Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:300. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of schools currently utilising the JobBridge scheme to employ interns in a teaching capacity. [48862/13]
View answerNational Internship Scheme Data
Questions (300, 303, 304, 305, 364)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:303. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who fail to complete JobBridge internships; the number who cease an internship to take up employment; the number who leave for other reasons. [48927/13]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:304. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of companies or employers that have been blacklisted from the JobBridge scheme. [48928/13]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:305. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of occasions on which the whistleblowing feature of the JobBridge scheme has been invoked; the number of complaints that have been made to the national call centre alleging breaches or abuses of the JobBridge programme; the number of these complaints that relate to displacement, poor quality internships or other breaches of the programme. [48929/13]
View answer
Gerald Nash
Question:364. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have participated in the JobBridge internship programme to date broken down by county; the number who have progressed to paid employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49563/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 300, 303 to 305, inclusive, and 364 together.
The JobBridge Scheme was launched on 1st July 2011. A total of 23,235 placements have commenced to-date. Please see Table 1 for a breakdown by county. The evaluation report conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants found that 61% of all participants progressed into paid employment within 5 months of completing their internship. This is one of the best progression outcomes in Europe for work placement schemes.
While 47% of placements are completed in full, 53% of placements finish early. According to the Indecon evaluation report, the main reason cited by participants for early completion (according to 63.1% of participants) was that they secured employment while 32.7% of participants cited dissatisfaction with their placement as the reason for early completion. The progression outcomes into employment for early finishers are very encouraging. However, in order to address the dissatisfaction levels, I have extended the number of placements available on the Scheme and increased the maximum cumulative duration of internships. This measure has been introduced to give jobseekers that are dissatisfied with their choice of internship more flexibility in finding a suitable alternative placement. I have also increased the number of on-site monitoring visits.
The Department is not in a position to release the names of schools currently participating in the Scheme. However, I can advise the Deputy that while there are currently over 6,300 jobseekers participating on the Scheme, only 22 placements are being undertaken in a teaching capacity.
Over 10,000 companies have participated in the Scheme, of which, 31 companies have been disqualified from participating due to breaches of the Scheme. The over-whelming majority of companies are abiding by the terms and conditions of the Scheme.
The total number of JobBridge complaints received by the Department since the scheme commenced in July 2011 is 313. These complaints relate primarily to the following areas: - Standard Agreement not completed/adhered to; - Inadequate mentoring/support; - Inadequate training and development; - Displacement related issues; - Poor quality advertisements; - Intern working excessive hours; - Non-compliance with Scheme criteria.
All such complaints are fully investigated. In addition, my Department has conducted over 3,700 monitoring visits to-date. Encouragingly, 98% of these visits are satisfactory. Remedial action is taken in all cases of non-compliance.
Table 1: Breakdown By County
|
County |
Finished |
Current |
Total |
|
DUBLIN |
5848 |
1998 |
7846 |
|
CORK |
1638 |
566 |
2204 |
|
GALWAY |
1116 |
381 |
1497 |
|
LIMERICK |
838 |
360 |
1198 |
|
WATERFORD |
582 |
209 |
791 |
|
DONEGAL |
543 |
233 |
776 |
|
KILDARE |
566 |
210 |
776 |
|
TIPPERARY |
522 |
214 |
736 |
|
KERRY |
476 |
200 |
676 |
|
WEXFORD |
497 |
178 |
675 |
|
MAYO |
381 |
198 |
579 |
|
LOUTH |
408 |
165 |
573 |
|
WESTMEATH |
399 |
147 |
546 |
|
MEATH |
366 |
161 |
527 |
|
CLARE |
355 |
159 |
514 |
|
WICKLOW |
379 |
104 |
483 |
|
SLIGO |
306 |
136 |
442 |
|
MONAGHAN |
261 |
135 |
396 |
|
KILKENNY |
255 |
81 |
336 |
|
LAOIS |
231 |
92 |
323 |
|
CARLOW |
220 |
86 |
306 |
|
CAVAN |
207 |
99 |
306 |
|
OFFALY |
197 |
81 |
278 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
116 |
59 |
175 |
|
LONGFORD |
132 |
38 |
170 |
|
LEITRIM |
75 |
31 |
106 |
|
Grand Total |
16,914 |
6,321 |
23,235 |
Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility
Questions (301)
Finian McGrath
Question:301. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if social welfare recipients who have savings of €10,000 to €13,500 may receive a rent supplement allowance; or if such persons receive a reduced rent supplement allowance. [48874/13]
View answerWritten answers
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. There are approximately 81,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €403 million for 2013. Rent supplement is subject to a means test which is normally calculated to ensure that a person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) appropriate to their family circumstances less a minimum contribution which recipients are required to pay from their own resources. The weekly minimum contribution is €30 for a single adult household and €35 for coupled households. Many recipients pay more than this amount because recipients are also required, subject to income disregards, to contribute any additional assessable means that they have over and above the appropriate basic SWA rate towards their accommodation costs. As part of the means test, there is a capital assessment completed (including savings, investments, property etc.). Before the assessment is carried out, the capital is rounded down to the nearest €1,000. The first €5,000 of capital is disregarded and the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per €1,000 per week. Therefore an applicant with savings of €10,000 would have means of €5 per week assessed and an applicant with savings of €13,500 would have means of €8 per week assessed.
There are many factors which determine rent supplement entitlement, including the number of hours worked, the level of earned income and any social welfare payments or whether the rent payable is within prescribed limits. Based on the details provided by the Deputy, it is not possible to say for certain if the household would qualify for a rent supplement payment. However, if the person is eligible for rent supplement and the savings are the only additional income, then the person’s weekly rent supplement entitlement would be reduced by €5 or €8 as described.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (302)
Tom Fleming
Question:302. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a disability allowance payment and arrears due in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48913/13]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 07th November 2013 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.
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.
Questions Nos. 303 to 305, inclusive, answered with Question No. 300.
Social Welfare Appeals Status
Questions (306)
Michael Ring
Question:306. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when the review of an appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if an oral hearing will be scheduled in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48949/13]
View answerWritten 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. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of additional evidence or new facts.
I am also advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of his appeal has been finalised.
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.
Question No. 307 withdrawn.
Household Benefits Scheme
Questions (308)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:308. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the household benefits scheme in view of changing economic circumstances where adults, returning to live with their elderly parents because of economic difficulties, are preventing householders from getting this support. [48998/13]
View answerWritten answers
The household benefits package currently comprises the electricity or gas allowances, the telephone allowance and the free television licence. Following the recent Budget announcements, the telephone allowance will end from 1st January, 2014. The package is generally available to people living in the State who are over age 70, carers who live with the person for whom they care and those under age 70 who are in receipt of certain qualifying social welfare payments and who live alone or only with certain excepted people. “Excepted people” include, inter alia, dependent children, carers or people in need of full time care and attention. The requirement to live alone or with only “excepted people” does not apply when a person is over 70.
The package is currently paid to over 415,000 customers and will cost an estimated €284 million in 2013.
The objective of the scheme is to provide additional support for those who are elderly or live alone. Where a member of the household is working or where a number of people in a household are receiving social welfare payments, additional supports through the household benefits scheme are not necessary. I would not regard this as an anomaly but as a targeting of a scheme to particularly vulnerable groups. I have no plans to amend the qualifying conditions for this scheme.
Question No. 309 withdrawn.
Youth Guarantee
Questions (310)
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:310. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons in County Cork who are expected to avail of education or training or employment under the youth guarantee scheme; the funding allocated to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49010/13]
View answerWritten answers
It is not yet possible to outline the level of funding allocated or the numbers expected to avail of education, training and work experience in the context of Ireland’s response to the EU Recommendation on a Youth Guarantee.
The Department of Social Protection, working with the support of an interdepartmental group of senior officials is currently developing the implementation plan for the Youth Guarantee.
The implementation plan will be prepared for submission to Government by the end of December and for onward transmission to the EU Commission once approved by Government.
The plan will include estimates of expected take-up of places on a national basis and of the funding costs of that provision.
Funding costs will depend on the take up of places by individual young people. The share of total national costs incurred in any specific area of the country will therefore be determined primarily by the level and trend of youth unemployment and the resulting demand for places, and the programme mix of such places, in each area. Given the number of factors involved, it will not be possible to make detailed advance projections of costs on an area-by-area basis.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals
Questions (311)
Pat Breen
Question:311. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a domiciliary allowance appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49015/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 10th October 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (312)
Jack Wall
Question:312. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a one-parent family allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49018/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 4th September 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
Question No. 313 withdrawn.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals
Questions (314)
John McGuinness
Question:314. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if supplementary welfare allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [49050/13]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
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.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (315)
John McGuinness
Question:315. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for disability allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [49051/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 18th October 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Questions (316)
John McGuinness
Question:316. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer's allowance now under appeal will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [49052/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 30th July 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 31st October 2013 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
Rent Supplement Scheme Appeals
Questions (317)
John McGuinness
Question:317. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for rent allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [49055/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 18th November 2013. The person concerned was notified of the arrangements for the 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (318)
John McGuinness
Question:318. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for disability allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [49056/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 18th November 2013. The person concerned was notified of the arrangements for the 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (319)
John McGuinness
Question:319. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for disability allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [49057/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 29th August 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
Question No. 320 withdrawn.
Invalidity Pension Appeals
Questions (321)
John McGuinness
Question:321. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for invalidity pension now under appeal will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [49060/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 12th September 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.