Mick Wallace
Question:182. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to raise the levels of employers' pay related social insurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33008/15]
View answerTax and Social Welfare Codes
Questions (182)
Oral answers (1 contributions)
Employer PRSI is payable on earnings at the rate of 10.75% in respect of weekly earnings in excess of €356 and at 8.5% on weekly earnings of €356 or less.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment that “there will be no increase in the standard 10.75% rate of employer PRSI”. Another Programme commitment related to the halving of the lower rate of employer PRSI (from 8.5% to 4.25% for a 2 ½ year period from July 2011 to December 2013). This was implemented as part of the Jobs Initiative announced in May 2011 and the rate reverted to 8.5%, as planned, at the beginning of 2014.
Any changes to the rates of employer PRSI or applicable thresholds would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
Jobseeker's Allowance Payments
Questions (183)
Bernard Durkan
Question:183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when a jobseeker's allowance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33050/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
The person concerned has been in receipt of a jobseekers transition payment from 02/07/2015. According to the records of this Department this payment has continued uninterrupted since this date.
Water Conservation Grant
Questions (184)
Bernard Durkan
Question:184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if arrangements can be made for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to receive a water conservation grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33063/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
Those who registered their principal private residence with Irish Water on or before 30 June 2015 and were living in that principal private residence on 30 June 2015 are eligible to apply for the Water Conservation Grant. Letters have been issued by this Department to those eligible to apply inviting them to make an application either online or by phone, by 8 October closing date.
In the case of the person concerned, provided he registered his principal private residence with Irish Water on or before the 30 June 2015, he should have received a letter from this Department inviting him to apply. In order to have a payment made to him by cheque, the applicant should contact the Water Conservation Grant team at 0761 087 890 or 1890 100 043 and a member of the team will process the application for him, including making provision for a cheque payment.
Community Employment Schemes Data
Questions (185)
Bernard Durkan
Question:185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the records of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can be updated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33102/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
The person concerned has been a participant on a community employment (CE) scheme since 4 August 2014. On foot of the information provided by the Deputy, the Department have contacted the scheme and have been advised that the scheme were unaware that the person concerned had commenced full-time employment on 31 August 2015.
The person concerned is permitted to work part-time and remain a participant on a CE scheme. However, if she has taken up full-time employment, she must cease her participation on CE with effect from the date on which she commenced work. A person cannot remain as a participant on CE whilst engaged in full-time employment elsewhere. The scheme has undertaken to clarify the employment status of the person concerned and will revert to the Department when the position has been clarified.
Rent Supplement Scheme Payments
Questions (186)
Bernard Durkan
Question:186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an increase in rent allowance payment will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33112/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
The client's rate of Rent Supplement entitlement was reassessed and increased accordingly on 16 September 2015. The client concerned is in receipt of their full entitlement to Rent Supplement based on their monthly rent, weekly income and family composition.
Rent Supplement Scheme Applications
Questions (187)
Bernard Durkan
Question:187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an increase in rent allowance will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33113/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
As detailed to the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question No 32660-15 of 24 September 2015, the client concerned should provide the Department with an up to date rent Supplement application form and lease agreement in order for their entitlement to be re-assessed.
Rent Supplement Scheme Applications
Questions (188)
Bernard Durkan
Question:188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an increase in rent allowance can be facilitated for persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33116/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
The Department has not, to date, received an application for Rent Supplement from the client concerned. They should forward same to be assessed for entitlement to the Mid-Leinster Rent Unit, Po Box 11758, Dublin 24.
Disability Allowance Payments
Questions (189)
Pat Breen
Question:189. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue regarding a claim for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33125/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 17 June 2015. The first payment was made by his selected payment method on 23 September 2015.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).
Domiciliary Care Allowance
Questions (190)
Pat Breen
Question:190. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue regarding a domiciliary care allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [33126/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on 28 July 2015. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Following receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and notified to the person concerned. It can currently take 12 weeks to process an application for DCA.
Pension Provisions
Questions (191)
Pat Breen
Question:191. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue regarding an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33130/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on the 2 September 2015. The claim will be processed as quickly as possible and the person in question will be notified directly of the outcome.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (192)
Pat Breen
Question:192. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue regarding a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33131/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 28 July 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Water Conservation Grant
Questions (193)
Willie O'Dea
Question:193. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of water conservation grants her department has administered to date. [33174/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
The Department of Social Protection is administering the Water Conservation Grant on behalf of the Department of Environment, Community, and Local Government. The 2015 application period opened on 19 August 2015. The closing date for applications is 8 October 2015. As of noon on 28 September 2015, just over 500,000 grant applications had been made.
Water Conservation Grant payments of €100 were made to 156,249 householders on 16 September 2015 to a value of €15,624,900. A second tranche of grant payments are due to be made.
Rent Supplement Scheme Applications
Questions (194)
Bernard Durkan
Question:194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to indicate if an increase in rent support can be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is at risk of homelessness in the absence of increased assistance, and whose rent has increased to €950 per month in line with rents charged in the local area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33175/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
The client concerned should provide the Department with an up to date Rent Supplement application form and lease agreement confirming any increase in their monthly rent. On receipt of this documentation, the client’s rate of Rent Supplement entitlement can be re-assessed.
Fuel Allowance Eligibility
Questions (195)
Bernard Durkan
Question:195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is eligible for a fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33177/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
The person concerned was originally approved for the payment of a fuel allowance on the 16/12/2013. The entitlement to the fuel allowance of the person concerned will automatically continue for each subsequent season of the payment unless there is a change of circumstances in his household, which if occurs should be notified to this Department. The payment of fuel allowance will begin again week commencing 05/10/2015.
Labour Activation Projects
Questions (196)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:196. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to outline when she will commission an impact report on the Pathways to Work labour activation policy around the employment and wellbeing of jobseekers. [33178/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
The Department of Social Protection is undertaking an extensive programme of evaluations over the next three years as part of its commitments under the Pathways to Work strategy. Towards this end IGEES economists have been seconded to the Department to assist in the conduct this work.
The evaluation programme also draws upon expertise of expert economists and experienced practitioners on the Labour Market Council.
Key objectives in undertaking these evaluations will be to:
- Assess the effectiveness of activation schemes/programmes such as JobBridge, Community Employment and Tús through comparing the employment outcomes of participants against the employment outcomes of matched non-participating individuals, and/or at different periods;
- Measure, in a similar manner, the impact of major process change – e.g., introduction of the Intreo activation process, or of JobPath;
The sequence for evaluations over the next three years is based upon an assessment of a number of considerations. Where relevant, consideration will also be given to conducting in parallel in-house or externally commissioned qualitative research and/or policy reviews, to contextualise the findings of the counterfactual impact evaluations.
The following evaluations are currently in train:
- Back To Education Allowance (Completion Q4 2015)
- JobBridge (Completion Q2 2016)
- Intreo Activation Process (Completion Q3 2016)
- Back To Work Enterprise Allowance (Completion Q1 2016)
The following evaluations are planned for 2016 and 2017:
- JobPath
- Tús
- Community Employment
- Gateway
- First Steps
- Momentum
- JobsPlus
In addition to these impact evaluations the Department has also commissioned an independent survey of client experience in Intreo offices. It is expected that the survey results will be available in Q1 2016.
Employment Support Services
Questions (197, 202)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:197. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the planned single scheme to replace the work placement initiative, the rural social scheme, the gateway scheme and the community employment schemes will focus on individual activation rather than on the wider social inclusion and community benefit of the above named schemes; and if it is intended to consult with all the relevant stakeholders concerning the new model. [33150/15]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:202. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the impact on the educational outcomes of participants in community employment schemes, for instance, but due to the shorter duration of the new single activation scheme being planned to replace community employment schemes, Tús - the work placement initiative - the rural social scheme and the gateway scheme. [33218/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 202 together.
The Department of Social Protection operates a number of programmes and initiatives including the Tús – the community work placement initiative, the rural social scheme, gateway and the community employment scheme. These schemes are administered locally by local development companies, Local Authorities and local not-for-profit sponsor groups.
The primary objective of these interventions is to support jobseekers, people with disabilities and other categories of customers in receipt of a social protection payment to receive training, work experience and/or income support. Various community services and activities are also directly and indirect supported by those who are engaged. The interventions play an important role in upgrading the skill level of participants and provide an important link to the labour market by maintaining the work readiness of participants. Tús and gateway were introduced as a direct response to the growth in the level of unemployment during the financial crisis while number on community employment expanded.
As the economic recovery takes hold and the overall level of unemployment falls, the Department recognises the need to adapt these schemes to the changing circumstances, opportunities and needs of jobseekers and others. While the Department has no plans for a single scheme, it must however reflect the changing circumstances and underlying rationale and resource commitments for the number of interventions now being delivered. The Department will continue to work with stakeholders in planning the longer term needs of jobseekers and other customers. Some €553m was allocated for the operation of these interventions in 2015 supporting around 39,000 people in work and training placements.
I remain committed to ensuring the ongoing recognition and support of the strong social inclusion and community benefits that accrue from these schemes.
Social Welfare Code
Questions (198)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:198. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reintroducing the telephone allowance, as its abolition is putting extra costs on many old age pensioners who rely solely on their landline and who are not familiar with mobile telephones and online bundles offered via the Internet; if she will acknowledge that there are people, particularly of older age, who have no desire to familiarise themselves with online technology and that this cut has had a direct negative impact on them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33187/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
The overall concern of Government in its Budgets has been to protect the primary social welfare rates. Expenditure on pensions at approx. €6.675 billion is the largest block of expenditure in the Department in the Estimate for 2015, representing approx. 34.4% of overall expenditure. Because of demographic changes, the Department’s spending on older people is increasing year on year. The Department had to make provision for an additional €168 million this year for the increasing number of pensioners. Maintaining the rate of the State pension and other core payments is critical in protecting people from poverty.
While the decision to discontinue the telephone allowance was a difficult one it provided annual savings of €48 million and meant that the Department was able to retain the other valuable elements of the household benefits package such as the electricity and gas allowance and the television licence. The Department will spend approx. €237 million this year on these elements of the household benefits package for over 415,000 customers.
I am keenly aware of the impact on the Department’s clients and particularly those who are living alone. In Budget 2015, I was able to increase the rate of the living alone allowance to €9.00 per week. The fuel allowance scheme and the free travel pass were also protected for older people and people with disabilities.
Any decision to reinstate the telephone allowance would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of budget negotiations. The Government will finalise its consideration of the Budget in the coming weeks and the outcome of this process will be announced on Budget Day.
Social Welfare Offices
Questions (199)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:199. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied that all social welfare offices are properly manned and that call lines are accessible without long waiting times on hold; and if she has any plans to make social welfare offices more accessible to people, without having to physically attend the office. [33188/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
Intreo is the new integrated income support, employment and support service which is now provided by the Department.
Intreo, which was launched in 2012, is now in place in 53 offices located across the country and the service will be extended to a further number of Social Welfare Local Offices by the end of 2015.
The Intreo centre is a one-stop shop for all income and employment support services where customers can easily access job-seeking advice, information on vacancies and income support services all in the one place.
There are a number of key elements which make up the Intreo service which improve customer service and reduce waiting times, including:
- The provision of an integrated reception facility offering a one-stop shop customer contact point which incorporate all strands of the Department’s income support and employment services.
- The ability for customers to access services by appointment.
- The establishment of Integrated Decision Teams leading to quicker decisions and a reduction in delays to customers.
- The availability of Community Welfare Service Staff and Social Welfare Inspectors to support the decisions team in each Intreo Centre resulting in improved processing of Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Jobseekers and One-Parent Family Payment claims.
I am aware that at some times it may be difficult for customers to get through by telephone to some Intreo Centres, but every effort is being made to ensure that all phone calls are answered and queries handled. Customers can however refer to www.welfare.ie for useful information on all services provided by the Department and they can also access a range of on-line services.
My Department is continuing to develop additional on-line services for customers and a new myWelfare.ie application has recently become available. Already, customers can apply via myWelfare.ie for an appointment for a PPSN or a Public Service Card and over time a further range of on-line services will become available.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Questions (200)
John McGuinness
Question:200. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the decision taken in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, relative to that person's claim for a carer's allowance, as her Department has already stated that the person qualifies under the habitually resident rules for another social protection payment; and if she will expedite a positive outcome. [33205/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 13 March 2015.
The person concerned was refused CA on the grounds that she is not habitually resident in the State. She was notified on 11 September 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
Your representations have been accepted as a request for a review of this decision by a deciding officer. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome of that review. If the decision is confirmed on review, the person concerned will retain the right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility
Questions (201)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:201. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if jobseekers with disabilities will be included in the European Youth Guarantee scheme and enabled to participate in all schemes on a voluntary basis. [33217/15]
View answerOral answers (1 contributions)
The Government recognises the importance of increasing participation in employment for persons with a disability. To this end, the Department provides a wide range of work related supports, which in 2015 will cost an estimated €37 million solely for persons with a disability.
The Government’s commitments to facilitating increased participation in employment for persons with a disability are reflected in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy. In addition, under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy an interdepartmental group will be established, under an independent chair, to review and make recommendations on 'making work pay' for people with disabilities through examination of the complex interactions between the benefit system, the additional costs associated with work for people with disabilities, and net income gains in employment.
In addition, a young person with a disability is at all times free to avail of the Intreo service on a voluntary basis and a complete range of activation supports for people with disabilities is available at Intreo Centres. The Department is also currently considering how people with disabilities might best be included in the Momentum programme.
Under the Youth Guarantee the main innovation in dealing with young people on jobseekers’ payments relates to earlier engagement with this group than is normal under the general activation arrangements for unemployed people through INTREO. This will mean that young people on jobseekers’ payments will be referred to a caseworker, and be engaged with more systematically in terms of their rights and responsibilities, at an earlier date than older unemployed people. For such young jobseekers, engagement with activation measures through the Intreo service is mandatory.
The current situation in respect of young people with disabilities who present at a DSP office needing activation/intervention type supports is that they are they are already referred immediately to a caseworker within Intreo or at the Local Employment Service (LES). For such young persons in receipt of disability/illness support payments, engagement with the Intreo service is on a voluntary basis.
A caseworker working with a young person with a disability can arrange access for that young client to the full range of services and programmes that are available to young people on jobseekers’ payments. This includes access to programmes such as JobBridge, the Back to Education Allowance, and Solas training for unemployed people.
In addition, however, the caseworker can arrange access to a range of other services and supports that are specific to people with disabilities and are not available to other young jobseekers. These include:-
EmployAbility
EmployAbility is an open labour market initiative providing disabled people with supports to help them access the open labour market. It is implemented by sponsor organisations (EmployAbility) on behalf of DSP who employ Job Coaches to provide a range of supports tailored to the individual needs of a jobseeker. The ultimate objective is that the employee becomes independent of Job Coach support.
The Supported Employment Service under EmployAbility is an employment and recruitment service to assist people with a disability to secure and maintain a job in the open labour market. This Supported Employment Service provides a range of supports to employers and people with a disability, through Job Coaches. The range of supports includes:
- Individual Needs Assessment
- Vocational Profiling and Career Planning
- Individual Employment Plan
- Job Sourcing and Job Matching
- On-the-Job Support and Coaching
- Advice and Support to Employers
- Follow-up Support and Mentoring to both Employers & Employees.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS)
The purpose of this demand - led programme is to increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market. WSS provides financial incentives to employers, outside the public sector, to employ disabled people who work more than 20 hours per week. The Scheme is structured in three strands. The employer can benefit from one or all, simultaneously.
Strand I subsidy - is a general subsidy for any perceived productivity shortfall in excess of 20% for a disabled person, in comparison to a non-disabled peer. An employee must work a minimum of 21 hours per week up to a maximum of 39 hours per week. The rate of subsidy is €5.30 per hour and is based on the number of hours worked, giving a total annual subsidy available of €10,748 per annum based on 39 hour week.
Strand II - is based on the total number of disabled employees in a company, an employer can apply for a grant to cover additional costs ranging from an additional 10% for 3-6 employees to a maximum of 50% of the wage subsidy for 23+ disabled employees.
Strand III - is where 30 or more disabled people are employed, employers can avail of a grant of €30,000 per annum to assist with the cost of employing an Employment Assistance Officer.
Unlike other recruitment subsidies such as JobsPlus, WSS is payable indefinitely as long as the disabled person remains in the employment concerned. New Applicants for WSS who are currently on Disability Allowance may apply for DA Disregard in conjunction with the WSS provided the minimum 21 working hours per week WSS threshold is maintained.
Disability Support/Awareness
A number of different employment supports for people with disabilities are provided for under this heading.
A. Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant
B. Job Interview\Personal Reader Grant
C. Employee Retention Grant Scheme.
D. Disability Awareness Support Scheme
Community Employment
The CE eligibility requirements for people with disabilities are not as demanding as for other Job seeker groups so as to encourage participation. Those on job-seekers’ payments generally must be aged over 25 and on a payment for a year or more. Effectively a person in receipt of DA who is aged 18 or over can be in receipt of their payment for 1 week and be eligible for CE.
Specialist Training Providers
Apart from having access to the full range of training programmes for unemployed people provided through Solas, people with disabilities also have access to Specialist Training Programme provision specific to their needs.
Key additional features of specialist vocational training, as compared with programmes for the generality of unemployed job-seekers, include:
- additional training duration
- adapted equipment
- transport arrangements
- enhanced programme content
- trainer-learner ratio
- qualifications of staff
- additional opportunities for assessment
- individualised approach.
In the light of the enhanced existing arrangements already in place for young people with disabilities, it was not necessary to make further adjustments in the context of the changes being made to the treatment of young recipients of jobseeker’s payments under the youth guarantee implementation plan.
Pathways to Work 2015 includes a commitment to develop and evaluate options for the further extension of employment services to people not on the live register and to improve the promotion/communication of existing activation options for this group, and young people with disabilities will be considered in that context. The Department is also currently considering how people with disabilities might best be included in future initiatives of the Momentum programme.