Written Answers Nos. 333-351
333. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the prevalent skill or educational standards of employees in areas of major job losses over the past four years; if any particular skill levels were more affected by job losses than others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19000/13]
View answerAt a sectoral level, the largest job losses over the 2008-2012 period were in the construction sector, where employment fell by over 160,000, in manufacturing (down by almost 50,000) and retail and wholesale distribution (down by over 40,000). Smaller falls were recorded across a range of other service industries. By contrast, at the end of 2012, employment in two sub-sectors – healthcare and the information/communications sector – were above the levels of 2007/2008.
Driven primarily by these sectoral trends, the occupations most affected by the down turn were the skilled trades, where employment fell by about 140,000. The sharp contraction in construction and manufacturing also partly explains the fall of 60,000 in the unskilled or “elementary” manual occupations, which contain a sizeable number of unskilled construction workers. Smaller but nonetheless significant declines have occurred for clerical and secretarial jobs (down by 50,000) and for sales and transport occupations affected by the fall in distribution (down by 50,000). By contrast, professional workers, associate & technical professionals and managers actually experienced slight increases over the course of the recession. The number of science/engineering professionals and technicians, for example, rose by 16,000 between 2008 and 2012.
When broken down by highest education level achieved, employment for those with at best a Leaving Certificate or Post Leaving Certificate qualification fell by almost 370,000 between 2007 and 2012 whereas employment for persons with a third-level qualification rose by over 100,000. These changes reflect the rapid growth in the numbers of people with higher qualifications in the overall population as well as changes in employment prospects for those with various qualifications. The employment rate (percentage of the adult population with jobs) fell for all groups between 2007 and 2012; however, the rate for those with third-level fell by about 6 percentage points, from 85% to 79%, while that for those with Leaving Certificate or PLC qualifications fell by 15 percentage points, from 75% to 60%, and those with lower qualifications saw even greater reductions, of the order of 18 percentage points.
As a result of the downturn, the unemployment rate has risen significantly for persons with lower levels of education. For persons with at most primary education, the unemployment rate increased from10.3% to 27.8% between 2008 and 2012. For persons with a best a lower secondary education unemployment rate increased from 10.6% to 25.5% and for persons with a best a Leaving Certificate the unemployment rate increased from 6.7% to 16.9%. By contrast, the unemployment rate for those with honours degrees was relatively lower, at 6.5%, in 2012.
In recognition of the skills gap among the unemployed people, the Government operates a number of initiatives to allow those who are out of work to up-skill through the education and training system. These include the Back to Education Allowance (26,000 people), Springboard (6,000 people) and Momentum (6,500 places). Eligible participants on both Springboard and Momentum programmes retain their welfare payments made through my Department.
These special initiatives are in addition to the existing range of full-time vocational training options provided through FÁS that are closely aligned to the needs of the labour market. Specific Skills Training courses are employment-led and lead to qualifications that offer learners both generic and advanced skills. The expected outcomes are progression to employment in the occupational field or to further and higher education/training and the achievement of certification from levels 5 – 7 in the National Qualifications Framework. FÁS also provides Traineeships which entail significant skill requirements best acquired through a combination of alternating periods of on and off-the-job training, as well as foundation courses for those who require them prior to going on to skills training. There were some 21,000 participants on these three FAS programmes in 2012. FÁS has also expanded provision of free part-time and evening courses for unemployed people in recent years, and a further 21,000 people took such courses in 2012. The Government is prioritising places on training courses for those who have been on the Live Register for 12 months or more.
334. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review for carer's allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18227/13]
View answerI can confirm that the Department received an application for Carer's Allowance from the person in question on 16th November 2011. This application was disallowed on 4th October 2012 and a letter issued to the client notifying them of this. Additional medical evidence dated 12th October 2012 has been received and awaiting review by the Department's Chief Medical Advisor and this will be done as a matter of urgency. Once completed, the person in question will be notified directly of the outcome.
335. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for invalidity pension will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18230/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 12 April 2013, 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.
336. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the way the Sterling exchange rate is arrived at for applicants in receipt of top up State pension payments to UK State pensions who are resident in this State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18241/13]
View answerIn assessing means deriving from payments received from non-euro countries, the Department uses the conversion mechanism provided for under Article 107 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 574/72 on Social Security for Migrant Workers. The exchange rates for converting sterling and other non-euro currencies are published quarterly in the Official Journal of the European Union. Under this mechanism the conversion rate used for means testing purposes is derived from the average of the daily exchange rates in the first month of a quarter. This rate is then used in all conversions during the course of the succeeding quarter. Alternatively the conversion rate applicable to the next succeeding quarter is used if it is more beneficial to the customer.
337. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal continues to be denied a social welfare payment based on the habitual residence condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18242/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer decision on 11 April 2013. 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.
338. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will respond to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) concerning the national campaign to assist people in mortgage arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18245/13]
View answer342. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide consideration to a matter (details supplied) in respect to her Department's scheme to help those in mortgage arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18275/13]
View answer386. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding persons in mortgage arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18858/13]
View answer391. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any plans to include financial brokers in the mortgage advisory scheme; if the review of the scheme has been completed; her plans to meet a representative of the Professional Insurance Brokers Association regarding the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18926/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 338, 342, 386 and 391 together.
The Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service was established to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to assist people in mortgage distress. The approach differentiates between mortgage information and mortgage advice. The first two elements involve the enhancement of the website www.keepingyourhome.ie and the establishment of a Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline within the Citizens Information Board both of which focus on the provision of comprehensive mortgage arrears information in particular to people in arrears or pre-arrears.
The third element of the service is the provision of independent financial advice to mortgage holders who are being presented with long term mortgage resolution proposals by their lenders. This advice is provided by a panel of accountants drawn from members of the main accountancy institutes in Ireland who have agreed to participate and support this independent service. This panel is available on a county by county basis on the website www.keepingyourhome.ie.
When a lender is proposing longer-term mortgage resolutions, the lender advises the borrower to obtain independent financial advice on the proposed arrangement and that, if the borrower wishes to avail of this option, that the lender will pay €250 to an accountant of the borrower’s choosing for the provision of this advice. The advisory framework has commenced with practising accountants because they already operate within a regulatory regime which includes qualitative oversight by their regulating bodies and in these circumstances it was possible to establish the advisory framework for people with mortgage distress within a relatively short timeframe.
There is nothing to inhibit other financial intermediaries from continuing to give advice on mortgages as required by borrowers. The advisory framework is being monitored on an on-going basis and a full review of the service will be undertaken in June 2013. The review will be undertaken to ensure that it is meeting its objectives and will encompass all aspects of the service including if participation is extended to other interested parties, the criteria that would be required in terms of relevant qualifications, experience, independence, professional indemnity insurance, etc. All relevant stakeholders will have an opportunity to input to the review.
341. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for funding under the treatment benefit scheme will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [18268/13]
View answerEligibility for treatment benefit is based on the person concerned fulfilling certain PRSI requirements. A person can either qualify on their own PRSI, or, if they are considered financially dependent, on their qualified spouse’s PRSI. The person concerned does not qualify in her own right, while her late husband was not qualified under the social insurance scheme at the time of his death (1976). As a result, she does not qualify for assistance under this Department’s treatment benefit scheme. In these circumstances, it is recommended that the person concerned contact her local HSE office for advice on any benefit she may be entitled to under their audiological scheme.
344. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of care's allowance applications that are currently in the Department of Social Protection; the number of person who applied for carer's allowance in 2012; the number of applications for carer's allowance that were processed in 2012 and the number that were awarded and how many were disallowed. [18362/13]
View answerThe backlog of carer’s allowance applications has been cleared and we are currently in the process of finalising cases that still need additional information. The number of applications currently awaiting a decision is just under 4,000. The majority of these have already been processed and are awaiting additional information in order to make a decision. The information required to finalise these cases may be from the claimant themselves, a medical assessment opinion from one of the Department’s medical assessors or a report from a social welfare inspector. Once this outstanding information is received a decision will be made without delay. In 2012 there was 15,493 new carer’s allowance applications registered. There were 18,483 claims processed in 2012, with 9,880 awarded, 6,828 disallowed, and 1,775 withdrawn.
346. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of job seeker's allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare [18368/13]
View answerThe correct level of jobseeker’s allowance payable to the person concerned is €305.20 per week based on the information available to this Department.
347. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will approve payment for rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18386/13]
View answerThe person concerned submitted an application for Rent Supplement in November 2012. There was outstanding documentation that was requested from the client. Since receipt of the application there has been on-going communication with the person concerned regarding the outstanding documentation. The last request for further information was sent to the person concerned on 20 March 2013. Once all required information is received a decision will be made on the entitlement to Rent Supplement.
348. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when a PPS Number will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18393/13]
View answerThe person concerned should attend her local social welfare office at Eyre Street, Newbridge with her identity documents and proof of address to make an application for a PPS number. Applications for PPS numbers can be made every Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 9:30am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 3:30pm.
349. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the date the rule changed regarding persons who can now spend only up to 12 months on community employment and the effective date for this change; if persons who were on community employment previously or at the time of the change will have their period prior to the change taken into account in calculating the 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18395/13]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.
The basic rules governing the maximum duration a person can remain on Community Employment (CE) are unchanged since 2006. The maximum participation limits for CE are 3 years in total for those under 55 years of age, and 6 years in total for those of 55 to 65 years of age. Off-shore islander clients are exempt from CE participation caps. Persons in receipt of a qualifying disability-related social welfare payment are eligible for one additional year on top of these two limits, i.e., 4 years for those under 55 and 7 years for those of 55 to 65.
The actual length of time a person can remain on CE is dictated by a number of factors (as governed by the eligibility rules of CE):
- Age of the person
- Department of Social Protection (DSP ) payment and duration of receipt
- Previous participation on CE since 3rd April 2000
- Whether they are considered job-ready at their CE contract end-date
- Engagement under a person’s Individual Learner Plan (training & development)
- Budgetary limitations
The overall duration limits are strictly enforced to maximize the number of places available for potential clients.
There are two strands available on Community Employment (CE), namely Part-Time Integration Option (PTI), which is the one-year version of CE, and the Part-Time Job Option (PTJ), which is the three-year version of CE (subject to annually renewable contracts). All CE participant contracts are for 1 year’s duration at a time. The ratio of PTI to PTJ places is set at 75% PTI to 25% PTJ to maintain the throughput of participants. A maximum of 10% of participants on the PTI Option can be extended into a subsequent year’s participation. The annual renewal of PTJ participant contracts is subject to the factors mentioned above.
Eligibility for the PTI Option is generally determined by being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a minimum of 12 months. For the PTJ Option, the qualifying period is 3 years in receipt. There are some exceptions to these qualifying periods for certain categories of participants. The only recent change to the CE operating Guidelines with respect to duration on the programme is that “time spent on CE no longer counts towards continued time on CE for new entrants who commence on or after 8 October 2012. Existing PTI participants can still have time spent on CE count as part of the qualifying period until they exit”.
Previous to this amended rule being introduced, time spent on CE counted towards the CE-qualifying period, so it was possible for a client commencing CE under the PTI Option who had only been in receipt for 12 months to avail of one year’s placement. If they happened to be in the 10% of PTIs extended into a second year, that would mean that the combination of their 12 months in receipt and two years on CE qualified them under the PTJ Option (i.e. 3 years on CE), thereby giving them a third consecutive year on CE. The emphasis on shorter-term interventions on CE as part of the Pathways to Work Initiative is to assist the maximum number of eligible persons via participation on the scheme. The current rules governing CE eligibility allow for 10% persons engaged on a year’s placement to have their time extended into a second year if they can demonstrate that they would benefit from such an extension.
The aim of CE still remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment. There is a wide range of client groups which need access to CE – lone parents, persons with disabilities, stabilised substance abusers and unemployed persons. DSP at all times is obliged to accommodate the needs of all these groups in terms of participation on Community Employment. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community.
351. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will approve and expedite an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18497/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26 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 case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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.
