Written Answers Nos. 737 - 761
737. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the landlords that his Department or bodies under his aegis paid rent to in each of the past three years; and the sums paid in each case. [25423/16]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) manages all accommodation leased by the Department of Social Protection and this role includes the payment of rent.
The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Pensions Ombudsman and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of these statutory bodies is set out in the following table:
|
Name of Board or Agency |
Name of Landlord |
Rent paid in 2013 |
Rent paid in 2014 |
Rent paid in 2015 |
|
Citizens Information Board |
Green Reit Denise & John Magee Cathal Brady Eastern Ballrooms John Hughes & Tom Browne OPW Rivercourt Services Pobal Frank Wallace The First Partnership (now Benchmark Properties) |
€681,197 €6,396 €11,773 €50,400 €39,400 €40 €14,201 €13,000 €62,500 €89,495 |
€681,197 €6,396 €11,773 --- €39,400 €40 €14,201 €12,500 €62,500 €89,495 |
€681,197 €6,396 €10,066 --- €40,400 €40 €23,813 €15,375 €62,500 €89,495 |
|
Pensions Authority (formerly the Pensions Board) |
Knight Frank |
€554,897 |
€554,343 |
€490,662 |
|
Pensions Council |
Nil |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Pensions Ombudsman |
OPW (Lease holder) Financial Services Ombudsman (Sublet) |
€0 --- |
€0 --- |
--- €51,939.33 |
|
Social Welfare Tribunal |
Nil |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
738. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) who wishes to continue on the Gateway scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25443/16]
View answerGateway is a county and city council work scheme which aims to provide short-term, quality work opportunities to those who are unemployed for more than 24 months. Participants improve their employability and work readiness through work opportunities with structured environments where existing work skills can be put into practice. The 22 month duration of the Gateway contract ensures that Gateway fits in with the objectives set out in the Government’s activation policies, including Pathways to Work and it also enables as many people as possible who are long-term unemployed to benefit from the initiative.
In this context, the Gateway contract for the individual concerned cannot be extended beyond 22 months and will cease in November 2016.
With the ongoing welcome reductions in the live register, the operation of Gateway and all of the activation schemes will be continue to be examined to ensure that the number and nature of schemes, as well as the conditions governing participation on these schemes continues to be appropriate.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
739. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review and amend the situation regarding entitlements for bereaved partners in cohabiting couples in view of the Northern Ireland High Court ruling on 9 February 2016 (details supplied). [25461/16]
View answerIn the first instance, it should be noted that rulings of courts in other jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, regarding their domestic legislation, do not impact upon the laws in this State. However, the policy implications of such cases may be considered, if they are relevant.
Simply put, the Court found that a payment related to co-raising children (in this case, the Widowed Parent’s Allowance) should not be subject to a condition related to marriage, whereas a payment with no such child-related criterion (such as Bereavement payment) could lawfully be restricted to couples which had either married or entered a civil partnership.
As I have stated, UK courts have no jurisdiction over Irish legislation. However, even if they did, the ruling in this case would not impact upon the Irish benefits provided by this State, such as Widows Contributory Pension, as this payment does not relate to the co-raising of children. Indeed over 90% of recipients do not have dependent children. The ruling recognised the right of the UK parliament to limit other UK benefits to people who had been married or in a civil partnership, where supporting the raising of children was not the primary purpose of the payment.
I have no plans to review or change the eligibility criteria for bereavement-related benefits at this time as suggested by the Deputy.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
740. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to allow persons who are in receipt of disability benefit to undertake a JobBridge internship or its replacement in the future for more than a maximum of two nine-month placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25464/16]
View answerPersons in receipt of Disability Allowance, a scheme for people with long term condition (> 12 months) that limits their capacity to work, are eligible to participate in JobBridge internships subject to the same rules and conditions as other eligible participants. Disability Benefit is the name previously used as a title for the scheme now known as Illness Benefit. Illness Benefit is designed to provide income support to people who cannot work due to a short term illness, mainly people who have a job but need to take a sick absence. Recipients of Illness Benefit declare themselves to be unfit for work and as such are not eligible to participate in JobBridge.
I believe that economic and labour market conditions have changed for the better since JobBridge was introduced in 2011. The Deputy may be aware that, in the light of these changes, I have announced my intention to close JobBridge and, subject to my consideration of the findings of an independent evaluation of the scheme and the advice of the Labour Market Council, replace it with a new scheme to support jobseekers access jobs and/or work experience.
The suggestion made by the Deputy will be considered in developing a replacement scheme, if any, over the next few weeks.
741. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the spending on social protection payments, including details of all increases or decreases by payment, on an annual basis for each of the years from 2013 to date in 2016 in tabular form; the total spending by his Department in the same format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25485/16]
View answerThe following table provides details of the total spending by the Department of Social Protection in the years 2013 to 2016, inclusive:
|
2013 Outturn |
2014 Outturn |
2015 Provisional Outturn |
2016 REV Estimate |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
20,247,638 |
19,785,315 |
19,904,326 |
19,625,326 |
The outturn figure for 2015 is provisional pending publication of the audited accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The figure for 2016 is as published in the 2016 REV estimates. Gross expenditure to the end of August 2016 (as published in the Exchequer returns) is €12,970 million. This is very close to target at almost €25 million or 0.2% behind profile. This is marginal given the demand led nature of most social protection expenditure.
The following table provides a detailed outturn by subhead for the years 2013 to 2015 and the 2016 REV estimates. It should be noted that year on year comparisons in the level of expenditure in any given scheme needs to take into account general trends in recipient numbers and average payment values including demographic pressures, the fact that some schemes are closed to new entrants, the number of pay-days in any given year (varies year on year), payment of a Christmas Bonus in 2015 and 2016 and the impact of Budget changes over the years.
Department of Social Protection expenditure by scheme / service for years 2013 to 2016
|
|
Expenditure Breakdown |
2013 Outturn |
2014 Outturn |
2015 Outturn |
2016 REV Estimate |
|
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
||
|
ADMINISTRATION |
|||||
|
A1 |
Administration - Pay |
301,091 |
297,315 |
303,335 |
296,372 |
|
A2 |
Administration - Non-Pay |
171,282 |
173,057 |
186,933 |
222,730 |
|
Social Insurance Fund non-DSP administration |
94,920 |
93,220 |
92,505 |
93,470 |
|
|
TOTAL - ADMINISTRATION |
567,293 |
563,592 |
582,773 |
612,572 |
|
|
PENSIONS |
|||||
|
A3 |
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
952,457 |
954,411 |
972,130 |
955,800 |
|
SE2 |
State Pension (Contributory) |
3,983,264 |
4,185,233 |
4,475,654 |
4,610,050 |
|
SE3 |
State Pension (Transition) |
137,270 |
73,768 |
1,185 |
390 |
|
SE4 |
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Contributory) |
1,349,840 |
1,369,759 |
1,422,113 |
1,400,450 |
|
SE5 |
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Death Benefit) |
7,775 |
8,068 |
8,248 |
7,470 |
|
SE6 |
Bereavement Grant |
20,286 |
4,271 |
56 |
10 |
|
TOTAL PENSIONS |
6,450,892 |
6,595,510 |
6,879,386 |
6,974,170 |
|
Expenditure Breakdown |
2013 Outturn |
2014 Outturn |
2015 Outturn |
2016 REV Estimate |
|
|
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
||
|
WORKING AGE INCOME SUPPORTS |
|||||
|
A4 |
Jobseeker's Allowance |
3,108,974 |
2,923,291 |
2,742,509 |
2,452,900 |
|
A5 |
One Parent Family Payment |
977,960 |
867,307 |
670,564 |
500,050 |
|
A6 |
Widows' Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners Pension (Non-Contributory) |
16,735 |
16,464 |
15,865 |
15,800 |
|
A7 |
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
2,876 |
2,504 |
2,132 |
1,700 |
|
A8 |
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments |
104,539 |
81,718 |
91,729 |
79,660 |
|
A9 |
Farm Assist |
99,178 |
93,632 |
88,485 |
85,000 |
|
A10 |
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
34,555 |
24,319 |
16,268 |
8,500 |
|
A11 |
Other Working Age Supports |
||||
|
A11.1 |
Exceptional and Urgent Needs |
35,659 |
30,092 |
30,987 |
30,300 |
|
A11.2 |
Other Supplements (including heating and light) |
9,527 |
8,124 |
7,379 |
6,200 |
|
A.11.3 |
Humanitarian Aid |
1,225 |
2,073 |
479 |
500 |
|
A.11.4 |
Direct Provision Allowance |
3,776 |
3,629 |
3,852 |
3,600 |
|
A11 |
Total Other Working Age Supports |
50,200 |
43,915 |
42,696 |
40,600 |
|
Expenditure Breakdown |
2013 outturn |
2014 outturn |
2015 outturn |
2016 REV estimate |
|
|
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
||
|
SE7 |
Jobseeker's Benefit |
560,460 |
420,398 |
387,153 |
368,680 |
|
SE8 |
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
80,400 |
79,105 |
77,435 |
72,470 |
|
SE9 |
Maternity Benefit |
292,597 |
269,930 |
259,791 |
265,700 |
|
SE10 |
Adoptive Benefit |
309 |
169 |
279 |
270 |
|
SE |
Paternity Benefit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5,000 |
|
SE11 |
Health and Safety Benefit |
578 |
536 |
523 |
500 |
|
SE12 |
Redundancy & Insolvency Payments |
148,146 |
88,214 |
43,218 |
36,450 |
|
SE13 |
Treatment Benefits |
||||
|
SE13.1 |
Treatment Benefits - Dental |
19,554 |
16,042 |
16,617 |
16,600 |
|
SE13.2 |
Treatment Benefits - Optical Benefit |
8,488 |
6,614 |
6,808 |
6,700 |
|
SE13.3 |
Treatment Benefits - Medical & Surgical Devices |
5,385 |
6,081 |
6,466 |
6,300 |
|
SE13 |
Total Treatment Benefits |
33,428 |
28,736 |
29,892 |
29,600 |
|
TOTAL WORKING AGE - INCOME SUPPORTS |
5,510,935 |
4,940,238 |
4,468,538 |
3,962,880 |
|
Expenditure Breakdown |
2013 Outturn |
2014 Outturn |
2015 Outturn |
2016 REV Estimate |
|
|
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
||
|
ADMINISTRATION |
|||||
|
A1 |
Administration - Pay |
301,091 |
297,315 |
303,335 |
296,372 |
|
A2 |
Administration - Non-Pay |
171,282 |
173,057 |
186,933 |
222,730 |
|
Social Insurance Fund non-DSP administration |
94,920 |
93,220 |
92,505 |
93,470 |
|
|
TOTAL - ADMINISTRATION |
567,293 |
563,592 |
582,773 |
612,572 |
|
|
PENSIONS |
|||||
|
A3 |
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
952,457 |
954,411 |
972,130 |
955,800 |
|
SE2 |
State Pension (Contributory) |
3,983,264 |
4,185,233 |
4,475,654 |
4,610,050 |
|
SE3 |
State Pension (Transition) |
137,270 |
73,768 |
1,185 |
390 |
|
SE4 |
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Contributory) |
1,349,840 |
1,369,759 |
1,422,113 |
1,400,450 |
|
SE5 |
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Death Benefit) |
7,775 |
8,068 |
8,248 |
7,470 |
|
SE6 |
Bereavement Grant |
20,286 |
4,271 |
56 |
10 |
|
TOTAL PENSIONS |
6,450,892 |
6,595,510 |
6,879,386 |
6,974,170 |
|
Expenditure Breakdown |
2013 Outturn |
2014 Outturn |
2015 Outturn |
2016 REV Estimate |
|
|
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
||
|
WORKING AGE INCOME SUPPORTS |
|||||
|
A4 |
Jobseeker's Allowance |
3,108,974 |
2,923,291 |
2,742,509 |
2,452,900 |
|
A5 |
One Parent Family Payment |
977,960 |
867,307 |
670,564 |
500,050 |
|
A6 |
Widows' Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners Pension (Non-Contributory) |
16,735 |
16,464 |
15,865 |
15,800 |
|
A7 |
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
2,876 |
2,504 |
2,132 |
1,700 |
|
A8 |
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments |
104,539 |
81,718 |
91,729 |
79,660 |
|
A9 |
Farm Assist |
99,178 |
93,632 |
88,485 |
85,000 |
|
A10 |
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
34,555 |
24,319 |
16,268 |
8,500 |
|
A11 |
Other Working Age Supports |
||||
|
A11.1 |
Exceptional and Urgent Needs |
35,659 |
30,092 |
30,987 |
30,300 |
|
A11.2 |
Other Supplements (including heating and light) |
9,527 |
8,124 |
7,379 |
6,200 |
|
A.11.3 |
Humanitarian Aid |
1,225 |
2,073 |
479 |
500 |
|
A.11.4 |
Direct Provision Allowance |
3,776 |
3,629 |
3,852 |
3,600 |
|
A11 |
Total Other Working Age Supports |
50,200 |
43,915 |
42,696 |
40,600 |
|
SE7 |
Jobseeker's Benefit |
560,460 |
420,398 |
387,153 |
368,680 |
|
SE8 |
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
80,400 |
79,105 |
77,435 |
72,470 |
|
SE9 |
Maternity Benefit |
292,597 |
269,930 |
259,791 |
265,700 |
|
SE10 |
Adoptive Benefit |
309 |
169 |
279 |
270 |
|
SE |
Paternity Benefit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5,000 |
|
SE11 |
Health and Safety Benefit |
578 |
536 |
523 |
500 |
|
SE12 |
Redundancy & Insolvency Payments |
148,146 |
88,214 |
43,218 |
36,450 |
|
SE13 |
Treatment Benefits |
||||
|
SE13.1 |
Treatment Benefits - Dental |
19,554 |
16,042 |
16,617 |
16,600 |
|
SE13.2 |
Treatment Benefits - Optical Benefit |
8,488 |
6,614 |
6,808 |
6,700 |
|
SE13.3 |
Treatment Benefits - Medical & Surgical Devices |
5,385 |
6,081 |
6,466 |
6,300 |
|
SE13 |
Total Treatment Benefits |
33,428 |
28,736 |
29,892 |
29,600 |
|
TOTAL WORKING AGE - INCOME SUPPORTS |
5,510,935 |
4,940,238 |
4,468,538 |
3,962,880 |
|
Expenditure Breakdown |
2013 Outturn |
2014 Outturn |
2015 Outturn |
2016 REV Estimate |
|
|
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
||
|
WORKING AGE - EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS |
|||||
|
A12 |
Community Employment Programme |
341,250 |
359,474 |
366,415 |
376,500 |
|
A13 |
Rural Social Scheme |
44,203 |
43,762 |
44,105 |
44,330 |
|
A14 |
Tús - Community Work Placement |
92,060 |
116,052 |
124,576 |
121,080 |
|
A15 |
Job Initiative |
24,924 |
23,364 |
21,698 |
20,410 |
|
A16 |
Community Services Programme |
44,853 |
43,028 |
42,730 |
45,190 |
|
A17 |
Back to Work Allowance |
119,505 |
118,825 |
129,037 |
130,900 |
|
A18 |
National Internship Scheme - JobBridge |
67,688 |
76,030 |
63,489 |
51,980 |
|
A19 |
Back to Education Allowance |
186,879 |
162,450 |
143,965 |
121,080 |
|
A.20 |
Gateway |
255 |
7,577 |
29,544 |
33,380 |
|
A.21 |
Back to Work Family Dividend |
0 |
0 |
14,422 |
31,920 |
|
A22 |
JobsPlus |
1,039 |
11,882 |
22,630 |
27,240 |
|
A23 |
Wage Subsidy Scheme |
11,042 |
12,912 |
16,392 |
21,560 |
|
A.24 |
Other Employment Supports |
||||
|
A.24.1 |
Enterprise Support Grant |
3,266 |
3,337 |
4,219 |
4,500 |
|
A.24.2 |
Technical Employment Support Grant (funded from National Training Fund) |
4,274 |
5,014 |
2,673 |
4,000 |
|
A.24.3 |
Credit Union loan guarantee scheme |
0 |
2 |
0 |
20 |
|
A.24.4 |
Part Time Job Incentive |
1,976 |
2,280 |
2,722 |
2,390 |
|
A.24.5 |
Activation and Family Support Programme (AFSP) |
3,176 |
1,390 |
1,325 |
2,560 |
|
A.24.6 |
Special payments to long term unemployed and lone parents |
16 |
9 |
2 |
30 |
|
Special Initiative for Travellers |
292 |
313 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
A.24.10 |
Drugs Task Force |
1,632 |
1,736 |
837 |
660 |
|
A.24.11 |
European and Other Initiatives |
320 |
368 |
355 |
250 |
|
A.24.12 |
Local Employment Service |
19,372 |
18,281 |
19,514 |
19,100 |
|
Supported Employment Prog. |
8,712 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
A.24.13 |
Jobs Clubs |
5,491 |
5,493 |
5,875 |
6,000 |
|
A.24.15 |
EmployAbility Service |
0 |
8,433 |
8,656 |
9,640 |
|
A.24.16 |
Disability Activation and Employment Supports * |
2,832 |
3,343 |
2,129 |
1,400 |
|
A24 |
Total Other Employment supports |
51,355 |
50,022 |
48,308 |
50,550 |
|
SE14 |
Partial Capacity Benefit |
7,377 |
9,972 |
11,310 |
11,110 |
|
TOTAL WORKING AGE - EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS |
992,430 |
1,035,350 |
1,078,623 |
1,087,230 |
|
Expenditure Breakdown |
2013 Outturn |
2014 Outturn |
2015 Outturn |
2016 REV Estimate |
|
|
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
||
|
ILLNESS, DISABILITY AND CARERS |
|||||
|
A25 |
Disability Allowance |
1,140,916 |
1,238,310 |
1,281,584 |
1,288,000 |
|
A26 |
Blind Pension |
14,823 |
14,428 |
14,379 |
14,050 |
|
A27 |
Carer's Allowance |
554,801 |
559,325 |
611,135 |
607,320 |
|
A28 |
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
104,272 |
110,669 |
120,882 |
118,060 |
|
A29 |
Carer's Support Grant |
119,945 |
118,500 |
125,143 |
157,600 |
|
SE15 |
Illness Benefit |
648,938 |
625,975 |
620,007 |
595,880 |
|
SE16 |
Injury Benefit |
14,592 |
16,537 |
16,988 |
15,740 |
|
SE17 |
Invalidity Pension |
707,769 |
651,666 |
649,219 |
636,580 |
|
SE18 |
Disablement Benefit |
76,118 |
76,622 |
76,676 |
73,210 |
|
SE19 |
Medical Care |
345 |
248 |
95 |
200 |
|
SE20 |
Carer's Benefit |
22,443 |
23,652 |
30,117 |
28,600 |
|
TOTAL - ILLNESS, DISABILITY AND CARERS |
3,404,962 |
3,435,932 |
3,546,226 |
3,535,240 |
|
Expenditure Breakdown |
2013 Outturn |
2014 Outturn |
2015 Outturn |
2016 REV Estimate |
|
|
CHILDREN |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
|
|
A30 |
Child Benefit |
1,899,922 |
1,902,353 |
1,990,296 |
2,074,050 |
|
A31 |
Family Income Supplement |
261,758 |
297,907 |
367,872 |
410,300 |
|
A32 |
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance |
47,976 |
42,452 |
41,342 |
38,800 |
|
A33 |
School Meals |
36,775 |
16,572 |
38,778 |
42,000 |
|
A34 |
Other Child Supports |
||||
|
A34.1 |
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
5,124 |
5,197 |
5,720 |
5,120 |
|
A34.2 |
Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant (NON-CONTRIBUTORY) |
252 |
276 |
444 |
360 |
|
A34 |
Other Vote 37 funded Child Related Payments |
5,376 |
5,472 |
6,164 |
5,480 |
|
SE21 |
SIF Funded Child Related Payments |
||||
|
SE21.1 |
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
10,967 |
10,989 |
11,943 |
10,610 |
|
SE21.2 |
Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant (Contributory) |
6,331 |
5,658 |
5,771 |
5,920 |
|
SE21 |
Total SIF Funded Child Related Payments |
17,298 |
16,647 |
17,713 |
16,530 |
|
TOTAL - CHILDREN |
2,269,105 |
2,281,403 |
2,462,165 |
2,587,160 |
Tables
|
Expenditure Breakdown |
2013 Outturn |
2014 Outturn |
2015 Outturn |
2016 REV Estimate |
|
|
|
|
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
|
SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENTS, AGENCIES AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES |
|
|
|
||
|
A31 |
Rent Supplement |
372,909 |
338,203 |
311,059 |
266,750 |
|
A32 |
Mortgage Interest Supplement |
35,063 |
20,878 |
11,922 |
7,000 |
|
|
Household Benefits Package [Vote 37 + SIF] |
|
|
||
|
Electricity Allowance |
164,996 |
154,552 |
149,571 |
154,148 |
|
|
Gas Allowance |
15,574 |
21,815 |
18,753 |
19,270 |
|
|
Telephone Allowance |
52,225 |
2,938 |
-38 |
0 |
|
|
Free Television Licence |
57,674 |
52,449 |
52,466 |
54,170 |
|
|
Total Household Benefits Package [Vote 37 + SIF] |
290,470 |
231,754 |
220,752 |
227,588 |
|
|
A34 |
Free Travel |
75,477 |
75,487 |
75,244 |
80,000 |
|
Fuel Allowance [Vote 37 + SIF] |
228,141 |
217,731 |
214,744 |
224,200 |
|
|
A36 |
Grant to the Citizens Information Board |
46,387 |
45,000 |
46,000 |
50,000 |
|
A37 |
Office of the Pensions Ombudsman |
974 |
935 |
877 |
1,050 |
|
Expenditure Breakdown |
2013 Outturn |
2014 Outturn |
2015 Outturn |
2016 REV Estimate |
|
|
|
|
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
|
A38. |
Miscellaneous Services |
2013 Outturn |
2014 Outturn |
2015 Outturn |
2016 REV Estimate |
|
|
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
|
|
A38.1 |
Rent allowance (de-control of rents legislation) |
653 |
534 |
514 |
520 |
|
A38.2 |
Recoupment of superannuation expenses to The Pensions Board |
221 |
176 |
360 |
175 |
|
A38.3 |
Expenses incurred by Social Welfare Tribunal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
A38.4 |
Grants - Information & Welfare rights |
634 |
686 |
686 |
686 |
|
A38.5 |
EU Community Action Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity (Progress) 2007 to 2013 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
90 |
|
A38.6 |
Social Inclusion Initiatives |
1,069 |
77 |
80 |
80 |
|
A38.7 |
Ex gratia payments to women from Magdalen Laundries and other Institution |
0 |
1,834 |
3,471 |
3,600 |
|
A38.8 |
Food Aid |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4,000 |
|
A.38.10 |
Training for Carers in areas of economic and social disadvantage (funded from the Dormant Accounts Fund) |
0 |
0 |
907 |
500 |
|
National Pension Awareness Campaign |
25 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
A38 |
Miscellaneous Services Funded By Vote 37 |
2,600 |
3,302 |
6,017 |
9,652 |
|
|
TOTAL - SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENTS, AGENCIES AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES |
1,052,021 |
933,290 |
886,615 |
866,240 |
742. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25495/16]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case.
Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
743. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will receive a supplementary welfare allowance for assistance with funeral expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25510/16]
View answerNo application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance has been received to date from the person concerned regarding funeral expenses. In order to initiate an application, the person concerned should contact the Community Welfare Officer for their area at 086 7810420.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
744. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will address inequalities in the pension system following on from the increase in the required number of contributions needed to qualify, particularly for mothers who took time out of the workforce to care for their children before the homemaker's scheme was introduced in 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25530/16]
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.
One of the conditions of the State pension contributory is that a person needs a minimum of 520 weekly contributions (i.e. 10 years) paid since entering insurable employment, i.e. between their 16th and 66th birthdays. If a person does not have this minimum number of contributions paid, they will not generally have an entitlement to this particular pension, either at a full or reduced rate. They may, however, claim an alternative support to which they have a higher entitlement.
Since 1961, when contributory pensions were introduced, the average contributions test has been used in calculating the rate of pension entitlement. Entitlement is banded, with the maximum rate payable to those with a yearly average of 48-52 contributions, and the minimum rate payable to those with a yearly average in the range of 10-14 contributions per year. Even if someone has only 10 years (520 weeks) of paid reckonable contributions between their 16th and 66th birthdays, they would generally qualify for a State pension (contributory), although the rate payable would vary depending on their circumstances, and it will not always be their most advantageous payment to claim.
The homemaker’s scheme makes qualification for a higher rate of 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 for periods 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 State pension contributory also being satisfied. It should be noted, however, that the scheme does not impact upon the requirement that those in receipt of a State pension (contributory) have paid a minimum of 520 contributions.
Where people who were unattached to the labour market during most of their adult lives cannot qualify for a contributory pension in their own right as they have paid few or no contributions, or cannot qualify for a full rate as a result of an intermittent PRSI record, the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners in old age. For example, 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 up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate.
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 around 2020. This is a very significant reform with considerable policy, legal, administrative, and technical elements to be considered in its development and implementation. The position of women who were homemakers will be considered very carefully in this reform.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
745. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the provisions in place whereby a person has received a large compensation payment from the State as a result of medical negligence by the State; if this payment is considered means if the person is making a subsequent application to his Department for a social protection payment; the circumstances in which this can be disregarded in view of the nature of the compensation received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25547/16]
View answerIn the case of means-tested payments from my Department, such as disability allowance (DA), applicants are assessed with any cash income, property other than the home, and capital (such as savings, shares and investments). For all means-tested schemes, there is an initial amount of capital that is disregarded for means assessment purposes. For most schemes this disregard is €20,000 but, in the case of DA, it is €50,000. This means that a DA applicant with €50,000 in savings (and no other means) can be assessed as having nil means and, as a result, receive the maximum rate of DA.
Social welfare legislation provides for the disregard of certain compensation awards when assessing the means of a person for social assistance schemes, including DA. All income derived from compensation awarded by the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal, by the Residential Institutions Redress Board and in relation to disability caused by thalidomide is exempt from means assessment. Any payment made by the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board is similarly disregarded. In addition, ex gratia payments made through the Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme or to women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen Laundries are also disregarded in social welfare means assessments.
All other compensation or court awards which are not provided for in social welfare legislation are assessed in the normal manner.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
746. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason there is a delay in processing the appeal of the rejection of an application by a person (details supplied) for a carer's allowance. [25556/16]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15 June 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
747. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the wage subsidy scheme; the name of their employer and place of work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25563/16]
View answer748. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the wage subsidy scheme and disability benefit; the name of their employer and place of work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25564/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 747 and 748 together.
At the end of August 2016 there are approximately 2,200 people, employed by 1,362 employers, participating in the wage subsidy scheme (WSS). The table gives a breakdown of the numbers of employers availing of WSS by numbers of people with disabilities employed.
Number of employers by number of People with a Disability employed (August 2016)
|
Number of People with a Disability (PwD) Employed |
Number of Employers |
|
Employs 1-5 PwD |
1,337 |
|
Employs 6-10 PwD |
18 |
|
Employs 11-15 PwD |
3 |
|
Employs 16-20 PwD |
1 |
|
Employs over 20 PwD |
3 |
|
Total Employers |
1,362 |
In relation to the request for the name and place of work of employers, given that four-fifths of employers are availing of the scheme in respect of one person with a disability, my Department will consider carefully if any confidentially or data protection issues arise and will contact the Deputy to discuss his request.
It is a condition of receipt of illness benefit (formerly Disability Benefit) that a person is incapable of work on the day for which benefit is claimed. The WSS is paid only in respect of days worked so the circumstance outlined by the Deputy should not arise.
I hope that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
749. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will pay the family income supplement to a person (details supplied) as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25568/16]
View answerIn order to qualify for Family Income Supplement (FIS) a person must be engaged in full-time remunerative employment as an employee for at least 38 hours per fortnight (19 hours per week).
Following an application for FIS from the person concerned, a file was sent to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for further investigation, but from the information received the person concerned only works 18.5 hours per week.
The application for (FIS) was disallowed on the grounds that they were not working the required hours.
If the person concerned feels that they are now working the required hours, they can submit a new application for FIS.
750. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if approval will be given to a person (details supplied) to take up a place on a community employment scheme. [25598/16]
View answerJobPath is one of the range of activation supports, including schemes such as Tús and Community Employment (CE), catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers. JobPath supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most distant from the labour market to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. CE and Tús schemes provide long-term unemployed people with part-time experience as a stepping stone back to employment and are not full-time sustainable jobs.
Given the need to manage the allocation of places effectively, the Department does not, in general, facilitate or encourage jobseekers to transfer from or leave one activation support scheme to take up a place on another activation support scheme. The period of engagement on JobPath for any individual jobseeker is 52 weeks. Participation is mandatory for those who are referred.
The person mentioned by the Deputy was referred to JobPath on the 18th July 2016 and a Personal Progression Plan was completed which includes a schedule of activities, actions and job focused targets. The client subsequently attended an interview for a CE Scheme on the 20th July 2016 and was offered a start date of the 25th August 2016. As the person referred to has already been called for JobPath, they are no longer eligible for a work placement position and should remain on JobPath.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
751. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of participants in the JobPath scheme who have been placed in permanent employment by each of the operators of the scheme, namely, Turas Nua and Seetec, since the scheme was rolled out. [25616/16]
View answer752. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount paid in job sustainment fees to the operators of the JobPath scheme since it was rolled out, namely, Turas Nua and Seetec; and if he will provide these amounts paid to each operator separately. [25617/16]
View answer753. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount paid in registration fees to the operators of the JobPath scheme, namely, Turas Nua and Seetec, since the scheme was rolled out; and if he will provide the amounts separately for each operator. [25619/16]
View answer754. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons who have been referred to the JobPath scheme since it was introduced. [25620/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 751 to 754, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment.
Participants on JobPath receive intensive individual support to help them tackle barriers to employment and to assist them in finding jobs. Each person is assigned to a personal adviser who assesses a person’s skills, experience, challenges and work goals. The personal adviser works with the jobseeker to agree a personal progression plan that includes a schedule of activities, training/development and job focused targets. Participants receive the service for a period of 12 months (which can be extended by up to six months to facilitate the jobseeker completing training programmes) or until such time as they find employment whichever is the soonest. If the participant secures employment during this period they will continue to receive support for at least three months and up to twelve months while in employment.
Some 57,000 jobseekers have been referred to JobPath to date. Only a small number of them have completed their engagement with the service so far. It is thus too soon to generate meaningful performance statistics. Initial JobPath performance statistics will be published by the end of the year.
It is not intended to publish the individual payments to the JobPath companies as these are commercially sensitive and to do so would place the State at a disadvantage both in terms of the contracts now in place and any future procurement that may be undertaken.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
755. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on whether the new regulations regarding part-time work during the 2016-17 academic year for those in receipt of the back to education allowance will result in part-time work not being worthwhile for students; if he will review this measure, given the cost of transport and rent (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25634/16]
View answerThe Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a scheme that allows persons in receipt of long-term social welfare payments the opportunity to pursue a course of study and receive income support subject to satisfying a number of conditions.
A BTEA participant whose eligibility is based on jobseekers, transitional jobseekers or one parent family payments who engage in part-time work will be assessed in accordance with the rules of their primary payment.
This condition was one of the recommendations that followed a review of all employment and educational supports schemes in 2012. It ensures that only participants who continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria of the primary payment will continue to receive income support under BTEA and that resources are directed at those most in need of assistance.
Overall, the priority for my Department is that the BTEA scheme will be focused, targeted and suitable for the needs of jobseekers and of the future skills needs of the economy.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
756. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25643/16]
View answerI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 11 August 2016. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
757. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on the implementation of the programme for Government commitment for a fit for work scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of many persons with disabilities regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25648/16]
View answerThe recently agreed programme for a partnership government provides for a range of actions that are designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. One of these actions is a proposal for the Departments of Health and Social Protection to work together to pursue a “Fit for Work Programme” to support more people with an illness or disability to get back to work through early intervention.
The “Fit for Work” proposal is based on the findings of a pan European study, which examined the impact of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) on an individual’s ability to work. The Irish module of this study was progressed by a coalition of key stakeholders and was led by Arthritis Ireland. The Irish College of General Practitioners, ICTU, IBEC and the Health & Safety Authority also contributed to the study.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I am aware of the concerns of people with disabilities and that early interventions and developing return to work practices in the case of people with musculoskeletal incapacities is consistent with my Department’s approach to illness/disability income support, which aims to reduce the number of people progressing to chronic disability and long-term social welfare dependency.
While specific proposals around the design and operation of a “Fit for Work Programme” require further development and examination, my Department has commenced engagement with the Department of Health and other Government Department stakeholders and this engagement will continue into 2017.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that any such proposals will be in line with the wealth of evidence which shows that generally employment is good for one’s mental and physical health and well-being and, conversely, that unemployment is damaging.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
758. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer’s allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25675/16]
View answerCarer’s benefit was awarded to the person concerned on 6 September 2016 with effect from 5 May 2016. The first payment is due to issue to their nominated bank account on 15 September 2016.
Arrears of benefit due from 5 May 2016 to 14 September 2016 and the Carer’s Support Grant are also due to issue to the bank account.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
759. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer’s allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25676/16]
View answerAn application for carer's benefit (CARB) was received from the person concerned on 3 May 2016.
The application was awarded to the person concerned on 13 September 2016 and the first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 15 September 2016.
Arrears of allowance due from 28 July 2016 to 14 September 2016 will also issue.
The person concerned was notified on 13 September 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
760. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an increase on a payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25677/16]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded an increase in his disability allowance with effect from 3 August 2016. The first payment will issue by his selected payment method on 14 September 2016. Arrears of payment due will also issue on 14 September 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
761. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25678/16]
View answerThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 28 June 2016. The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 13 September 2016.
The person was also notified of her right to a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
