Written Answers Nos. 361 - 380
363. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person is applying for jobseeker's allowance is their income only taken into account or is their partner's income or the household income taken into account as part of the means test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24051/16]
View answerJobseeker’s allowance is a means tested social assistance scheme. The means test takes into account assets and income (including earnings). In the case of a couple, account is taken of the means of both members of the couple and this reflects the fact that married couples, civil partners and cohabitants are financially interdependent on each other. The income of other members of the household is not taken into account.
However, where a jobseeker’s allowance claimant is under 25 years of age, the value of the benefit and privilege derived from living with a parent or step-parent is assessed for means testing purposes. In practice, benefit and privilege is taken to mean the value of board and lodging to applicants residing in the home of parents and the value of same is assessed by reference to a formula (with a wide range of income disregards). The purpose of the assessment is to achieve a degree of equity as between applicants who have this benefit and those who have not, and between people living in relatively better-off households and those whose circumstances are less well off. It should be noted that the income of other household members is not taken into account in this assessment (for instance, brothers and sisters).
364. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide the full year cost in 2017 of increasing maternity benefit by one week, two week, three weeks and four weeks in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24052/16]
View answerMaternity Benefit is a payment made for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed pregnant women who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions in order to avoid the need for them to work pre and post-delivery of their baby. The original scheme was introduced in 1970 and was extended to include self-employed mothers with effect from June 1997.
It is currently estimated that next year my Department will spend approximately €252 million on Maternity Benefit in respect of an average of 20,500 recipients per week.
The following table estimates the additional cost over and above the current estimated expenditure on Maternity Benefit in 2017, by increasing the duration of Maternity Benefit above its current 26 week duration at the current weekly rate of €230.
|
- |
1 week in 2017 |
2 weeks in 2017 |
3 weeks in 2017 |
4 weeks in 2017 |
|
Maternity Benefit rate: |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
€230.00 |
10 |
20 |
30 |
40 |
Any changes to the rate or duration of Maternity Benefit could also have implications for Adoptive Benefit, Health & Safety Benefit and Paternity Benefit. Revised figures for these schemes are not included in the costings above.
These estimated costings are on a full year basis and assume that the increase is implemented from the beginning of January 2017. It should be noted that these costings relate to 2017 and are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2017.
Any increase would have to be considered in the overall budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
365. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide the estimated full year cost in 2017, based on the projected number expected to access direct provision, of increasing the adult rate by €5 and the child rate by €5 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24053/16]
View answerThe direct provision allowance is a non-statutory payment administered by my Department on behalf of the Department of Justice and Equality to persons in the Direct Provision system. The Government has provided €3.6 million for the allowance in 2016.
The number of claimants for direct provision allowance is difficult to predict as it is a demand led scheme. Currently there are some 2,700 adults and 900 children residing in the system of direct provision in respect of whom the direct provision allowance is being paid. The full-year cost in 2017, based on the current numbers, of increasing both the weekly adult rate and the weekly child rate by €5.00 would be €936,000, as set out in the following tabular statement.
Any increases to payments administered by the Department can only be considered in a budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement – Direct Provision Allowance
|
Payment rate |
Current number of recipients |
Amount of increase (per week) |
Approx. Annual cost of increase |
|
Adult rate €19.10 |
2,700 |
€5 |
€702,000 |
|
Child rate €15.60 |
900 |
€5 |
€234,000 |
|
Total cost |
€936,000 |
366. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Social Protection the future status of a community welfare office (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24131/16]
View answerI can confirm that the Department intends to continue to operate a community welfare clinic in Ardee, Co Louth.
367. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide in tabular form the total funding allocated to each work activation programme in operation in each of the years over the period 2011 to 2016, to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24149/16]
View answerThe CSO publish data each month on the number of participants on Live Register activation programmes. The following table outlines the expenditure outturn on the Department of Social Protection operated Live Register activation schemes over the period 2011 to 2015 inclusive, and the amount allocated for the scheme in 2016 in the Revised Estimates.
It should be noted that expenditure on the short-term enterprise allowance scheme operated by the Department is not available separately, as it is included within jobseeker’s benefit scheme’s expenditure. In this regard, it is not included in the table.
|
Scheme |
2011 Outturn €’000s |
2012 Outturn €’000s |
2013 Outturn €’000s |
2014 Outturn €’000s |
2015 Outturn €’000s |
2016 REV €’000s |
|
Back to work enterprise allowance |
114,582 |
127,203 |
119,505 |
118,781 |
129,037 |
130,900 |
|
Part-time job incentive |
1,032 |
1,369 |
1,978 |
2,280 |
2,722 |
2,390 |
|
Tús |
11,761 |
67,055 |
92,060 |
116,049 |
124,576 |
121,080 |
|
JobBridge |
7,913 |
54,739 |
67,688 |
76,029 |
63,489 |
51,980 |
|
Gateway |
-255 |
6,169 |
29,544 |
33,380 |
||
|
Community employment |
349,396 |
330,399 |
342,696 |
359,474 |
366,412 |
376,500 |
|
Back to education allowance |
201,519 |
199,567 |
186,879 |
161,776 |
143,965 |
121,080 |
Note: Gateway was introduced in late 2013. Tús and JobBridge were introduced in 2011.
368. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide in tabular form the total number of participants per each work activation programme in operation at the following dates: 1 January 2015, 30 June 2016, 31 December 2015, 30 June 2016; most current data in 2016; the total number of participants per programme; the average cost for each programme scheme at these dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24150/16]
View answerThe CSO publishes data each month on the number of participants on Live Register activation programmes. The tables are available at the following website: http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=LRM14&PLanguage=0.
The following table outlines the number of participants on Department of Social Protection Live Register activation schemes in January 2015, June 2015, January 2016 and May 2016 (June 2016 data is not currently available on the website). It also lists the 2015 expenditure outturn and the amount allocated for the scheme in 2016 in the Revised Estimates. It is not possible to provide the expenditure on these schemes at the various intervals requested.
It should be noted that the expenditure associated with the short-term enterprise allowance scheme is not available separately, as it is included within jobseeker’s benefit scheme’s expenditure.
In addition, while the participant number collated by the CSO for the Community Employment scheme excludes supervisors, the costs associated with supervisors are included in the expenditure figures.
|
- |
Participant Numbers |
Expenditure |
||||
|
Scheme |
January 2015 |
June 2015 |
January 2016 |
May 2016 |
2015 Outturn €’000s |
2016 REV €’000s |
|
Back to work enterprise allowance |
11,180 |
11,621 |
11,795 |
11,550 |
129,037 |
130,900 |
|
Short-term enterprise allowance |
440 |
490 |
382 |
424 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Part-time job incentive |
397 |
378 |
405 |
439 |
2,722 |
2,390 |
|
TUS |
7,865 |
8,001 |
7,880 |
7,948 |
124,576 |
121,080 |
|
JobBridge |
6,220 |
5,338 |
4,323 |
3,836 |
63,489 |
51,980 |
|
Gateway |
1,770 |
2,208 |
2,311 |
1,967 |
29,544 |
33,380 |
|
Community employment (participant numbers exclude supervisors) |
22,927 |
23,112 |
22,706 |
22,844 |
366,412 |
376,500 |
|
Back to education allowance |
23,497 |
6,418 |
18,263 |
9,345 |
143,965 |
121,080 |
369. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.50 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24167/16]
View answerMy Department has undertaken no costing of the initiative outlined by the Deputy as the introduction of any such scheme would necessarily have to take place on a cross Governmental basis and costs determined centrally as part of the estimates budgetary process. Pre-determined salary scales negotiated at central level are applied to all staff in the department.
On a purely indicative basis it is not anticipated that the introduction of such a scheme in my own Department would incur significant cost as the majority of staff are on salary points above that mentioned by the Deputy.
370. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the discussions his Department has had with suppliers or service contractors to his Department or to agencies of his Department to ensure that employees of such suppliers and contractors are paid the living wage of €11.50 per hour; the cost of implementing this wage for these employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24182/16]
View answerThe living wage is a voluntary societal initiative and has no legislative basis, it is therefore not a statutory entitlement. It cannot be imposed on suppliers or contractors.
Matters of employee pay rates are a matter for the employer and employee(s) concerned subject to compliance with employment legislation. Companies tendering to supply goods or services to Government Departments are legally obliged to provide a statement confirming that they have taken account of their legal obligations relating to employment protection and working conditions relating to the provision of the services sought.
My Department has consequently no discussion with suppliers or companies in relation to whether their employees are in receipt of the living wage. Such operational arrangements for suppliers to my Department are a matter for the bodies concerned and my Department holds no information in relation to this.
371. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will give further consideration to the request of the Clones and Ballybay municipal district to have the new Intreo for County Monaghan located in Ballybay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24204/16]
View answerAt present there are no plans to establish a new Intreo centre in the county of Monaghan. The Department of Social Protection delivers its services in Monaghan through our network of offices including branch offices, community welfare clinics, activation services, social welfare inspectorate services, community employment services, the Local Employment Services (LES), Job Clubs and the JobPath programme.
The Department administers over 70 different schemes and services that benefit the people of Monaghan. In addition to the wide variety of social assistance schemes provided by the Department, it also funds a wide range of community and contracted programmes, as well as initiatives under the Pathways to Work strategy. The Department funds LES, Job Club, JobPath, Gateway, TUS, and the EmployAbility Service, all of which provide valuable support to the people of Monaghan. There are also twelve community employment projects in Monaghan and a job initiative programme. The Department also provides a range of supports and services to employers through initiatives such as JobBridge and JobsPlus.
The Department continues to strive to provide a high standard of services to the people of Monaghan and has successfully implemented many positive changes in recent years. How the Department delivers our services within the county is constantly kept under review. Our wide ranging programme of organisational development will continue to support our efforts to deliver and improve our services, support economic growth and promote employability in county Monaghan.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
372. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a worker under the community services programme following a deputation regarding a group (details supplied). [24222/16]
View answerThe community services programme (CSP) is designed to address gaps in the delivery of key local services, to tackle disadvantage and to ensure that community facilities are utilised. It provides valuable resourcing for service delivery undertaken by not-for-profit companies and co-operatives in communities around the country. There are some 3,000 people in full and part-time posts which are supported in employment by the programme across approximately 400 not-for-profit companies. Funding of just over €45m has been provided for the programme in 2016 which will maintain the current level of activity.
Service providers must operate community or social enterprises that deliver tangible services and are capable of generating non-public revenues from their operations by way of charging fees, sales and/or fundraising. The programme is not intended to represent full funding for any operation.
Given the level of resources available and the number of companies currently supported, the Department has been unable to make an open call for new proposals to the programme for a number of years. However, from time to time as resources allow, the Department does process new applications received from organisations that have expressed an interest in and are considered eligible under the programme.
This group recently met with the Department to discuss an expression of interest in relation to funding for Dun Na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park under the CSP. The review of all current expressions of interest is almost completed an outcome is expected in August. Further information will be available when this process is completed and a decision has been reached.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
373. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost in 2017 and in a full year of a €5, €10, €15 and €20 increase in the old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24260/16]
View answer374. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide in tabular form the cost in 2017 and in a full year, at €1 intervals up to €10, of an increase in all working age payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24261/16]
View answer375. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide in tabular form the cost in 2017 and in a full year, at €1 intervals up to €10, of an increase in child benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24262/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 373 to 375, inclusive, together.
The estimated cost in 2017 and in a full year of a €5, €10, €15 and €20 increase in the weekly rates of payment for social welfare payments to those aged 66 and over is detailed in the following table. The cost includes increases to all schemes which are paid to those aged 66 and over, including the state pension contributory, state pension non-contributory, widow/er’s contributory pension (aged 66 and over), carer’s allowance (aged 66 and over), death benefit pension (aged 66 and over), disablement benefit (aged 66 and over) and deserted wife’s benefit (aged 66 and over).
|
Weekly Increase |
Cost €m |
|
€5.00 |
153.8 |
|
€10.00 |
307.6 |
|
€15.00 |
461.4 |
|
€20.00 |
615.2 |
The estimated cost in 2017 and in a full year at €1 intervals up to €10 of increases in all working age payments is detailed in the following table.
|
Weekly Increase |
Cost €m |
|
€1.00 |
42.8 |
|
€2.00 |
85.5 |
|
€3.00 |
128.3 |
|
€4.00 |
171.1 |
|
€5.00 |
213.9 |
|
€6.00 |
256.6 |
|
€7.00 |
299.4 |
|
€8.00 |
342.2 |
|
€9.00 |
384.9 |
|
€10.00 |
427.7 |
All of the above costs (for pensioners and working age) include a proportionate increase for recipients with qualified adults, where applicable.
The estimated cost in 2017 and in a full year at €1 intervals up to €10 of increases in child benefit is detailed in the following table.
|
Monthly Increase |
Cost €m |
|
€1.00 |
14.7 |
|
€2.00 |
29.3 |
|
€3.00 |
44.0 |
|
€4.00 |
58.6 |
|
€5.00 |
73.3 |
|
€6.00 |
87.9 |
|
€7.00 |
102.6 |
|
€8.00 |
117.2 |
|
€9.00 |
131.9 |
|
€10.00 |
146.5 |
The costs shown above are on a full year basis and assume that, where relevant, each increase is implemented from the beginning of January. It should be noted that these costings relate to 2017 and are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2017.
376. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of miles claimed for and the amount of travel expenses paid to him and each Minister of State in his Department in respect of their functions as Ministers in his Department between 1 January 2016 and 10 March 2016; between 11 March 2016 and 6 May 2016; and since 7 May 2016. [24303/16]
View answerThe total number of kilometres claimed for and the amount paid to me under the Ministerial Travel Scheme since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection from 6 May 2016 to date are as follows:
|
No. of Kilometres claimed |
Amount Paid |
|
6,360 |
€3,756.86 |
The total number of kilometres claimed for and the amounts paid to Minister of State Kevin Humphreys are as follows:
|
Period |
No. of Kms claimed |
Amount Paid |
|
1/1/2016 to 29/2/2016 |
993 |
€459.26 |
|
1/3/2016 to 6/5/2016 |
792 |
€366.30 |
377. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to his special advisers; to provide details of requests, if any, for an increase above the special advisers pay cap as set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24320/16]
View answerMr. Miller’s salary is €87,258. Mr. Murphy’s salary is €99,370.
These are the same salaries they were paid as my advisers in the Dept of Health. I have not sought an increase for either of them.
378. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the figures for his Department on the percentage of working days lost to sickness absence through certified leave and uncertified leave in each year from 2011 to 2015 inclusive. [23413/16]
View answerDetails of the sick leave recorded as taken by staff of my Department from 2011 to 2015 are set out in the following table.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
|
Year |
Percentage of working days lost to certified sick leave % |
Percentage of working days lost to self-certified leave % |
|
2011 |
3.02 |
0.32 |
|
2012 |
2.68 |
0.27 |
|
2013 |
3.02 |
0.27 |
|
2014 |
2.75 |
0.22 |
|
2015 |
2.87 |
0.21 |
379. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the establishment of additional cross-Border bodies, as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, is under discussion at the North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23472/16]
View answerAll of the North South Bodies are making a considerable contribution towards economic growth right across the island and clearly demonstrate what can be achieved when we pool our resources in key strategic areas. For instance, Tourism Ireland and InterTradeIreland are playing a continuing and central role in our economic recovery, with Tourism Ireland driving record tourism numbers to this island and InterTradeIreland building vital exporting capacity among our small and medium enterprises, the mainstay of the all-island economy. In addition, Waterways Ireland is managing our 1,000 km of shared waterways, so important for our regional economy and tourism sectors, especially across the border region.
Proposals to establish additional North South Bodies have not been discussed at the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meetings I have attended, and of course, under the terms of the St. Andrew’s Agreement, any such proposals would require the agreement of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Oireachtas before decisions on them could be made by the NSMC.
At the North South Ministerial Council meetings that I have attended, the focus of Ministers has been on discussing the sectoral priorities for additional co-operation which they have identified in their respective areas of responsibility, particularly as regards assisting economic recovery, job creation, the best use of public funds and the most effective delivery of services for citizens across the island. There have already been considerable advances in some of the priority areas they have identified and I look forward to this continuing.
The North South Bodies are testament to the benefit of working together for mutual benefit. As stated in our Programme for a Partnership Government, we will continue to advance North South cooperation, particularly through cross-border bodies and the North South Ministerial Council and harness the potential of the Stormont House Agreement to develop new areas of cooperation.
At the NSMC Plenary Meeting on 4 July, we discussed the implications of the EU Referendum outcome for Northern Ireland and for relations between North and South. These discussions included the role of the NSMC and North South Bodies. In the light of the Referendum result it will be important that the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government continue to fully support the work of the Bodies. In our contingency plan to deal with the possibility of the UK leaving the EU, one of the key actions is to monitor the short term impacts on enterprise and trade in border counties. As details of the UK’s exit framework emerge, we have recognised in our contingency planning the need to possibly revise and enhance the work and capability of InterTradeIreland, the North South Trade and Business Body, to ensure that companies trading across the border (in both directions) would be in position to deal with any added administrative burdens and procedures.
380. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding he has provided to the emigrant support programme in 2016 to date and the various programmes he will fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23474/16]
View answer385. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current expenditure on the emigrant support programme and the estimated full year cost in 2017 of increasing funding on this programme by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24130/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 385 together.
The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) provides funding to not-for-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish.
The focus of the Emigrant Support Programme is on initiatives that: address the needs of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable Irish emigrants; enhance access for Irish emigrants and Irish community organisations to local statutory and voluntary services; foster a more vibrant sense of community and Irish identity amongst the Irish abroad; and, encourage closer links between Irish communities abroad and Ireland, to the benefit of both.
A total of €11,595,000 has been allocated for the Emigrant Support Programme in 2016. This matches the allocation for 2015.
The closing date for applications for the 2016 round was 24 February 2016 and applications from over 230 organisations were received. Recommendations for funding have recently been approved and work is currently underway to contact all applicant organisations to inform them of awards of funding. While it is not possible to give an exact figure at this point, due mainly to currency fluctuations, it is expected that the overall level of funding provided this year will be similar to previous years.
In the majority of cases the organisations to be funded will have previously received ESP funding. A full list of previously funded organisations under the ESP can be found at www.dfa.ie/global-irish/support-overseas/emigrant-support-programme/.
The 2017 allocation for the Emigrant Support Programme is not yet known and will only become clear once decisions are taken by Dáil Éireann on the Budget in the autumn.
If funding were increased in 2017 by the percentages indicated by Deputy O’Brien, the allocation would amount to:
|
% |
€ |
|
Plus 5 per cent |
€12.175 million |
|
Plus 10 per cent |
€12.755 million |
|
Plus 15 per cent |
€13.334 million |
|
Plus 20 per cent |
€13.914 million |
