Written Answers Nos. 319-342
319. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to introduce new rules whereby solvent companies have to cover pension deficits as in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39801/16]
View answerIn Ireland, occupational pension schemes are generally set up under trust and are maintained by the employer on a voluntary basis. The trust deeds and rules of a scheme differ from one to another and, as with any contractual situation, reflect the level of obligation on the parties involved. While the Pensions Act provides a framework for the regulation and supervision of occupational pension schemes, it does not impose any requirement on an employer to fund scheme benefits or maintain an existing scheme.
These matters have been considered many times during comprehensive reviews of the pensions system in Ireland. The introduction of a debt on employer would raise a range of issues and possible consequences for defined benefit schemes, some of which may not be beneficial for members.
It is not clear whether a change in the law could be applied to existing Schemes as well as new ones and it is not clear that any change in the law could apply to deficits already accrued as opposed to future ones.
There are strong arguments both for and against the introduction of an employer obligation. While such an obligation may seem to provide stability and certainty for scheme members it may result in less desirable outcomes such as:
- prompting well-funded schemes to wind up to avoid the new obligations being imposed thus making the change in the law counterproductive;
- threatening the company's financial stability and in some circumstances rendering employers insolvent thus resulting in the loss of jobs or a diminution in pay, terms and conditions of employees;
- impacting on the company's creditors, including debts owed to other businesses, SMEs, and/or individuals impacting on the company's shareholders and share values, many of which may be held by other pension funds, credit unions or small scale investors;
- impacting on company debt, investment and growth and the employers' ability to raise funds, to expand or create new employment;
- giving a competitive advantage to employers who never provided a pension and those with 'risk-free' defined contribution schemes.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the issues in relation to defined benefit schemes are continuously scrutinised by the Department, especially in the present environment.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
320. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has been involved in any court proceedings that involved non-disclosure agreements in the past five years; and if so, if the specific court ruling prevented knowledge of the court proceeding from being made known and knowledge of the participants to the court proceedings from being made known for each of these agreements. [39873/16]
View answerMy Department is examining the relevant records to assess the feasibility of providing the Deputy with all of the information requested. The Deputy will be provided with the outcome of this exercise as soon as possible.
321. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare for farm assist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39891/16]
View answerIn relation to the client's application for Farm Assist, a request for documentation was sent to the person concerned on 05/12/2016. When these documents are received and assessed by the Social Welfare Inspector, arrangements will be made to visit the farm to complete the means assessment and a decision on his claim will follow.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
322. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application for domiciliary care allowance for a person (details supplied) who urgently requires this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39903/16]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from this lady on the 10th October 2016. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department's Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Following receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and notified to the applicant. Applications are processed in date of receipt order. It can currently take 14 weeks to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
324. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39919/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this man on 1 November 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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
325. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if arrears due from a disability allowance claim will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39954/16]
View answerThis lady was in receipt of another social welfare payment during the period 10 August 2016 to 22 November 2016. Consequently, the amount of social welfare already paid required calculation and was deducted from any arrears due. This process was completed by my department as quickly as possible. Disability allowance arrears issued to the person in question on 7 December 2016.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
326. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a disability allowance application will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39955/16]
View answerI can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this man on 6 October 2016.
On 9 December 2016 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on his eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
327. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a disability allowance application will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39956/16]
View answerI confirm that an application from the person concerned for disability allowance (DA) was received by my department on 26 October 2016. The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person's means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
328. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review a decision taken on an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied). [39959/16]
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 lady concerned on the 09 August 2016. She was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on the 11 November 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal. The lady concerned requested an appeal of this decision and submitted further medical evidence in support of her request. Following a review of all the information available the DO is now satisfied that the medical conditions for the scheme are satisfied.
The lady concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 11 August 2016. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 15 December 2016. Any arrears due from 11 August 2016 to 14 December 2016 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. She was notified of this decision on the 09 December 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
329. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is a requirement of the JobPath scheme that participants must attend JobPath offices in order to do job searches; if this is the case for participants with small children who must pay for child care while they attend JobPath meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39986/16]
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.
Participants on JobPath receive intensive individual support to help them tackle barriers to employment and to assist them in finding full-time sustainable jobs. Each participant 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 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 will continue to receive support for at least three months and up to twelve months while in employment.
Participants must attend the JobPath offices to engage with the service but there is nothing to prevent a person from searching for jobs from their own home or elsewhere. The JobPath companies offer expert job application advice and assistance on an individual basis so attendance at a JobPath office provides a better opportunity for a person to secure suitable employment.
The JobPath companies take account of individual circumstances and can structure appointments to accommodate such things as child care and may, on a case by case basis, provide financial support towards childcare costs.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
330. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if, commencing on 11 December 2016, a security company will be responsible for opening and closing Government buildings in the Millennium Centre, Dundalk, which currently accommodates a number of State offices (details supplied); if this function was to date performed by public servants at the service officer level; if this change contravenes the Lansdowne Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40006/16]
View answerWhile the Department of Social Protection has a presence in Government Buildings, Millennium Centre, Dundalk, the Revenue Commissioners are the main tenant of the building. As such they are responsible for arranging the opening and closing of the building. The Minister for Social Protection has therefore no statement to make on the matter.
331. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of the supplementary welfare allowance, jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit, broken down by the recipients' age, gender, ethnic background and-or nationality, and the length of time for which they have been in continuous receipt of a social protection payment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40008/16]
View answerThe following table shows jobseeker's allowance recipients as at the end of November 2016:
|
Age Bands by Sex |
Duration |
||||||
|
<3mths |
3-6mths |
6-12mths |
1-2yrs |
2-3yrs |
>3yrs |
Grand Total |
|
|
Under 25 |
5961 |
3082 |
5374 |
5031 |
2411 |
2871 |
24730 |
|
M |
3651 |
1840 |
3152 |
2909 |
1471 |
1700 |
14723 |
|
W |
2310 |
1242 |
2222 |
2122 |
940 |
1171 |
10007 |
|
25-29 |
3867 |
2339 |
4357 |
4806 |
2760 |
10098 |
28227 |
|
M |
2392 |
1394 |
2568 |
2838 |
1610 |
5890 |
16692 |
|
W |
1475 |
945 |
1789 |
1968 |
1150 |
4208 |
11535 |
|
30-34 |
2918 |
1995 |
4234 |
4932 |
3091 |
12310 |
29480 |
|
M |
1716 |
1169 |
2417 |
2829 |
1836 |
7084 |
17051 |
|
W |
1202 |
826 |
1817 |
2103 |
1255 |
5226 |
12429 |
|
35-39 |
2546 |
1706 |
3537 |
4687 |
2898 |
12624 |
27998 |
|
M |
1575 |
999 |
2016 |
2677 |
1699 |
7520 |
16486 |
|
W |
971 |
707 |
1521 |
2010 |
1199 |
5104 |
11512 |
|
40-44 |
2069 |
1424 |
3021 |
4174 |
2829 |
12598 |
26115 |
|
M |
1259 |
871 |
1743 |
2291 |
1641 |
7625 |
15430 |
|
W |
810 |
553 |
1278 |
1883 |
1188 |
4973 |
10685 |
|
45-49 |
1885 |
1248 |
2786 |
3914 |
2614 |
11865 |
24312 |
|
M |
1156 |
731 |
1697 |
2112 |
1470 |
7452 |
14618 |
|
W |
729 |
517 |
1089 |
1802 |
1144 |
4413 |
9694 |
|
50-54 |
1539 |
1056 |
2305 |
3352 |
2366 |
10302 |
20920 |
|
M |
975 |
622 |
1391 |
1880 |
1364 |
6942 |
13174 |
|
W |
564 |
434 |
914 |
1472 |
1002 |
3360 |
7746 |
|
55-59 |
1152 |
810 |
1717 |
2331 |
1828 |
8584 |
16422 |
|
M |
737 |
516 |
1039 |
1369 |
1077 |
5989 |
10727 |
|
W |
415 |
294 |
678 |
962 |
751 |
2595 |
5695 |
|
60-64 |
612 |
476 |
1075 |
1771 |
1590 |
9298 |
14822 |
|
M |
425 |
294 |
722 |
1158 |
1016 |
6669 |
10284 |
|
W |
187 |
182 |
353 |
613 |
574 |
2629 |
4538 |
|
65 & over |
54 |
53 |
128 |
259 |
290 |
1867 |
2651 |
|
M |
40 |
42 |
92 |
183 |
193 |
1367 |
1917 |
|
W |
14 |
11 |
36 |
76 |
97 |
500 |
734 |
|
Grand Total |
22603 |
14189 |
28534 |
35257 |
22677 |
92417 |
215677 |
Jobseeker's Allowance Recipients as at end of November 2016
|
Nationality |
Number of Recipients |
|
AFGHANISTAN |
174 |
|
ALGERIA |
151 |
|
ANGOLA |
103 |
|
BRAZIL |
215 |
|
BULGARIA |
204 |
|
CHINA |
101 |
|
CONGO |
207 |
|
CROATIA |
147 |
|
CZECH REPUBLIC |
595 |
|
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO |
212 |
|
ENGLAND |
1787 |
|
ESTONIA |
257 |
|
FRANCE |
279 |
|
GERMANY |
450 |
|
GHANA |
129 |
|
HUNGARY |
590 |
|
IRAN |
115 |
|
IRAQ |
129 |
|
IRELAND |
177329 |
|
ITALY |
371 |
|
LATVIA |
2221 |
|
LITHUANIA |
3737 |
|
MOLDOVA |
121 |
|
NETHERLANDS |
224 |
|
NIGERIA |
1289 |
|
Other |
2057 |
|
PAKISTAN |
256 |
|
PHILIPPINES |
117 |
|
POLAND |
9430 |
|
PORTUGAL |
280 |
|
ROMANIA |
2262 |
|
RUSSIA |
126 |
|
SCOTLAND |
229 |
|
SLOVAKIA |
1053 |
|
SOMALIA |
250 |
|
SOUTH AFRICA |
215 |
|
SPAIN |
289 |
|
SUDAN |
125 |
|
SYRIA |
164 |
|
UKRAINE |
175 |
|
UNITED KINGDOM |
7112 |
|
USA |
277 |
|
ZIMBABWE |
123 |
|
Grand Total |
215677 |
N.B. Nationalities with under 100 recipients respectively have been collated together as “Other”
Jobseeker's Benefit Recipients as at end November 2016
|
Age Bands by Sex |
Duration |
||||||
|
<3mths |
3-6mths |
6-12mths |
1-2yrs |
2yrs |
>3yrs |
Grand Total |
|
|
Under 25 |
855 |
384 |
231 |
23 |
1493 |
||
|
M |
445 |
205 |
103 |
6 |
759 |
||
|
W |
410 |
179 |
128 |
17 |
734 |
||
|
25-29 |
1675 |
780 |
739 |
117 |
9 |
5 |
3325 |
|
M |
821 |
371 |
292 |
41 |
3 |
2 |
1530 |
|
W |
854 |
409 |
447 |
76 |
6 |
3 |
1795 |
|
30-34 |
2228 |
1089 |
1347 |
223 |
29 |
3 |
4919 |
|
M |
1046 |
489 |
524 |
67 |
13 |
1 |
2140 |
|
W |
1182 |
600 |
823 |
156 |
16 |
2 |
2779 |
|
35-39 |
2156 |
1079 |
1581 |
300 |
24 |
10 |
5150 |
|
M |
1059 |
461 |
664 |
109 |
7 |
4 |
2304 |
|
W |
1097 |
618 |
917 |
191 |
17 |
6 |
2846 |
|
40-44 |
1803 |
950 |
1354 |
256 |
28 |
7 |
4398 |
|
M |
959 |
468 |
657 |
109 |
14 |
4 |
2211 |
|
W |
844 |
482 |
697 |
147 |
14 |
3 |
2187 |
|
45-49 |
1570 |
750 |
1163 |
238 |
28 |
11 |
3760 |
|
M |
846 |
392 |
593 |
105 |
12 |
6 |
1954 |
|
W |
724 |
358 |
570 |
133 |
16 |
5 |
1806 |
|
50-54 |
1411 |
737 |
1078 |
284 |
34 |
11 |
3555 |
|
M |
717 |
378 |
517 |
94 |
19 |
2 |
1727 |
|
W |
694 |
359 |
561 |
190 |
15 |
9 |
1828 |
|
55-59 |
1301 |
588 |
1024 |
240 |
31 |
11 |
3195 |
|
M |
623 |
297 |
506 |
103 |
13 |
1 |
1543 |
|
W |
678 |
291 |
518 |
137 |
18 |
10 |
1652 |
|
60-64 |
1114 |
515 |
1000 |
209 |
22 |
9 |
2869 |
|
M |
553 |
245 |
452 |
100 |
10 |
6 |
1366 |
|
W |
561 |
270 |
548 |
109 |
12 |
3 |
1503 |
|
65 & over |
708 |
508 |
1227 |
205 |
7 |
2655 |
|
|
M |
326 |
241 |
563 |
102 |
3 |
1235 |
|
|
W |
382 |
267 |
664 |
103 |
4 |
1420 |
|
|
Grand Total |
14821 |
7380 |
10744 |
2095 |
212 |
67 |
35319 |
Jobseeker's Benefit Recipients as at end November 2016
|
Nationality |
Number of Recipients |
|
CZECH REPUBLIC |
106 |
|
ENGLAND |
225 |
|
FRANCE |
117 |
|
GERMANY |
107 |
|
HUNGARY |
142 |
|
IRELAND |
29066 |
|
ITALY |
143 |
|
LATVIA |
342 |
|
LITHUANIA |
692 |
|
Other |
780 |
|
POLAND |
2196 |
|
ROMANIA |
255 |
|
SLOVAKIA |
228 |
|
SPAIN |
130 |
|
UNITED KINGDOM |
790 |
|
Grand Total |
35319 |
N.B. Nationalities with under 100 recipients respectively have been collated together as “Other”.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance (Basic Payments) Recipients as at end November 2016
|
Age Bands by Sex |
Duration |
||||||||
|
<3m |
3-6m |
6m-1y |
1-2y |
2-3y |
3-4y |
4-5y |
5y+ |
Grand Total |
|
|
Under 25 |
1058 |
426 |
383 |
297 |
78 |
29 |
10 |
4 |
2285 |
|
M |
544 |
225 |
212 |
188 |
43 |
20 |
6 |
1 |
1239 |
|
W |
514 |
201 |
171 |
109 |
35 |
9 |
4 |
3 |
1046 |
|
25-29 |
838 |
374 |
367 |
366 |
118 |
48 |
22 |
26 |
2159 |
|
M |
458 |
217 |
234 |
253 |
70 |
30 |
16 |
19 |
1297 |
|
W |
380 |
157 |
133 |
113 |
48 |
18 |
6 |
7 |
862 |
|
30-34 |
779 |
393 |
444 |
448 |
147 |
60 |
25 |
68 |
2364 |
|
M |
438 |
217 |
257 |
289 |
87 |
42 |
13 |
48 |
1391 |
|
W |
341 |
176 |
187 |
159 |
60 |
18 |
12 |
20 |
973 |
|
35-39 |
789 |
348 |
394 |
388 |
150 |
73 |
42 |
77 |
2261 |
|
M |
433 |
191 |
243 |
235 |
85 |
42 |
29 |
43 |
1301 |
|
W |
356 |
157 |
151 |
153 |
65 |
31 |
13 |
34 |
960 |
|
40-44 |
686 |
350 |
395 |
366 |
149 |
75 |
34 |
71 |
2126 |
|
M |
391 |
196 |
226 |
207 |
89 |
54 |
16 |
51 |
1230 |
|
W |
295 |
154 |
169 |
159 |
60 |
21 |
18 |
20 |
896 |
|
45-49 |
598 |
287 |
383 |
309 |
125 |
49 |
39 |
63 |
1853 |
|
M |
317 |
156 |
193 |
155 |
68 |
31 |
22 |
38 |
980 |
|
W |
281 |
131 |
190 |
154 |
57 |
18 |
17 |
25 |
873 |
|
50-54 |
545 |
268 |
334 |
296 |
124 |
54 |
27 |
75 |
1723 |
|
M |
284 |
141 |
175 |
127 |
51 |
23 |
14 |
44 |
859 |
|
W |
261 |
127 |
159 |
169 |
73 |
31 |
13 |
31 |
864 |
|
55-59 |
417 |
256 |
238 |
218 |
105 |
42 |
23 |
54 |
1353 |
|
M |
237 |
136 |
122 |
105 |
56 |
25 |
13 |
29 |
723 |
|
W |
180 |
120 |
116 |
113 |
49 |
17 |
10 |
25 |
630 |
|
60-64 |
228 |
134 |
149 |
142 |
54 |
34 |
28 |
46 |
815 |
|
M |
132 |
91 |
72 |
73 |
29 |
19 |
15 |
17 |
448 |
|
W |
96 |
43 |
77 |
69 |
25 |
15 |
13 |
29 |
367 |
|
65+ |
166 |
59 |
44 |
34 |
11 |
13 |
2 |
17 |
346 |
|
M |
112 |
39 |
27 |
21 |
5 |
8 |
2 |
9 |
223 |
|
W |
54 |
20 |
17 |
13 |
6 |
5 |
8 |
123 |
|
|
Grand Total |
6104 |
2895 |
3131 |
2864 |
1061 |
477 |
252 |
501 |
17285 |
N.B. Nationalities with under 100 recipients respectively have been collated together as “Other”.
332. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have availed of education courses, training programs and labour activation programmes, such as Tús and Gateway, who were previously in receipt of the supplementary welfare allowance, jobseeker's allowance or jobseeker's benefit, broken down by the recipients' age, gender, ethnic background and-or nationality, and the time for which they were in continuous receipt of a social welfare payment prior to taking up a position in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40009/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of persons that have availed of education, training and labour market activation programmes such as Tús and Gateway who were previously in receipt of the supplementary welfare allowance is not readily available in my Department. The Central Statistics Office publishes the number of persons who are participating on activation schemes monthly on their website.
The tabular statement details recipients of Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit whose claim ended due to having found work, broken down by the recipient’s age, broad nationality grouping, and length of time in continuous receipt of a social welfare payment prior to finding work. A further breakdown by sex is not given, due to the statistical disclosure risk associated with the small cell sizes which would result in some cases.
Number of persons whose Jobseekers Allowance or Jobseekers Benefit Claim was closed for the specified reason of having found work 1 January to 31 October 2016
|
<3mths |
3-6mths |
6mths-1yr |
1-2yrs |
2-3yrs |
3-5yrs |
>5yrs |
Grand Total |
|
|
IRELAND |
||||||||
|
<20 |
715 |
537 |
479 |
215 |
1,946 |
|||
|
20-24 |
4,842 |
2,595 |
1,874 |
1,342 |
600 |
385 |
91 |
11,729 |
|
25-34 |
12,175 |
5,598 |
3,871 |
2,578 |
1,195 |
1,338 |
1,436 |
28,191 |
|
35-44 |
9,106 |
3,829 |
2,868 |
1,641 |
828 |
990 |
1,064 |
20,326 |
|
45-54 |
11,811 |
3,063 |
2,162 |
1,437 |
631 |
652 |
686 |
20,442 |
|
55-59 |
5,375 |
1,167 |
767 |
471 |
232 |
210 |
203 |
8,425 |
|
60-64 |
4,074 |
757 |
459 |
244 |
136 |
142 |
94 |
5,906 |
|
Total |
48,098 |
17,546 |
12,480 |
7,928 |
3,622 |
3,717 |
3,574 |
96,965 |
|
United Kingdom |
||||||||
|
<20 |
18 |
13 |
17 |
5 |
53 |
|||
|
20-24 |
64 |
63 |
44 |
41 |
14 |
5 |
4 |
235 |
|
25-34 |
182 |
106 |
78 |
68 |
28 |
31 |
39 |
532 |
|
35-44 |
296 |
155 |
101 |
66 |
31 |
39 |
42 |
730 |
|
45-54 |
604 |
207 |
153 |
92 |
47 |
48 |
61 |
1,212 |
|
55-59 |
167 |
67 |
49 |
35 |
11 |
17 |
11 |
357 |
|
60-64 |
93 |
36 |
18 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
169 |
|
Total |
1,424 |
647 |
460 |
315 |
133 |
144 |
165 |
3,288 |
|
EU Countries |
||||||||
|
<20 |
48 |
38 |
41 |
7 |
- |
- |
- |
134 |
|
20-24 |
373 |
217 |
141 |
86 |
41 |
8 |
3 |
869 |
|
25-34 |
2,253 |
1,207 |
832 |
514 |
226 |
206 |
132 |
5,370 |
|
35-44 |
2,149 |
1,081 |
747 |
483 |
281 |
235 |
261 |
5,237 |
|
45-54 |
659 |
367 |
242 |
164 |
99 |
95 |
85 |
1,711 |
|
55-59 |
188 |
81 |
66 |
30 |
24 |
28 |
28 |
445 |
|
60-64 |
75 |
35 |
15 |
7 |
9 |
7 |
4 |
152 |
|
Total |
5,745 |
3,026 |
2,084 |
1,291 |
680 |
579 |
513 |
13,918 |
Number of persons whose Jobseekers Allowance or Jobseekers Benefit Claim was closed for the specified reason of having found work 1 January to 31 October 2016
|
Other Countries |
||||||||
|
<20 |
7 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
|
20-24 |
47 |
32 |
28 |
24 |
5 |
6 |
1 |
143 |
|
25-34 |
220 |
126 |
98 |
66 |
43 |
23 |
19 |
595 |
|
35-44 |
344 |
186 |
116 |
101 |
41 |
61 |
33 |
882 |
|
45-54 |
174 |
77 |
75 |
42 |
29 |
18 |
14 |
429 |
|
55-59 |
59 |
15 |
17 |
14 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
119 |
|
60-64 |
22 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
41 |
|
Total |
873 |
445 |
340 |
251 |
124 |
117 |
72 |
2,222 |
|
Grand Total |
56,140 |
21,664 |
15,364 |
9,785 |
4,559 |
4,557 |
4,324 |
116,393 |
333. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amounts paid to the companies administering the JobPath programme on behalf of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40010/16]
View answer334. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of social protection recipients who have participated in the JobPath programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40011/16]
View answer335. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that have been successfully placed in gainful employment as a direct result of participation on the jobpath programme broken down to indicate the numbers placed successfully by each company administering the scheme. [40012/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 333 to 335, inclusive, together.
As the deputy will be aware, JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed (over 12 months) and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment.
JobPath supplements the internal case management capacity of my Department's Intreo service and the Local Employment Service (LES). JobPath aims to place people into full-time sustainable employment. The period of engagement with the service for any individual is typically 52 weeks. During that time they receive intensive individual support to help them to overcome barriers to employment and if a person is placed into a job they will continue to receive support for at least three months and up to an additional twelve months while in employment.
Some 62,000 jobseekers have engaged with the service to date. The JobPath service was rolled out on a phased basis from mid-2015. Job placement data in respect of the first groups who have recently completed their engagement period are currently being compiled and are expected to be available shortly. Payments to the JobPath companies amounted to €1.2m in 2015 and €25.2m in 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
336. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the limits that individual credit unions are placing on the it makes sense scheme, which is designed to drive loan sharks out of the market; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of institutions have ceased operating the scheme before Christmas 2016 as they have hit their annual limit; if his attention has been drawn to the number of institutions that have ceased lending under this scheme for the remainder of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40014/16]
View answerA Personal Micro Credit (PMC) Scheme providing for small scale loans by Credit Unions to borrowers who have difficulty accessing low cost credit was piloted in 30 credit unions for a six month period from November 2015. Over 1,200 loans were drawn down under the Scheme during the pilot with an overall value of over €720,000.
The Programme for a Partnership Government provides for the rollout and extension of the Personal Micro Credit Scheme. Following an evaluation of the pilot, an Implementation Group, which is chaired by my Department and comprises all relevant stakeholders, is working towards this aim.
While the pilot scheme was targeted towards social welfare customers with access to the Household Budgeting facility operated by An Post, the scheme has now also been extended to social welfare recipients who receive their payment electronically into accounts in financial institutions, provided the loan repayments are made by direct debit or standing order to the credit union.
Incremental progress is being made towards extending the geographical coverage of the Personal Micro Credit Scheme through efforts to recruit Credit Unions to participate in the scheme.
Accordingly, 94 Credit Unions have signed up to participate in the scheme, resulting in the availability of the It Makes Sense loan in over 170 local Credit Union offices. Not all of the 94 are currently offering the loan. Seventeen (17) Credit Unions have decided not to offer loans under the scheme until the New Year for a number of reasons, including mergers, training requirements and internal resource constraints. A small number (4) have placed a limit on the number of loans available under the Scheme due to the high level of demand and the additional administrative work associated with setting up payment through the Household Budgeting facility. In addition, in order for Credit Unions to be guaranteed payments coming through the Household Budgeting facility, applications had to be submitted by 12 December to allow for the timely transfer of loan repayment from An Post to the relevant Credit Union.
Each Credit Union is an independent entity and the approach taken to implementation of the scheme is a matter for each Credit Union Board, at local level. Credit Unions which have signed up to participate are committed to making the PMC scheme a success, building on the experience of the pilot and working towards broadening the reach of the scheme. However, as Credit Unions are bearing all of the risk, a cautious approach is being taken, in order to ensure that the scheme is sustainable in the longer term.
The list of participating Credit Unions is updated regularly on the website for the It Makes Sense loan scheme at www.itmakessenseloan.ie/participating-credit-unions and on the It Makes Sense Facebook page.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. Please feel free to contact Philip in my office if you require any further assistance with this query.
337. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the waiting time for processing applications for payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40035/16]
View answerThe table indicates the social welfare claims by average waiting times on 31 October 2016.
|
Scheme |
Average Waiting Time (weeks) |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
1 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
2 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
N/A |
|
Carer's Benefit |
N/A |
|
Invalidity Pension |
9 |
|
Disability Allowance |
12 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
16 |
|
State Pension Contributory |
5 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
14 |
|
Child Benefit (Domestic & FRA) |
3 |
|
Child Benefit (EU Regulation) |
37 |
338. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection when he expects a decision with regard to an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40037/16]
View answerThis man submitted an application for disability allowance on 28 September 2016.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on means grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 9 December 2016 and of his rights of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
339. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40083/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer's allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 18 August 2016.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer's allowance are satisfied. Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
340. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40104/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer's allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 12 July 2016. Unfortunately, the medical part of the form was not fully and appropriately completed so it had to be returned. Following a reminder from my Department, this part of the form was returned on 2 December 2016. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
341. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the name and number of Bills in preparation in his Department and published by his Department since May 2016; the Stage each Bill is at in the Houses of the Oireachtas; the number of Bills from his Department signed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40141/16]
View answerMy Department's normal legislative cycle involves the enactment of two or more Social Welfare Bills each year: (a) a Bill in November/December to implement the annual social welfare changes announced in the October Budget, and (b) a Bill in spring/early summer to provide a legal basis within the social welfare code for policy, administrative and operational changes (and Budget measures, if required).
I have prepared and published one Bill since May 2016, namely the Social Welfare Bill 2016. The Bill provides for a range of Budget measures, including increases in weekly welfare rates and the extension of eligibility for Treatment Benefit and Invalidity Pension to the self-employed. It also contains a series of non-Budgetary amendments to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 across a range of social welfare schemes.
The Bill was published on 4 November and was passed by the Dáil on 24 November. The Bill is at Report Stage in the Seanad today, 13 December.
342. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a review of a decision on a carer's benefit application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40161/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer's benefit from the person concerned on 26 September 2016. It is a condition for receipt of carer's benefit that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 28 October 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned has requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. The review is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
If you require any further assistance with this query please do not hesitate to contact Philip in my office.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
