Tuesday, 23 Sep 2014

Written Answers Nos. 92-111

National Internship Scheme Data

Questions (93, 115, 116, 117, 125)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

93. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons on JobBridge and Tús programmes in County Wexford. [35337/14]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

115. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the total number of interns who have undertaken a third internship on the JobBridge scheme; and the number of those under 25 years of age who have commenced a third internship. [35563/14]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

116. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the total number of interns who have commenced a JobBridge internship to date; and the number who have commenced such internships and who are under 25 years of age. [35564/14]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

117. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the measures her Department takes to ensure that the cooling-off period is observed by host organisations participating on the JobBridge scheme; and her views on reports that some organisations may be breaching the cooling-off period regulations by making minor changes to advertisements for subsequent internship positions. [35565/14]

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

125. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in light of recent statistics on the large number of young people unemployed, her plans to allow young people who are ineligible for jobseeker's allowance by virtue of their parents' income to participate in the JobBridge scheme from age 22 years rather than 24 years, by which time they may be considered long-term unemployed. [35615/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 93, 115 to 117, inclusive, and 125 together.

As at 19th September 2014, 200 individuals were on JobBridge internships and a further 772 individuals had finished internships in County Wexford. As of the same date, there were 331 participants and 17 supervisors participating in TÚS in County Wexford.

As of the same date, 102 individuals had started third JobBridge internships, of whom 10 were under 25.

As at 18th September 2014, 33,068 individuals had commenced JobBridge internships since the scheme began on 1st May, 2011, of whom, 9,215 were under 25 when commencing their internship. Of those 9,215, 1,546 individuals are currently on internships.

The 6 month cooling off period applies automatically to all host organisations except where the reason given for the internship finishing is employment, either with the host organisation or another organisation. However, a host organisation that has a quota of more than one internship may, in the normal course, advertise to fill the rest of that quota at any time. If the Deputy is aware of specific instances of abuse of JobBridge, he should pass the details to the Department, which investigates all reports of abuse.

Jobseekers aged between 18 and 65 who are in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, Disability Benefit, One Parent Family Payment or Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment or signing for credits for 3 out of the last 6 months may apply for JobBridge. I have no plans to change the eligibility criteria for the JobBridge scheme at present.

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Questions (94, 102, 118, 121, 126)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

94. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of rent supplement recipients that have lost their accommodation and hence their supplement and who are now in emergency accommodation provided by local authorities. [35340/14]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

102. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of rent allowance recipients in the Dublin city area per postal district in August 2013 and August 2014; and the cost to her Department of rent allowance in the Dublin City Council area for August 2013 and August 2014. [35537/14]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

118. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position in respect of rent allowance caps by location; the reason that there are different caps in different areas; the number of recipients of rent allowance by location; and if she will review the rent allowance system. [35571/14]

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

121. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the current status of the rent limits review; when the review will be finalised; if she will provide the report relating to the review to the House when it has been completed. [35593/14]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

126. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when it was decided, on a policy level, to issue a 13-week termination notice of the termination of rent supplement payments issued to families that are unable to negotiate their rents downwards; and if she considers this an effective strategy for reducing the spend on rent supplement nationally. [35619/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 102, 118, 121 and 126 together.

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 73,800 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014.

Rent supplement is subject to a statutory limit on the amount of rent that an applicant may incur and these limits are generally reviewed every 18 months. The most recent review was completed in June 2013 with revised rent limits introduced on 17 June 2013. Despite pressures on the social protection budget, the last review saw rent limits increase in line with market rents in some areas, including Dublin and Galway, with Dublin limits increasing by a weighted average of 9%. The different rent limits established reflect the differences in the respective rental markets throughout the country. All major urban population centres were tested to ensure that rent supplement applicants can access accommodation whilst seeking employment opportunities.

A new rent limit review has commenced within the Department and will be finalised to feed into the budgetary process. This review involves a comprehensive analysis of information from a range of sources including rental tenancies registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), the Central Statistics Office rental indices, websites advertising rental properties, relevant Departments and Agencies and non-government organisations such as Threshold, Focus Ireland and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The review report will be published on the Department’s website when finalised.

The current difficulties in the rental market and the difficulties faced by prospective tenants, including those seeking access to rent supplement, is a shortage of supply of suitable properties in areas of high demand. I would be concerned that raising rent limits is not the solution to the problem as it is likely to add to further rental inflation and impact, not alone on rent supplement recipients, but also on many lower income workers and students.

Where a customer is unable to negotiate rent with their respective landlord to reduce their rent within the prescribed limits the customer may be advised to secure alternative accommodation. Where this has been advised there is a long-standing administrative arrangement for a period of thirteen weeks to be provided to the customer as an appropriate timeframe. As I have previously outlined, there were a number of increases in the maximum limits in the previous review in areas such as Dublin and Galway including the introduction of new increased rent limits for North Kildare, reflecting the higher rental values for these particular areas.

I can assure the Deputies that officers administering rent supplement throughout the country have considerable experience in dealing with customers and make every effort to ensure that their accommodation needs are met. Discretionary powers are available to staff to award a supplement for rental purposes in exceptional cases where it appears that the circumstances of the case so warrant. A notice reminding staff of their statutory discretionary power to award a supplement for rental purposes in exceptional cases, for example, when dealing with applicants who are at risk of losing their tenancy, has recently been circulated.

Statistics are not available on the number of persons who are in emergency accommodation having previously been in receipt of rent supplement. However, in view of the current supply difficulties, the Department has agreed a protocol with the Dublin local authorities and voluntary organisations so that families on rent supplement who are at risk of losing their accommodation can have more timely and appropriate interventions made on their behalf. Since the launch of this initiative in mid June 2014, 118 families have had their rent supplement claims revised by the Department.

Rent Supplement statistics are maintained at county level and are provided in the following tabular statement. Statistics are not maintained on rent supplement recipients and expenditure by postal district or local authority.

Rent Supplement Recipients by County - December 2013 to August 2014 (Statistics in relation to August 2013 are unavailable.)

COUNTY	END DECEMBER 2013	END AUGUST 2014
CARLOW	1,108	1,073
CAVAN	455	427
CLARE	1,547	1,368
CORK	9,020	8,490
DONEGAL	2,047	1,890
DUBLIN	29,541	27,601
GALWAY	3,983	3,649
KERRY	1,888	1,769
KILDARE	4,135	3,820
KILKENNY	1,210	1,170
LAOIS	1,085	1,018
LEITRIM	354	331
LIMERICK	2,984	2,704
LONGFORD	507	480
LOUTH	2,422	2,305
MAYO	1,900	1,690
MEATH	1,941	1,777
MONAGHAN	395	371
OFFALY	1,124	1,077
ROSCOMMON	802	676
SLIGO	542	468
TIPPERARY	2,094	1,994
WATERFORD	1,556	1,435
WESTMEATH	1,588	1,533
WEXFORD	3,179	2,763
WICKLOW	2,381	2,201
TOTAL	79,788	74,080

Questions Nos. 95 to 98, inclusive, withdrawn.

Disability Allowance Appeals

Questions (99)

James Bannon

Question:

99. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35497/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 22nd August 2014. 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.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (100)

Tom Fleming

Question:

100. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as all relevant information has been submitted. [35531/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I am informed that the application in question is assigned to a deciding officer and a decision will be made on this person’s application for disability allowance within the next five working days. She will be notified directly of the outcome.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals

Questions (101)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

101. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update with regard to an appeal for supplementary welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [35532/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that two appeals by the person concerned were referred to an Appeals Officer on 29th August 2014. The Appeals Officer may make a summary decision on the appeals based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, will 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.

Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 94.

Community Employment Schemes Data

Questions (103)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

103. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 has been treated as a single person on a community employment, CE, programme from the date he started in May 2011: and if he should have been in receipt of €332.80 weekly rather than the €208 he has been receiving. [35538/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned is in receipt of Invalidity Pension at a personal rate of €193.50 per week plus an adult dependent allowance of €138.50 per week, a combined total of €331.60 per week. He commenced employment on a Community Employment programme prior to 16th January 2012 and, accordingly, he retained his entitlement to the full weekly rate of Invalidity Pension which continues in payment. Under these circumstances the appropriate wage of €208.00 per week is payable on Community Employment, which is what the person concerned has been paid while employed on the scheme.

Therefore I can confirm that the weekly payment that the person has received on CE of €208.00 per week is correct.

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Questions (104, 105)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

104. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the current under 25s jobseeker's payment; and her views that €100 is sufficient to provide for the basic needs of a young person living alone and without work. [35539/14]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

105. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on whether it is reasonable that a 24-year old homeless unemployed person will receive €44 less a week in jobseeker's allowance than a 25-year old person in a similar position; and if she poverty proofed the reduction in the under 25s jobseeker's allowance payment before imposing the cut in budget 2014. [35540/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together.

The jobseeker’s benefit and jobseeker’s allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative employment. The revised estimates for the Department provide for expenditure of €3.3bn in 2014 in respect of the jobseekers schemes.

Reduced rates for younger jobseeker’s allowance recipients were first introduced in 2009. Budget 2014 further extended the reduced rates of jobseeker’s allowance to recipients under 26 years of age.

This is a targeted measure aimed at protecting young people from welfare dependency. It aims to incentivise young jobseeker’s allowance recipients to avail of education and training opportunities. If a jobseeker in receipt of the reduced jobseeker’s allowance rate participates on an education or training programme they will receive a higher weekly payment of €160.

To guard against the development of welfare dependency I believe that it is necessary to provide young jobseekers with a strong financial incentive to engage in education or training or to take up employment. If they do not improve their skills, it will be much more difficult for them to avail of job opportunities as the economy recovers and they are at risk of becoming long term unemployed from a young age.

In this context it may be noted that starting in 2014, processes and programmes will be rolled out to ensure that all of those young unemployed people who need most support (i.e. are assessed as having a low to medium probability of securing employment in the absence of any support) will receive a Youth Guarantee offer within four months of an initial one-to-one interview.

As part of the normal budget process, all potential budget measures, including any changes to the jobseeker’s allowance scheme are assessed in terms of the impact they would have if introduced. The Department has also published a social impact assessment of the main welfare and tax measures in Budget 2014. The analysis shows that the combined welfare and tax measures for 2014 result in a loss of 0.8 per cent in average household income. There was no significant change in the at-risk-of-poverty rate, as social transfers continue to perform strongly, substantially reducing the at-risk-of-poverty rate during the economic recession.

With regard to the concerns raised by organisations working with homeless people, the Department is engaging with them to review the approach in relation to rent supplement, particularly with regard to young persons in emergency homeless accommodation. The Department is also engaging with Simon and Focus Ireland in relation to the development of a specific programme for homeless people on the community employment scheme.

Question No. 106 withdrawn.

Youth Guarantee

Questions (107)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

107. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of young jobseekers who have been offered and completed personal progression plans as part of the youth guarantee. [35555/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The intervention and activation process governing the Youth Guarantee is essentially a tailored version of the Pathways to Work activation model with a greater focus on early engagement for all younger job-seekers compared to job-seekers in other age categories.

For the 18-24 age group, the engagement process begins when they register for welfare/employment supports at their local Intreo office and are awarded a jobseeker’s payment. At registration they are then profiled using our profiling system.

A Personal Progression Plan (PPP) is then agreed between the young person and the case officer during a 1-2-1 interview process.

Approximately 15,000 clients under 25 have completed personal progression plans or action plans so far this year. This number is relatively low as the engagement process does not currently discriminate on the basis of age. In order for earlier engagement with under 25s to take place, legislation allowing positive discrimination was passed over the course of the summer which allows the full implementation of the youth guarantee and, in particular, the process of earlier engagement with under 25s is now able to proceed. This process will be fully operationalised in October and will lead to a significant increase in the number of personal progression plans for under 25s.

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Questions (108)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

108. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years on jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance who are in receipt of €100, €144 and €188, respectively. [35556/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The reduced payments of €100 and €144 are payable to recipients of jobseeker’s allowance only. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of jobseeker’s allowance recipients is detailed in the following tabular statement.

AGE	Jobseeker’s Allowance	Jobseeker’s Allowance	Jobseeker’s Allowance	Jobseeker’s Benefit	Total by age
-	€188	€144	€100	€188	-
18	130	4	3,143	-	3,277
19	341	3	6,098	10	6,452
20	550	11	6,442	53	7,056
21	731	7	6,702	194	7,634
22	1,146	2,080	4,953	471	8,650
23	2,933	5,022	1,135	725	9,815
24	5,017	3,412	766	965	10,160
25	6,824	2,439	0	1,032	10,295
Totals	17,672	12,978	29,239	3,450	63,339

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Questions (109, 110, 111)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

109. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years on jobseeker's allowance in receipt of €100 who have been subject to a penalty rate since 2011. [35557/14]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

110. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years on jobseeker's allowance in receipt of €144 who have been subject to a penalty rate since 2011. [35558/14]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

111. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years on jobseeker's allowance in receipt of €188 who have been subject to a penalty rate since 2011. [35559/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 to 111, inclusive, together.

The concept of mutual commitments is a key feature of the Intreo income and employment support services which are replacing the traditional social welfare offices as part of the Pathways to Work strategy. Major activation reforms have been introduced whereby my Department has responsibility to provide supports and the jobseeker has responsibility to engage with these supports.

Legislation provides that sanctions in the form of reduced payments may be imposed by a Deciding Officer where recipients of jobseeker payments 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 total numbers of penalty rates applied, since their inception in 2011 to end July 2014, to persons on jobseeker’s allowance are indicated in the following table, including a breakdown for persons aged 18 – 25 years.

Age	Number of Penalties Applied from 2011 to end July 2014
18	549
19	667
20	568
21	541
22	454
23	461
24	417
25	331
Total	3988

A breakdown of these figures by specific payment rates at the time the penalty rates were applied is not available.