Written Answers Nos. 588-601
588. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding entitlement to a technical employment support grant in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37248/13]
View answerThe person concerned should contact their local Employment Services office to discuss their entitlement to a technical employment support grant. The Technical Employment Support Grant (TESG) is designed to assist Employment Services Officers implement a range of responses, including training, to meet the needs of jobseekers who are experiencing barriers in progressing from unemployment to the workforce. Jobseekers who have undertaken a guidance process and for whom a career plan has been agreed may apply for TESG funding in order to support their career plan.
589. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37250/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 28th May 2013. 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 the 19th July 2013 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.
590. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which €270 means were assessed against a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of their application for jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37258/13]
View answerThe means assessed on the jobseekers allowance claim of the person concerned was based on the capital value of a property owned by him.
591. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Social Protection the provisions being put in place for persons who reach the age of 65 years in 2014 and are not eligible for the State pension until they reach the age of 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37260/13]
View answerIncreasing State pension age and the abolition of the State pension (transition) are steps that have been taken to ensure the sustainability of pensions into the future. The decision to reform State pension was taken in the context of changing demographics and the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provides that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This will begin in 2014 with the abolition of the State pension (transition) thereby standardising State pension age for all at 66 years. The State pension age will be further increased to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 years in 2028.
It should be noted that until the 1970s, the standard age for receipt of State pension was 70 years of age. This applied at a time when longevity was much lower and working patterns were more likely to be physically demanding. State pension (transition) was introduced in 1970 when it was known as the retirement pension and was designed to bridge the gap between the standard social welfare pension age, which at that time was 70 years of age, and retirement age. Overtime, the age for State pension contributory was reduced to 66 years.
In December 2012 there were approximately 14,400 State pension (transition) claims in payment. The Deputy may wish to note that a significant number of people coming on to State pension transition in 2012 did not come from work as significant numbers were already on other social welfare schemes well in advance of State pension transition age. For example, 12.5 per cent came from work with over 50% coming from other social welfare schemes such as illness benefit, jobseekers benefit and assistance, invalidity and carers.
In terms of social welfare supports available to those at age 65 who are unable to remain in the workforce, the main social welfare payment available to those who leave employment before pension age is jobseeker’s benefit. Persons who qualify for a jobseeker’s benefit who are aged between 65 and 66 years are generally entitled to receive payment up to the date on which they reach pensionable age (66 years).
The recently published OECD report on the Review of the Irish Pension System confirms that reforms are necessary if we are to continue to put pension provision on a sustainable footing given the changes in demographics, the deficit in the Social Insurance Fund, and the difficult fiscal situation.
592. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [37268/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 5 September 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.
593. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection when the advisory group on tax and social welfare will report back on their findings and recommendations with regard to in-work supports for one parent families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37285/13]
View answerCreating jobs and reducing unemployment are key challenges facing the Government. The tax and social protection systems have a part to play in addressing these challenges and in ensuring work is remunerative. To this end, I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare, with the aim of harnessing expert opinion and experience to examine a number of specific issues. These include making cost-effective proposals for improving employment incentives and achieving better poverty outcomes.
The Group is currently progressing its final module of work on working age income supports and the interaction of the tax and social welfare systems which is very complex. This module is examining how the social welfare system can best achieve its goals of supporting persons through periods of involuntary unemployment, while incentivising work and dis-incentivising welfare dependency. This includes the role of in-work supports for families (both one and two parents), such as the Family Income Supplement. I look forward to considering the Group’s report once their examination of the various issues is completed which I understand they plan to do by end year.
594. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in the forthcoming budget she will review downwards the qualifying hourly threshold to enable applicants to qualify for family income supplement payments; if she will consider introducing a sliding scale as part of this reform of FIS eligibility as such a measure will facilitate persons to remain in the workforce for longer particularly as many posts are part-time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37292/13]
View answerThe family income supplement (FIS) is an in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. FIS is designed to prevent child and family poverty and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment as compared to social welfare payments.
To qualify for payment of FIS, a person must be engaged in full-time insurable employment which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight or 19 hours per week. A couple may combine their hours of employment to meet the qualification criteria. The applicant must also have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them or is supported by them. Furthermore, the average family income must be below a specified amount which varies according to the number of qualified children in the family.
The “hours worked” eligibility criterion has been reduced significantly since the introduction of the scheme in 1984. The requirement was initially set at 30 hours per week but was progressively reduced to 19 hours per week in 1996. Further reducing the “hours worked” requirement would have expenditure implications. Therefore, consideration of any change to the hours worked criterion would have to be in a budgetary context.
Creating jobs and reducing unemployment are key challenges facing the Government. The tax and social protection systems have a part to play in addressing these issues and in ensuring work is remunerative. To this end, I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare with the aim of harnessing expert opinion and experience in order to address a number of specific issues. These include making cost-effective proposals for improving employment incentives and achieving better poverty outcomes. The Group is currently examining the issue of working age supports, including in-work supports such as FIS.
595. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to have the Pensions Board renamed the Pensions Authority and its Chief Executive called the Pensions Regulator; the person she intends to appoint to act as her representative on the Authority, to work alongside the representative of the Minister for Finance; the process by which a chairperson will be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37378/13]
View answerThe recommendations arising the Critical Review on the Pensions Board were approved by Government in April 2013 and were provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2013.
The governance structure of the Pensions Board is being restructured with two distinct arms as follows:
- Oversight of the Pensions Board will be undertaken by a three person body called the Pensions Authority, and
- A separate unpaid Pensions Council, with a majority of members representing consumer interests, will advise the Minister on pensions policy.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act also provides for the change of name from the Pensions Board to the Pensions Authority and from the Chief Executive Officer to Pensions Regulator.
Under existing provision in the Pensions Act, the Chair and members are appointed by the Minister. Arrangements for the appointment of the members of the Pensions Authority are being considered at present. Following this process, the relevant provisions in the Act will be commenced to give effect to the name change of the Pensions Board to the Pensions Authority and to change the Chief Executive Officer to the Pensions Regulator.
596. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that the report she commissioned (details supplied) will be used as part of the Departmental discussions in the allocation for her Department for Budget 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37379/13]
View answerThe report of the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare on child and family income supports was published in February 2013. It makes important recommendations as to how child benefit could be maintained as a universal payment while reforming the current system of child and family income supports through a two-tier payment so as to better target those who need these supports most, while minimising work disincentives.
Given the range of complex issues involved with this proposal, including fiscal, operational and legal considerations, as well as the implications for child poverty and employment incentives, no decision has yet been made on the core recommendations of the report. Any plans to change the current structure of child and family income support payments are a matter to be decided in a budgetary context. In considering Budgetary proposals, I expect that Government will take into account the work of the Advisory Group on this issue, as well as more general developments in the budgetary and fiscal situation.
597. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a county-by-county breakdown of the funding made available as part of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance by her Department for each of the past five school years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37384/13]
View answerThe back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when their children start school each autumn. The Government has provided €48.8m for the scheme in 2013.
Up to 2010 the scheme was administered by the Community Welfare Service of the Health Service (HSE) on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. The payments for each HSE area for the years 2008 to 2010 are outlined in the following tabular statement “Expenditure on BSCFA by HSE Area 2008 to 2010”.
Since 2011, the BSCFA scheme has been administered by the Department of Social Protection. The payments for each county for the years 2011 and 2012 are outlined in the following tabular statement “Expenditure on BSCFA by County 2011 and 2012”.
Tabular Statement
Expenditure on BSCFA by HSE Area 2008 to 2010
|
HSE Area |
2008 Expenditure |
2009 Expenditure |
2010 Expenditure |
|
Eastern |
€15,867,000 |
€21,529,000 |
€25,241,000 |
|
Midland |
€3,335,000 |
€4,535,000 |
€5,565,000 |
|
Mid-Western |
€3,800,000 |
€5,380,000 |
€6,537,000 |
|
North Eastern |
€4,303,000 |
€6,287,000 |
€5,608,000 |
|
North Western |
€3,733,000 |
€5,013,000 |
€5,894,000 |
|
South Eastern |
€5,775,000 |
€8,273,000 |
€9,735,000 |
|
Southern |
€7,430,000 |
€9,122,000 |
€10,645,000 |
|
Western |
€5,389,000 |
€7,048,000 |
€8,177,000 |
|
Total Expenditure |
€49,632,000 |
€67,187,000 |
€77,402,000 |
Expenditure on BSCFA by County 2011 and 2012
|
COUNTY |
2011 Expenditure |
2012 Expenditure |
|
CARLOW |
€1,566,894 |
€1,121,415 |
|
CAVAN |
€1,692,102 |
€1,285,121 |
|
CLARE |
€2,235,717 |
€1,605,282 |
|
CORK |
€8,949,858 |
€6,379,933 |
|
DONEGAL |
€4,872,771 |
€3,460,893 |
|
DUBLIN |
€21,865,008 |
€15,621,179 |
|
GALWAY |
€4,711,732 |
€3,373,733 |
|
KERRY |
€2,791,826 |
€2,031,971 |
|
KILDARE |
€4,025,278 |
€2,932,412 |
|
KILKENNY |
€1,629,822 |
€1,205,592 |
|
LAOIS |
€1,650,120 |
€1,189,550 |
|
LEITRIM |
€679,731 |
€503,479 |
|
LIMERICK |
€3,790,615 |
€2,695,671 |
|
LONGFORD |
€1,128,648 |
€812,958 |
|
LOUTH |
€3,021,155 |
€2,220,658 |
|
MAYO |
€3,060,724 |
€2,225,375 |
|
MEATH |
€3,306,899 |
€2,431,662 |
|
MONAGHAN |
€1,351,912 |
€1,026,282 |
|
OFFALY |
€1,848,901 |
€1,334,889 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
€1,315,637 |
€937,644 |
|
SLIGO |
€1,159,870 |
€848,313 |
|
TIPPERARY |
€3,353,794 |
€2,457,106 |
|
WATERFORD |
€2,575,911 |
€1,869,734 |
|
WESTMEATH |
€1,903,880 |
€1,420,335 |
|
WEXFORD |
€3,778,625 |
€2,760,538 |
|
WICKLOW |
€2,635,570 |
€1,927,689 |
|
Total |
€90,903,000 |
€65,679,415 |
598. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual subvention that is paid to Dublin Bus by her Department for the free travel scheme, providing a bus pass to citizens over the age of 66 years, for each year from 2007 to date in 2013; when the last review was conducted by her Department on the way that subvention figure is calculated; if the new public services card that is being rolled out by her Department will have Leap card style integration, in order that in the future, a more accurate figure may be gathered as to how often old age pensioners are using the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37388/13]
View answer599. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual subvention that is paid to the operators of the LUAS by her Department for the free travel scheme, providing a free travel pass to citizens over the age of 66, for each year from 2007 to present; when the last review was conducted by her Department on the way that subvention figure is calculated; if the new public services card that is being rolled out by her Department will have Leap card style integration, so in the future, a more accurate figure can be gathered as to how often old age pensioners are using the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37389/13]
View answer600. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual subvention that is paid to the each private transport operator by her Department for the free travel scheme, providing a bus pass to citizens over the age of 66, for each year from 2007 to date; when the last review was conducted by her Department on the way that subvention figure is calculated; if the new public services card that is being rolled out by her Department will have Leap card style integration, so in the future, a more accurate figure may be gathered as to how often old age pensioners are using the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37390/13]
View answer601. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual subvention that is paid to Irish Rail by her Department for the free travel scheme, providing a bus pass to citizens over the age of 66 years, for each year from 2007 to date; when the last review was conducted by her Department on the way that subvention figure is calculated; if the new public services card that is being rolled out by her Department will have Leap card style integration in order that in the future, a more accurate figure may be gathered as to how often old age pensioners are using the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37392/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 598 to 601, inclusive, together.
The free travel scheme permits free travel on most CIE public transport services, Luas and a range of services offered by over 90 private operators in various parts of the country at a cost to the exchequer of some €75.6 million in 2012. My Department also provides limited funding of some €1.5 million for the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) but organisation and development of the service is the responsibility of the Department of Transport and Pobal. A breakdown of the individual components in set out in Table 1 below.
The Department pays the CIE Group centrally in respect of transport services provided nationwide by the Group and the apportionment of payment between the three constituent companies, Bus Eireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Eireann is a matter for the CIE Group to determine.
In relation to CIE, rather than carrying out specific surveys of usage, the Department moved many years ago to a service model based on the transportation infrastructure and the introduction of new services e.g. DART, LUAS and removal of the restrictions on free travel during peak hours. At each stage, the Department has negotiated rates and discounts to reflect these developments. Payments for LUAS were calculated on the basis of ridership and ticket survey information while the payments to private operators were based on fares foregone.
Details of Payment to CIE, Private Operators, Pobal and Luas - 2007 to 2012:
|
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
|
|
CIE |
€61,201,720 |
€61,358,000 |
€61,369,045 |
€61,200,000 |
€56,461,729 |
€52,576,856 |
|
Private Operators |
€7,411,480 |
€7,675,000 |
€7,246,163 |
€6,227,308 |
€6,365,937 |
€5,526,210 |
|
POBAL |
€1,500,000 |
€1,500,000 |
€1,500,000 |
€1,500,000 |
€1,500,000 |
€1,500,000 |
|
Luas |
€3,862,457 |
€3,907,500 |
€2,848,383 |
€3,568,377 |
€2,749,855 |
€2,917,001 |
An Inter-Departmental Working Group has been established to carry out a review of the current free travel scheme. This group is comprised of officials from the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the National Transport Authority. The terms of reference for the review are comprehensive and encompass all aspects of the scheme. The work of the group is at an advanced stage and I expect to have their report by the end of the year.
The new public services card will include a contactless chip, similar to the Leap Card, to communicate with the integrated ticketing system. It will enable more detailed statistics to be collected in relation to the number of passengers travelling and the frequency of that travel. Specific details on the reporting information available is still under consideration and will be finalised as part of the overall project.
