Written Answers Nos. 221-235
221. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the implementation of the Youth Guarantee, including information on the number of education, training and work experience places provided in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11751/15]
View answerThe Government's primary strategy to tackle youth unemployment is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth and the availability of productive employment for young people. This strategy has been succeeding, with an increase of over 80,000 in employment over the last 2 years.
However, the Government recognises that as the recovery takes hold, there is a need for additional measures to ensure that as many as possible of the jobs created are taken up by jobseekers and young jobseekers in particular. This is the rationale behind the Government's Pathways to Work strategy and the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan.
Within this framework, the Youth Guarantee sets a medium-term objective of ensuring that young people receive an offer of employment within four months of becoming unemployed. The main plank of the guarantee is assistance to young people in finding and securing sustainable jobs. For those who do not find employment, additional offers are provided for. Most such offers (over 70%) are in further education or training. Others are in community-based employment programmes such as CE, Gateway and Tus, or through the JobsPlus employment subsidy for private employment.
Overall, the Youth Guarantee provided nearly 25,000 places for young people in 2014. This figure excludes some 24,000 places provided for young people through PLC courses and apprenticeships. These PLC and apprenticeship places, together with the wide range of vocational third-level courses provided for the young, although not reserved for unemployed jobseekers, nevertheless contribute to the spirit of the guarantee.
Pathways to Work 2014 targets with respect to the Youth Guarantee have largely been achieved. Models for the engagement of young people through Intreo have been agreed and will form the basis of the national roll-out of the Youth Guarantee in 2015. Potential refinement of these models may be considered on the basis of outcomes and learning from the Ballymun Youth Guarantee Pilot Project. In addition it is expected the following targets in Pathways to Work 2015 will be met:
- The First Steps developmental internships programme for 1500 – 2000 young people was launched in February 2015. It aims to offer young people who are particularly distant from the labour market a work experience opportunity with sponsor employers.
- JobsPlus for Youth was also launched in February; it offers employers who recruit a young person under 25 years of age who was unemployed for four months or more a subsidy of up to €416 per month. The duration unemployed threshold for other age cohorts is 12 months.
- Allocate 1,000 places on the Tús scheme to young people.
- Introduce a pilot programme to support young unemployed people to take up opportunities under schemes such as Your First EURES Job.
- Ring-fence a minimum of 2,000 training places for under-25s by the Department of Education and Skills, under a follow-up to the Momentum programme.
- The Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation will make €2.5m available to young entrepreneurs via Micro finance Ireland and other business start-up schemes.
Youth Guarantee Progress YTD: End December 2014
|
Programme |
Expected full-year intake |
2014 |
|
Youthreach/CTC |
3,300 |
3578 |
|
JobBridge (including developmental internship) |
5,000 |
3138 |
|
Tús |
1,000 |
1410 |
|
JobsPlus |
1,500 |
639 |
|
Momentum |
2,000 |
631 |
|
BTEA (excl Momentum) |
3,300 |
5301 |
|
BTWEA |
200 |
139 |
|
VTOS |
500 |
672 |
|
FAS/Solas |
9,500 |
8659 |
|
CEB youth Entrepreneurship |
||
|
Training and Mentoring supports |
700 |
|
|
CEB/MFI micro-loans for young people |
150 |
10 |
|
International Work Experience and Training |
250 |
|
|
Gateway |
450 |
192 |
|
Community Employment |
500 |
600 |
|
Total |
28,350 |
24,969 |
223. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the future of the post office network (details supplied) and the distribution of pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11771/15]
View answer227. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department is sending letters to social protection claimants encouraging them to switch their payment method from the post office to the bank; her views on this strategy; her further views that the continued partnership between her Department and the local post office network should be preserved and supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11855/15]
View answer230. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department is encouraging pensioners to transfer their pension payments to bank accounts instead of the post office, in view of the substantial undermining of local post offices which this move would represent. [11895/15]
View answer247. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department recently issued a letter (details supplied) encouraging State non-contributory pensioners to have their pensions paid into bank accounts. [12072/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 223, 227, 230 and 247 together.
I am very conscious of the important role of the post office around the country, not only in respect of social welfare payments but also in offering other financial services such as paying bills and carrying out a range of banking services. The Government has consistently stated its commitment to maintaining the post office network as set out in the Programme for Government. In this regard, the Department of Social Protection will pay over €50m to An Post under a contract for cash payment services to welfare customers this year.
The recent issuance of letters to randomly selected recipients of State Pension (Contributory and Non-Contributory) was a trial. It was being done to determine the best means of communicating with people about payment options. It was a very small trial in that letters were sent to just under 1% of customers.
Customer engagement with the trial was entirely voluntary. There are no negative consequences for customers who chose not to engage. All payment options (cash, cheque, EFT) continue to be fully available to customers (where relevant). The Department has not introduced changes nor does it intend to.
The move to electronic payments in our society undeniably creates a challenge for the current business model of An Post. In this context I am pleased to note that An Post has tendered for the provision of a new transaction account. I look forward to that becoming available in the not too distant future as it will provide alternative payment opportunities for this Department's customers.
224. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of occasions since the start of 2014 in which the Secretary General of her Department has been involved in the clearing or approval of material for release under freedom of information legislation. [11805/15]
View answerFreedom of Information (FOI) confers three rights on members of the public:
1. A right to access all records unless they are exempt.
2. A right to have personal information amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading.
3. A right to reasons for decisions regarding acts of public bodies affecting the person.
The FOI Act empowers the Minister to delegate functions relating to decisions on FOI requests to officers in Department of Social Protection (DSP).
In the Department of Social Protection generally Executive Officers (or above) decide requests for personal information and staff in the grade of Higher Executive Officer (or above) decide non-personal or mixed requests.
In accordance with the provisions of the FOI Act, more senior staff decide requests for internal review i.e. Higher Executive Officers (and above) in the case of personal requests and Assistant Principals (and above) in the case of non-personal requests. Reserve FOI Officers and Reviewers have also been appointed.
Officers dealing with FOI requests are trained in FOI legislation and dealing with all aspects of FOI requests.
The FOI Officers and FOI Reviewers decide whether to grant, part grant or refuse a request for access to records in accordance with the FOI Act. This is a strictly independent process and only those Officers may decide what to clear and approve for release. The Secretary General of DSP has no involvement in the clearing or approval of material for release on FOI requests.
Section 34 of the 2014 Act (previously section 20 of 1997 Act), creates an exemption from release in the case of a record in respect of which a Secretary General of a Department has certified that it 'relates to the deliberative processes of a Department of State'. To date, no such certificate has issued from DSP.
In 2014 some 2,193 FOI requests were received in the Department.
225. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to have an automatic deduction at source from social welfare to the person who has custody of a child, in view of the fact that this would lower the one-parent family payment and the family income supplement bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11825/15]
View answerThe issue of maintenance payments is first and foremost a private matter for the person concerned, and if s/he cannot resolve the problem, for the courts through family law provisions.
Under family law, it is possible to apply to the court for an Attachment of Earnings Order, which would mean that maintenance payments are deducted directly by that person’s employer. An Attachment of Earnings Order can be sought if the person is in employment, on a social welfare payment or on a private pension, resulting in the maintenance being deducted at the source. Under the Family Law Act 1995, it is possible to apply for this attachment at the initial maintenance hearing, if the person applying to court fears that there will be a default.
This Department complies with all such Family Law Maintenance Orders received by deducting the amount specified on the court order from a social welfare payment which, in turn, may result in a reduction of the One-Parent Family payment.
226. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding meter readers and the Electricity Supply Board network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11833/15]
View answerThis matter is the subject of ongoing investigation in my Department.
It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the likely outcome of these investigations at this stage.
228. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views that the current payments under the one-parent family payment are suitable for those who are attempting to pay child-care costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11857/15]
View answerChild care policy, including the delivery, cost and the expansion of child care services, is the responsibility of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (D/CYA).
The amount of payment that a recipient of the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) receives depends on their average weekly earnings. For persons with average weekly earnings of €90 or less, the full rate of OFP may be paid. Earnings above this limit are assessed at 50% – up to a maximum average of €425 per week. In addition, to OFP where a lone parent is working a minimum of 19 hours per week they may be entitled to the Family Income Supplement (FIS). The rate of FIS payment will depend on the earnings and the amount of OFP they receive.
The after school child care (ASCC) scheme, which was introduced in Budget 2013, is a joint initiative between my Department and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (D/CYA) to provide subsidised after-school child care places to low-income and unemployed persons who make the transition into employment.
The purpose of the ASCC scheme is to help to offset some of the after-school child care costs that are associated with availing of an employment opportunity in a bid to encourage more individuals to take up employment. The scheme supports those who are unemployed as well as OFP recipients who lose their entitlement to the OFP payment. It applies to persons who take up a job, who increase their days of employment, or who take up a place on a Departmental employment programme. The parental contribution is €15 per week per child and remains at this level if the pick-up service is added and during school holidays when full day childcare is required.
The ASCC scheme builds on the existing range of approximately 25,000 subsidised childcare places that are available for low income parents. These places are provided by the D/CYA.
229. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 11 March 2015, if she will provide clarification on the meaning of the phrase "full-time" for care givers who are not living with receivers of care; if it is determined by number of hours per day or per week; and the way in which these decisions are validated. [11879/15]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a payment to people on low incomes who are looking after a person who needs support because of age, disability or illness (including mental illness). To be entitled to CA the applicant must be providing full-time care and attention to a person in need of care who does not normally live in an institution. These conditions apply whether the carer is or is not resident with the relevant person.
It is a role of a deciding officer (DO) to determine if an applicant for CA is providing full-time care to the care recipient. While no specific number of hours per day or per week is defined in legislation, Regulations further define full-time care and attention as continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to himself or herself i.e. the care recipient. The DO operates appropriate discretion when assessing whether full-time care and attention is being provided, taking into consideration the circumstances of both the applicant and the person receiving care.
In certain cases, the DO may request that a local social welfare inspector investigate and report on the relevant circumstances in order to assist the DO in making a fair decision.
Where a decision is made by a DO that full-time care and attention is not being provided, the applicant may request a review of that decision with or without the provision of additional information or evidence. In addition, the applicant has the statutory right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
231. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the outcome of her discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a pension plan for community employment supervisors; when officials involved will report back on this matter as the indicative date was January 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11898/15]
View answerDepartment officials are in ongoing discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the matter raised. Trade union officials, notably SIPTU and IMPACT, will be kept updated on proceedings. A meeting has been arranged for 31st March with trade union officials.
232. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an invalidity pension appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11908/15]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow 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.
233. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11913/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5th January 2015. 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 have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 19th March 2015 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.
234. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [11914/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case.
Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.
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.
235. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a rent supplement allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11916/15]
View answerThe person concerned has been in receipt of rent supplement from this Department in respect of his current address since June 2013. It recently came to light that he had been in receipt of a private pension from his previous employment since December 2014 which the Department was unaware of. As a consequence of this information his claim for rent supplement was reassessed on 10th March 2015, based on his combined current income from his widow's contributory pension and his private pension. His new entitlement rate was established and in addition he was found to have been overpaid rent supplement from 5th January 2015 to 14th March 2015.
The Department also became aware that the person concerned had obtained part-time employment for 11 weeks in 2014 but had not informed the Rents Unit about this at the time. His entitlement for that period was also reviewed, and it was found that based on his total household income for those weeks, he had no entitlement to rent supplement for the period of this employment. He was therefore also overpaid rent supplement for those weeks.
The person concerned has been informed of his new rate of entitlement and also that he needs to inform the Rents Unit as to how he intends to repay the overpayment. He has also been informed of his right to appeal the decisions in his case to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office; to date no appeal has been received as far as we are aware.
