Willie O'Dea
Question:270. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25355/17]
View answerCarer's Allowance Applications
Questions (270)
Written answers
I confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 12 April 2017. Additional information in relation to the person’s application has been requested by a deciding officer on 25 May 2017. Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Family Income Supplement Data
Questions (271)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:271. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of companies with more than 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 7,000 and 10,000 employees, respectively, that employ persons who receive the family income support payment to date in 2017 in tabular form. [25378/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Department does not keep details of the number of employees per company based on company size as requested in your question, so the information requested by the Deputy is not available. There are currently 57,090 customers in receipt of Family Income Supplement.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Family Income Supplement Data
Questions (272)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:272. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the family income support payment by industry to date in 2017 in tabular form. [25379/17]
View answerWritten answers
When processing applications for Family Income Supplement (FIS), my Department records the applicant’s occupation but not the sector of industry in which the applicant works, so the information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The accuracy of the information recorded in respect of occupation is dependent on the information provided by the customer in their application.
Where there is a joint application for FIS, It is the occupation of the primary applicant which is recorded.
The following table gives a breakdown of occupations for customers currently in receipt of FIS:
|
Major Occupation Groupings |
Number |
% |
|
Personal and Protective Service Occupations |
13,186 |
23.10 |
|
Plant and Machine Operatives |
11,226 |
19.66 |
|
Sales Occupations |
9,161 |
16.05 |
|
Clerical and Secretarial Occupations |
7,427 |
13.01 |
|
Craft and Related Occupations |
7,013 |
12.28 |
|
Managers and Administrators |
4,072 |
7.13 |
|
Other Occupations |
2,567 |
4.50 |
|
Professional Occupations |
1,340 |
2.35 |
|
Associate Professional and Technical Occupations |
1,098 |
1.92 |
|
Grand Total |
57,090 |
100.00 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Family Income Supplement Data
Questions (273)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:273. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the family income support payment by county to date in 2017 in tabular form. [25380/17]
View answerWritten answers
The following table sets out the number of persons in receipt of the family income support payment by county to date in 2017:
|
County |
2017 to Date |
|
CARLOW |
954 |
|
CAVAN |
1,268 |
|
CLARE |
1,288 |
|
CORK |
6,025 |
|
DONEGAL |
2,708 |
|
DUBLIN |
13,462 |
|
GALWAY |
2,714 |
|
KERRY |
1,720 |
|
KILDARE |
2,356 |
|
KILKENNY |
979 |
|
LAOIS |
1,059 |
|
LEITRIM |
365 |
|
LIMERICK |
2,467 |
|
LONGFORD |
771 |
|
LOUTH |
2,185 |
|
MAYO |
1,590 |
|
MEATH |
2,293 |
|
MONAGHAN |
1,115 |
|
OFFALY |
1,085 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
703 |
|
SLIGO |
757 |
|
TIPPERARY |
2,168 |
|
WATERFORD |
1,824 |
|
WESTMEATH |
1,247 |
|
WEXFORD |
2,393 |
|
WICKLOW |
1,478 |
|
OTHER |
116 |
|
Total |
57,090 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Family Income Supplement Data
Questions (274)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:274. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the family income support payment by age group to date in 2017 in tabular form. [25381/17]
View answerWritten answers
The following table sets out the age profile of recipients of Family Income Supplement (FIS) to date in 2017:
|
Table |
Number of Recipients of Family Income Supplement by Age, 2017 |
|
Age |
Total |
|
15 years |
0 |
|
16 years |
0 |
|
17 years |
0 |
|
18 years |
0 |
|
19 years |
3 |
|
20 years |
20 |
|
21 years |
56 |
|
22 years |
102 |
|
23 years |
244 |
|
24 years |
385 |
|
25 to 29 years |
4,504 |
|
30 to 34 years |
9,758 |
|
35 to 39 years |
13,842 |
|
40 to 44 years |
12,554 |
|
45 to 49 years |
9,237 |
|
50 to 54 years |
4,694 |
|
55 to 59 years |
1,415 |
|
60 to 64 years |
245 |
|
65 years |
15 |
|
66 to 69 years |
17 |
|
70 to 74 years |
0 |
|
75 to 79 years |
0 |
|
80 years and over |
0 |
|
Total |
57,090 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Dietary Allowance Administration
Questions (275, 294)
Róisín Shortall
Question:275. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for his signing of SI 71/2017 (Consolidated Supplementary Welfare Allowance) (Amendment) (No. 1) (Diet Supplement) Regulations 2017; his views on whether there is a need to restore the terms of the diet supplement scheme to pre-2014 terms and to reopen the scheme for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25387/17]
View answer
Clare Daly
Question:294. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans regarding the reinstatement of diet supplements for persons suffering from coeliac disease or throat cancer. [25844/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 294 together.
Diet supplement, administered under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, is payable to qualifying persons, in receipt of the supplement prior to February 2014, who have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition. There are currently 3,200 in receipt of the diet supplement of diet supplement at a cost of €4.6 million in 2017.
Following the outcome of a review of the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute commissioned by the Department during 2013, the scheme has been closed to new applicants from 1 February 2014. This independent research showed that the average costs across all of the retail outlets of the diets supplemented under the scheme can be met from within one third of the minimum personal rate of social welfare payment, i.e. the SWA rate which was then paid at €186 per week. The weekly rate of SWA has recently increased to €191 further to Budget 2017. The diet supplement scheme was discontinued for new applicants on the basis of this evidence and I have no plans to reverse this decision.
Existing recipients continue to receive the diet supplement at the current rate of payment for as long as they continue to have an entitlement to the scheme or until their circumstances change. This measure ensured that nobody was immediately worse off by the closure of the scheme.
The weekly increase provided in Budget 2017 delivers on the commitments as outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government – to increase the State Pension and to support an increase for people with disabilities. For this reason arrangements were put in place (by way of S.I. No. 71 of 2017) so that the effect of the Budget 2017 increase on weekly social welfare payments will not impact on the payment of diet supplement to existing customers.
In cases of particular hardship, officials continue to have the legislative power to award a SWA payment in cases of exceptional need. Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to financial support should contact their local Community Welfare Service who may be able to offer assistance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes Administration
Questions (276)
Seán Barrett
Question:276. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the detail of the community employment scheme launched in December 2015 on a pilot basis which gave persons 62 years of age and over the option of participating on the scheme until they reach the State pension age of 66 years; if the scheme will be continued following this pilot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25439/17]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, Community Employment (CE) is a labour market activation programme which helps long-term unemployed people (those 12 months or more in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment) and other disadvantaged groups to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work routine. It is designed to be a temporary fixed-term activation intervention. The programme assists participants to enhance and develop their skills, competencies and confidence to enable them to compete for jobs in the open market.
CE is open to participants aged up to 65 years of age who meet the current eligibility criteria. A pilot initiative was announced in December 2015 to enable those aged 62 or over to extend their participation beyond the standard maximum participation limits providing the eligibility conditions are met. Participants are allowed to participate on a continuous basis up to the State Pension age, subject to satisfactory performance on the scheme and to annual approval by the Department. The places allocated for these participants within each individual CE scheme are limited to 7% of each scheme’s overall budgeted places.
Following the recent publication of my Department’s report, An Analysis of the Community Employment Programme, I signalled my intention to review the rules governing the participation of older people on schemes within the next three months. The over-62 pilot will be considered in that context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
Questions (277)
John Brady
Question:277. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person is no longer considered a child at 18 years of age when it comes to qualifying for child benefit yet they are considered a child at 18 years of age when it comes to payment for a qualified child; his plans to address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25482/17]
View answerWritten answers
The legislation underpinning the definition of a child for the purposes of Child Benefit are contained in Sections 219 and 220 of the 2005 Social Welfare Consolidation Act.
As a universal payment Child Benefit provides assistance to eligible families in recognition of the extra costs associated with raising children.
Increases for a Qualified Child (IQCs) are paid as child-related supplements to most weekly social welfare payments in recognition of the need for greater incomes among benefit-dependent households with dependent children.
IQC payments do not of themselves constitute a specific social welfare scheme and entitlement to the appropriate primary adult payment must be established in the first instance.
The legislation is scheme specific because each scheme has a different set of objectives and qualifying criteria.
Extending Child Benefit entitlement to parents of full time students over 18 years of age would not be a targeted approach given the universality of Child Benefit. The adoption of such a proposal would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
Families on low incomes can avail of a number of social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
- qualified child increases (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments;
- family income supplement (FIS) for low-paid employees with children;
- the back to school clothing and footwear allowance for low income families (paid at the full-time second level education rate).
I am satisfied these schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked with household income and thereby supports low-income families with older children participating in full-time education.
Child Benefit Administration
Questions (278)
Seán Haughey
Question:278. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to pay child benefit in respect of children who are still in full-time education, as was the case in the past in view of the fact that educating children is expensive, particularly in sixth year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25486/17]
View answerWritten answers
Child Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children up to their 18th birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability. Child Benefit is currently paid to 623,135 families in respect of some 1.2 million children, with an estimated expenditure of over €2 billion in 2017.
Budget 2009 reduced the age for eligibility for Child Benefit from 19 years to less than 18 years. A value for money review of child income supports, published by the Department of Social Protection in 2010, found that the participation pattern of children in education supports the current age limit for Child Benefit.
Extending Child Benefit entitlement to parents of full time students in second level education that are over 18 years of age would not be a targeted approach given the universality of Child Benefit. The adoption of such a proposal would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
Families on low incomes can avail of a number of social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
- qualified child increases (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments;
- family income supplement (FIS) for low-paid employees with children;
- the back to school clothing and footwear allowance for low income families (paid at the full-time second level education rate).
I am satisfied these schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked with household income and thereby supports low-income families with older children participating in full-time education.
Family Income Supplement Data
Questions (279)
Niall Collins
Question:279. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of family income support per county on an annual basis in each of the years 2011 to 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [25497/17]
View answerWritten answers
The following table sets out the number of recipients of family income support per county, on an annual basis in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017.
|
County |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 to Date |
|
CARLOW |
502 |
584 |
744 |
859 |
920 |
984 |
954 |
|
CAVAN |
615 |
710 |
965 |
1,153 |
1,234 |
1,267 |
1,268 |
|
CLARE |
736 |
763 |
1,028 |
1,181 |
1,280 |
1,313 |
1,288 |
|
CORK |
3,016 |
3,372 |
4,683 |
5,354 |
6,039 |
6,110 |
6,025 |
|
DONEGAL |
1,372 |
1,564 |
2,048 |
2,307 |
2,511 |
2,676 |
2,708 |
|
DUBLIN |
6,586 |
7,397 |
10,281 |
11,917 |
13,351 |
13,569 |
13,462 |
|
GALWAY |
1,360 |
1,535 |
2,090 |
2,357 |
2,675 |
2,761 |
2,714 |
|
KERRY |
873 |
972 |
1,326 |
1,433 |
1,592 |
1,717 |
1,720 |
|
KILDARE |
1,159 |
1,356 |
1,873 |
2,205 |
2,386 |
2,388 |
2,356 |
|
KILKENNY |
455 |
514 |
696 |
798 |
899 |
980 |
979 |
|
LAOIS |
529 |
557 |
766 |
870 |
967 |
1,046 |
1,059 |
|
LEITRIM |
190 |
214 |
291 |
339 |
395 |
383 |
365 |
|
LIMERICK |
1,284 |
1,377 |
1,889 |
2,095 |
2,350 |
2,463 |
2,467 |
|
LONGFORD |
393 |
446 |
604 |
666 |
721 |
801 |
771 |
|
LOUTH |
1,086 |
1,159 |
1,647 |
1,872 |
2,084 |
2,193 |
2,185 |
|
MAYO |
910 |
992 |
1,366 |
1,486 |
1,568 |
1,626 |
1,590 |
|
MEATH |
1,027 |
1,191 |
1,725 |
2,044 |
2,285 |
2,311 |
2,293 |
|
MONAGHAN |
556 |
631 |
842 |
956 |
1,073 |
1,132 |
1,115 |
|
OFFALY |
591 |
637 |
868 |
935 |
1,049 |
1,085 |
1,085 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
414 |
480 |
609 |
665 |
723 |
708 |
703 |
|
SLIGO |
438 |
479 |
594 |
674 |
748 |
761 |
757 |
|
TIPPERARY |
1,247 |
1,353 |
1,785 |
1,969 |
2,175 |
2,171 |
2,168 |
|
WATERFORD |
936 |
1,011 |
1,409 |
1,641 |
1,810 |
1,828 |
1,824 |
|
WESTMEATH |
651 |
766 |
983 |
1,094 |
1,224 |
1,247 |
1,247 |
|
WEXFORD |
1,214 |
1,395 |
1,851 |
2,029 |
2,273 |
2,447 |
2,393 |
|
WICKLOW |
665 |
770 |
1,073 |
1,282 |
1,442 |
1,478 |
1,478 |
|
OTHERS |
71 |
82 |
123 |
125 |
139 |
122 |
116 |
|
Total |
28,876 |
32,307 |
44,159 |
50,306 |
55,913 |
57,567 |
57,090 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Questions (280)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:280. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25504/17]
View answerWritten answers
An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from this lady on 8 March 2017. The application will be considered by a Deciding Officer and the decision notified as soon as possible. It can currently take approximately 16 weeks to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Services Programme
Questions (281)
Niamh Smyth
Question:281. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25507/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Community Services Programme (CSP) provides financial support to community companies and social enterprises that deliver revenue generating services of a socially inclusive nature. The provision of local social, economic and environmental services is the core aim of the CSP. Pobal is contracted by my Department to undertake the financial and contract management for the CSP.
The company referred to by the Deputy re-contracted with the CSP in 2016 and were approved for continued funding of 26 full-time equivalent posts for 2017. In March 2017, the company approached Pobal citing cash flow and financial difficulties. Based on figures presented by the company, Pobal has been working with them to see how they might continue in the Programme at an agreed reduced level. It is important to note that no reduction in CSP funding for the company has taken place in 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
JobPath Implementation
Questions (282)
Bernard Durkan
Question:282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a release from the JobPath scheme can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied) to take a place in the rural social scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25514/17]
View answerWritten answers
The aim of the JobPath programme is to assist participants in finding sustainable full-time paid employment by providing intensive individual support and assistance. When selected for the JobPath activation programme in January this year, the person in question was in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance. It is a condition of the receipt of this payment that a recipient must be capable of, available for and actively seeking full time employment. The Department of Social Protection selects jobseekers on a random basis for referral to Jobpath. At the time of his selection for the Jobpath programme, the person in question did not have an offer of a place on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and as such he is now required to participate in the JobPath programme for its full duration.
It should be noted that participation on the RSS is intended to be temporary and is subject to review through an annual application for a continued place on the scheme. The Rural Social Scheme provides part-time employment and training opportunities in local communities as a stepping stone back to full employment.
At the end of participation on the Jobpath programme, jobseekers who have not been successful in finding employment may then submit an application for a work placement on the RSS or alternatively, subject to an assessment by the Intreo Case Officer, may apply for other activation support programmes such as Community Employment or TUS.
In the current circumstances the person in question must complete the JobPath programme.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (283)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:283. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25515/17]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on the 15 March 2017.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 29 May 2017 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.
Exceptional Needs Payment Applications
Questions (284)
Bernard Durkan
Question:284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a once-off exceptional needs payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25516/17]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned made an application for an Exceptional Needs Payment to assist with the cost of funeral expenses. Following an examination of the application, including all supporting documentation, the Designated Person has refused the application on the basis that the person concerned has a combined income, from both full time employment and a Widow’s Contributory Pension, which is sufficiently in excess of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate applicable to their family circumstances, to enable them to meet the expense incurred from their own resources.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Questions (285)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:285. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a domiciliary care allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25536/17]
View answerWritten answers
This lady made applications on 15 March 2017 and on 29 March 2017 for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) in respect of her two sons. The applications will be considered by a Deciding Officer and the decision notified as soon as possible. It can currently take approximately 16 weeks to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (286)
Sean Fleming
Question:286. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the arrangements in place in which a person in receipt of a means-tested payment from his Department inherits some assets from a person, in view of the fact it may take a considerable period of time for the estate to be administered and the assets to be transferred to a person that was is in receipt of the social protection payment; if the means are reassessed from the date of death of the relevant person; if overpayments are attributed to the person in receipt of payment from that date even though they have not received a benefit from the date of death but for a considerable period later; the timing in these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25561/17]
View answerWritten answers
Social welfare legislation provides that the weekly value of property (including capital) belonging to the person (not being property personally used or enjoyed by the person or his or her spouse or a farm of land leased either by the person) which is invested or otherwise put to profitable use or is capable of being, but is not, invested or put to profitable use and the weekly value, is assessable as means. These provisions also apply to similar property owned by a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant.
In order to assess the value of property, it must be capable of being sold, let or put to profitable use. In the case of capital such as bank deposits and so on, the sum involved must be capable of being used by the claimant to support him/her self. Accordingly, in the case of inheritances, the assessment will apply from the date the claimant becomes the legal owner of the property or capital i.e. the date probate is granted.
However, certain persons may come into the beneficial ownership of a property on the death of another person. Such cases could include, for example, a farm of land which a claimant may be farming and deriving an income from same prior to probate being granted. In such cases, the income derived from the personal use of the property may be assessable as means.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility
Questions (287)
Sean Fleming
Question:287. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who is entitled to the full state contributory pension in the United Kingdom is entitled as a result of this to the full contributory State pension here at the Irish rate; the arrangements in place in cases in which the UK pension is lower for a top-up payment to be made to Irish persons to bring them up to the Irish contributory pension level; the position regarding persons in the opposite position that are entitled to a full Irish pension but are now resident in the UK and apply for a contributory pension there; if there is a clawback between the two jurisdictions to pay the UK level pension in the UK; if there is a refund mechanism back to the government regarding these cases in view of the fact that a higher pension is payable here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25562/17]
View answerWritten answers
The rate of state pension (contributory) pension entitlement payable to a person is directly related to contributions paid or credited over their working life. Similarly, pension entitlement payable from the UK authorities is based on the person’s UK social insurance record. The pension payments are not interchangeable.
Where there is a shortfall in contributions for entitlement to an Irish full rate state pension (contributory) pension, or where a person in receipt of UK pension is living in the State, they can apply for a state pension (non-contributory) pension, which is a means tested payment.
There are no automatic pension top-ups or rebalancing of pension payment entitlement rates when a person moves from one country to another.
A person who fulfils the qualifying criteria for an Irish State pension (contributory) may be paid this pension regardless of residence. The qualifying condition for an additional UK pension is a matter for the UK pension Authority. It may be the case that a person satisfies the qualifying conditions for insurance based state pensions from Ireland and the UK and is entitled to receive a pension from both countries simultaneously.
There is no mechanism for refunding or matching pension entitlements from each jurisdiction and no inter-Member State adjustment where an applicant meets the insurance based eligibility conditions under both national legislations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Budget Measures
Questions (288)
John Brady
Question:288. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the policy scenarios he has examined through the simulating welfare and income tax changes, SWITCH, model in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25580/17]
View answerWritten answers
My Department undertakes rigorous and extensive ex-ante and ex-post social impact assessments of the main welfare and direct tax budgetary policies. Social impact assessment (SIA) is an evidence-based methodology which estimates the likely distributive effects of policies on household incomes, families, poverty and access to employment. The analysis is generated through the ESRI’s tax/benefit microsimulation model, SWITCH. The model simulates the impact of budgetary changes on a representative sample of households from the CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions.
The main analysis of potential policy measures is undertaken in the context of the Tax Strategy Group papers. The Social Protection Package papers include social impact assessments of a range of illustrative social welfare budgetary measures, including PRSI measures. These papers are published on the Department of Finance’s website at http://finance.gov.ie/what-we-do/tax-policy/tax-strategy-group.
Aside from this, social impact assessments using SWITCH are used on a regular ongoing basis in relation to potential policy options, packages and to assess the cumulative impact of budgetary policies. For instance, the Department’s Comprehensive Review of Expenditure contained a range of analysis using SWITCH. This is available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s website at: www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Social-Protection-CRE-Submission.pdf.
My Department publishes the social impact assessment of budgetary measures shortly after the Budget is agreed. This is to inform public understanding on the cumulative effect of budgetary welfare and tax policies on income distribution and social equality. Previously published assessments of Budgets 2013 to 2017 are available on the Department’s website at: www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Examples-.aspx.
Pensions Insolvency Payments Scheme
Questions (289)
David Cullinane
Question:289. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to fact that persons (details supplied) have lodged an appeal with his Department and were informed they would receive a letter before 15 May 2017 but, to date, have not received such a letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25585/17]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that the persons referred to by the Deputy are part of a group of former workers who left the service of Waterford Crystal in the early 1990s and received their full pension entitlements in relation to pre-1991 service under the schemes at that point. The payments made at that time were in full and final settlement of their entitlements under the schemes and were paid in accordance with Pension Regulations then in force. Subsequently, some of these individuals took a case against Waterford Crystal Limited and Irish Pensions Trust Limited and my information is that this case was settled in December 2009 on terms that were satisfactory to both parties.
Accordingly, these persons did not have any entitlement to a benefit under the Waterford Crystal Pension Factory and Staff Schemes at the date of their wind-up in relation to their pre 1991 service. Settlement terms in relation to post-1991 service were offered to these individuals in August 2015 as part of a mediated agreement put together by Mr. Kieran Mulvey for former Waterford Crystal workers covering 1774 members.
During that mediation process it was agreed by the parties that disputes in relation to individual cases would be referred to an independent dispute resolution process organised by Mr. Mulvey. Therefore, that dispute resolution process was not dealt with by my Department and consequently no appeals were lodged in my Department in relation to this matter.
I understand that the dispute resolution officer concerned has already written to members who made appeals in relation to contract service and intends to write to the other remaining appellants shortly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility
Questions (290)
Michael Moynihan
Question:290. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will change the means assessment applied to persons who are aged 18 to 24 years of age for jobseeker's allowance to exclude their parents' income in view of the fact that the maximum payment they can receive is already reduced significantly and results in persons being unable to afford to live independently of their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25790/17]
View answerWritten answers
Social welfare legislation provides that where a person under 25 years of age claims jobseeker’s allowance or supplementary welfare allowance and is living with a parent or step-parent in the family home, an assessment is made of the yearly value of any benefit and privilege enjoyed by that person by virtue of residing there.
The value of the benefit and privilege assessed is based on the level of the parents' assessable income. Parental income is calculated as gross income less tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge, superannuation and union dues. Rent or mortgage repayments are then disregarded, where appropriate, and, finally, a parental allowance of €600 per week per couple plus €30 per week in respect of each additional dependent children is also disregarded. The balance is assessed at 34% and this constitutes the weekly value of benefit and privilege to the claimant. This weekly value is deducted from the maximum personal rate applicable (generally €100 per week) to determine the level of weekly entitlement. Where the level of entitlement as calculated is at least €1 per week and less than €40 per week, a minimum rate of €40 per week is payable.
There are two exceptions to this rule. No assessment is made where a son or daughter and his or her spouse / civil partner / partner is living with his / her parents. In addition, where a person returns to the parental home having had an independent life elsewhere in Ireland or abroad for an appreciable length of time e.g. at least three years, the assessment in this case is €7 per week. It should be noted that once a person reaches 25 years of age, the value of any benefit and privilege is no longer be regarded as means.
Any change to the assessment of means for jobseeker’s allowance and supplementary welfare allowance claimants who live in the parental home would have to be considered in a budgetary context having regard to the overall resources available for welfare improvements.
Community Employment Schemes Eligibility
Questions (291)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:291. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the criteria to join a community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25792/17]
View answerWritten answers
Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment and/or further education and training. The core eligibility criterion for CE is that the person is in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a year or more.
Persons signing for credits or who are otherwise ineligible for a social welfare payment do not meet the current eligibility requirements for participation on the CE Scheme. They may, however, be eligible for participation on other Department programmes.
Such persons are advised to contact their local DSP Intreo Office where a Case Officer will be available to discuss the employment and training options that are open to them.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.