Eric J. Byrne
Question:80 Mr. Byrne asked the Taoiseach whether the method of compiling the Live Register of unemployed persons has been changed over the past six years.
Written Answers. - Live Register Compilation.
The method used by the CSO in compiling the Live Register has not been changed over the past six years.
The Live Register consists of the following classes of persons under 65 years of age who are registered at local offices of the Department of Social Welfare: (1) All claimants for unemployment benefit (UB) excluding systematic short-time workers; (2) Applicants for unemployment assistance (UA) other than smallholders and, (3) Other registrants, including applicants for credited social welfare contributions but excluding those directly involved in an industrial dispute.
This was the coverage recommended in the report of the Interdepartmental Study Group on Unemployment Statistics (Prl. 7925, April 1979) and which has since been maintained unaltered.
The following administrative changes, made since January 1985, have impacted on the Live Register: Equality of treatment between men and women in social security was provided for by the Social Welfare (No. 2) Act, 1985 which was introduced in two phases:
(a) Phase 1 came into operation on 15 May 1986 and provided, inter alia, for the duration of unemployment benefit for married women to be extended from 312 days to 390 days.
(b) Phase 2 came into operation from 19 November 1986 and provided,inter alia, that married women could claim unemployment assistance in their own right. Previously, married women could claim UA in exceptional circumstances only.
The impact of these changes would be to increase the number of women on the Live Register; but the precise effect cannot be quantified.
A number of initiatives enabling unemployed claimants to participate in education courses were introduced. Participants in the following three education schemes are not included in the Live Register:
(a) The educational opportunities scheme was introduced in 1986 on a pilot basis to allow certain recipients of unemployment assistance to further their education at second level. It was launched on an extended basis as the vocational training opportunities scheme in October 1989. The current level of participation in the scheme is 660.
(b) The vocational preparation and training programme was introduced in October 1990 in co-operation with the City of Dublin Vocational Education Colleges. The current level of participation in the scheme is 200.
(c) the third level allowance for the unemployed was introduced, on a pilot basis, in October 1990 for those who wish to participate in third level education. The current level of participation in the scheme is 66.
The part-time job incentive scheme was introduced initially on a pilot basis in August 1986. It was extended in December 1986 and was further extended in May 1988. This scheme allows certain unemployed people to take up part-time employment and continue to get a special allowance. Participants are not included in the Live Register. The current level of participation in the scheme is 280.
The pre-retirement allowance scheme (PRETA) was established by section 28 of the Social Welfare Act, 1988 but not introduced until 29 March 1990 when a commencement order was made. Under the scheme, which is optional, persons in receipt of long term unemployment assistance who are aged 60 years or over and who declare they have retired from the labour market are taken off UA and are paid a pre-retirement allowance. Payment is made by payable order book at the local post office. At the end of October there were 4,537 PRETA recipients.
From 2 August 1990 persons aged 60 years and over who were signing for credits only were given the option of declaring that they were retired and no longer available for employment. Participants no longer have to attend at the local office or signing centre to prove employment. Instead, they make a yearly declaration of retirement on the basis of which credited contributions are awarded to them. At the end of October 1990 there were 2,536 pre-retirement credits scheme recipients.
The widower's pension and deserted husband's allowance scheme was introduced from 1 October 1989 under section 6 of the Social Welfare Act 1989. The level of participation in this scheme is negligible.
Variations in the number of places available on certain employment and training schemes administered by FÁS and the Department of Labour also have an effect on the Live Register figures.