Tuesday, 24 Jan 2017

Written Answers Nos. 287-307

Social Welfare Appeals

Questions (287)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

287. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2603/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 19th January 2017, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral 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 hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (288)

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

288. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims made for health and safety benefit in 2014, 2015 and 2016; the sectors of employment involved and the number of applicants from each employment sector, in tabular form; if he will increase the weekly payment involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2631/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The number of claims for health and safety benefit (HSB) received and awarded in each of the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 are as set out in the following table:

Health and Safety Benefit (HSB)
-	Claims Received	Claims Awarded
2014	321	244
2015	314	229
2016	295	189

The Department does not record information regarding the sectors of employment involved or the number of applicants from each employment sector, as it is not relevant to qualification for health and safety benefit.

Benefit rates are graduated according to an applicant’s earnings in the relevant tax year and reduced rates of HSB are payable where the average reckonable weekly earnings are less than the prescribed amount. Currently, a person with earnings of less than €300 per week in the relevant tax year receives a personal rate ranging from €84.50 to €147.30, while reduced rates for qualified adults may also apply. HSB recipients with average earnings over €300 per week in the relevant tax year receive the full personal rate of €188 per week.

HSB recipients will receive a €5 per week increase in the weekly headline rate and a 2.6% increase in the graduated rates of payment from 13th March 2017, as part of the measures announced in Budget 2017.

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Questions (289)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

289. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2641/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person in question was in receipt of another social welfare payment, or an increase was paid to another for his benefit, during the period 13 January 2016 to 13 December 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 19 January 2017.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Questions (290)

John McGuinness

Question:

290. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review an application for a jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); his views on the fact that a bank account held in the UK that was closed seven years ago and rarely used by the person when they lived in the UK, should not be part of the application process in view of the fact the person lives here and has tried to get details from the bank without success. [2654/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeals in respect of Jobseeker's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance from the person concerned were 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 hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Rural Social Scheme

Questions (291)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

291. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to make changes to the format of the rural social scheme and Tús schemes; his plans to amalgamate any of the community employment and work activation schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2679/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department provides a range of programmes, including Tús, Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and Community Employment (CE), to cater for those most distant from the labour market. These programmes aim to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities while at the same time delivering a range of positive benefits within local communities.

Tús was introduced in 2011 and the numbers on CE were expanded as a direct response to the growth in the level of unemployment during the financial crisis. It is in this context that the Department did a comprehensive review of CE and the other employment schemes that was completed in late 2015. The findings, which have not been published to date, will be considered as part of a Memorandum to Government on work programmes in the coming weeks.

In any consideration of these schemes, it will be important also to be cognisant of the valuable community and voluntary services delivered to local communities. In this context, it is worth noting that I recently announced details about the roll out of 500 additional places on the RSS which increases the overall numbers on the RSS to 3,100. This is the first increase in places in over 10 years.

I trust that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Payments

Questions (292)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

292. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the current rates for half rate home carer's allowance; and his views on whether the current rate does not reflect the amount of time and effort many carers put in to caring for a person, that this payment should reflect that and that without these carers the State would have substantial obligations and costs. [2687/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I would like to acknowledge the key role that carers have in our society. The importance of their contribution is reflected in the range of significant supports provided by my Department to support carers in their caring role and ameliorate the financial burden of caring – indeed it is worth pointing out that the income supports that carers receive from my Department are among the highest rates in Europe.

The income supports for carers from my Department include carer’s benefit (CB), carers allowance (CA) including half-rate carer’s allowance, carer’s support grant (CSG), domiciliary care allowance (DCA), the household benefits package (HBP) to carers residing with the recipient of care), and the free travel scheme.

The CA is a means tested payment for people who are providing care and attention to a person who needs it. Half-rate CA is paid in addition to certain primary social welfare payments where the carer meets the criteria for both schemes. Furthermore half-rate CA is also paid in addition to a qualified adult rate increase where the carer’s spouse, civil partner, or co-habiting partner is entitled to a payment for them on his/her claim.

Carers’ providing care to more than one person are entitled to an additional payment. I must point out that the income disregard and means test for carers is the most generous within the social welfare system and, at the full payment rate, the amount of weekly earnings disregarded is €332.50 for a single person and €665 for a people who are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting.

I have no plans to review the current arrangements around half-rate carer allowance payment. The CA payment, like all of my Department’s schemes, is kept under review as part of the budgetary process.

I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.

Civil Registration Legislation

Questions (293)

Seamus Healy

Question:

293. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014; when the Bill likely to complete its passage through the House of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2714/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014 passed all stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas and was enacted in December 2014.

The Act provides for a wide range of matters relating to the registration of life events in the State.

Certain provisions, such as those relating to marriages of convenience, were commenced in August of 2015 but it has not been possible to commence all sections of the Act. This delay is mainly due to industrial action by staff in the Civil Registration Service.

Staffing and resolution of industrial relations issues in the Civil Registration Service are a matter for the HSE. However, I am concerned about the matter and my officials, while not directly involved in the dispute, have made the HSE aware of these concerns. At this point I am not in a position to say when further provisions may be commenced.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (294)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

294. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare sanctions applied to persons who receive payment as lone parents, in tabular form. [2795/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Penalty rates only apply to clients who are selected for the Activation process and fail to engage. One Parent Family Payment clients are not selected for Activation and therefore, no sanctions can be imposed on their payments.

The Jobseeker’s Transitional payment is a special arrangement under the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme which aims to support lone parents into the workforce while they have young children. The payment is known as JST.

Jobseeker Transition clients are selected for Activation and therefore, sanctions for not engaging in the Activation process can apply.

- 240 penalty rates were applied to JST claims during 2016.

- Since June 2011, there have been 452 penalty rates applied to JST category claims.

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Questions (295)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

295. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a review of an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2866/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

The application for disability allowance, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 4 March 2016.

The person in question requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional evidence for consideration. The review has now been concluded by a DO but the outcome is that the decision to refuse on medical grounds has been confirmed. The person in question is being notified directly of the outcome of this review. They will also be advised of their right to appeal this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Rural Social Scheme

Questions (296, 302)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

296. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the new entrant term limitations for the rural social scheme, which has up to now been an income support for small under employed farmers who were entitled to stay on the scheme as long as their situation remained the same; if he will address the hardship this change places on small farmers on RSS who are employed and do not want to move away from farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2873/17]

Brendan Smith

Question:

302. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reverse the changes made to the rural social scheme limiting participants to two terms of three years but not consecutively in view of the fact that this is a very important income support for farmers with small holdings and that do not have full employment on their farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3130/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 302 together.

As the Deputies are aware, the rural social scheme (RSS) provides opportunities for farmers and fishermen and women who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments to work to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. While communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen, participants also have the opportunity to improve existing skills, or develop new skills, while performing valuable work in their local communities.

As part of the social welfare budget package for 2017, I announced an increase of €5 a week in the personal rate of payment for RSS participants from March 2017. In recognition of the crucial work undertaken in rural communities under the RSS, I also announced an additional 500 places on the scheme which will be rolled out over the coming weeks. This will increase the overall numbers on the scheme to 3,100.

Eligibility for participation on the scheme will continue to be limited to those in receipt of certain specified social welfare payments and all participants must also be actively engaged in farming or fishing. In future, all participants to the RSS will have to be over 25 years of age. I believe this is appropriate as it will give younger people an opportunity to explore other training or education options before entering a long-term work programme such as the RSS.

It should be noted that almost 50% of the current participants have been on the RSS for over 10 years. As a result, opportunities for new people to go on the scheme are very limited. It is in this context that I have introduced a 6 year overall participation limit on the scheme. This will ensure that there will be a throughput of places available. It should also be remembered that income support will still be available to eligible farmers and fishermen who are not on RSS in the form of Farm or Fish Assist.

Existing RSS participants will remain on the scheme as long as they continue to satisfy the eligibility conditions of the scheme. The new conditions outlined above will only apply to new RSS participants who commence on the scheme from 1st February 2017.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (297)

Dara Calleary

Question:

297. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Secretaries General in his Department; the annual pay of each Secretary General within his Department at 1 Jan 2017; the expected change in that pay as a consequence of the provisions of the Lansdowne Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2914/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

There is one Secretary General employed in my Department. Her annual salary at 1 January 2017 was €176,350.

Under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015 (FEMPI Act 2015), for those on salaries in excess of €110,000 the salary reductions imposed under the FEMPI Act 2013 will be restored in three equal phases on 1 April 2017, 1 April 2018 and 1 April 2019. A circular setting out the revised salary rates applicable from 1 April 2017 to general Civil Service grades, including Secretaries General, is currently in preparation and will be issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in due course.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (298)

Dara Calleary

Question:

298. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Assistant Secretaries General in his Department; the annual pay of each Assistant Secretary General within his Department at 1 January 2017; the expected change in that pay as a consequence of the provisions of the Lansdowne Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2930/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

There are ten Assistant Secretaries General employed in my Department. The annual cost for each Assistant Secretary General at 1 January 2017 is as follows: €119, 572 (x 2 Assistant Secretaries), €124,917 (x 2), €130,706, €136,496 (x 4) and €143,535.

Under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015 (FEMPI Act 2015), for those on salaries in excess of €110,000 the salary reductions imposed under the FEMPI Act 2013 will be restored in three equal phases on 1 April 2017, 1 April 2018 and 1 April 2019. A circular setting out the revised salary rates applicable from 1 April 2017 to general Civil Service grades, including Assistant Secretaries General, is currently in preparation and will be issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in due course.

Social Welfare Appeals

Questions (299)

Michael McGrath

Question:

299. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection when he expects a social welfare appeal will be decided in respect of a person (details supplied). [2964/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence including that adduced at the oral hearing, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Youth Guarantee

Questions (300, 307)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

300. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans for the youth guarantee (details supplied) in Ballymun. [3062/17]

Denise Mitchell

Question:

307. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the youth guarantee was not continued in Ballymun and rolled out as promised when the pilot scheme started. [3207/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 307 together.

Under the European Commission’s call for proposals for preparatory actions under the 'Youth Guarantee', the Department of Social Protection obtained EU funding to pilot a Youth Guarantee Scheme in Ballymun. This was a once-off call for pilot projects. The purpose of the Ballymun Youth Guarantee (BYG) pilot project was to test key elements to inform the national roll-out of the Youth Guarantee. The project officially finished on the 31st December 2014.

Lessons learned from the Ballymun Youth Guarantee pilot project have informed the national roll-out of the Youth Guarantee in a number of ways.

First, the BYG project showed the importance of close engagement by case officers with young jobseekers. This has informed reforms to Intreo processes such that there is now monthly engagement with all young people by case officers to discuss and achieve personal progression plans.

Second, the BYG project identified a need for a more intensive approach with disadvantaged youth distant from the labour market, to build employability and work readiness skills. This approach has been taken forward in the First Steps programme.

A third learning was the importance of career guidance. Pathways to Work 2016-2020 commits to designing, developing and implementing an accredited professional development programme for Intreo case officers. This will benefit all jobseekers, including young jobseekers, and will contribute to improving the quality of Intreo services.

Finally, the BYG project was progressed through partnership working at national and local levels. The scale, scope and nature of this partnership working was facilitated by extensive, pre-existing community infrastructures and relationships in Ballymun. It is not feasible or necessarily desirable to replicate these structures in every community in which Intreo offices operate. Nevertheless, Pathways to Work 2016-2020 contains a number of actions to strengthen local arrangements and protocols for partnership working, including for example through Regional Skills Fora, which will include a specific focus on youth.

Already, youth unemployment has fallen from a peak of 31% in 2012 to 14.5% at the end of 2016. From a situation where youth unemployment here was well above the EU average of 23% in 2012, it is now significantly below the current EU average figure of 18.8%.

I am satisfied current policies, including measures drawn from the learning of the BYG project, will support further reductions in youth unemployment in the period ahead.

Question No. 302 answered with Question No. 296.

Question No. 301 withdrawn.

State Pensions

Questions (303)

Declan Breathnach

Question:

303. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Social Protection if the changes planned to come into effect in 2020 in the way the State pension (contributory) is calculated, taking total contributions into account rather than the current averaging system, will be retrospectively applied to persons currently receiving a reduced rate of State pension (contributory) due to the averaging system; if he has decided the number of full contributions that will be required to qualify for the full rate of State pension (contributory) on or after 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3135/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

There are a number of ways to qualify for a State pension. The rate of payment under the State pension (contributory) scheme is related to contributions paid over the years into the Social Insurance Fund, and credited contributions where applicable. As such, those with a stronger attachment to the workforce, who have paid more into that fund, are more likely to be paid at a higher rate under that scheme, than those with more intermittent contributions made during their working life.

At present, entitlement to the contributory pension is determined 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. The yearly average test has been in existence since 1961 when contributory pensions were first introduced. Payment rates are banded. For example, someone with a yearly average of 48 or more contributions will qualify for a full pension, whereas someone with a yearly average of 20-29 will qualify for a pension at the 85% rate.

Where people cannot qualify for a full rate contributory pension as a result of an intermittent PRSI record, the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such people 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.

The total contributions approach (TCA) is one of a number of planned reforms to the State pension set out in the National Pensions Framework (NPF) commissioned by the then Government and published in March 2010. The aim of the TCA 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 later this year. 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. Although TCA is expected to replace the yearly average approach for new pensioners from 2020, that date is subject to change as this is a very significant reform with considerable legal, administrative, and technical elements in its implementation.

It should be noted that there will be people for whom the new scheme will be more beneficial, and others for whom the older basis was to their advantage. Therefore, if a cohort of pensioners is allowed choose the scheme which pays them at a higher rate, regardless of when they reached retirement age, this would inevitably result in a significant cost to the Exchequer, which would reduce the funds available for pensions generally.

The forthcoming independent Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund will provide data that will allow my officials to accurately cost and project various options available under the TCA reform. Following the analysis of that data, it is intended to have a public consultation, in mid-2017, and following this, proposals on the final details of the scheme, including the number of years contributions required for a full pension, will be made by the Government to the Oireachtas before the end of the year.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Invalidity Pension Payments

Questions (304)

Tom Neville

Question:

304. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) who has applied for an invalidity pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3169/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

The lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 27 October 2016. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 09 February 2017. Any arrears due from 27 October 2016 to 08 February 2017 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on the 23 January 2017.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

JobPath Data

Questions (305)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

305. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons given penalties while attending the services of jobpath in Coolock since the service began to date, by month, in tabular form. [3203/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

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. The service is delivered by two companies, Seetec and Turas Nua.

The first referrals from the Coolock Intreo Centre were made in February 2016, and to date almost 700 clients have engaged with the service. A total of 24 clients have had a penalty rate applied.

It should be noted that all decisions regarding the application of penalty rates are taken by officials of the Department only: who apply standard rules and processes, which include written and verbal warnings and an opportunity for the jobseeker to re-engage prior to the application of a reduced payment rate.

The following table shows the numbers of clients engaged with the service who had a penalty rate applied, by month.

Month	No. Penalty Rates Applied
Feb-16	0
Mar-16	3
Apr-16	1
May-16	3
Jun-16	10
Jul-16	0
Aug-16	1
Sep-16	1
Oct-16	2
Nov-16	3
Dec-16	0
Total	24

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Youth Guarantee

Questions (306)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

306. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been a review of piloting a scheme similar to the youth guarantee for lone parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3206/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The implementation of a youth guarantee in the context of the Pathways to Work strategy was to ensure that young people were supported and positioned to benefit from the recovery in employment. This focused on engaging with, and supporting, long term unemployed and young jobseekers on the Live Register on a pathway into employment.

The Pathways to Work action plan includes an action related to lone parents which is to carry out a value for money review of the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment. This will now be incorporated into the Independent Review of the OFP reforms as set down in legislation. My Department is currently drafting the Request for Tender for this review.

While there are no further Pathways to Work actions that cover the activation of lone parents as a specific target group, I must highlight that all lone parents on a Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) or Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) have access to activation supports. Lone parents on a One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) can avail of activation supports voluntarily if they so wish.

The activation of JST recipients has commenced. These customers are being engaged with by Intreo Case Officers in a supportive way via a one to one meeting where they get assistance to develop a personal progression plan. This plan can include education, training and employment supports. This approach is tailored to the needs of lone parents and the supports are available for up to seven years while they remain on JST. Given that this targeted and extensive support already exists I have no plans to implement anything further at this time.

Of the current cohort of JST recipients (approximately 14,500) there are currently over 6,000 in an Activation phase i.e. they have already been selected for activation and have been case managed, are scheduled for an engagement or are awaiting an appointment time.

Over 3,000 have been fully case managed which means they have met with a Case Officer and have agreed a personal plan and are progressing with this plan. Of these approximately 1,600 have moved into some form of education and training ranging from personal development, to childcare to third level education. In total over 9,000 have been activated to date.

Former OFP recipients who moved to a JA Payment i.e. those with a youngest child 14 year of age or older, gain access to the Intreo supports via the standard activation process for jobseekers commencing with a group engagement with a Case Officer.

Question No. 307 answered with Question No. 300.