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Tuesday, 16 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 299-322

Child Benefit Payments

Questions (299)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

299. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline her future plans for child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44639/12]

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Written answers

Child benefit is a universal payment that assists parents with the cost of raising children and it contributes towards alleviating child poverty. The estimated expenditure on child benefit for 2012 is around €2 billion in respect of some 1.15 million children.

The Government is conscious that child benefit, as a universal payment, can be an important source of income for all families, especially during a time of recession and high unemployment. The social protection system also provides assistance to low income families with children through the payment of qualified child increases on primary social welfare payments and through the family income supplement payment. Both of these provide a level of assistance which is directly or indirectly linked with household’s income.

I am conscious that achieving a better design of the overall system of child income supports, including child benefit, raises complex issues about the effectiveness and efficiency of the full range of income supports currently provided to families and their children. In this context and in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare last year, which has been tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be improved and better poverty outcomes achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes. The Advisory Group prioritised the area of family and child income supports and has completed its work on this area. I am currently reviewing their report which I will then discuss with my colleagues in Cabinet.

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Questions (300)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

300. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44075/12]

View answer

Written answers

The person concerned has made an application for rent supplement and has been requested to provide further information in support of her claim. A decision will be made on her application when the information has been provided.

Pension Provisions

Questions (301)

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

301. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection if options have been considered to alleviate the shortfall in income for workers who are not covered by the homemaker’s scheme and who are facing reduced pension entitlements as a result of the introduction of new PRSI contribution rates and bands since 1 September 2012; if she will set out feasible measures that could be taken to moderate or offset the negative impact on workers currently of retirement age who have had little time to prepare for change, drawing on and or supplementing analysis in the Green Paper on Pensions; and if she will provide costings with regard to backdating the scheme, updating estimates presented in the Green Paper. [44106/12]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, ensuring the sustainability of pensions into the future is vital given the changing demographics, the increased numbers of those over 65 and increased longevity and reduced dependency ratio. The State pension is a very valuable benefit. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. Recent changes to State pension supports the direct link between contributions made and the rate of pension received which underpins State pension policy. By aligning the rate of pension with the contribution made ensures that those who contribute more during a working life, benefit more in retirement.

The recently published Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund confirms that benefits offer excellent value for money for those on the lower part of the income distribution, those with shorter contribution histories, and the self-employed. The social solidarity principle which underlies the Fund is reflected in the fact that, for those at the higher end of the income distribution, the Fund is redistributive and they generally get back less than they pay in.

Notwithstanding the changes in the contribution rules and associated rates of payment which were introduced in September 2012, those with lower earnings and those with shorter contribution histories will continue to obtain the best value for money from the Fund. This is because the negative impact of these changes continues to be outweighed by the lower contributions paid into the Fund in respect of these workers.

The report looked at the value for money provided by the Fund on a range of individual scenarios and found that:

- Those on lower incomes fare considerably better than those on higher incomes;

- Those with dependants achieve better value for money (when assessing value for money on an individual rather than on a per household basis);

- Those with short contribution histories have the potential to fare better than those with full contribution histories, which is particularly helpful for women who take time out of the workforce for caring purposes;

- The Fund provides better value to female than to male contributors;

- The self-employed achieve very good value for money compared with the employed – when the comparison includes both employer and employee contributions in respect of the employed person;

- For those at the higher end of the income distribution, the Fund is redistributive and these individuals generally get back less than they pay in;

- Higher value for money is achieved where benefits in addition to the State pension (contributory) are accessed.

In relation to the homemakers scheme, women who leave the workplace for caring purposes can, if eligible, avail of the homemakers scheme which helps to provide a higher rate of pension for those who meet the qualifying conditions. It should be noted that women who do not qualify for a pension or are affected by the rate band change may, if their spouse is in receipt of a State pension contributory, receive a qualified adult payment at a higher rate where they satisfy a means test. A State pension non-contributory pension, which is a means tested payment, may also be payable. I have no proposals to backdate the homemakers scheme given the policy issues and costs involved. While my Department will keep this scheme under review, any improvements which could result in further costs for the Exchequer could only be considered in a budgetary context.

Sustainable public finances are a pre-requisite for future economic stability and growth, as well as being a pre-requisite for maintaining and developing our social protection system. The Government’s priority is to secure economic recovery, promote growth and employment. To this end, the State must pursue a determined deficit reduction strategy. Accordingly, there will be an on-going requirement to curtail expenditure in 2013 and in later years. There are, therefore, considerable challenges ahead including the need to protect, as far as possible, the key income supports and services operated by my Department. These services and supports impact in some way on the lives of almost every single person in the State. The scope and scale of this expenditure plays a key role in the wider economy and helps to partially offset the effect of the downturn.

The Government is committed to tackling Ireland’s economic crisis in a way that is fair, balanced, and which recognises the need for social solidarity. The appropriate level of overall expenditure by my Department, including expenditure on weekly and other payments, will be considered in the context of Budget 2013 and subsequent Budgets.

Fuel Allowance Applications

Questions (302)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

302. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford was refused fuel allowance when the additional income is well under the weekly threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44112/12]

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Written answers

In order to be eligible for a fuel allowance, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a household means test, and live alone or only with specific people. One of the criteria for an applicant living with someone else is that this person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment that would entitle them to fuel allowance in their own right. In the case concerned, the spouse of the person is in receipt of a disablement pension which is not a qualifying payment for fuel allowance. Accordingly, the application has been disallowed.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (303)

Nicky McFadden

Question:

303. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the average waiting times for carer's allowance applications to be processed; the measures that can be taken by her Department to reduce current waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44262/12]

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Written answers

The Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. Currently the average time taken to award a carer’s allowance application is 28 weeks. I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer’s allowance claims at present is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the Department is taking appropriate action to resolve the situation.

Carer’s allowance section has recently completed a major service delivery modernisation project to improve the efficiency with which it processes applications from clients for carer’s allowance. The project involved the development of IT functionality and associated business process re-organisation. Full deployment of the new system for Carer’s Allowance was completed in June 2012. The outcome of the review is the division of work into two streams. One concentrates on dealing with new claim intake and processes these without delay and the other on the backlog which is ring-fenced with a clear and targeted plan for its elimination. Implementation of the plan commenced on Monday 3 September and is closely monitored and managed to ensure it achieves its objectives. In September the number of claims decided substantially exceeded claim intake. However, it will take a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (304)

Michael Creed

Question:

304. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44273/12]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 13th July 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments

Questions (305)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

305. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline specifically the circumstances under which community welfare officers may provide a deposit to rent supplement applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44325/12]

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Written answers

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short-term assistance and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 92,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement for which the Government has provided €436 million in 2012.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential once-off cost, such as a payment of a rent deposit, which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. Over €2 million has been paid in rent deposits during 2012. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment and each application is determined by the person administering the SWA scheme based on the particular circumstances of the case taking account of the nature and extent of the need. Such payments are confined to occurrences which are considered to be unexpected, unforeseen or exceptional. This form of assistance may be payable to those relying on the private rented market to meet their housing needs who are on low incomes and may not be in position to provide for a deposit from within their own resources or those who are at risk of or who are homeless. Multiple rent deposits are not generally paid to the same person and every effort is made to ensure that only one payment is made. If the landlord or tenant terminates the tenancy, the tenant can use the returned deposit to secure a new tenancy.

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Questions (306)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

306. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to support tenants in receipt of rent supplement, whose rent cap is reduced in the middle of a tenancy agreement, in order to prevent them from becoming homeless; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44326/12]

View answer

Written answers

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 90,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided €436 million for 2012.

Revised maximum rent limits under the rent supplement scheme came into force on 1 January 2012. The revised rent limits are applicable to new rent supplement tenancies from January 2012 and existing tenancies on review. Most claims are reviewed every six months, or when an existing lease expires. Consideration will be given for cases where a tenant is in a lease agreement which has a number of months to go before cessation.

Where a claim is under review and the rent is above the maximum limit the customer is being asked to contact the landlord to renegotiate the rent. Where a landlord does not agree to reduce the rent to the new rates department officials will discuss the options open to the tenant up to and including seeking alternative accommodation. Department officials dealing with rent supplement tenants will continue to ensure that their accommodation needs are met; there will be no incidence of homelessness due to these changes.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (307)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

307. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when an application for carer's allowance will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44335/12]

View answer

Written answers

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question. The person concerned was refused carers allowance on the grounds that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review or appeal on the 4th of July 2012. The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The relevant papers were forwarded on the 11th October 2012 to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination.

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Questions (308, 309)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

308. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that rent supplement recipients are being told to get the Private Residential Tenancy Board to confirm if their landlord is registered with them, however the PRTB will not confirm this, citing data protection; and if she will confirm if this is a requirement for rent supplement. [44356/12]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

309. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her views that if registration with the Private Residential Tenancy Board is a condition for receipt of rent allowance for specific property then her Department should liaise directly with the PRTB rather than the applicant. [44357/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together.

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 90,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided €436 million for 2012.

Registration with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) is not a condition for payment of rent supplement. Landlords are legally obliged to register tenancies with the PRTB within one month from the start date of the tenancy or at a later date on payment of an increased fee. For this reason, it is not practicable for the Department to insist that a tenancy be registered with the PRTB before payment of rent supplement can be made. There are also instances where a rent supplement tenancy need not be registered with the PRTB, for example, in the case of renting a room in a house or where a property is owner occupied.

The Department works closely with the PRTB to help ensure that rent supplement tenancies comply with the statutory system of tenancy regulation and safeguards. The Department advises the PRTB of all new rent supplemented tenancies to assist them in implementing tenancy regulations and co-operates in any initiatives taken by the PRTB to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act.

Public Sector Staff Career Breaks

Questions (310, 375, 376)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

310. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff in her Department or agencies under her control that are currently on career break; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if she will provide a breakdown of the numbers by grade and agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44373/12]

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Kevin Humphreys

Question:

375. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff that availed of the special civil service incentive career break scheme 2009; the cost of the scheme since its introduction; the savings on the pay bill in that time period; the estimated full year cost for the return of all the new civil servants in 2013; the number of staff members that applied for a further extension of their leave; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45615/12]

View answer

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

376. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff across the public service that are currently on a career break; if she will provide a breakdown of the numbers on career leave by Department and agency; the estimated cost of this scheme per year; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; the reforms that have taken place in this general area in the past year; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45630/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 310, 375 and 376 together.

There are currently 91 staff of my Department availing of career breaks, including career breaks which were granted under the special incentivised career break scheme 2009. A breakdown by grade is as follows:

Grade

Number

Assistant Principal

1

Higher Executive Officer

10

Executive Officer

12

Staff Officer

5

Clerical Officer

63

Total

91

A total of 54 staff in the Department availed of the special incentivised career break scheme in 2009. The cost of the incentivised career break scheme for 2011 (i.e. the amount paid to the staff who availed of the scheme) was €570,837. The resulting savings on the pay bill in 2011 was just under €1.9 million. A total of 19 of the 54 staff have opted to extend their career breaks beyond the 3 years provided for by the scheme. No remuneration is provided for staff who extend their career breaks beyond the 3 years provided for in the scheme.

An estimated cost for the return in 2013 of all of the civil servants who availed of incentivised career breaks is unavailable, as the returning salary in each case would have to be calculated on an individual basis on the officer’s return and, as indicated above, some officers have confirmed an extension to their career break on an unpaid basis beyond 2013. Officers that have availed of any form of career break retain the option to extend their career breaks for periods up to 5 years in total.

The statutory agencies that operate under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board and the Citizens Information Board. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department. In relation to the Pensions Board there is currently one member of staff, a Higher Executive Officer, on a career break. A temporary Clerical Officer was hired to cover this career break and that this arrangement will cease with effect from 19 October 2012. In the Citizens Information Board there is currently one staff member, a grade IV, on a career break. There was no temporary cover provided for this career break. None of the staff in the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman are on career break. Vacancies arising from staff availing of career breaks are regarded as permanent vacancies, and as such, if the vacancies are approved to be filled, they are filled by the assignment of permanent staff. These vacancies count towards the reduction in numbers in the Department. There have been no reforms introduced to the operation of the career break scheme in my Department in the last year.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (311)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

311. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44376/12]

View answer

Written answers

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 21st December 2011. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. It will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

One-Parent Family Payment Appeals

Questions (312)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

312. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when one parent family allowance will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44385/12]

View answer

Written answers

The person concerned appealed the decision to disallow her one parent family payment claim. Her claim was subsequently reviewed by a Social Welfare Inspector, and the decision to disallow her claim remained unchanged. The appeal will now progress through the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Child Care Services

Questions (313)

Robert Troy

Question:

313. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has had discussions with groups representing childcare providers regarding the impact the proposed sick pay proposals will have on the provision of childcare services and the additional costs such a measure could impose on these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40692/12]

View answer

Written answers

The total expenditure on the key illness and disability payments administered by the Department – namely illness benefit, invalidity pension and disability allowance amounted to some €10.6 billion in the period from 2008 to 2011. Of that amount, some €3.6 billion relates to illness benefit and the estimated cost of the scheme in 2012 is €847 million.

Against that background, there are a number of compelling reasons why the Government is giving consideration to the introduction of a scheme of statutory sick pay at this time. Firstly, it is necessary to take steps to address the deficit in the social insurance fund from which illness benefit, amongst other insurance-based benefits and pensions, is paid. In 2011, the deficit in the Fund was some €1.5 billion. Secondly, such a scheme would help to limit progression from short-term illness to long-term illness or disability. Thirdly, it would serve to bring Ireland into line with practice in other countries in this area. And, finally, it would contribute towards enhancing the health of the workforce and achieve active management of absenteeism.

I am acutely conscious of the pressures facing employers in the current economic climate. In this regard, I am aware of the particular concerns of the childcare sector. These concerns will continue to be taken into account in considering the issues associated with the possible introduction of a scheme of statutory sick pay.

Youth Unemployment Measures

Questions (314)

Micheál Martin

Question:

314. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection the areas her Department is prioritising to implement policies to decrease youth unemployment; the progress made on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40097/12]

View answer

Written answers

Young people, typically, suffer disproportionately from job losses in recessions as they tend to have entered employment more recently, are more likely to hold temporary contracts and to be employed in cyclically sensitive industries than older workers. The Quarterly National Household survey indicated that there were 66,000 young unemployed aged 15–24 in Q2 2012 – representing thirteen per cent of the youth population. The majority of young people are in education and not in the labour force. With regards to those in the labour force, 34% are unemployed (this is the official unemployment rate). Of particular concern is the continued increase in the share of youth unemployed who are out of work for more than one year. They now account for 41% of all youth unemployment.

In the first instance, the Government’s primary strategy to tackle youth unemployment is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth. Past experience suggests that youth unemployment, which tends to rise relatively rapidly in a downturn, can be expected to fall relatively rapidly during the recovery. In addition to promoting economic recovery, the Government recognises the need for interim measures to support the young unemployed and keep young jobseekers close to the labour market. There are five main approaches being taken to tackle youth unemployment: education, training, job search assistance/guidance, work experience, and encouraging job creation. These actions range across a number of Departments and Agencies.

In terms of education, the Youthreach programme provides integrated education, training and work experience for unemployed early school leavers without any qualifications or vocational training who are between 15 and 20 years of age. There are almost 6,000 places available nationwide under the Youthreach umbrella. The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) scheme, operated through VECs, provides a range of courses to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people over 21 years of age (particularly early school leavers). The most recent data indicate that there are almost 1,000 participants on VTOS who are under 25 years of age.

The Back to Education Allowance scheme run by my Department provides income maintenance, along with a contribution to education costs, for unemployed people returning to further or higher education. Over 6,500 young people participated in the BTEA in the last academic year.

Over 18,000 persons aged under 25 completed a training course with FÁS in 2011 (excluding evening courses). Training allowances on eligible courses exceed what a young person would receive in jobseekers’ payments, providing an incentive to take up training programmes. The Labour Market Education & Training Fund (LMETF) is part of the Government’s 2012 Action Plan for Jobs initiative. The Department of Education & Skills has committed €20m to fund a range of education and training interventions for up to 6,500 individuals who are long term unemployed. There are four themes to the funding, one of which is dedicated to the cohort of under 25s.

In terms of job search assistance, some 17,000 young people registered with Employment Services this year up until September 2012, representing 37% of all registrants. Registering with Employment Services gives job-seekers access to guidance interviews, job search assistance, and training courses, as well as self-service job-seeking options. Under the National Employment Action Plan (EAP) persons between the ages of 18 and 65 years who are approaching 3 months on the Live Register are identified by the Department of Social Protection and referred to Employment Services for interview with the aim of assisting them to enter/re-enter the labour market. Last year, there were 35,400 referrals of under 25s to the EAP, affecting approximately 25,000 individual jobseekers (those who do not attend initially are referred again). Of those referred, 62% of clients had signed off the Live Register by the end of the year. For the first eight months of this year, there were 23,700 referrals affecting 18,300 young jobseekers. The EAP process is being changed on a progressive basis across the country to one where referral will take place immediately on becoming unemployed for those identified, through profiling, as being at greatest risk of remaining unemployed for long periods.

There are a number of schemes/programmes available that are focussed on work experience. The most relevant for young people are: JobBridge (the National Internship Scheme), and its predecessor the Work Placement Programme. Over 1,500 young people are currently participating on these schemes. The total number of placements of young people on JobBridge during its first year of operation was 2,600. Young people will also benefit from the reduced rate of employer’s PRSI, the purpose of which is to support job creation, as well as from the impact of Revenue Job Assist and the Employers PRSI Incentive Scheme.

Finally the European Commission is currently reviewing relevant youth policies across the Member States with a view to making proposals for a European-wide approach to a “youth guarantee” that are to be discussed during Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council. The Commission’s proposals are expected to be published in December, and achieving political agreement on these proposals in the Council will be a major objective of Ireland’s Presidency in the first half of 2013.

National Internship Scheme Administration

Questions (315)

John McGuinness

Question:

315. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the businesses that are signing up to the jobbridge internship scheme; if they are providing relevant and high quality work experience to young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41667/12]

View answer

Written answers

The JobBridge Scheme has made significant progress to-date since it came into operation on the 1st July 2011. 11,010 internships have commenced to date with 5,082 participants currently on an internship as at 11th October 2012 and 2,253 internship opportunities presently advertised on www.JobBridge.ie. Our records indicate that a significant proportion of individuals who have completed their JobBridge internship placement have progressed into employment with either their host organisation or another employer. A clearer picture of the progression outcomes of interns will be made available shortly on foot of the Interim Evaluation Report conducted by Indecon.

In response to the Deputy’s other question, I wish to advise a variety of control measures and criteria have been introduced to ensure the integrity of the JobBridge Scheme. These ensure that the internship does not displace an existing position; provides appropriate training and development experience; and that appropriate mentoring and support is provided. Firstly, the Standard Agreement signed and agreed to by both the Intern and the Host Organisation upon commencement clearly states the terms of the internship; including the specific learning outcomes the intern will gain over the course of their internship.

Secondly, to ensure that both the host organisation and intern are abiding by the spirit and the rules of the scheme, the Department of Social Protection are involved in the continuous monitoring of internships. To-date, 95% of the 380 monitoring visits conducted have been satisfactory. It is important to highlight that remedial action is taken in the cases that are deemed unsatisfactory. Consequently any individual, who suspects that an internship may be in breach of the scheme’s criteria, including cases of suspected displacement and quality, may contact the JobBridge team. All such matters are fully investigated.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (316)

James Bannon

Question:

316. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost in 2011 to her Department and to each body under the aegis of her Department of implementing the Official Languages Act 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44472/12]

View answer

Written answers

It is an objective of my Department, and the agencies under its aegis, to provide a quality customer service in both Irish and English in response to customer demand. It is not possible to completely isolate all of the costs for the provision of services in the Irish language within the total cost of service provision in every instance. The cost of providing some elements of service through the Irish language can be identified. These include the provision of staff training in spoken and written Irish, the translation of forms, leaflets and other documentation, and expenditure on advertising in the Irish language. The data in the following table shows expenditure in relation to these areas in 2011.

Department

of Social Protection

Citizens Information Board (CIB)

Pensions Board

Pensions Ombudsman

Total

€89,200

€11,370

€5,500

€3,393

€109,463

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (317)

James Bannon

Question:

317. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in relation to an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44476/12]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. Following the submission of additional evidence the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeal has been finalised. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Disability Allowance Appeals

Questions (318)

Robert Troy

Question:

318. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied). [44483/12]

View answer

Written answers

An application for disability allowance was received from the person concerned on 16th March 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department’s medical assessors who found that the person concerned was not medically eligible for disability allowance. Further medical evidence has been received in support of the application and is under consideration by our medical assessors. A decision will be made on this further medical evidence as soon as possible and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (319)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

319. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal and when it is likely that a decision may be made on same. [44488/12]

View answer

Written answers

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 10th April 2012. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. It will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Questions (320)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

320. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal for jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44490/12]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 05 July 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 31 July 2012 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Question No. 321 withdrawn.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (322)

Brendan Smith

Question:

322. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will be paid carer's allowance. [44524/12]

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Written answers

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 7th July 2011. The application is currently with a social welfare investigative officer for means assessment and confirmation that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied. It will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. If the application is successful, arrears will be backdated to the date of receipt of the application.

I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer’s allowance claims at present is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the Department is taking appropriate action to resolve the situation. Carer’s allowance section has recently completed a major service delivery modernisation project to improve the efficiency with which it processes applications from clients for carer’s allowance. The project involved the development of IT functionality and associated business process re-organisation. Full deployment of the new system for Carer’s Allowance was completed in June 2012.

Following the completion of the modernisation project, an in-depth business process improvement (BPI) project commenced for the carer’s allowance scheme. This project focused on optimising output and customer service and the reduction of backlogs. The outcome of the review is the division of work into two streams. One concentrates on dealing with new claim intake and processes these without delay and the other on the backlog which is ring-fenced with a clear and targeted plan for its elimination. Implementation of the plan commenced on Monday 3 September and will be closely monitored and managed to ensure it achieves its objectives. A noted improvement was achieved in September where claims process substantially exceed claim intake. However, it will take a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level. The allocation of available resources to this task continues to be monitored.

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