Written Answers Nos. 387 - 398
387. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if non-union teachers on short-term contracts will be entitled to claim jobseeker's allowance while their schools are closed due to industrial action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34600/16]
View answerThe jobseeker’s allowance scheme provides income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. The 2016 Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure this year on the jobseeker’s allowance scheme of approximately €2.45 billion.
It is open to any individual to make a claim for jobseeker’s allowance at any time. However, jobseeker’s allowance payments compensate for periods of involuntary unemployment only. For this reason social welfare legislation provides that a person must satisfy certain conditions in order to be entitled to jobseeker’s allowance. The qualifying conditions for receipt of jobseeker’s allowance require a person to be unemployed, available for and genuinely seeking full-time employment. Where a teacher is on a short term contact, in full-time employment they would not satisfy the conditionality of being unemployed, available for and genuinely seeking work and therefore would not qualify for jobseeker’s allowance when they are in remunerative employment.
Where these individuals are unable to work as their schools are closed due to industrial action, it is a matter for the Department of Education and Skills in the first instance to determine whether these individuals will continue to be paid. If they are not participating in the industrial action and do not receive payment, they may be eligible for a jobseeker’s payment provided they satisfy the eligibility criteria. However, each case would be decided on a case by case basis and dependent on its individual merits. It should be noted that if an individual is awarded a jobseeker’s payment they will not be paid for their first three days of their jobseeker’s claim.
388. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial supports available for self-employed persons who have temporarily stopped working due to illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34656/16]
View answerSelf-employed persons, who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. This provides them with access to long-term benefits including State pension (contributory), Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension (contributory), Guardian’s Payment (contributory) as well as Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit. Since September 2016, self-employed workers can also access the newly introduced Paternity Benefit.
Self-employed workers who have to temporarily stop working because of illness can apply for the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. This is a means tested payment for people whose means are insufficient to meet their needs including the needs of a spouse/partner or qualified children.
In line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government for an improved PRSI scheme for the self-employed, as part of Budget 2017 I announced the extension of cover for Invalidity Pension to the self-employed on the same basis as employees, with effect from December 2017. Invalidity Pension is a pension payment for people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability. Gaining access to Invalidity Pension will provide the self-employed with a much stronger safety net to protect them in the event of significant injury or disablement.
In addition, the self-employed will have access to the Treatment Benefit Scheme which provides partial dental, optical and aural services to qualified people, from March 2017. Treatment Benefit entitlements will be extended further from October 2017 for both the self-employed and employees, providing additional dental and optical benefits.
I hope this provides some clarity on the issue for the Deputy, if you require any further information contact Philip in my office.
389. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress which has been made on the 2010 national pensions framework proposals for the introduction of a total contributions approach to State pension (contributory) to replace the current averaging system from 2020; and if persons will have the option in the future to continue in employment beyond pension age to make up contribution shortfalls or defer drawing down their pension to enable them to receive an actuarially increased pension when they decide to retire (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34762/16]
View answerThe rate of payment for a recipient of the State pension contributory scheme is related to contributions made over the years into the Social Insurance Fund by the person concerned. As such, those with a stronger attachment to the workforce, and who have paid more into that fund, are more likely to be paid under this scheme. Under the scheme, entitlement is calculated by means of a ‘yearly average’ calculation, where the total contributions paid or credited are divided by the number of years of the working life. Payment rates are banded. For example, someone with a yearly average of 48 contributions will qualify for a full pension, whereas someone with a yearly average of 20 will qualify for a pension at 85% of the full rate. Where someone does not qualify for a full rate contributory pension, they may qualify for an alternative payment. 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), which amounts to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate.
The National Pensions Framework (2010) proposed that a “Total Contribution Approach” (TCA) should replace the yearly average approach, for new pensioners from 2020. The aim of this approach is to make the rate of contributory pension more closely match contributions made by a person. Officials of my Department are currently working on the detailed development of the TCA with a view to making proposals for consideration in the first half of the New Year. It’s worth noting that this is a very significant reform with considerable legal, administrative, and technical elements in its implementation. An important element in the final design of the scheme will be the position of people who have gaps in their contribution records for various reasons, and this factor is being considered very carefully in developing this reform.
The Deputy should note that a pensioner can already claim a State pension contributory and continue in employment. In developing the TCA my officials are also examining flexibility options in both contributing to and drawing down State pension contributory. These include deferment of pension and/or payment of further reckonable PRSI contributions after State pension age. Decisions on whether and how to include these options will depend on a balance between costs, benefits for pensioners, demand for the options and practicality of administration.
It is important that the changes are announced well in advance of introduction, to enable those affected to include the new factors into their retirement planning.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
390. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons, by county, that have had their payments reduced or ceased as a result of failure to comply with the requirements of the JobPath scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34816/16]
View answerAll jobseekers are required to engage with the Department’s activation service and this obligation applies irrespective of whether the service is provided by the Department’s own case officers or those employed by the Local Employment Service or by JobPath.
In order to qualify for a jobseeker payment, a person must meet certain conditions, including the requirement to be available for, capable of and genuinely seeking full-time work. A range of sanctions, including disqualification, closure or disallowance of the jobseeker claim, may be imposed where a client fails to meet the stated conditions. A jobseeker claim may be reviewed at any time in order to establish continued entitlement.
Additionally, in relation to activation, legislation provides that further sanctions/penalties in the form of reduced payments may be imposed by a Deciding Officer where clients fail, without good cause, to comply with activation measures. Activation measures include the requirement to attend group or individual meetings with case officers and/or avail of suitable education, training or development opportunities, or specified employment programmes, which are considered appropriate to a person’s circumstances.
Where a person continues to fail, without good cause, to comply with activation measures, while on a penalty rate, he/she may be disqualified from receiving the personal rate of payment. The normal rate of payment may be reinstated at any time, if the jobseeker complies, as requested, with activation measures.
All decisions regarding the application of penalty rates are taken by officials of the Department. Some 1,500 people who were referred to the JobPath service since its inception have had a penalty rate applied to them. Of these there are at present c500 people on a reduced penalty rate of payment. A breakdown by county is not currently available but will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
391. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the review of Tús and CE schemes; when this review will be completed; the new schemes that will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34909/16]
View answerTús and CE are employment programmes that aim to help people who are long-term unemployed to re-enter the workforce. They break the cycle of unemployment by providing a return to a regular work routine, thereby improving a person’s chances of returning to the open labour market. CE also provides training to participants. My Department is very conscious of the valuable contribution these schemes make, both in improving the employment prospects of participants and in providing services to individuals and communities across Ireland.
With the ongoing welcome reductions in the live register in recent months, a number of issues around employment schemes, including Tús and CE, are being considered. These include the number of employment schemes, the level of expenditure, the number of places and the criteria for participation.
A review of CE schemes has taken place. I met with my officials to discuss the outcomes of this review. I hope to be in a position to bring a Memorandum to Government on these matters in the coming weeks. If there are any changes to be made consultations with stakeholders will be facilitated.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
392. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age who are currently in receipt of the €100, €144 and €188 rate of jobseeker's allowance in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34917/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement.
|
Recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance under the age of 26 on €100, €144 and €188 at the end of October 2016 (excluding cases where payment is suspended) |
||||
|
Age |
€100 |
€144 |
€188 |
Grand Total |
|
18 |
2,225 |
2 |
81 |
2,308 |
|
19 |
3,171 |
3 |
236 |
3,410 |
|
20 |
3,103 |
4 |
354 |
3,461 |
|
21 |
3,048 |
6 |
473 |
3,527 |
|
22 |
2,937 |
23 |
578 |
3,538 |
|
23 |
2,865 |
29 |
679 |
3,573 |
|
24 |
2,483 |
392 |
887 |
3,762 |
|
25 |
4 |
2,732 |
1,860 |
4,596 |
|
Grand Total |
19,836 |
3,191 |
5148 |
28,175 |
393. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age who are in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit, jobseeker’s allowance or signing on for credits for less than six months, for six to 12 months, for 12 to 24 months, for 24 to 36 months, for 36 to 48 months and for more than 48 months in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34918/16]
View answerRecipients under 26 as at end October 2016.
|
Recipients |
over 6mths |
6-12mths |
1-2yrs |
2-3yrs |
3-4yrs |
over 4yrs |
Total |
|
JOBSEEKER'S ALLOWANCE |
11,538 |
4,927 |
5,973 |
2,969 |
1,807 |
2,716 |
29,930 |
|
CREDITS |
114 |
50 |
36 |
13 |
5 |
4 |
222 |
|
JOBSEEKER'S BENEFIT |
1,716 |
202 |
34 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1,954 |
|
Sum: |
13,368 |
5,179 |
6,043 |
2,984 |
1,812 |
2,720 |
32,106 |
394. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance, jobseeker’s benefit and signing on for credits on a county basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34919/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement.
|
County |
JB Credits Only |
Jobseekers Benefit |
Jobseekers Allowance |
County Total |
|
Carlow |
2 |
22 |
648 |
672 |
|
Cavan |
3 |
29 |
609 |
641 |
|
Clare |
2 |
46 |
673 |
721 |
|
Cork |
22 |
154 |
2,198 |
2,374 |
|
Donegal |
9 |
82 |
1,692 |
1,783 |
|
Dublin |
61 |
595 |
7,125 |
7,781 |
|
Galway |
7 |
114 |
1,306 |
1,427 |
|
Kerry |
11 |
73 |
859 |
943 |
|
Kilkenny |
- |
7 |
76 |
83 |
|
Kildare |
13 |
94 |
1,225 |
1,332 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
14 |
368 |
383 |
|
Laois |
4 |
31 |
746 |
781 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
22 |
240 |
265 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
58 |
1,351 |
1,411 |
|
Longford |
5 |
23 |
460 |
488 |
|
Louth |
4 |
53 |
1,370 |
1,427 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
46 |
869 |
918 |
|
Meath |
5 |
47 |
668 |
720 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
24 |
296 |
323 |
|
Offaly |
6 |
44 |
824 |
874 |
|
Roscommon |
3 |
16 |
305 |
324 |
|
Sligo |
- |
28 |
407 |
435 |
|
Tipperary |
16 |
69 |
1,429 |
1,514 |
|
Waterford |
10 |
62 |
982 |
1,054 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
55 |
922 |
981 |
|
Wexford |
10 |
87 |
1,439 |
1,536 |
|
Wicklow |
13 |
59 |
843 |
915 |
|
Grand Total |
222 |
1,954 |
29,930 |
32,106 |
395. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age who are currently in receipt of the disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34920/16]
View answerAs at end October 2016, there were 16,941 people under the age of 26 in receipt of Disability Allowance.
396. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age who are currently in receipt of the one-parent family payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34921/16]
View answerAt the end of October 2016, there were 9,828 recipients of One Parent Family Payment under 26 years of age.
397. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age who have been referred to Seetec under the JobPath initiative since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34922/16]
View answer398. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age who have been referred to Turas Nua under the JobPath initiative since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34923/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 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.
Some 6,500 jobseekers under 26 years of age are being supported by the JobPath service and of these c. 3,000 are with Seetec and c. 3,500 are with Turas Nua.
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, actions and job focused targets. Participants are provided with a range of training and development supports directly and via online modules. These include such things as confidence building, career advice, CV preparation and interview skills. Participants may also be referred to external training providers including Education and Training Boards.
Participants receive the JobPath 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 sooner. If the jobseeker secures employment during this period they can continue to receive support for at least three months and up to twelve months while in employment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
