keep the fridge stocked as food bills increased with the children home all day.

Individuals and families moving out of homeless accommodation and into new homes but without access to bedding or cooking equipment as they cannot shop online.

o o Families in emergency accommodation and direct provision struggling with isolation, home-schooling and food poverty.
Informed by the experiences of our members and the people we assist we work towards addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality through our policy and Page 120 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION advocacy work.

It is from this perspective that we make this submission to the Committee.
Context for Budget 2022 SVP do not underestimate the challenges facing the economy and society from the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and the uneven socioeconomic impact it is having on Irish society.

It is critical that all policy and budgetary decisions focus on delivering a fair, equal and inclusive recovery.

We must invest now to save in the long term, rather than making short term decisions that build in the future cost of poverty.
The pandemic has brought to the fore the vital role the State plays in providing essential services for its citizens and the importance of a strong welfare state for everyone in society.

As well as investment in public childcare, housing, education, and a just transition, we need to make sure that income adequacy is recognised as the foundation of poverty prevention.
The correct mechanisms must be put in place to support incomes by benchmarking social welfare payments against the cost of Minimum Essential Standard of Living, and providing all workers, many of whom worked on the frontline of the pandemic, with a liveable income.

For those who lost their job as a result of the pandemic they must receive tailored employment supports that create a pathway to sustainable employment.
The next budget should prioritise: o Supporting incomes and addressing poverty and inequality through adequate social welfare, including core social welfare rates.

o Building inclusive labour markets and supporting parental employment Investing in quality public services that support the well-being of people, o society and the economy.

o Prioritising a just transition to a low carbon economy ensuring no one is left behind.
o Embedding poverty proofing in economic and social policy including budgetary decisions.

In this submission we outline the context for Budget 2022 from the perspective of SVP and highlight our key recommendations for the Minister for Social Protection Page 121 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ that are needed to tackle and address poverty.

Our full list of recommendations for Budget 2022, including costings where feasible, will be published in summer 2021.
1 Poverty and deprivation prior to Covid-19 Ireland entered this crisis with over 600,000 people across the country living below the poverty line, including almost 200,000 children.
Over 70% of people living in poverty couldn’t afford an unexpected expense, and 40% are going without basics like adequate heating and food.2 Growing up in poverty can negatively affect the entire life course of a child, limiting opportunities and making it more difficult for them to realise their full emotional, educational social and economic potential.
While there was some progress between 2016 and 2017 with 25,000 children being lifted out of consistent poverty, the latest figures see a reversal of the positive trend.

In 2019, the rate of consistent poverty among children stood at 8.1%, up from 7.7% in 2018.

This equates to approximately 97,000 children.


This compares to a rate of 5.1% for adults aged 18-64 and 2.3% for those over the age of 65.3 The rate increases to 17% among one-parent families, highlighting how if we are to be successful in tackling child poverty, we must support lone parents.
Now more than ever with the pandemic disproportionately impacting low-income families, it is essential that child poverty is held as a political priority across Government departments and throughout the political system.

In 2019, 43 per cent of those living below the poverty line were experiencing enforced deprivation, compared to 29 per cent in 2008.

4 This shows that many low- income households were more exposed to an economic shock now than they were at the outset of the last recession.
For those still carrying the scars of the last recession, another downturn will harm them further unless safeguards are put in place.

1 Recommendations may also be adjusted to take account of changes based on the Minimum Essential Standard of Living data, which is updated annually and published in quarter 2 each year.

2 Survey of Income and Living Conditions 2018.
EUROSTAT [ilc_mdes04] 3 CSO Survey of Income and Living Conditions 4 CSO Statbank SIA26 by Poverty Status, Type of Deprivation and Year (2006-2018) Page 122 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION The Irish Government Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 contains the ambition ‘To reduce the national consistent poverty rate to 2% or less of the population’ and, ‘To make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive States in the EU’.
Previous to this the commitment in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion was to reduce consistent poverty to 2% or less by 2020.

This target is unlikely to be met when data is published later this year, and the unequal impact of the pandemic makes reaching this target more challenging.
The uneven impact of the pandemic The concentration of job losses in the tourism, hospitality, food, and retail sectors means that the impact has disproportionately fallen on groups that are least able to endure a financial hit, as a higher proportion of minimum wage and low paid workers are located in these sectors.5 Those in the mostly severely affected sectors of the economy are more likely to be in private rented accommodation, have more debt and less savings.
The longer it takes for these sectors to recover and unless safeguards are put in place, the more likely people will be pushed further into hardship.

6 According to RED C research commissioned by SVP ‘Cutting back and falling behind?’, published in March 2021, a significant proportion of Irish society are facing a multitude of financial pressures due to the pandemic.
7 This includes loss of income, increased household expenditure on basics, erosion of savings to meet ordinary living expenses, falling behind on bills and being forced to cut back on essentials like food, heating and electricity.

5 Redmond and McGuinness (2020) Who can work from home in Ireland?
https://www.esri.ie/system/files/publications/SUSTAT87.pdf 6 Coates, Corcoran, Corin and Broscú (2020) The Initial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ireland’s Labour Market 7 SVP and RED C (2021) Cutting Back and Falling Behind: An Analysis of the Financial Impact of Covid-19 https://www.svp.ie/news-media/submissions/poverty-in-ireland/cutting-back-and-falling- behind-red-c-report-march.aspx Page 123 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Data from a representative sample of 1026 adults shows that 43% of the population reported experiencing at least one form of financial strain due to the Covid-19 pandemic with: o 24% cutting back on food, heating or electricity due to cost.
o 22% using savings to meet ordinary living expenses.

o 14% falling behind on bills such as rent, mortgages, utilities or other regular payments.

o 7% going into debt (personal loan, credit cards) to meet ordinary living expenses.

It finds that those who are experiencing the most adverse financial impacts are many of the groups that were vulnerable to poverty prior to the pandemic including low- income families with children, lone parents, renters, and people with disabilities.
During Covid-19, over a third of one parent families had to cut back on heating or had fallen behind on bills, and 25% had cut back on food due to cost.

Increased expenditure on basics is hitting low-income families with children harder as they coped with the additional financial pressures associated with school closures.

For people unable to work due to illness or disability, 42% reported going without heating due to cost due to Covid-19, compared to 18% of people at work.
The data also shows warning signs of financial distress among tenants, with almost one-in-ten renters reporting that they have fallen behind on their rent and a quarter stating they were in arrears on other regular payments.

It is SVP’s view that the current protections for tenants with Covid-19 related rent arrears are too narrowly defined, difficult to access and can be particularly challenging for vulnerable tenants to navigate.
The research shows that the financial impact of the pandemic is not felt evenly across the population.

Of those who were finding it difficult to manage financially prior to the pandemic, 85% reported experiencing some form of financial strain due to Covid-19, compared to 21% of those who stated they were living comfortably prior to the pandemic.
This group were also more likely to report a drop in income (51% Page 124 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION compared to 25% of those living comfortably prior to the pandemic).

Furthermore, of those who were finding it quite difficult or very difficult to manage prior to Covid-19, 49% were spending more on essentials compared to 35% of those who were living comfortably.
The pandemic has heightened and exposed long-term issues for people living on low incomes and in financial precarity.

We now have an an opportunity to build back better.

We must bolster the financial resilience of households in Ireland by investing in our safety net and our social infrastructure.

The cost of poverty As well as the moral imperative to address poverty, we now have important evidence on the wider societal and economic benefits of addressing and preventing poverty.
Our recent report on the Hidden Cost of Poverty, carried out by Dr. Michéal Collins in University College Dublin, clearly shows that poverty carries a huge cost, not just for those directly affected, but for everyone in society.

8The comprehensive analysis estimates that dealing with the consequences of poverty costs the State €4.5 billion every year through public services – more than the respective annual Government budgets for housing, justice, transport, and agriculture.
The report finds: o The additional spending to deal with poor health outcomes associated with poverty is estimated to be over €1.2 billion.

o A significant proportion of state spending is allocated to support people in poverty unable to afford basics through social assistance (€592.7 million) and housing supports (€912.5 million).
In education, €549.7 million is spent every year dealing with the legacy effects of early experiences of child poverty and on measures to prevent children now experiencing the longer-term impacts of educational disadvantage.

o o €917.4 million of expenditure in the justice system is spent dealing with the association between social and economic disadvantage, exclusion marginalisation, and crime.
8 Collins, M. (2020) The Hidden Cost of Poverty: Estimating the Public Service Cost of Poverty in Ireland https://www.svp.ie/news-media/publications/social-justice-publications/the-hidden-cost-of- poverty.aspx Page 125 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ This is spending that could be avoided if poverty was prevented in the first place through sufficient investment in protecting the incomes of the least well off.
Prioritising a long-term investment in tackling poverty will not only improve the lives of the least well off but it will lead to a freeing up government resources to focus on other public policy priorities.

Investing in income adequacy and robust services is the only route to long term social and economic sustainability.
Social Protection Priorities for Budget 2022 The levels of poverty in Ireland prior to the pandemic and the uneven impact it has had on Irish society underlines the need for Government to pursue right kind of recovery following the pandemic.

This recovery must learn the lessons of the last decade and focus on investment not austerity.

Budget 2022 will be decisive and must allocate sufficient resources to address poverty and social exclusion.
Ireland’s recovery must tackle the inequalities that are preventing people from reaching their potential and which are storing up human, economic and social costs for the future.

Making the right investments now means we can reduce future expenditure spent dealing with the damage poverty causes.

Ensuring adequacy and alleviating poverty SVP strongly believe that people who receive social welfare should have the means to remain integrated and participate in society.
Where social welfare payments address only very basic needs, they can contribute to locking people in a cycle of dependency without adequate means to access opportunities or to fully participate in society.

Adequate social welfare helps people reconnect to the world of work and allows people to live in dignity.

A just recovery must begin with investing in those who are furthest behind.

Everyone should be guaranteed an adequate income to participate fully in society, whether they are in work or not.
The pandemic has caused a significant increase in unemployment and a large portion of this may turn into long-term unemployment.

As well as tailored employment supports, affordable childcare and accessible education and training, Page 126 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Government must guarantee those outside of the labour market have adequate social welfare supports.

This will protect individuals and families from poverty.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been set at €350 per week, an upfront recognition that the rate of Jobseekers Allowance (maximum personal rate of €203) is currently insufficient.

At SVP we already knew that payment levels this low leave people struggling to get by and have been calling on the government to set welfare rates that allow people to afford a Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL).
9 Benchmarking social welfare against the costs of an MESL would allow people to make ends meet and bring thousands of individuals and families out of hardship.

It is an investment in our future and the only way to reach poverty targets.
The European Pillar of Social Rights, of which Ireland is a signatory, states that “Everyone lacking sufficient resources has the right to adequate minimum income benefits ensuring a life in dignity at all stages of life, and effective access to enabling goods and services.

For those who can work, minimum income benefits should be combined with incentives to (re)integrate into the labour market”.
10 Importantly, we also now have evidence of strong public support for adequate welfare payments as 96.7% of the Citizen’s Assembly voting in favour of the following recommendation “Set social protection payments and/or supports at a level that lifts people above the poverty line, prevents deprivation and supports an adequate standard of living”.
11 This is in addition to the National Economic and Social Council’s recent recommendation that an independent indexation group be established to advise Government on appropriate welfare payment rates to ensure social welfare payments are adequate to prevent poverty.
12 9 www.budgeting.ie 10 European Pillar of Social Rights https://ec.europa.eu/commission/priorities/deeper-and-fairer- economic-andmonetary-union/european-pillar-social-rights/european-pillar-social-rights-20- principles_en 11 http://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/what-we-do/meetings/voting-results-citizens-assembly-on- gender-equality/full-list-of-recommendations.pdf 12 http://files.nesc.ie/nesc_reports/en/151_Future_Social_Welfare.pdf Page 127 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Qualitative research shows that in households experiencing income inadequacy, parents give priority to the needs of their children over their own and often worry and feel guilty that they are letting their children down.
Living below an Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) has an impact on the well-being of parents and children, with implications for mental and physical health, educational attainment, loss of confidence and erosion of resources such as savings.
13 A Minimum Essential Standard of Living is one which meets the minimum needed to live and participate in Irish society and is a standard of living which no one should be expected to live below.14 The MESL analysis finds that one parent household compositions and single adults continue to demonstrate the greatest rates and depth of income inadequacy.15 In 2021, the gap between the social welfare income of a one parent household with a primary school and secondary school aged children is €80 every week.
For a single adult living in an urban area the gap is €46 per week.
16 While MESL data has shown that recent budget increases to the QCI have led to improvements in adequacy for some household types, the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice conclude that ‘child poverty and income inadequacy can only be fully addressed when the minimum needs of the entire household are considered.’17 We therefore recommend Budget 2022 prioritises achieving income adequacy for households reliant on the social welfare safety net.
13 Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice (2018) Stories of Struggle https://www.svp.ie/storiesofstruggle 14 See www.budgeting.ie 15 Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice (2020) Budget 2021 Impact Briefing https://www.budg eting.ie/download/pdf/budget_2021_-_mesl_impact_briefing.pdf 16 Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice (2020) Budget 2021 Impact Briefing https://www.budg eting.ie/download/pdf/budget_2021_-_mesl_impact_briefing.pdf 17 Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice (2020) Budget 2021 Impact Briefing https://www.budg eting.ie/download/pdf/budget_2021_-_mesl_impact_briefing.pdf Page 128 of 137 REPORT: PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION Recommendations • Social welfare rates should be set at a sufficient level which evidence shows will lift people out of poverty and provide them with a Minimum Essential Standard of Living.
Budget 2022 must begin to close the gap between social welfare rates and the real costs facing households by investing in core rates that protect the overall household income.

Increase the personal rate of social welfare by €8 per week with proportionate increases for children aged over and under 12.

Set a target of reaching an adequate level for all primary payments by 2025 including for those aged under 25.
• Link earning disregards, means-tests and income tests for supports such as the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and Medical Card and in-work income supports to increases in the National Minimum Wage and core social welfare payments, maintaining the value of and access to these supports year on year.
Addressing problem debt arising from Covid-19 The Red C survey results ‘Cutting back and falling behind?’ on the financial impact of Covid-19 show a divergence in experience during lockdown, with those most vulnerable to financial strain and poverty feeling the brunt of the negative economic consequence of the pandemic.
While we commend the Government policy response for mitigating significant income losses through the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and wage subsidy schemes, this data shows that additional interventions for those most at risk of financial distress are now needed to ensure the public health crisis is not followed by a deeper debt, homelessness and poverty crisis.

Any cliff edge in supports that does not take account of continued economic context will lead to hardship for low-income households.
Page 129 of 137 TUARASCÁIL: AIGNEACHT RÉAMH-BHUISÉID CHUIG AN ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ Recommendations • Implementation of changes to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) must make full use of poverty proofing safeguards so that claimants and their families do not suffer undue hardship.

Taper supports towards those most at risk of financial hardships including low-income families with children and renters.
• Ensure adequate resources are available through the Exceptional Needs Scheme so that low-income households with significant Covid-19 related energy debt are not pushed into energy poverty or additional hardship.

• Suppliers, Government, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities establish a debt relief mechanism for households in significant energy debt because of Covid- 19.
• Establish a joint budget line between the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Housing to help those with significant rent arrears.

Supporting lone parents and reducing child poverty One parent families continue to be the group most at risk of poverty in Ireland today.

Research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows that lone parents and their children experienced persistent levels of poverty during boom, recession and the early stages of economic recovery.
18 In 2019, 17% of one parent families lived in consistent poverty, 45% were experiencing enforced deprivation and almost 80% were unable to afford an unexpected expense.19 Lone parents are also more likely to be in be in low paying insecure jobs and experience in-work poverty than parents in two parent households.

20 Research shows that high housing and childcare costs combined with low levels of income mean that it is challenging for many families with children to make ends meet.
These 18 ESRI (2018) Poverty dynamics of social risk groups in the EU: an analysis of the EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions, 2005 to 2014. https://www.esri.ie/system/files/media/file-uploads/2018- 01/BKMNEXT345.pdf 19 CSO (2020) Survey of Income and Living Conditions https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-silc/surveyonincomeandlivingconditionssilc2018/ 20 Ibid Page 130 of 137 Houses of the Oireachtas Leinster House Kildare Street Dublin 2 D02 XR20 www.oireachtas.ie Tel: +353 (0)1 6183000 or 076 1001700 Twitter: @OireachtasNews Connect with us Download our App