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Wednesday, 13 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 89 - 94

JobBridge Scheme Evaluation

Questions (89)

Tom Barry

Question:

89. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to review and enhance the JobBridge scheme. [48459/13]

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Written answers

The Indecon Evaluation Report published by the Taoiseach and myself on 1st May 2013 provided a number of key recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the scheme.

The Department has already taken a number of key actions in response to these recommendations including increasing the number of internships that a jobseeker may undertake, improving the Department’s quality and control checks and providing even more support to interns with a significant increase in monitoring and site visits being conducted by Department officials. Codes of practice have also been developed to improve the quality of placements and key pilots have been implemented in the arts and crafts sectors.

The Department has also commenced a process to redevelop the JobBridge website’s design, application and content thereby improving the client experience. I will continue to review all aspects of the scheme and changes to improve the quality of the scheme will continue to be implemented where appropriate.

Question No. 90 withdrawn.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (91)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

91. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is possible for someone in receipt of the automatic extra €10 for being over 80 to give up that extra payment and the procedure in doing same as they find the extra payment puts them over certain income limits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48498/13]

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Written answers

The over 80 allowance of €10 per week is automatically paid to recipients of State pension on attaining 80 years of age. The enabling legislation provides for this automatic payment. There is no scope to opt in or out of the increase in question.

All social welfare means-tested payments are provided to those with specific support needs. It would not be appropriate for those with higher incomes to re-arrange their financial affairs in order to benefit from schemes that are targeted at those most in need.

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Questions (92)

Michael Ring

Question:

92. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a claim for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48509/13]

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Written answers

I can confirm that the carer’s allowance payments to the person concerned were suspended in May 2013 pending a report from a social welfare investigative officer. There is evidence that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are not satisfied. It is expected that the investigative officer will shortly complete and submit the report and a deciding officer will review and decide upon entitlement of the person in question.

Community Work Initiatives

Questions (93)

Michael McGrath

Question:

93. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reviewing the selection process for participants on the Tús community work placement initiative, to include a facility whereby unemployed persons who meet the scheme's qualifying criteria can proactively apply to participate, rather than the random selection process currently operated by her Department. [48512/13]

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Written answers

Tús, the community work placement initiative introduced during 2011, was established to provide 5,000 short-term, quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. The initiative was expanded during 2013 to enable an additional 2,500 per annum to participate. Some 7,320 were on the Tús payroll on 8 November 2013 (including supervisors/team leaders), and some 14,220 have participated since the scheme’s inception. A key feature of Tús is that all selection is undertaken by random processes conducted at local level by the Department of Social Protection. The selection is focused on those on the Live Register for a year or more and in receipt of a jobseekers’ payment who have more limited job or work placement opportunities.

Tús is one of a number of interventions my Department funds and manages to enable the attainment of the priorities established by the Government in Pathways to Work. Community employment and JobBridge operate on the basis on a self-selecting basis whereby a person who is unemployed can apply to participate. Advice on the opportunities across a range of work placement, internships, self-employment, training and educational supports and options can be accessed via the Department’s offices and Intreo service and further information is available on the Department’s website – www.welfare.ie.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (94)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

94. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claimants of incapacity benefit whose main reason is alcoholism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48516/13]

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Written answers

Illness benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. Incapacity codes are recorded on claims during the claim registration process. As of 8 November 2013, 124 claims out of a total of 59,696 claims awarded and in payment have an incapacity code recorded as alcoholism. This equates to 0.21% of the total claimload.

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