Written Answers Nos. 140-148
140. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate the difficulties for members of the Fire Service to receive payment of jobseeker's benefit on the basis of availability for work, being in receipt of a small, retained fire-fighter's payment and being confined to a 1.5 mile radius in terms of employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17891/13]
View answerPart-time fire-fighters are entitled to a jobseeker’s payment in respect of days that they are engaged in fire-fighting or training. They are, however, required to satisfy the statutory conditions for the receipt of a jobseeker’s payment of being available for and genuinely seeking work. However, taking account of the unusual circumstances of these workers and general efforts to develop and standardise our jobseeker schemes, a group was established in the Department to examine the position of part-time fire-fighters. Discussions on this issue are still on-going. Further discussions with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government are also planned. I hope that a resolution of the issues can be found shortly.
141. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an appeal of a rent allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17898/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 18th February 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question 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.
144. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason casual workers who work a fourth day in the week lose entitlement; her views on whether this represents a disincentive to work; the steps she will take to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17904/13]
View answerThe jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker’s allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative employment. It is a fundamental qualifying condition for these schemes that a person must be available for full-time work.
A person is entitled to jobseeker’s benefit or jobseeker’s allowance where they are fully unemployed for at least 4 days in any period of 7 consecutive days.
It is recognised that a changing labour market has resulted in a move away from the more traditional work patterns, with a consequent increase in the number of casual workers. In acknowledgement of this trend, the Department has commenced work on the consideration of the future structure of the jobseeker schemes. In this regard the Department’s work is being informed by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education report, A Review of the Status of Casual Workers in Ireland. This report recommended increasing the flexibility of the existing jobseeker schemes by moving from the current days based system to a system of entitlement based on hours.
However, increasing flexibility in the system could potentially, depending on the behavioural response, increase the number of people claiming a jobseeker’s payment thereby increasing the total cost of the schemes to the Exchequer.
Other issues which are under active consideration are, aligning the jobseeker’s week to the calendar week and compensating for the loss of employment only or stated availability, whichever is the lesser.
This work is complex and is taking place in the context of other social welfare reforms including the recognition of Sunday working for jobseekers, the current economic situation, and the considerable administrative change that implementation of reform to the jobseeker’s schemes will require.
145. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection the action that she has taken to amend the law governing pensions to provide a more equitable outcome form members of defined benefit schemes who have contributed to a fund that is now in deficit but will mean ongoing contributions do not receive a fair share of the fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17927/13]
View answer147. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if the changes to the defined benefit pension schemes has been implemented (details supplied); if not, when she plans to bring in such changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17929/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 147 together.
As you are aware, there are significant structural and affordability problems with DB schemes due to a range of factors such as an underestimation of longevity, poor investment decisions and the impact of the downturn in financial markets.
A range of both administrative and legislative measures have been put in place since 2008 to assist trustees and employers respond to the impact that the downturn in financial market has had on the funding of defined benefit pension schemes. Following a review of the defined benefit model which was completed in 2011, I introduced a requirement for defined benefit pension schemes to hold a risk reserve which was designed to protect the interest of scheme members against future volatility in financial markets. I also introduced a range of options which will assist trustees of schemes in meeting this requirement. In view of current funding difficulties experienced by many defined benefit schemes, schemes will have until the end of 2023 to satisfy this requirement.
You will appreciate that the issue of how the assets of a pension scheme are distributed on the wind-up of a pension scheme is a complex and sensitive issue and one which requires careful consideration before any change is made to the current provisions. In this regard, my officials have completed a detailed review of these provisions which involved engagement with stakeholder representatives and with external consultants who provided valuable assistance in reviewing this issue.
The outcome of this review is being considered at present.
148. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth, with regard to a claim for family income supplement, and a subsequent appeal lodged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17944/13]
View answerThe person concerned applied to have their family income supplement (FIS) renewed with effect from 5th February 2013.
FIS is payable at 60% of the difference between the prescribed income level and the weekly family income. For a family with 2 children, as in the case concerned, the prescribed income limit is €602.00 weekly. A minimum payment of €20 per week is made to customers who qualify.
The weekly family income for the person concerned was calculated based upon the information available and FIS was awarded at the minimum weekly rate of €20.
The person concerned appealed against the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. On 14 March, in accordance with normal procedure, the Social Welfare Appeals Office asked that a letter of clarification issue from a deciding officer to the person concerned giving details of how their weekly family income was assessed.
The letter of clarification has issued to the person concerned. If following receipt of this letter the person concerned remains dissatisfied with the decision, their case will be referred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination.
