Written Answers Nos. 152-175
154. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an application for disability allowance will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40432/15]
View answerI confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the named person on 25 September 2015. The application is currently being processed and, once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
156. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of reversing the increase in the age of qualification for the State pension to 66 years of age. [40455/15]
View answer157. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of reversing the discontinuation of the State pension (transition) for new claimants. [40456/15]
View answer158. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of reversing the number of paid contributions required to qualify for the State pension from 260 to 520. [40457/15]
View answer159. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of reversing the new payment rate bands for State pension. [40458/15]
View answer160. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2021 and in a full-year of not raising the pension age from 66 to 67 years of age. [40459/15]
View answer161. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated savings targeted by Government when it introduced the measure to raise the age of eligibility for the State pension from 66 to 67 years of age in 2021 and in each full year thereafter. [40460/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 161, inclusive, together.
State pensions account for the single largest block of social welfare expenditure. In 2016, €6.976 billion will be spent on pensions, which represents 35% of the Department’s total current expenditure. While expenditure on pensions is increasing by approximately €1 billion every five years because of demographic pressures, this is being successfully managed within the overall welfare budget.
A number of significant reforms to State pensions have recently been introduced and more are planned:
1. In order to provide for sustainable pensions and to facilitate a longer working life, the Government decided to increase State pension age in three separate stages. In 2014, the State pension age was standardised at 66. This will be increased to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028. This process saw the abolition of the State Pension Transition payment from 2014.
Savings: At the time this measure was introduced, the exchequer savings arising were estimated to be in the region of just over €30m in 2014 with a full year savings in 2015 of approximately just over €60m.
2. With effect from April 2012, the number of paid contributions required to qualify for a State Pension increased from 260 paid contributions to 520 paid contributions.
Savings: At the time this measure was introduced, the exchequer annual savings were expected to be in the region of €6m per annum in the short term, with this figure expected to rise to €71m in the long term.
3. From September 2012, new rate bands for State Pension were introduced. These additional payment rate bands more accurately reflect the social insurance history of a person and ensure that those who contribute more during a working life benefit more in retirement than those with lesser contributions.
Savings: At the time this measure was introduced, the exchequer savings arising were estimated to be in the region of €2.8 million in 2013, €5m in 2014 and €8m in 2015.
Spending estimates for 2021, with or without these reforms, would not be available to my Department, nor will be for some years, and the net savings they will generate in that year will depend on a number of factors, including the rate of pension which will apply at that point, the rate of working age payments for those without work, and the employment rate for older workers at the stage. It is not, therefore, possible to provide the estimates the Deputy requests regarding 2021 and subsequent years without being highly speculative.
It would be hoped, however, that savings similar in magnitude to those realised by raising the State pension by one year in 2014 will also be achieved by a similar increase in 2021, relative to the overall pensions budget that will be in place at that time. While the duration of the average pension will still increase due to increased life expectancy, it is hoped that this reform will keep the associated increase in spending at a manageable level.
162. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of a mortgage interest supplement for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40461/15]
View answerThe client was in receipt of Mortgage Interest Supplement from December 2008 to February 2015. In order to enable his case to be reviewed, he was asked to supply documentation regarding his mortgage in March 2015. Further requests for this information issued on 16th April 2015, 11th May 2015, 22nd May 2015 and 24th June 2015.
As the client did not respond to the requests for information, his claim could no longer remain in payment.
163. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny which has been under assessment since July 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40467/15]
View answerCarer’s allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 11 November 2015 and the first payment issued to their nominated post office on 12 November 2015.
Arrears of allowance due from 23 July 2015 to 11 November 2015 have also issued.
164. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to relax the eligibility criteria for entry to a community employment scheme, with particular reference to persons under 25 years of age; if persons signing for credits will have their time considered in the context of qualifying for community employment; if persons under 35 years of age will qualify for three years on a scheme; if persons in the age category of 55 years of age plus will be allowed to continue on a scheme until their retirement age; if she will review the targets for full-time employment and education of 40% and apply a more flexible, fairer system taking the diversity of issues facing individual schemes into account; if funding for the achievement of individual major awards will be set as the real cost of €2,000 per award; if the top-up of €20 for scheme participants will be substantially increased; and if those signing on after the completion of a scheme will qualify for a basic benefit payment rather than a payment based on earnings, which has proven to be unfair. [40529/15]
View answerThe Deputy has raised a number of issues relating to Community Employment (CE) in this Question and the responses are set out below.
(i) Persons under 25 years - relaxing CE eligibility
The general minimum age criterion of 25 for CE has been set to ensure that, in the first instance, younger jobseekers engage with the range of Further Education and Training (FET) provision already in place for persons of school leaving age and beyond. CE is considered to be at the high support end on the continuum of provision for long-term unemployed and other vulnerable groups who are very distant from the labour market. However, there is limited provision for vulnerable groups (e.g. persons with a disability, Travellers, refugees, referred drug misusers, ex-offenders) who can access CE at 18 years of age.
(ii) Persons Signing for Credits
Persons signing for credits are not eligible for CE as one of the main qualifying conditions is that a person must be in receipt of an actual welfare payment e.g. Jobseeker's Allowance. There are no plans to relax this requirement.
(iii) Duration of participation on CE
Under the CE Part-Time Integration Option, persons aged between 25 and 35 years and one year unemployed, qualify for 1 year participation on CE with an option for extension for 10% of participants on a scheme.
However, it should be noted that in the past 2 years, the Department has introduced a special programme for participants entering CE to work on schemes providing early childhood services. A similar programme is being introduced for participants entering social care services. The conditions of participation for these groups have been adjusted to accommodate participants engaging in FETAC Major Awards at Level 5 which is the basic entry requirement to employment in these sectors. CE participants on these schemes are permitted to remain for up to a maximum of 3 years continuous participation, on annually renewable contracts and subject to satisfactory engagement in the completion of training and work practice. These conditions apply to all CE participants in these streams.
(iv) Participation of persons 55 years of age on CE
The current criteria for participants aged 55 and over allows for a maximum cumulative duration on CE of 6 years (7 years if they were in receipt of a disability payment, inclusive of any time spent on CE while aged under 55). If persons were allowed to remain on CE from 55 years to retirement age, this would mean a participation rate of 10 years which would be very much at odds with the recommendations from OECD and others which highlight that shorter duration schemes (1-2 years) are more beneficial for getting people back into mainstream employment. This is particularly relevant in the Irish context where unemployment has fallen substantially from a peak of over 15% to 10% and continues to fall as employment grows. The further extension of duration on CE for persons 55 years and over is not seen as tenable and can lead to a ‘locked-in’ effect for these participants. I am, however, keeping this issue under review.
(v) Progression rates for CE participants
The 40% combined progression target for those exiting a CE scheme into employment or further education/training is based on the aggregated average progression figure for CE overall. In a time of a growing economy this target, while challenging for some schemes, is considered achievable for the programme overall. While the progression rate will vary according to a variety of factors e.g. geographic location, participant profile, these factors are taken into account by the Department. Given the level of investment by the Exchequer in CE (budget of €373m in 2015), the Deputy will appreciate that it is very important that value for money is achieved and I believe that the best return is the placement of unemployed persons in jobs.
(vi) Funding of training on CE
The provision of training is a key factor in the preparation for employment for CE participants. For many, this provides a real opportunity to pursue a qualification that may lead to employment. The annual budget for training on CE for 2015 is €6.1m which is an increase on the previous year of approximately €1m. In addition to this, significant training and education is provided by the Education and Training Boards at no charge to the Department. There is a procurement system in place for schemes for the procuring of training and the costs vary depending on the type of training and duration. If schemes are experiencing pressure on the training budget, they should discuss this with their local DSP Intreo Centre.
(vii) Increase in CE participant allowance
The weekly CE participant top-up is increasing from €20 to €22.50 in January 2016, bringing the CE minimum weekly payment to €210.50.
(viii) Completion of CE - benefit payment
An individual who completes a CE Scheme may qualify for an insurance-based social welfare payment such as jobseeker’s benefit (JB) provided they satisfy the eligibility conditions. To qualify for JB, an individual must have at least 104 weeks PRSI paid since they first started work and 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year or 26 weeks PRSI paid in the relevant tax year and 26 weeks PRSI paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year. The current relevant tax year is 2013. This means that an individual who has completed a CE scheme, provided they satisfy these eligibility criteria, may qualify for JB. If a person is only entitled to a reduced rate of JB, they may instead claim jobseeker’s allowance, which is a means-tested payment.
165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will facilitate an increase in rent allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who will be homeless unless her Department provides further assistance, with particular reference to documentation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40532/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 24th September 2015 in which the Deputy stated that rent had increased to €1,000. The client concerned has not, to date, provided the required documentation outlined in response to the previous Parliamentary Question.
167. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine and expedite an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as all relevant documentation has been submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40556/15]
View answerI confirm that the Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 28 August 2015. It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer (DO) decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 21 October 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
Further evidence was received on 5 November 2015 and is being reviewed. Once the DO has reviewed the case in light of all the evidence, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
168. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) in County Galway should be forced to await the processing of an appeal on an invalidity pension application since April 2015, and based on a conversation with the appeals section it is quite feasible that this delay will extend to April 2016 which will leave the applicant in a state of uncertainly for a 12 month period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40569/15]
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 has advised me that the Appeals Officer had referred the case back to a Social Welfare Inspector for further investigation and clarification of certain issues.
The average appeal processing time for 2014 and to date in 2015 broken down by all social welfare scheme types is outlined in the tables below.
Appeal processing times generally peaked in 2011 when the overall average time for an oral hearing was 52.5 weeks and 25.1 weeks for a summary decision. In 2014 average appeal processing times for an oral hearing had almost halved to 28.6 weeks and the average time taken to process appeals involving summary decisions had also significantly reduced to 21.1 weeks. This downward trend in overall appeal processing times has continued to date in 2015 to 25.9 weeks for an oral hearing and 18.3 weeks for a summary decision. Appeal processing times are closely monitored on an ongoing basis.
In the case of invalidity pension appeals the average appeal processing times for an oral hearing has more than halved from 58.9 weeks in 2011 to 28.3 weeks in 2015 and the average time taken to process invalidity pension appeals involving summary decisions has also reduced from 36.4 weeks in 2011 to 25.8 weeks in 2015.
The reduction in processing times reflects the significant resources which have been invested in the Social Welfare Appeals Office over the last number of years.
In addition the Department has undertaken a process of reform in many of its scheme areas aimed at reducing the time taken to respond to requests for submissions in relation to appeals. Appeal processing times are kept under continual review in the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
In addition to the improvement in processing times, these measures have also led to a significant reduction in the number of appeals on hand from 20,414 at 1 January 2013 to 9,454 at 9 November 2015.
Appeal processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation. They include all activities during this period including time spent awaiting any clarification from the appellant, time in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant, and any further investigation, examination or assessment by the Department’s Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary. The system is flexible and accessible and allows multiple reviews and submissions of fresh evidence at all stages. For logistical reasons the process takes longer when an oral hearing is required.
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.
Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2014 – 31/12/14
|
Scheme |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
17.1 |
- |
|
Blind Pension |
20.5 |
24.9 |
|
Carers Allowance |
30.1 |
34.4 |
|
Carers Benefit |
22.9 |
23.1 |
|
Child Benefit |
23.8 |
32.9 |
|
Disability Allowance |
20.8 |
26.7 |
|
Illness Benefit |
29.5 |
34.8 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
22.6 |
29.1 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
64.7 |
|
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
41.8 |
|
|
Farm Assist |
23.2 |
28.3 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
25.6 |
31.9 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
26.0 |
32.6 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
25.9 |
31.2 |
|
Liable Relatives |
21.5 |
33.2 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
24.4 |
33.5 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
22.4 |
44.7 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
48.5 |
48.5 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
25.2 |
41.9 |
|
State Pension (Non-Cont) |
20.3 |
29.4 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
27.0 |
35.1 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
33.6 |
33.7 |
|
Disablement Pension |
23.6 |
30.6 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical) |
53.9 |
|
|
Incapacity Supplement |
21.5 |
59.6 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
25.9 |
24.9 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-con) |
19.7 |
30.3 |
|
Pre Retirement Allowance |
17.3 |
|
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
18.1 |
27.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
16.2 |
21.1 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
12.1 |
|
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
16.7 |
21.1 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
20.8 |
|
|
Respite Care Grant |
24.9 |
27.1 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
45.0 |
62.3 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
14.4 |
22.1 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
20.2 |
32.5 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-Con) |
24.7 |
24.6 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
22.2 |
|
|
All Appeals |
21.1 |
28.6 |
Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2015 – 31/10/2015
|
Scheme |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
Blind Pension |
21.1 |
35.2 |
|
Carers Allowance |
20.9 |
26.9 |
|
Carers Benefit |
20.0 |
22.4 |
|
Child Benefit |
24.9 |
35.5 |
|
Disability Allowance |
15.9 |
21.6 |
|
Illness Benefit |
25.9 |
33.6 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
27.0 |
43.4 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
21.2 |
28.1 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
19.7 |
24.9 |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
16.2 |
|
|
Farm Assist |
19.3 |
29.7 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
65.7 |
26.0 |
|
Death Benefit (Pension) |
22.6 |
|
|
Family Income Supplement |
20.3 |
27.3 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
25.8 |
28.3 |
|
Liable Relatives |
22.5 |
31.2 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
20.6 |
17.5 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
23.5 |
34.8 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
25.9 |
48.2 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
20.0 |
29.7 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
80.1 |
53.4 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
21.6 |
38.8 |
|
Disablement Pension |
23.8 |
33.2 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
37.7 |
51.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
18.6 |
27.8 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
18.9 |
31.0 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
16.3 |
26.2 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
15.6 |
21.7 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
46.1 |
|
|
BTW Family Dividend |
11.4 |
|
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
10.7 |
- |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
12.7 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
14.8 |
21.9 |
|
Pre Retirement Allowance |
15.0 |
|
|
Treatment Benefit |
17.9 |
|
|
Respite Care Grant |
20.6 |
25.3 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
41.1 |
67.6 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
13.2 |
24.2 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
29.9 |
25.9 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
23.7 |
38.3 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
20.4 |
|
|
All Appeals |
18.3 |
25.9 |
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of unemployment benefit and jobseekers' allowance; the extent to which such figures have fluctuated over the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40581/15]
View answerThe number of recipients of either jobseeker’s allowance or jobseeker’s benefit at the end of October 2015 was 249,243 and 35,721 respectively.
Jobseeker’s allowance recipients decreased by 11.6% between the end of October 2012 and end October 2015, while recipients of Jobseeker’s Benefit decreased by 51.6% during the same period. The overall reduction in recipients of jobseeker’s payments was 19.9% during the 3 year period commencing 1 November 2012.
A tabular statement detailing the number of recipients of these schemes at the end of October in each of the years 2012 to 2015 together with the percentage year on year variances is following.
Recipients of Jobseeker’s allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit at 31 October in each of the years 2012 to 2015
|
Scheme |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
281,927 |
286,667 |
265,705 |
249,243 |
|
Percentage year on year variance |
1.7% |
-7.3% |
-6.2% |
|
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
73,842 |
53,101 |
40,426 |
35,721 |
|
Percentage year on year variance |
-28.1% |
-23.9% |
-11.6% |
|
|
Overall percentage year on year variance |
-4.5% |
-9.9% |
-6.9% |
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which recipients of the one-parent family allowance who have had any reductions in income arising from changes to the qualification criteria have had such shortfalls met by way of the family income supplement or other payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40582/15]
View answerThe one-parent family payment (OFP) reforms were introduced in order to address long-term social welfare dependency and poverty levels among lone parents.
Approximately 25,500 customers transitioned from the OFP scheme on 2 July, 2015, when the final phase of the reforms was implemented. These customers transitioned to alternative social welfare income support payments, including the jobseeker’s transitional payment, the jobseeker’s allowance, and the family income supplement (FIS).
Approximately 12,000 of these customers incurred no change in their income after their entitlement to the OFP ceased.
The majority of affected customers applied for the jobseeker’s transitional payment. Of these approximately 4,900 customers suffered an income loss. These customers will, however, gain when the jobseeker’s transitional payment means test is more closely aligned with the more generous OFP means test from 7 January, 2016, onwards.
Approximately 2,400 lone parents joined the FIS scheme for the first time when their entitlement to the OFP ceased. FIS recipients can also claim the back to work family dividend. These 2,400 customers experienced an increase in their income.
Approximately 5,700 who were in receipt of both OFP and FIS payments transitioned to a re-rated FIS payment and suffered an income loss. However, these customers are now eligible for the back to work family dividend.
Budget 2016 will also increase the financial support that is available to lone parents, as follows:
- the jobseeker’s transitional payment means test will be aligned with the more generous OFP means test, resulting in an increase in income for jobseeker’s transitional payment customers who are earning more than €60 per week;
- the FIS income thresholds will be increased by €5 per week for families with one child and by €10 per week for families with two or more children;
- child benefit will be increased from €135 to €140 per month;
- the fuel allowance will be increased from €20 to €22.50 per week, and
- a 75% Christmas bonus will be paid to recipients of a long-term social welfare payment, including to recipients of the OFP, the jobseeker’s transitional payment, and back to work family dividend, in December, 2015.
As a result of these measures, and as outlined in the Department’s social impact assessment of the welfare and income tax measures in Budget 2016, one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Budget are earning lone parents, with average income gains of 2%.
173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have failed to qualify for the State pension (contributory) due to insufficient contributions throughout their working lives, with particular reference to those who took time off to rear their families and who later took up employment in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40585/15]
View answerThe information as requested by the Deputy is not readily available. A request to gather the information as requested by the Deputy has been made.
The Department will contact the Deputy directly when the request for information has been completed.
174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for the State pension (non-contributory) who have failed to qualify on the basis of means in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40586/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of State pension non -contributory (SPNC) applicants who failed to qualify on the basis of exceeding means for the last five years is outlined in the table below.
|
Year |
SPNC Applications Disallowed-Means Exceed |
|
2011 |
470 |
|
2012 |
624 |
|
2013 |
683 |
|
2014 |
742 |
|
2015 |
562 |
Applicants disallowed for means exceeding the statutory limit may re-apply at any time should their circumstances change.
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she continues to focus on youth unemployment, with particular reference to the need to ensure adequate training and up-skilling to facilitate access to the workforce; if she has identified any particular issues as having a serious impact on the creation of employment opportunities for young persons, or obstacles thereto; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40587/15]
View answerThe Government’s primary strategy to tackle youth unemployment is through policies 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.
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 Tús, or through the JobsPlus employment subsidy for private employment.
Training courses for unemployed people, including the young unemployed, wishing to upskill or re-skill are delivered on a range of programmes provided by Education and Training Boards and funded by Solas. The range of training provided is a matter for the ETBs, Solas and the Department of Education and Skills, after consultation with the Department of Social Protection and other stakeholders, including employers. The range of courses that are currently available can be found on the SOLAS website.
Anybody who is unemployed, including the young unemployed, has access to the full range of training courses involved. Persons who were in receipt of a social welfare payment prior to commencing training will receive a training allowance, which is generally equivalent to the welfare payment they were receiving.
