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Tuesday, 24 Sep 2013

Written Answers Nos. 307-324

Job Initiatives

Questions (323)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

323. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications that have been approved under the JobsPlus scheme to date; the numbers of applications relating to those unemployed between 12 and 24 months and those unemployed for more than 24 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39458/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 307, 323, 324 and 354 together.

JobsPlus was launched on 8th July 2013. This is a new incentive to encourage employers to recruit and employ persons who have been unemployed for long periods and it replaced this Department’s Employer Job PRSI Incentive Scheme and the Revenue Job Assist Scheme. Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and creating a full-time position, employers will receive a direct cash incentive over two years if the person they hire has been unemployed for a prolonged period. The level of payment is higher where a person who has been unemployed for a longer period is recruited and retained.

Up to Friday 20th September 2013, the Department had received and processed applications from 1,121 employers. Over the same period, applications from 2,125 jobseekers had been received. Of these, 1,577 applications have been deemed eligible with 1,029 qualifying on the basis of being 24 months unemployed and, therefore, attracting a payment to an employer of €10,000 paid over two years. The remaining 548 applications are eligible for a payment of €7,500 over two years, having been unemployed for between 12 and 24 months.

At present, 400 eligible employers and eligible jobseekers have been matched. Of these, 250 employment contracts commenced in July and August and grant payments in respect of 236 cases will be made before the end of September. The number of applications received from persons under 25 years of age is 305, of which 256 have been deemed eligible. The initiative is expected to operate on a pilot basis initially, with €21.25 million allocated to cover costs over three years. I anticipate that this allocation will be reviewed along with other aspects of the initiative, when it has been operational for a number of months.

Further information regarding the scheme can be found at www.jobsplus.ie

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Questions (313)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for refusal of appeal for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39412/13]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 5th September 2013 on the grounds that he was not satisfied that the evidence established that the appellant continues to be permanently incapable of all work.

The grounds for the refusal of the appeal for the person concerned were conveyed to her by letter on 5th September 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Questions (315)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

315. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39420/13]

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Written answers

The person concerned applied for jobseeker’s allowance and was assessed with weekly means in excess of the scheduled rate. He submitted an appeal of the assessment to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. All the relevant documentation has now been received in the Appeals Office and the case is due to be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. She will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, will hold an oral hearing.

Youth Guarantee

Questions (319, 320)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

319. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the terms of reference and membership of the Interdepartmental Group on the Youth Guarantee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39454/13]

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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

320. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the Interdepartmental Group on the Youth Guarantee to finalise their work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39455/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.

The terms of reference for this group are to review the current range of youth employment policies in Ireland to assess what measures will need to be taken to commence the implementation of the Guarantee. It is intended to produce a concrete plan for the implementation of the Guarantee for consideration by the Government in December before being transmitted to the European Commission by the end of 2013.

The Department of Social Protection set up this interdepartmental group with officials and programme managers from the Department of Education and Science, Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

One objective in developing our implementation approach will be to maximise our share of the funding available from the EU and to deploy these funds to maximum effect in providing employment and training/further education supports and opportunities to young unemployed people.

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