Written Answers Nos. 133-140
133. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the fact that a pilot project under the youth guarantee scheme has been confirmed for Ballymun, Dublin, her plans to establish a pilot scheme in a rural constituency to ensure balance is provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41578/13]
View answerThe European Commission is only providing funding for at most one pilot Youth Guarantee Scheme per Member State. In the case of Ireland, funding was sought and awarded for the Ballymun area due to its particularly high level of youth unemployment. An implementation plan for national delivery of a Youth Guarantee commencing from 2014 onwards will be drawn up by the end of this year. This will be done on a balanced basis, taking into account youth unemployment levels in the various rural and urban regions across the country.
134. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if payment of jobseeker's allowance will be reviewed and increased in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41623/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 17 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.
135. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to review the legislation on the transfer of assets from husband to wife; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41630/13]
View answerIt is a fundamental principle of the social insurance system that those qualifying for benefits must satisfy a range of contribution and other conditions, including a sufficient and on-going attachment to the social insurance system. Once fulfilment of those conditions is achieved, there are a number of additional payments that may be available to recipients in certain circumstances. One such payment is the increase for qualified adult which is payable once the financially dependent adult satisfies a means test.
The decision to transfer or dispose of income or property is entirely a matter for the individual concerned. However, where a Deciding Officer notes that a transfer of assets (income or property) has occurred by a person in respect of whom a means tested increase for qualified adult is being claimed, s/he will carefully consider all of the facts and circumstances of the individual case. This includes requesting any necessary documentation or evidence in order to determine if that person has directly or indirectly deprived themselves of any income or property in order to qualify for or to improve the weekly rate payable. If evidence in this regard is found, the payment will not be awarded or will be ceased.
Under the provisions of the governing legislation, an individual is not permanently disentitled. If a significant change in circumstances is reported to the Department, this will be examined. Each case is examined on its own merits taking all of the circumstances of the case into account. I have no plans to review the legislation.
137. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to deal with the ending of the transition pension from January 2014; how they pertain to those leaving employment during 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41650/13]
View answerIncreasing the 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 the 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 then increase 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.
I am aware that there are concerns in relation to this matter. However, 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 many were already on other social welfare schemes well in advance of State pension transition age. In December 2012 there were approximately 14,400 State pension (transition) claims in payment and of those, 12.5 per cent came from work with over 50 per cent coming from other social welfare schemes such as illness benefit, jobseeker's benefit and assistance, invalidity and carers indicating that significant numbers of people are leaving the workforce for a variety of reasons well in advance of State pension age.
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). All short term social welfare schemes are payable to age 66. I will keep this matter under review.
It should be noted there is no statutory compulsory retirement age for employees in Ireland. Responsibility for setting retirement age is a matter for the employer/employee relationship and the contract of employment. However, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has made rulings in a series of age-discrimination cases concerning Directive 2000/78/EC, which prohibit work-related discrimination on various grounds, including age. The CJEU has clarified that mandatory retirement ages may be set down by employers within the context of national law, whether by contract, custom and practice or other means, which must be objectively and reasonably justified by a legitimate social policy aim, with the means of achieving that aim being both appropriate and necessary. Consideration of these issues as they relate to enterprise and equality policy come within the respective remit of the Minster for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Minister for Justice and Equality.
An interdepartmental Working and Retirement Group was initiated to consider the cross departmental policy issues arising and thereby improve the sustainability and adequacy of pensions systems. The interdepartmental group, established in August 2012, is chaired by the Department of Social Protection, and includes representatives from the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Pensions Board. Further engagement has also been undertaken with the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Health and Children and work in this regard is ongoing.
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.
138. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, the number of persons in receipt of carer's benefit and the expenditure from the overall Department of Social Protection budget on carer's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41664/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table.
Carer's Benefit Recipients and Expenditure 2011 to 31 August 2013
|
- |
Recipients |
Expenditure |
|
31 December 2011 |
1,637 |
€24,474,000 |
|
31 December 2012 |
1,638 |
€24,453,000* |
|
31 August 2013 |
1,663 |
€16,994,000* |
* Provisional
139. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total annual cost of increasing the respite care grant to €1,500; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41674/13]
View answer140. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total annual cost of restoring the respite care grant to €1,700; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41675/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
The costs of increasing the respite care grant to €1,500 and €1,700 are estimated at €10.95 million and €28.46 million, respectively, in a full year.
