Ruth Coppinger
Question:1227. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of making 18 months of shareable paid maternity and paternity leave available to parents. [34600/17]
View answerParental Leave Expenditure
Questions (1227)
Written answers
I understand that the Deputy is referring to a total of 18 months leave which would be shareable between parents rather than an additional 18 months of sharable leave on top of the current provisions.
The Department of Justice and Equality have responsibility for maternity and paternity leave which are provided for in the 1994 and 2004 Maternity Acts and the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016. Maternity leave is only available to the mother and paternity leave is only available to the relevant parent as designated by the mother. Currently there is no provision for the sharing of maternity or paternity leave. Any decision to change the current leave arrangements to allow for the sharing of leave would be the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
My Department has responsibility for the payment of maternity and paternity benefit as provided for in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended). With the introduction of two weeks of paid paternity leave in addition to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave there are potentially 28 weeks of paid support available to parents. The scheme envisaged by the Deputy would represent an additional 44 weeks of paid leave for parents.
Based on current rates of €235 per week, the estimated cost of extending the duration of maternity benefit is approximately €10.3 million for each extra week and the estimated cost of extending the duration of paternity benefit is approximately €5.5 million for each extra week.
These estimates are based on the current take-up for each of the schemes and an assumption that were the duration of these schemes extended the current cohort of recipients of each scheme would avail of the additional weeks of payment. Furthermore, these estimates are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2017. It should also be noted that there are also costs to the Exchequer as these estimates do not include the costs of salary top-ups for public/civil servants.
Maternity leave policies in EU Member States are governed by the 1992 Pregnant Workers Directive, which sets the minimum period for maternity leave at 14 weeks, with 2 weeks’ compulsory leave before and/or after confinement and an adequate allowance subject to national legislation. As such, there is a minimum compulsory maternity leave which must be taken by the woman.
It is only leave over and above this minimum which could be potentially shared by parents.
It is not possible to accurately estimate the cost of shared maternity and paternity leave for 18 months as the level of take-up of such a scheme is unknown. There are a number of factors that determine the take up of any new scheme such as this including, parental choice, whether the father or relevant parent has sufficient PRSI contributions, whether they are self-employed and can take the time off from their business and if an employee, whether or not their employer would top up their wages for some or all of the leave.
Maternity Benefit Expenditure
Questions (1228)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:1228. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of increasing maternity benefit to €300 a week. [34601/17]
View answerWritten answers
Maternity Benefit is a payment made for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed pregnant women who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions in order to avoid the need for them to work pre and post-delivery of their baby. The original scheme was introduced in 1970 and was extended to include self-employed mothers with effect from June 1997.
In 2017 it is estimated that my Department will spend approximately €266 million on maternity benefit in respect of an average of 22,000 recipients per week.
The estimated full year cost of increasing maternity benefit to from the current rate of €235 per week to €300 per week would be approximately €73.4 million per annum. This estimate is subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2017.
Poverty Data
Questions (1229)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:1229. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the rate of consistent poverty, at risk of poverty and deprivation rate for those not at work due to an illness or a disability; the way these figures compare to the European average and the OECD average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34634/17]
View answerWritten answers
The latest CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) results for 2015 show that the consistent poverty rate, for people in households headed by a person whose principal economic status was “unable to work due to illness or a disability”, was 22.4% in 2015. The at-risk-of-poverty rate was 34.8% with the basic deprivation rate at 53.2%.
Neither Eurostat nor the OECD reports on consistent poverty, at-risk-of-poverty or basic deprivation measures based on principal economic status. However, in the European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), disability is based on the concept of global activity limitation. This is defined as a “limitation in activities people usually do because of health problems for at least the past six months” but it does not differentiate between those in employment and those not in employment. The latest EU-SILC data available shows that the severe material deprivation rate for people (aged 16 years and over) who are limited in their normal activities due to a health problem was 14.9% in Ireland in 2015, as compared to the EU average of 11.3%.
With regard to the national figures, given the continuing economic recovery throughout 2016 and measures introduced in Budgets 2016 and 2017, it is reasonable to expect future figures to show improvements. I will continue to work with my Government colleagues to ensure that the economic recovery is experienced in all regions and by all families, households and individuals.
The Government is committed to increasing the employment opportunities for people with a disability. The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities adopts a cross-government approach that brings together various measures, to be taken by different Departments and State agencies, in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on the employment of people with disabilities. The six strategic priorities are to: build skills, capacity and independence; provide bridges and supports into work; make work pay; promote job retention and re-entry into work; provide co-ordinated and seamless support; and engage employers. These priorities are incorporated into the Pathways to Work Strategy and this ensures that there is an integrated focus on supports that enable people with disabilities to participate in employment where they have the capacity to do so.
My Department provides a range of specific income, activation and employment supports for people with a disability. For instance, the partial capacity benefit scheme enables recipients of invalidity pension and illness benefit to take-up employment, on a voluntary basis, while continuing to receive income support. The Department manages a supported employment service (EmployAbility) which provides a dedicated job-coaching service for people with disabilities. Intreo services are also available to provide employment support services for people with disabilities who wish to engage with the service on a voluntary basis. There is also a focus on supports available to employers who employ people with disabilities such as the Wage Subsidy Scheme and the Workplace Equipment Adaption Grant Scheme.
The Government’s strategy for addressing poverty and social exclusion is set out in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion. The Plan identifies a wide range of targeted actions and interventions to achieve the overall objective of reducing consistent poverty. The Department will review the Plan this year, as it reaches the end of its current term, with a view to developing an updated plan for future periods. The Department will also review the national social target for poverty reduction. This review will be undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (1230)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:1230. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection if all Intreo offices are accessible for those with a disability; if not, the locations of offices which are not accessible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34636/17]
View answerWritten answers
When works were being carried out to existing buildings to convert them to Intreo Centres, universal accessibility was incorporated into the design where it was feasible. In a small number of situations it was not feasible to incorporate full universal accessibility as part of the Intreo roll out.
My Department deals with any accessibility issues where we become aware of them and arrange with the OPW to have any necessary works carried out as soon as possible. For example, my Department’s Facilities Management Unit is making arrangements for some changes to the main entrance in the Intreo Centre in Kilkenny in order to address an accessibility issue.
I have received no feedback or complaints about accessibility to Intreo Centres for people with a disability. My Department is carrying out a programme of review and maintenance of Intreo Centres. If the Deputy is aware of any accessibility issues I can pass the information on to my Facilities Management Unit who can address the issue as part of that programme.
State Pensions
Questions (1231)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:1231. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she plans to take to address the situation whereby those who are forced to retire at 65 years of age must claim jobseeker's allowance until they reach retirement age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34637/17]
View answerWritten answers
There is no statutory retirement age in the State, and the age at which employees retire is a matter for the contract of employment between them and their employers.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provides that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the standardising of State pension age for all at 66 years and the cessation of State pension transition. The State pension age will increase to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 years in 2028.
Where a person exits the workforce before reaching State pension age they may apply for either the jobseeker’s benefit or jobseeker’s allowance schemes. Jobseeker’s payments are paid to eligible jobseekers aged 18 to 66 years and all recipients of a jobseeker’s payment are subject to the rules of the scheme.
People in receipt of a jobseeker's payment must engage with my Department's activation measures and can face sanctions if they fail to do so. However, from January 2014 these criteria were eased for people aged 62 and over, such that they are not obliged to engage with the activation process. They are still able to voluntarily avail of an array of supports, which are available from my Department if they wish to return to work, training or education. Furthermore the majority of these individuals will have to register with their local office only once a year and their payments will be paid directly into their bank accounts.
Once a person has exhausted their entitlement to jobseeker’s benefit they may be eligible for jobseeker’s allowance, subject to the means test and other qualifying conditions. However, someone claiming jobseeker’s benefit from a date after their 65th birthday continues to be eligible for that payment until reaching State pension age.
Family Income Supplement Eligibility
Questions (1232)
Róisín Shortall
Question:1232. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to raise public awareness of eligibility for family income supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34689/17]
View answerWritten answers
Family Income Supplement (FIS) is an in-work support, which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. FIS is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependants and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment. There are just over 57,000 families with more than 126,000 children in receipt of FIS. The estimated spend on FIS this year is approximately €422 million.
There has been a steady growth both in the number of families supported by FIS over recent years and associated expenditure, with numbers in receipt of FIS rising from around 32,000 families with more than 73,000 children in 2012 to just over 57,000 families and over 126,000 children by the end of June 2017.
A number of factors have led to the increase in take-up including an increased awareness campaign by the Department of Social Protection, a substantial increase in the numbers in employment, demographic factors and increases in the FIS thresholds in 2016.
The Department’s information strategy has promoted the benefits of FIS and increased overall awareness of the scheme. Some of the increase in FIS numbers is also due to transfers from the One-Parent Family Payment arising from the reduction of the age threshold of the youngest child to 7 years, which occurred over the past four years.
Substantial improvements in customer service and processing times for FIS customers have also significantly contributed to the increased numbers of FIS recipients.
The Department avails of every opportunity in its engagement with employers and jobseekers to build awareness of the availability of FIS and how this payment may benefit potential employees with children, a number of recent examples are outlined below.
- The Department’s website www.welfare.ie has full information on the FIS scheme and provides typical family scenarios to aid understanding and provide comparisons. This information is also available in all the Department local offices, CICs and information offices.
- In addition a series of road-shows were held around the country designed to inform employers about the wide range of employment support services provided by the Department, including FIS.
- Case Officers in each locality will specifically use FIS as an incentive to move people from the long-term Live Register to employment.
- The Department’s Benefit of Work ready reckoner gives an indication of the difference between a person’s potential in-work payment, including FIS, and current out-of-work payments.
- The Department also launched a poster advertisement campaign in its Intreo centres and local offices nationwide during 2015.
- The Department has also been in touch with Trade Unions representing in excess of 260,000 employees (in both the Public and Private Sector) and provided them with an article on FIS for inclusion in their publications for members. This article explains in detail the qualification conditions for the scheme and gives relevant supporting examples of families that could qualify.
- FIS was also publicised as part of jobs week which ran from the 28th September 2015 to 2nd October 2015.
The increasing numbers of families in receipt of FIS is testament to the effectiveness of the Department’s information strategy for the scheme and the significant improvements in customer service and processing times for FIS customers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Family Support Services
Questions (1233)
Róisín Shortall
Question:1233. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the introduction of a working family payment proposed in A Programme for a Partnership Government; the way the proposed payment will differ from family income supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34690/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Department has established an internal working group and an Inter-Departmental Group of the relevant Government Departments to consider proposals to advance the Programme for Government commitment on delivering a new Working Family Payment.
The Department has carried out extensive analysis of its existing supports. The analysis is at an advanced stage and shows the existing in-work supports are effective, and work well in assisting individuals into employment. The Department is working on potential proposals as to the most appropriate approach to fulfil the requirements of making work pay and tackling child poverty as outlined in the Programme for Government.
Disability Allowance Applications
Questions (1234)
Robert Troy
Question:1234. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a disability allowance for a person (details supplied). [34740/17]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this gentleman on 9 May 2017. On 13 June 2017 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.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (1235)
Robert Troy
Question:1235. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a disability appeal by a person (details supplied). [34741/17]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal was registered on 20th June 2017 and in accordance with the statutory requirements that office has contacted the person concerned and asked her to set out the complete grounds of her appeal. On receipt of her response the relevant papers will be requested from the Department of Social Protection and the appeal will then be referred, in due course, to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister of Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (1236)
Robert Troy
Question:1236. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a disability appeal by a person (details supplied). [34742/17]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal was registered on 22nd June 2017 and in accordance with the statutory requirements, that office contacted the person concerned and asked him to set out the complete grounds of his appeal.
The grounds of appeal were received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 03rd July 2017 and in accordance with the statutory requirement of the appeals process the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer have been sought. When these papers are received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (1237)
Robert Troy
Question:1237. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a carer's allowance review for a person (details supplied). [34743/17]
View answerWritten answers
Carer’s allowance (CA) is in payment to the person concerned since 31 July 2014 in respect of one care recipient. I confirm that my department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 16 February 2017 in respect of a second care recipient.
The application of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that he was not providing full-time care and attention as required. The person concerned was notified on 20 June 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
The person concerned has requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of his application. The review 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.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Questions (1238)
Robert Troy
Question:1238. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied). [34744/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Department is currently experiencing delays in the processing of Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) claims. We are extremely sorry for any worry or concern this may cause to parents/guardians of children with additional care needs. At present it is taking 20 weeks on average to finalise an application. Applications are processed in date of receipt order. There are a number of factors that have contributed to the extended time required to process claims:
First, there is a significant increase in the volume of applications being received. The numbers applying for DCA have increased significantly since 2009, when the Department took over administration of the scheme from the HSE. The year on year increase in volumes over recent years has consistently been in the 15-20% range due to an increase in population and more awareness of the scheme. Over 1,000 claims were received in May, along with a further 700 in June; whereas the average would have been 400 per month a few years ago.
Secondly, following a High Court ruling in 2016, there is now a need for the Department’s medical assessors to provide the deciding officer with a more detailed opinion on the child’s eligibility for the scheme and for the deciding officer in turn to provide more detailed reasons for their decision when communicating this to the customer. These factors have resulted in the time taken to finalise applications increasing significantly and as a result the numbers being processed have reduced and the timescale to finalise each application has increased.
Corrective actions are being taken, with additional deciding officers assigned to work on the scheme. Once these deciding officers become fully operational, the increase in claim processing capacity should allow for an improvement in processing times.
An application for DCA was received from this lady on the 21st of February 2017. The application will be considered by a Deciding Officer and the decision notified to her as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals
Questions (1239)
Robert Troy
Question:1239. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a domiciliary care allowance for a person (details supplied). [34745/17]
View answerWritten answers
This lady applied for domiciliary care allowance in respect of her child on the 9th October 2015. The application was not allowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A letter issued on 6th January 2016 outlining the decision in this case.
An appeal was lodged against this decision and as part of that appeal process, a review of the decision was undertaken by a deciding officer who upheld the original decision. The application was forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) for the appeal to be processed and she was advised on the 21st June 2016 that the appeal against the decision had not been allowed.
A request for a further review of the original decision along with additional information on this child’s condition/care needs was received on 10th February 2017. This new information has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their professional opinion. Upon receipt of the Medical Assessor’s opinion, the case will be further examined by a deciding officer, who will revise the original decision if warranted. In the interest of fairness to all claimants, reviews are processed in date of receipt order. Currently, it can take over 20 weeks to finalise a request for a review of a decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Questions (1240)
Robert Troy
Question:1240. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a domiciliary care allowance for a person (details supplied). [34746/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Department is currently experiencing delays in the processing of Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) claims. We are extremely sorry for any worry or concern this may cause to parents/guardians of children with additional care needs. At present it is taking 20 weeks on average to finalise an application. Applications are processed in date of receipt order. There are a number of factors that have contributed to the extended time required to process claims;
First, there is a significant increase in the volume of applications being received. The numbers applying for DCA have increased significantly since 2009, when the Department took over administration of the scheme from the HSE. The year on year increase in volumes over recent years has consistently been in the 15-20% range due to an increase in population and more awareness of the scheme. Over 1,000 claims were received in May, along with a further 700 in June; whereas the average would have been 400 per month a few years ago.
Secondly, following a High Court ruling in 2016, there is now a need for the Department’s medical assessors to provide the deciding officer with a more detailed opinion on the child’s eligibility for the scheme and for the deciding officer in turn to provide more detailed reasons for their decision when communicating this to the customer. These factors have resulted in the time taken to finalise applications increasing significantly and as a result the numbers being processed have reduced and the timescale to finalise each application has increased
Corrective actions are being taken, with additional deciding officers assigned to work on the scheme. Once these deciding officers become fully operational, the increase in claim processing capacity should allow for an improvement in processing times.
An application for DCA was received from this lady on the 21st February 2017. The application will be considered by a Deciding Officer and the decision notified to her as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Invalidity Pension Applications
Questions (1241)
Robert Troy
Question:1241. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied). [34747/17]
View answerWritten answers
The gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 18 May 2017. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on the 27 July 2017. Any arrears due from the 18 May 2017 to the 26 July 2017 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on the 10 July 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Invalidity Pension Applications
Questions (1242)
Robert Troy
Question:1242. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied). [34748/17]
View answerWritten answers
Invalidity 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.
To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter-alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete contribution year before the date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E or H contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.
The department received a claim for IP for the gentleman concerned on the 19 April 2017. He was refused IP on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. He was notified on the 22 May 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
My Department is currently reviewing the contribution history of this gentleman in relation to possible entitlement to further PRSI contributions for period(s) of employment in 2016 and a Deciding Officer wrote to him on the 11 July 2017 for further information in this regard. On completion of the review the gentleman concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Farm Assist Scheme Data
Questions (1243)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:1243. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of farm assist and the amount paid in each county, in each of the years from 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34766/17]
View answerWritten answers
The recipient information and national expenditure for Farm Assist requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statements.
The Department does not collate statistics on expenditure on a county by county basis for Farm Assist.
Farm Assist Recipients by County Breakdown
|
|
Dec-12 |
Dec-13 |
Dec-14 |
Dec-15 |
Dec-16 |
Jun-17 |
|
Carlow |
84 |
75 |
76 |
69 |
58 |
57 |
|
Cavan |
404 |
344 |
326 |
300 |
265 |
262 |
|
Clare |
609 |
566 |
521 |
455 |
400 |
392 |
|
Cork |
922 |
840 |
788 |
689 |
606 |
594 |
|
Donegal |
1,534 |
1,492 |
1,458 |
1,378 |
1,294 |
1,287 |
|
Dublin |
37 |
28 |
32 |
30 |
33 |
31 |
|
Galway |
1,112 |
1,035 |
1,000 |
858 |
767 |
762 |
|
Kerry |
818 |
766 |
721 |
638 |
568 |
569 |
|
Kildare |
53 |
39 |
37 |
28 |
19 |
20 |
|
Kilkenny |
146 |
128 |
120 |
108 |
91 |
87 |
|
Laois |
158 |
128 |
116 |
104 |
94 |
79 |
|
Leitrim |
394 |
396 |
377 |
366 |
331 |
325 |
|
Limerick |
250 |
231 |
216 |
180 |
164 |
160 |
|
Longford |
260 |
232 |
205 |
177 |
139 |
138 |
|
Louth |
87 |
79 |
82 |
72 |
59 |
60 |
|
Mayo |
1,813 |
1,691 |
1,614 |
1,471 |
1,289 |
1,288 |
|
Meath |
93 |
81 |
81 |
67 |
55 |
52 |
|
Monaghan |
504 |
468 |
446 |
386 |
344 |
339 |
|
Offaly |
130 |
107 |
97 |
89 |
76 |
79 |
|
Roscommon |
424 |
384 |
356 |
319 |
276 |
276 |
|
Sligo |
310 |
283 |
283 |
251 |
228 |
226 |
|
Tipperary |
404 |
363 |
336 |
300 |
269 |
262 |
|
Waterford |
92 |
85 |
78 |
70 |
64 |
58 |
|
Westmeath |
197 |
166 |
153 |
131 |
120 |
119 |
|
Wexford |
248 |
224 |
223 |
195 |
166 |
160 |
|
Wicklow |
79 |
72 |
67 |
59 |
53 |
54 |
|
Total |
11,162 |
10,303 |
9,809 |
8,790 |
7,828 |
7,736 |
Expenditure on Farm Assist 2012 – 2016
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
108,170 |
99,178 |
93,632 |
88,487 |
78,831 |
Jobseeker's Benefit
Questions (1244)
Catherine Martin
Question:1244. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in view of the increasingly precarious nature of part-time work, she will review the regulations regarding the number of days in which a recipient of jobseeker's benefit who works part time must be available for work for a full day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34819/17]
View answerWritten answers
The main social welfare schemes for unemployed persons are the jobseeker’s allowance and benefit schemes. Both schemes provide significant support to individuals so that they can work up to 3 days a week and still retain access to a reduced jobseeker’s payment.
The current days based system can provide significant income supports to jobseekers who are casually employed or working part-time. For instance an individual can earn a little over €19,760 per year and still retain a small jobseeker's allowance payment, while the equivalent threshold for an individual with a qualified adult is almost €33,975 if they are both working.
If there was a change from a days based to an hours based system, the design would have to take account of earnings. Furthermore, if an hours based system were introduced, existing casual jobseekers could lose out if their current hours worked over three days, exceeded the new hours threshold, thereby creating a disincentive to work longer.
In addition, to the two jobseeker’s schemes my Department’s main in-work support is the family income supplement (FIS), which targets families with children on low incomes and who work at least 19 hrs per week.
The back to work family dividend (BTWFD) scheme allows JA or JB recipients who have been jobseekers for 12 months or recipients of the one-parent family payment to retain their full increase for qualified children (IQC) for the first year in employment, tapering to 50% in the second year.
Where a long term unemployed jobseeker is offered employment of more than 3 days but less than 24 hours a week, they may be eligible for the part-time job incentive scheme. Under this scheme they can receive a weekly payment of €119 per week if they are single or €193.90 if they have an adult dependent.
My Department is currently analysing incentives to work in the social welfare system for jobseekers with children with a view to developing the Working Family Payment.
Based on an analysis of current incomes, benefits, and taxes, ESRI research shows that people are better off in work than on welfare. In particular, it demonstrates that more than eight out of ten unemployed jobseekers would see their income increase by at least forty per cent upon taking up employment. Fewer than three per cent would, in the short-term, be financially better off not in work.
The risk of facing weak financial incentives to work is higher for unemployed persons with a spouse and children, as the income support goal of the welfare system means that they tend to have higher welfare payments. However, even among that group, less than one in fifteen would be financially better off not working. With the introduction of the Back to Work Family Dividend (BTWFD) scheme, that figure drops to one in twenty.
The combination of schemes available provides considerable income support for individuals who have part time employment by allowing them retain access to a social welfare payment.
Reflecting the impact of government policy, and the overall improvement in the labour market, long term unemployment continues to fall. The most recent data show that unemployment has fallen from a peak of 15% in 2012 to 6.3% in June 2017.
Appointments to State Boards Data
Questions (1245)
Catherine Martin
Question:1245. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 2040 of 20 June 2017, the number of former TDs that applied for board positions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34856/17]
View answerWritten answers
In my reply to question number 2040 of 20 June 2017, I confirmed that no former TDs have been appointed to the Boards of any of the statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department in the period from 1st November 2014 to date. I also advised that, in line with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards (November 2014),appointments to State Boards are advertised on www.stateboards.ie which is operated by the Public Appointments Service.
I am advised that all applications submitted to the Public Appointments Service are confidential and used only for the purpose of assessing suitability against the specified criteria. The information sought by the Deputy is not therefore available.
Unemployment Levels
Questions (1246, 1247)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:1246. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that are being taken to ease unemployment specifically in the blackspots identified in census 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30474/17]
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Niall Collins
Question:1247. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the latest unemployment data in the CSO census 2016 summary results part 2. [30514/17]
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1246 and 1247 together.
The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of employment and unemployment statistics for the State. Reflecting the impact of government policy, and the overall improvement in the labour market, the unemployment rate has fallen rapidly since it peaked at 15.1% in Q1 2012. The most recent figure is 6.8% in Q1 2017, and unemployment has fallen by more than half in every region of the country over this period. A strong downward trend continues.
In Q2 2016, the unemployment rate as measured by the QNHS was 8.6%. The Census of Population 2016 Summary Results - Part 2, published on 15 June 2017 (based on Census night 24th April 2016) provided an alternative measure of unemployment levels and indicated an unemployment rate of 12.7%.
The main difference in the unemployment rate between the two sources arises as the classifications used in the measurement of unemployment differ for both.
In the QNHS, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) classification is used and defines employment, unemployment and the inactive population. Unemployment is defined as persons who, in the week before the survey, were without work and available for work within the next two weeks, and had taken specific steps, in the preceding four weeks, to find work.
The Census uses the Principal Economic Status (PES) classification to establish the labour force situation of the respondent. The PES classification is based on how respondents would describe their present principal status including a status of being unemployed.
Notwithstanding these differences, a strength of the census-based data on employment and unemployment is the provision of data for small geographic areas, and analysis on the comparisons between areas. Based on this, the latest census report has identified the 79 District Electoral Divisions (DEDs) with the highest levels of unemployment as “unemployment blackspots”. The DEDs involved vary greatly in population size (ranging from about 490 to about 8,400) and other characteristics. They are, however, predominantly the DEDs of highest unemployment within larger urban areas; over half of the blackspots, and over half of the population resident in blackspots, is in the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford.
Government policy to reduce unemployment is twofold. First, through policies set out in the Action Plan for Jobs, to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs; and second, through Pathways to Work to ensure that as many of these new jobs and other vacancies that arise in our economy are filled by people taken from the Live Register.
The Action Plan for Jobs 2017 includes actions aimed at stimulating regional growth, including the progression, monitoring and support of the eight Regional Action Plans for Jobs, which through public and private sector collaboration seek to build on existing strengths and assets and identify opportunities within each region, and realise the national Action Plan’s regional employment targets.
As an example of measures to support the regional jobs agenda, additional funds will be made available through the enterprise development agencies out to 2020. In this context, a competitive Regional Enterprise Development Fund 2017-2020 was launched in May 2017, providing funding of up to €60 million to co-finance the development and implementation of collaborative and innovative projects that can sustain and add to employment at a national, regional and county level. This regional competitive fund will support the ambition, goals and implementation of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs. In addition, additional funding of €150m is being made available to the IDA to support its Regional Property Programme and drive job creation in the multi-national sector.
The Pathways to Work 2016-2020 strategy continues to prioritise actions for the newly unemployed and also includes a range of measures for the long-term unemployed. This includes the payment-by-results services of JobPath to engage more systematically with the long-term unemployed; providing targeted wage subsidies under JobsPlus; and reserved places for long-term unemployed jobseekers on employment and training programmes.
In relation to ‘blackspots’ with a high concentration of unemployment, it is important to recognise that DSP services through Intreo are focused on unemployed individuals rather than on areas. This means, nonetheless, that those areas where unemployed individuals are most concentrated will also be the areas that receive a greater share of DSP income support payments and activation and employment services.
Finally, the Census shows that the concentration of unemployment in ‘blackspots’ is related to issues such as low educational attainment; housing tenure; and other markers of disadvantage. Where there is a high spatial concentration of blackspots, such as in Limerick, there are overarching strategies in place. For example, the Limerick Regeneration Plan includes a range of measures to address the multitude of issues present in these areas. More generally, measures are in place across a range of policy fields, such as education and childcare, to focus enhanced support on areas of identified disadvantage.
I am confident that the range of measures outlined, and continuing economic recovery, will support further reductions in unemployment both nationally and in the blackspot areas.