Written Answers Nos. 149-163
149. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on the review of an invalidity pension application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51317/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 25th November 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.
150. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the way her Department defines job displacement in relation to JobBridge. [51320/13]
View answer152. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the waiving of the six month cooling-off period allowing an employer to take on another intern immediately if the previous intern was employed by the host organisation or another company, if the internship should be fully completed, that is, for its full six or nine-month duration, for this to take place; and whether an intern is hired several months after his or her internship has ended but prior to the six-month cooling-off period if the original host organisation takes on another intern or must the intern be hired within a certain timeframe for the waiving of the cooling-off period. [51322/13]
View answer163. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of JobBridge placements; the number there have been since the scheme was introduced on a county basis in tabular form; and the number of applicants who have secured permanent employment in their sponsor companies. [51419/13]
View answer187. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection who is the person responsible for ensuring that JobBridge participants are not taken advantage of and that participants are employed on their stated projects; the avenue available to those who have taken up a JobBridge placement and who have found they are not gaining the experience promised to them; the total number of persons currently in employment on a JobBridge placement; the number of JobBridge placements that are employed in the public sector where a moratorium on employment exists and where no full time employment can be offered; the number of JobBridge participants that have gained full time employment from their employer following their placement; the number of JobBridge placements which have failed prior to completion of the nine month period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51852/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 150, 152, 163 and 187 together.
As at 28th November, 2013, there had been 23,845 internships since JobBridge came into operation, of which 6,543 individuals are currently on internships. The Table below contains a breakdown by County of internships completed and internships currently undertaken. The independent evaluation of JobBridge conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants found that 61% of participants progressed into paid employment. The latest data from the Department indicate that 58% of these progress into employment with their host organisation and 42% do so with another company.
In the context of JobBridge, displacement can arise where the internship opportunity being advertised is replacing an existing job vacancy or where a company terminates the employment of a staff member and then seeks to take on an intern to cover the duties previously undertaken by that staff member. The recent evaluation report found low levels of displacement and deadweight.
Where an intern moves directly into employment upon immediately finishing a JobBridge internship the cooling-off period is waived and the host organisation can re-advertise in the same area of activity. This applies whether the intern finishes early or completes the full term of the internship. In all other cases, the six-month cooling-off period applies from the point in time when the internship finishes, even if it finishes before the full term. Organisations who release an intern but subsequently recruit that intern a number of months later are still subject to this 6 month rule.
A network of officials in the JobBridge team, National Contact Centre and local Divisions are engaged in monitoring compliance with JobBridge criteria. The Department has conducted over 3,800 on-site monitoring visits to ensure scheme compliance. JobBridge is a voluntary scheme. Any intern who finds that the internship does not meet their needs is free to leave the internship and may have up to a maximum of 3 internships for a maximum cumulative period of 18 months. Interns may also report dissatisfaction with, or abuse of, the scheme or a particular internship directly to the JobBridge team via the online form on the “contact us” section of the JobBridge website.
Of the 23,845 placements to-date, 5,192 or 22% of these placements have been in the public sector. 1,557 of these placements are currently active with 3,635 placements completed.
The Indecon evaluation also found that there is a very high rate of employment among participants who completed their internships in the public sector with 41% of these interns progressing into paid employment.
In the overall context, 53% of placements are completed in full while 47% of placements are completed early. However, it is important to highlight that 63% of jobseekers leave their placement early to take up immediate employment, in many cases with their host organisation.
Table 1. Breakdown of Internships By County
|
County |
Finished |
Current |
Total |
|
DUBLIN |
5,982 |
2,055 |
8,037 |
|
CORK |
1,677 |
582 |
2,259 |
|
GALWAY |
1,135 |
407 |
1,542 |
|
LIMERICK |
866 |
359 |
1,225 |
|
WATERFORD |
590 |
214 |
804 |
|
DONEGAL |
556 |
246 |
802 |
|
KILDARE |
574 |
223 |
797 |
|
TIPPERARY |
532 |
225 |
757 |
|
KERRY |
484 |
209 |
693 |
|
WEXFORD |
514 |
174 |
688 |
|
MAYO |
390 |
209 |
599 |
|
LOUTH |
416 |
172 |
588 |
|
WESTMEATH |
407 |
159 |
566 |
|
MEATH |
371 |
172 |
543 |
|
CLARE |
369 |
158 |
527 |
|
WICKLOW |
384 |
111 |
495 |
|
SLIGO |
315 |
136 |
451 |
|
MONAGHAN |
266 |
139 |
405 |
|
KILKENNY |
257 |
87 |
344 |
|
LAOIS |
243 |
86 |
329 |
|
CAVAN |
215 |
108 |
323 |
|
CARLOW |
226 |
86 |
312 |
|
OFFALY |
203 |
86 |
289 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
118 |
65 |
183 |
|
LONGFORD |
133 |
44 |
177 |
|
LEITRIM |
79 |
31 |
110 |
|
Grand Total |
17,302 |
6,543 |
23,845 |
Data as at 28/11/13
151. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to approximately 2,400 jobseekers who have had penalty rates applied to their payments for failure to accept offers of education, training or employment, if any of these penalties related to the JobBridge scheme; and if not, if she will provide a breakdown of specific training schemes and education schemes which featured in this list. [51321/13]
View answerLegislation provides that penalty rate payments may be imposed by a Deciding Officer where jobseekers fail, without good cause, to comply with activation measures.
Activation measures include the requirement to attend group or individual meetings, and/or avail of suitable education, training or development opportunities, or specified employment programmes, which are considered appropriate to a person’s circumstances.
The specific employment programmes & schemes, and courses of education, training & development, which have been prescribed for the purposes of the legislation are as follows:
- Community Employment
- A course of training or development provided by or on behalf of SOLAS
- A course of education, training or development provided by or on behalf of an Education & Training Board (ETB)
- Such other course of education, training or development as may be approved by or on behalf of the Minister from time to time
Currently, the JobBridge National Internship Scheme is not prescribed for the purposes of the legislation, therefore, penalty rates do not apply for failure to avail of this scheme.
153. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect of the Tús and Gateway schemes designed to get the long-term unemployed into employment, the reason participants cannot leave these schemes if they find part-time work (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51323/13]
View answerTús and Gateway were introduced by the Department of Social Protection to deliver on the policy objectives set out in Pathways to Work. Both initiatives are designed to bridge the gap between unemployment and re-entering the workforce. Participants on both schemes are required to work in their placement for an average of 19.5 hours per week which allows for participation in part-time work or education. Participants are encouraged to engage in part-time work or education outside the time spent working on the respective scheme. Part-time work or training must not interfere with the participant’s work on Tús or Gateway. Implementing Bodies are required to provide flexible arrangements to accommodate the participant. In general, it is not possible for a participant to terminate their engagement on Tús or Gateway to move to part-time work. Participants are encouraged to engage in work search whilst engaged on the initiatives and will be supported to leave to pursue a full time job option.
154. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details, in tabular form and by country of origin, the number of PPS numbers that were awarded to inward migrants into Ireland during 2012; if she will provide details of the number of those PPS numbers to which payments from her Department were awarded in 2012; the total amount paid in respect of such PPS numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51333/13]
View answerA Personal Public Service Number (PPS Number) may be allocated to a person who can show that he or she has a requirement for one in order to carry out a transaction with a specified body, and provides proof of identity, and evidence of address. The allocation of a PPS Number to a person does not, in itself, provide any entitlement to residency, employment or welfare rights.
Details of Personal Public Service Numbers (PPS Numbers) allocated during the year 2012 are available on my Department’s Website here:
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Personal-Public-Service-Number-Statistics-on-Numbers-Issued.aspx.
The other figures which the Deputy is looking for are not available.
155. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients, who were in receipt of domiciliary care allowance, to have been found ineligible for disability allowance on reaching the age of 16 since January 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51334/13]
View answerStatistics for the number of unsuccessful disability allowance applications since January 2013 who were previously in receipt of domiciliary care allowance are not maintained.
It is estimated from data available that the number of persons who were in receipt of domiciliary care allowance and found to be ineligible for disability allowance to date in 2013 is approximately 370.
156. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of officials in her Department who receive the cost of club membership fees, including sports clubs and professional bodies, as part of their contract of employment; the total cost per year to her Department of paying such fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51371/13]
View answerAs part of their contract of employment, the Department pays the cost of professional bodies’ fees for persons employed in the Department as medical and accounting professionals. The payment of these fees is based on the contractual requirement to maintain full registration with the relevant professional accredited body, e.g., the Irish Medical Council and Chartered Accountants of Ireland, while holding their appointment within the Department.
In addition, the Department also finances the cost of professional accreditation fees where the area of accreditation is directly related to the business role of staff within the Department, e.g., Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, Chartered Institute of Personal Development.
The total cost of payments to professional bodies in 2013, in respect of 81 members of staff, amounts to €23,566.
The Department does not pay membership fees to any sports clubs or other such organisations on behalf of any of its employees.
157. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department pays for any of its employees to receive third level qualifications; if so, the annual cost for each of the past five years; if the employee will receive a financial bonus as a result of receiving this qualification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51385/13]
View answerIn line with its Learning and Development Strategy 2013-2015, the Department promotes a learning culture where it provides staff and management with learning and development opportunities both internally and externally, including supports to attain third level qualifications.
Participation in third level programmes is supported through refunding fees paid by staff undertaking these courses. The areas of study which are funded reflect the Department’s current and future business needs. No financial bonus is paid to recipients on achievement of the relevant qualification.
The table below sets out details of total payments and numbers of recipients in respect of third-level fees paid by the Department in each academic year from 2008/09 to 2012/13:
|
Academic Year |
Cost of Fees Paid |
No. of Persons |
|
2008-2009 |
€ 184,937 |
95 |
|
2009-2010 |
€174,593 |
76 |
|
2010-2011 |
€ 191,268 |
94 |
|
2011-2012 |
€ 204,828 |
93 |
|
2012-2013 |
€ 194,547 |
98 |
158. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for an invalidity pension appeal will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51395/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 22nd 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 21st 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.
160. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51406/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14th 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 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.
161. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51408/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14th 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 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.
162. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding enhanced redundancy packages in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51412/13]
View answerAs previously advised, on the 7th December 2011, and on 27th November 2012 the issue of statutory redundancy was heard before the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) with 22 appellants seeking a redundancy payment. The EAT upheld that 20 of the 22 appellants were entitled to a statutory redundancy payment from their former employer, the organisation to which the Deputy refers. The appeals of the other two appellants were withdrawn at the hearing. Following the EAT decision, redundancy lump sum claims in respect of the 20 eligible employees were received by the Department. The 20 claims have been awarded and payment of their statutory redundancy entitlement, issued directly to those former employees in May 2012. It should also be noted that when the project closed, FÁS offered each JI Participant on the scheme alternative employment with other community employers in Tipperary including the retention of accumulated service and pay. These positions were approved by FÁS, were additional to existing positions and would not have displaced jobs of existing workers. Only one person took up this offer. In relation to an enhanced severance package, to which the Deputy refers, I am advised that no basis exists to enable payment of an enhanced severance package in this case.
The Department has no outstanding statutory redundancy payment claims on hand in respect of the organisation to which the Deputy refers.
