Written Answers Nos. 106-115
108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applicants currently in receipt of mortgage interest supplement; the number of cases pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43898/13]
View answerThere are currently some 11,000 people in receipt of mortgage interest supplement for which the Government has provided almost €42 million in 2013. Statistics are not available on the number of applications for mortgage interest supplement that are currently pending.
109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of community training or employment related schemes currently available; the number of persons in such places at present; the extent to which she expects to maintain the maximum level of such places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43899/13]
View answerThe information requested is contained in the following tables.
Participants as at 30 September 2013
|
Programme |
Participants |
Supervisors |
Total |
|
CE |
21,560 |
1,378 |
22,938 |
|
JI |
1,077 |
40 |
1,117 |
|
RSS |
2,584 |
130 |
2,714 |
|
Tús |
6,752 |
344 |
7,096 |
|
CSP |
1,764 |
308 |
2,072 |
|
Gateway |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total |
33,737 |
2,200 |
35,937 |
Target participant numbers end 2014
|
Programme |
Total |
|
CE |
25,300 |
|
JI |
1,100 |
|
RSS |
2,730 |
|
Tús |
7,500 |
|
CSP |
2,800 |
|
Gateway |
3,000 |
|
Total |
42,430 |
There were approximately 36,000 participants on Employment Schemes at the end of September 2013. The Department has no plans to reduce this level of provision at this point in time. I can assure the Deputy that I will maintain the maximum number possible on the Department’s Training and Community Schemes.
110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which youth unemployment continues to be specifically targeted by way of ensuring the availability of maximum number of training places, internships, apprenticeships or temporary employment opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43901/13]
View answerThe Government is implementing a number of programmes to assist young unemployed persons and keep young jobseekers close to the labour market. There are five main approaches being taken to tackle youth unemployment: education, training, job search assistance/guidance, work experience, and encouraging job creation. These actions range across a number of Departments and Agencies and include:
- The Youthreach programme providing 6,000 integrated education, training and work experience for early school leavers without any qualifications or vocational training who are between 15 and 20 years of age;
- The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme scheme, which provides a range of courses to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people over 21 years of age, particularly focusing upon early school leavers;
- The Back to Education Allowance scheme run by the Department of Social Protection provides income maintenance for unemployed people returning to further or higher education. Over 6,500 young people participated on this scheme in the last academic year;
- Approximately 12,000 persons aged under 25 completed a training course with FÁS in 2012. This excludes apprenticeships and evening courses;
- This year MOMENTUM, a scheme for education and training interventions, which is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs initiative, is currently being rolled out by the Department of Education. MOMENTUM will support the provision of free education and training projects to allow 6,500 long term jobseekers to gain skills and to access work opportunities in identified growing sectors. Over 1,250 of these places are assigned specifically for under 25s;
- The JobBridge National Internship Scheme is focused on providing work experience to young people with the total number of placements of young people on JobBridge during 2012 at 2,700; and
- Long-term unemployed youth will also benefit from the JobsPlus initiative which is designed to encourage employers to recruit long-term unemployed people. Under this scheme the State will pay circa €1 of every €4 it costs the employer to recruit a person from the Live Register.
With regards to the apprenticeship system, the allocation of apprenticeships is essentially driven by employer demand. The apprenticeship system is currently is being reviewed by a Review Group appointed by the Minister of Education. The Review Group will examine how the apprenticeship system can place a greater focus on work-based learning and closer align to the needs of the Irish labour market. In addition to current initiatives, policies to increase youth employment will be supplemented by additional measures under the Youth Guarantee which will be rolled out from 2014.
111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the uptake to date under the JobsPlus scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43902/13]
View answerJobsPlus 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. It replaced this Department’s Employer Job PRSI Incentive Scheme and the Revenue Job Assist Scheme managed by the Revenue Commissioners. Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and creating a full-time position, employers will receive a direct monthly 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.
The Department had received applications from 2,639 jobseekers at the close of business on the 11th October 2013. Of these, 2,028 applications have been deemed eligible with 1,301 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 727 applications are eligible for a payment of €7,500 over two years, having been unemployed for between 12 and 24 months. The Department has processed applications from 1,393 employers at the 11th October. Of these 585 have been matched with eligible jobseekers and I expect grant payments to commence in respect of these 520 of these cases before the end of the month. Work is on-going in matching the remaining eligible employers with jobseekers. Further information regarding the scheme can be found at www.jobsplus.ie.
112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which means-tested social welfare payments remain available to the previously self-employed scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43903/13]
View answerI assume the Deputy’s Question refers to access to jobseeker allowance for people previously engaged in self-employment. A self-employed person may apply for jobseeker's allowance if their business ceases or their income reduces to a low level due a lack of demand for services. Jobseekers allowance is a means tested payment and income from self-employment activity is assessed by reference to the estimated net profit from the business concerned over the coming 12 months. It is recognised that the present downturn in the economy is having a significant impact on many self-employed persons and the consequent reduction in income and activity levels is reflected in any assessment of means from self-employment.
Where it is not possible to estimate income for the coming 12 months, the income for the most recent 12 month period is generally taken as a guide, allowing for any known changes in circumstances which are likely to have a significant effect on income. Accordingly, account is taken of the potential for significant upward or downward variations in income from one year to the next. For example, if a self-employed person lost a contract and was unlikely to find a substitute contract in the coming year, this would be factored into the estimate of future income. At present there are over 11,000 people in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance payment who are also classified as self-employed, although the current level of engagement in business would vary greatly among this group.
113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently on the live register who have remained unemployed for up to two years and for longer periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43904/13]
View answerAs of the end of September 2013 there were 408,670 people on the live register. The following is a breakdown by scheme and duration of this number for the Deputy's information.
Live Register end of September, 2013
|
- |
Less than 2 years |
2 Years and over |
Total |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
190,653 |
121,739 |
312,392 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
61,535 |
179 |
61,714 |
|
Credits Only |
18,694 |
15,870 |
34,564 |
|
Total |
270,882 |
137,788 |
408,670 |
114. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position for persons who retire from work at the age of 65 during the 2014 calendar year in terms of their entitlement to a State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43908/13]
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 when State pension (transition) ceases and State pension age is standardised 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. Over time, the age for State pension contributory was reduced to 66 years.
In terms of social welfare supports available to those at age 65 who are unable to remain in the workforce, all short term schemes are payable to 66 years. The main social welfare payment available to those who leave employment before State 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). Where a person does not meet the qualifying conditions for insurance based schemes, assistance schemes may be available to them provided they meet the qualifying conditions for these schemes. Further consideration is being given to the position of those exiting the workforce before pension age.
