Written Answers Nos. 118-140
118. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why additional funding has not been awarded to the sponsors of the community services programme to account for the increase in the minimum wage in 2016; if this will negatively impact on the ability of the sponsors to deliver on the programme's objectives; if she will re-examine the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43757/15]
View answer119. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of participants on the community services programme, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43758/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together.
The CSP is designed to address locally identified gaps in the provision of services to communities and to utilise the potential of community assets and resources that are already in place. Funding is provided in the form of a financial contribution for the employment of staff to deliver the service. The CSP became operational in 2006 absorbing a previous programme operated by FÁS including a grant structure linked to the minimum wage. Any such link is historic given that many current contracts have been in place for at least nine years and the wage levels in service providers have increased. The grant structure was remodelled in 2009/10 in response to the financial crisis with the value of the full-time equivalent wage element maintained at €19,033 per annum only. The programme has never provided full funding for wages. The rules of the programme require service providers to pay the local rate for equivalent employment, which is generally well in excess of minimum wage levels. Contracts of up to three years' duration are available to service providers that continue to deliver needed services and demonstrate an ability to generate and maintain income from other sources for the services delivered.
The level of grant support available from the CSP contributes no more than a third of aggregate turnover of the community companies in contract. It has been at all times clear that the CSP represents a contribution only to the cost of employment. The service providers undertake to generate additional revenue from the services they deliver to support the adequate remuneration of staff employed and to provide for overhead, operational and future development costs. Pobal is engaged by the Department to provide contract management and financial oversight and compliance services. Currently, the value of CSP contracts is just under €42 million providing a contribution to 2,111.5 full time equivalent positions. The Department estimates that 2,800 people are directly supported in employment by the CSP contribution when part-time work is taken into consideration. An estimated 300-500 additional employees are supported indirectly from income generated from activities and other public resources provided to the companies.
TABLE
CSP CONTRACT VALUES & NUMBER OF EMPLOYEE APPROVED FOR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION - 2015
|
County |
Contract Value in 2015 € |
Number of employee supported* |
|
Carlow |
460,006 |
29.5 |
|
Cavan |
593,474 |
30.5 |
|
Clare |
1,235,233 |
103.5 |
|
Cork |
2,442,724 |
142.5 |
|
Donegal |
3,099,650 |
143 |
|
Dublin |
8,461,604 |
403 |
|
Galway |
1,997,959 |
89.5 |
|
Kerry |
2,170,212 |
111.5 |
|
Kildare |
429,078 |
20.5 |
|
Kilkenny |
371,979 |
17.5 |
|
Laois |
343,429 |
16 |
|
Leitrim |
1,355,167 |
62.5 |
|
Limerick |
1,156,035 |
54.5 |
|
Longford |
480,660 |
23 |
|
Louth |
1,350,046 |
67 |
|
Mayo |
3,419,506 |
180 |
|
Meath |
928,221 |
44 |
|
Monaghan |
1,074,419 |
51 |
|
Offaly |
1,109,870 |
51.5 |
|
Roscommon |
2,200,322 |
102.5 |
|
Sligo |
661,309 |
30.5 |
|
Tipperary |
688,858 |
37.5 |
|
Waterford |
712,924 |
34 |
|
Westmeath |
1,110,419 |
53 |
|
Wexford |
2,281,026 |
126.5 |
|
Wicklow |
1,829,508 |
87 |
|
41,963,638 |
2111.5 |
* Includes contribution to manager position, if employed.
120. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is claiming a social protection payment for 389 and not 390 days can be entitled to the Christmas bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43766/15]
View answerA bonus of 75% of the normal weekly payment was paid in December 2015 to people getting a long-term social welfare payment. For clients in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance, long-term is defined as over 15 months or over 390 days of unemployment. As the person concerned had not been in receipt of a payment for the required period, she is not eligible for the payment.
122. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person who is reclassified from lone parent to jobseeker is precluded from having weekly deductions from the payment for local property tax, given that the alternative methods of payment, such as payzone, cost the homeowner extra. [43790/15]
View answerThe Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 allows for a person who is liable for the Local Property Tax, and who is in receipt of certain social protection payments, to have Local Property Tax deducted from his or her payments. Currently the following longer term schemes have been specified by the Revenue Commissioners for the deduction at source of the Local Property Tax (LPT)
- State pension (contributory),
- State pension (non-contributory),
- Widow/er’s or surviving civil partner’s (contributory) pension,
- Widow/er’s or surviving civil partner’s (non-contributory) pension,
- Blind pension,
- Invalidity pension,
- One-parent family payment,
- Carer’s allowance and
- Disability allowance.
The Jobseeker’s Allowance payment is not included in this list of schemes because of the level of fluctuation that is experienced on shorter term schemes. This list is being kept under review. Alternative methods of payment of the Local Property Tax are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
123. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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 Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43804/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on the 8 September 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
124. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43815/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 23 June 2015. The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer (DO) decided that the evidence submitted did not indicate that the care recipient requires continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions, as required.
The person concerned was notified on 12 September 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I can confirm that additional evidence received is currently under review by a DO. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome of that review. If the outcome is to confirm refusal of the allowance, the person concerned will retain the right of appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
125. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow was not granted, given that the person has a long-term disability and if she will review the case. [43907/15]
View answerThe application for disability allowance, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision.
The person in question requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional evidence for consideration. The review has now been concluded by a DO but the outcome is that the decision to refuse on medical grounds has been confirmed. The person in question was notified of the outcome of this review on 4 November 2015. They have also been advised of their right to appeal this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office.
126. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of investigations she has carried out into the suspected leaking of personal details from the social protection database in each of the past five years, and the outcome in each case. [43923/15]
View answerThe following table contains the information requested.
NUMBER OF INVESTIGATIONS CARRIED OUT INTO SUSPECTED LEAKING OF PERSONAL DETAILS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND OUTCOME
|
YEAR |
NO OF INVESTIGATIONS |
NO OF INVESTIGATIONS WHERE BREACH CONFIRMED |
NO OF INVESTIGATIONS WHERE NO BREACH CONFIRMED |
NO OF CASES WHERE SUSPECTED BREACH STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION |
|
2011 |
27 |
7 |
19 |
1 |
|
2012 |
22 |
9 |
13 |
0 |
|
2013 |
22 |
9 |
11 |
1 |
|
2014 |
20 |
0 |
11 |
9 |
|
2015 |
18 |
0 |
10 |
8 |
|
TOTALS |
109 |
25 |
62 |
22 |
The Department takes its responsibilities in relation to data protection very seriously. Every effort is made to ensure that personal customer data are used solely for business purposes and that they are not compromised in any way. The Department has data protection and information security policies, standards, procedures and guidelines in place governing the use of its computer systems and customer data.
All members of staff of the Department are regularly reminded of their data protection obligations and the consequences of not adhering to policies such as loss of increment, loss of entitlement to enter promotional competitions and dismissal. Staff members are required to sign annual undertakings that they have read, and will act in accordance with, data protection policies and guidelines.
A range of specific measures are in place to strengthen data protection governance and compliance within the Department.
A high-level working group is in place to examine, and progress, all aspects of data protection compliance in the Department.
In June the Department ran its annual Data Protection Awareness Week for staff. Activities this year included a very effective short video on social engineering which was developed in-house and made available to all staff; a data protection newsletter issued to all staff; presentations were made to hundreds of staff nationwide and posters were exhibited in headquarter and local offices drawing attention to the importance of securing customers’ personal data.
Oversight is maintained by logging data accesses which are subject to audit. All allegations of data breaches are fully investigated and the Department cooperates fully with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in all its investigations.
127. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a decision on an application for a disability allowance. [43925/15]
View answerI confirm that the person concerned was in receipt of disability allowance (DA) from 23 September 2004 to 19 May 2015. Following a review of entitlement, it was established that the circumstances of the person in question had changed and that the person concerned had means not previously disclosed to the department.
On 4 December 2015, a deciding officer made a revised decision that the person concerned had no entitlement to DA from 2 January 2013 to 19 May 2015, resulting in an overpayment.
The person concerned has been notified of this decision and of their right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days of the date of the notification.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the level of payment under the rent allowance scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if further assistance will be given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43965/15]
View answerAll changes in circumstances should be immediately notified to this Department. The client concerned should provide up to date payslips in order for their rate of entitlement to Rent Supplement to be accurately re-assessed.
129. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been approved under the carer’s allowance scheme following an appeal. [43966/15]
View answer130. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment of a carer’s allowance will commence for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if that person's appeal is successful. [43967/15]
View answer131. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when arrears of a carer’s allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo if that person's appeal is successful. [43968/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 129 to 131, inclusive, together.
I 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.
132. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the social protection payments a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has been unemployed for the past two years is eligible to receive. [43988/15]
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 disability allowance 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.
133. Deputy John Lyons asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of on-site inspections conducted to ensure that schools participating in the school meals programme are delivering nutritional and healthy food, the number of schools in breach of the guidelines on healthy meals, the sanctions imposed, by county, for each year since 2012 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43992/15]
View answerThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,700 schools and organisations which benefit approximately 217,000 children at a total cost of €39 million. An additional €3 million was allocated to the programme as part of Budget 2016, bringing the total allocation to €42 million in 2016.
The Department initiated an inspection programme in 2012 consisting of on-site inspections in participating schools to ensure that the scheme rules are being adhered to. This inspection process will be rolled out to all schools over the next 3 year period and the Department has assigned additional resources to facilitate this work. A breakdown of on-site inspections by county since 2012 is provided in the tabular statement below.
Some 246 schools and organisations have been examined and finalised to date under inspection programme since 2012. The results show a relatively high rate of compliance by funded organisations / schools with the conditions of the scheme. 208 schools (85%) were found to be operating satisfactorily. In 31 schools, (13%), less serious issues such as non-compliance with scheme rules or errors involving minor amounts were discovered; and serious issues were identified in two schools. These serious issues have been reported to An Garda Síochána.
Schools/groups must reapply for funding in advance of each school year and are required to submit detailed records at the end of each school year. Any expenditure on non-food items and unhealthy foods is deducted from the following year’s allocation.
Overpayments are raised as appropriate and agreed recovery arrangements are in place with schools. These arrangements are being monitored and are being adhered to. There is a balance to be maintained by the Department in terms of restricting payments to schools while continuing to provide for a service for the children therein.
A further 143 schools and organisations were examined in 2015. While analysis of the returned reports is ongoing, indications are that the results will be similar to previous years.
Tabular Statement: Breakdown of inspections by county in the school meals local projects scheme
|
- |
No. of on-site inspections |
No. of on-site inspections |
No. of on-site inspections |
No. of on-site inspections |
|
County |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Co Carlow |
2 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
|
Co Cavan |
2 |
4 |
1 |
13 |
|
Co Clare |
2 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
|
Co Cork |
2 |
7 |
11 |
12 |
|
Co Donegal |
2 |
4 |
2 |
10 |
|
Co Dublin |
10 |
21 |
19 |
31 |
|
Co Galway |
2 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
Co Kerry |
2 |
1 |
1 |
12 |
|
Co Kildare |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
Co Kilkenny |
2 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
Co Laois |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Co Leitrim |
2 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
Co Limerick |
2 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
|
Co Longford |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
Co Louth |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Co Mayo |
2 |
5 |
3 |
7 |
|
Co Meath |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Co Monaghan |
2 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
|
Co Offaly |
2 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
Co Roscommon |
2 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
Co Sligo |
2 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
|
Co Tipperary |
2 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
|
Co Waterford |
2 |
1 |
3 |
10 |
|
Co Westmeath |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
Co Wexford |
2 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
Co Wicklow |
2 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
TOTAL |
60 |
105 |
81 |
143 |
134. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the starting point of the homemaker's scheme, given the changes to the State pension (contributory) payment scale and the negative impact this is having on women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44004/15]
View answerThe State pension contributory is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their working life from when they first enter insurable employment until pension age are taken into account when assessing their entitlement and the level of that entitlement. Since 1961, when contributory pensions were introduced, the average contributions test has been used in calculating pension entitlement. Once over 16 years of age, the date a person enters into insurable employment is the date used for averaging purposes.
The homemaker’s scheme makes qualification for State pension (contributory) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme, which was introduced in and took effect from 1994, allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age (or caring for incapacitated people over that age) to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes, subject to the standard qualifying conditions for SPC also being satisfied.
For those with insufficient contributions to meet the requirements for a State pension (contributory), the State pension system provides alternative methods of support. If their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult amounting up to 90% of a full rate pension, which by default is paid directly to them. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), amounting to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate.
The Government has no plans to backdate this scheme prior to 1994 as the costs would be significant. In addition, under the current rules, the costs of the scheme are expected to increase in the coming years due to the increase in female employment rates since 1994.
Work is underway to replace the ‘yearly average’ system with a ‘total contributions approach’. Under this approach, the number of contributions recorded over a working life will be more closely reflected in the rate of pension payment received. It is expected that the total contributions approach to pension qualification will replace the current average contributions test for State pension (contributory) for new pensioners from 2020, although that date is subject to change, as this is a very significant reform with considerable legal, administrative, and technical challenges to be overcome in its implementation. The position of women who were homemakers will be considered very carefully in developing this reform.
135. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of a community employment scheme (details supplied) in County Cork; if she will review the situation, given the invaluable contribution this project makes to the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44007/15]
View answerThe service provider to which this question relates has held a contract with the community services programme (CSP) to support the operation of a community facility and to operate a telephone, home visiting and handyman service to elderly residents in the surrounding parishes. The community centre operates a schedule of social and entertainment events and activities. Financial support was provided to contribute to the employment of a manager and two full time equivalent positions plus €4,000 in 2015 to support operations. A recent review of the service concluded that the company was well run but raised concerns about its future financial viability and income levels to sustain current operations. Additionally, the review noted that the level of resources provided by the CSP was high in comparison with other similar services. User levels were low leading to a conclusion that good value for money was not being achieved. The Department accepted a recommendation that the funding level should be set to contribute to the cost of supporting two full-time equivalent positions to operate the community facilities. The outcome of the contract review was communicated to the company and no request was received to seek a review of this determination.
136. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application under the invalidity pension scheme by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44024/15]
View answerInvalidity 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 03 June 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 25 June 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal. The person in question appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) who upheld the department’s decision and disallowed the appeal. The person in question was notified on the decision of the AO on 24 November 2015.
Illness benefit (IB) is a short-term payment for persons who are incapable of work and who satisfy the PRSI conditions. The medical conditions for the receipt of IP and IB are not the same and qualification for the latter scheme does not imply qualification for the former scheme. The letter from the SWAO dated 7 August 2015, referred to in the details attached to your question, relates to the person’s eligibility for the IB scheme and not eligibility for IP.
137. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is in receipt of jobseekers allowance does not qualify for the Christmas bonus. [44057/15]
View answerA bonus of 75% of the normal weekly payment was paid in December 2015 to people getting a long-term social welfare payment. For clients in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance, long-term is defined as over 15 months or over 390 days of unemployment. As the person concerned had not been in receipt of a payment for the required period, he was not eligible for the payment.
138. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the JobBridge programme to facilitate claimants as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44074/15]
View answerThe JobBridge Scheme was introduced in July 2011 with the aim of providing unemployed people with an opportunity to secure work experience and to prove their competence to prospective employers. Participation on the scheme is wholly voluntary and is open to all jobseekers who meet the qualifying criteria.
The criteria includes the requirement that applicants must have a live claim in their own right for a period of 78 days within the last 6 months in order to ensure that limited exchequer resources are targeted at individuals in danger of falling into longer term unemployment.
It is open to persons in respect of whom an increase in respect of a Qualified Adult is in payment to make an application for a jobseeker payment in their own right, once the underlying conditions are satisfied; namely that they are capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work. They can, of course, subsequently participate in JobBridge, subject to satisfying the standard eligibility criteria.
I would point out, however, that the Department has commissioned an independent evaluation of JobBridge to assess its suitability, relevance and effectiveness to date. The outcome of the evaluation will inform any further changes to the scheme.
139. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of the case of a person (details supplied) regarding a social protection payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44157/15]
View answerIllness benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions and related overlapping payment legislation.
Concurrent payment of illness benefit, at the full rate, to recipients of widows, widowers and surviving civil partners pensions and one-parent family (including deserted wives) payment has been discontinued with effect from 01/02/12. This applies to new claimants for illness benefit .
The person concerned is in receipt of widow’s pension since 21 Feb 1997 at the current maximum weekly rate of €193.50. The person concerned made an application for illness benefit from 10 Feb 2014 to 3 Mar 2015. If they chose to receive illness benefit they would only qualify for payment at the weekly personal rate of €188..00. Therefore it would not have been beneficial for the person concerned to claim illness benefit. The person concerned was notified of the position by letter dated 24 Feb 2014.
140. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the back to school clothing and footwear allowance for children of between 12 and 18 years of age, from €250 to €300, for children of between 4 and 11 years of age, from €150 to €200; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44206/15]
View answerThe back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when children start school each autumn. The Government has provided €44.3 million for this scheme in 2015.
In 2015, BSCFA payments were made to some 153,000 families in respect of over 290,000 children. The rate of payment is €100 in respect of children aged 4 to 11 and €200 for children over 12 years in second level education.
The cost of increasing the BSCFA payment by €50 for each eligible child, i.e. from €200 to €250 in respect of children over 12 years in second level education and from €100 to €150 in respect of children aged 4 to 11 years, would be approximately €14.5 million. The cost of increasing the payment by €100 for each eligible child, i.e. to €300 and €200 respectively, would be approximately €29 million.
Any changes to the scheme to increase the rate of payment would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
